Learning some basic massage techniques is the first step towards giving a truly relaxing massage in the comfort of your home. You (and your partner) can benefit from a few simple moves that are easy to learn. Are you ready?
Brushing
Think of your fingers as feathers. You want to lightly brush the skin. This particular technique is most effective at the end of the massage.
Karate Chop
You tap your partner's skin with the outside edges of your hands. However, you need to remember that this isn't a karate chop meant to break a piece of wood. Be gentle! Try to keep a good rhythm and don't tighten your wrists.
Kneading
Have you ever made your own bread? Or perhaps watched your grandmother make bread? The kneading massage technique is very similar to kneading dough.
Using both your hands, roll and press the muscles like they were dough. You can use your fingers separately if you want or used them together in a larger kneading motion. Kneading muscles helps promote relaxation, improves circulation and loosens tight muscles.
Point Pressure
You have probably felt "stress knots" at some point in your life. For me, stress tends to accumulate just below my neck, on my back and around my shoulders. For other people, it may act on their lower back or somewhere else. You can normally detect these knots while you are massaging someone. They feel hard and resemble knots.
To release them, apply pressure with your thumbs and/or index finger. Press hard but not too hard that you hurt the person you are massaging. Keep the pressure for about 10 seconds, then release. To enhance the benefits of this technique, the person receiving the massage should breathe in as you apply pressure and breathe out as your remove pressure.
Strokes
Try to picture your hands being the strong current in a river. Your hands move in long strokes, in a flowing motion. You can use both hands together or separately. The pressure is very light, but heavier than finger brushing.
The benefits of using this particular massage technique are numerous. For example, this technique is normally done at the beginning of a massage session, and aims to spread the massage oil. The strokes also help the recipient become accustomed to your touch so that the following movements don't come as a surprise.
Other Massage Techniques
There are many other massage techniques in this world. Here are a couple more.
Deep Friction. This technique is half-way between the stroke technique and the pinpoint pressure technique. You move your hands in strokes but need to apply a little more pressure. It's particularly beneficial on sore muscles.
Skin Rolling. Imagine trying to gently pull the outer skin layer away from the body by squeezing a little roll between your thumb and index finger. Move your hands forward while keeping the "rolled up skin" between your fingers.
I hope that these massage techniques will come in handy for your next massage. Don't forget that you don't need to have someone else to massage you (although it helps!). If you are sore from running, you can massage your own calves. If you are stressed and feel some pain around your neck, you can try to relieve the stress knots yourself.
One important thing to remember when you use these
massage techniques is to use great essential oils.
You can double the benefits of the massage by combining physical relaxation with mental relaxation with such oils as lavender, chamomile, etc. Don't be afraid to experiment a little, but start with small quantities.
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