Massaging Techniques: How to Give an Invigorating Full Body Massage

BEFORE THE MASSAGE - Massages should be given on a massage table which the person should be lying down on. If you don't have a massage table other substitutes can be used such as a rigid horizontal surface: bed, floor or ordinary table.

In order to allow the hands to glide easily over the skin, oil should be used for lubrication oil is a much better lubricant than cream. If you can't get the special aromatic and medicinal massage oils, almond, seed and olive oil can be also be used.

The atmosphere should be generally warm and pleasant, this gives the recipient a feeling of relaxation and ensures that they do not become too cold and uncomfortable. You could also use soft music and a delicate essence to create atmosphere.

STEPS - When doing a full-body massage a particular order should be used to ensure that body parts are not left out by mistake.

The patient receiving the massage should be lying face down. First we start at the legs, massaging from the foot up to the buttocks, doing each leg separately.

Then we move on to the back, working from the lower back region (lumbar region) to the neck, and then do both arms but one at a time.

After doing the neck you should tell the patient to turn around facing upwards, and start the massage at the legs again the same order should be used as above and finish it off with a gentle facial message.

Massage the abdomen using slow circular movements in a clockwise direction.

When the massage is over, the person should be given something to cover themselves up to avoid catching a cold and left to relax and sleep if they wish.

Tell the patient to do some stretching exercises and get up gradually off the massage table. This is important for during the massage their muscles were worked so the stretching would reduce the chance of them getting injured pulling a muscle.

TECHNIQUES - Stroking: is when you gently move your fingertips or palm of the hand. It used to apply the oil at the beginning of the massage. It can also be used to finish the massage.

Rubbing: is when you use the palm of your hands moving them firmly across the skin. It is stronger, faster than stroking and used to produce heat. It increases circulation and prepares the body for what's coming next.

Kneading: is when you use your hand as if you were kneading bread. These movements soften the skin.

Pressing: is used on the small areas of the body. Its aim is to drain waste material from the blood vessel by rubbing and kneading.

Tapping: this is a drumming movement made with the fingertips, heel of the hand or with a cupped hand. Its aim is to calm nerves and tone the skin. It can also be used to drain mucous from the bronchi when carried out on the chest using a cupped hand.

References

Healthy By Nature Vol.1 by Dr. Ernst Schneider 2007

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