Giving Yourself a Massage
Nothing feels better then a good massage, but finding someone who is
willing to rub you down, get you to relax, and help remove aches and
pains isn't always easy. While you can't give yourself a total massage,
you can get the benefits of massaging certain parts of your body. It
isn't hard to do, can be incredibly relaxing, and feels great as well.
Arms and Hands.
A
massage that can be done anywhere is the massaging of your arms and
hands. You can even do the hand massage without massaging your arms.
For this massage lotion or oil is helpful for making your movements
slow and sensual. If you want to make your own massage oil check out
the article Making Your Own Massage Oil.
Arms-
To massage your own arms apply a generous amount of oil or lotion.
Start at your shoulder and massage in a gentle but firm circle. Slowly
work your way downward. Make sure you get the your elbow as well. Once
you have reached the wrist do a few long firm strokes all the way up
and then down again. Apply pressure as you desire.
Hands-
To massage your own hand hold it out and apply a generous amount of
lotion or oil. Start at the wrist and place your fingers so they touch
your palm and your thumb so that it is on top of the hand. Work your
way around the hand rubbing in circles on both the top and the bottom.
Finish with long strokes from the wrist and down each finger and then
back to the wrist. If you are not pregnant it is also good to massage
the webbing of the hand between the forefinger and the thumb. This is a
pressure point that can make you feel really good, but make sure you
don't do this if you are pregnant because it can cause labor pains that
lead to labor.
Calves and Feet.
While massaging
your calves and feet is a little harder to do just anywhere, it can
feel wonderful when you have the time and the location to do so. These
massages are also really good with lotion or oil. You can choose to do
both together or pick just one to help with specific aches and pains.
Massaging the calves can also help relieve muscle tension caused from
exercising and even from cramps in the calf.
Calves- To
massage your own calf apply a generous amount of lotion or oil. Turn
your hands so that your thumbs touch the top of the calf and your
fingers the bottom. This will allow you to apply as much or as little
pressure to the muscle as you wish. It is easiest to run your hands up
and down in long stokes applying the desired pressure, however strokes
that kneed the muscle can also bring relief and relaxation.
Feet-
Massaging your own feet can feel great and lead to a lot of relaxation.
It is a good idea to wash your feet before you massage them and then
apply a lot of lotion or oil (I prefer lotion for my feet though oil
works best on most of the other body parts). If you can turn your feet
in a way that the bottoms face up enough that you can massage them well
it will work best, but isn't necessary. If the bottoms of your feet are
facing upward then use your thumbs to massage the bottoms and the other
fingers on the top. This allows you to rub specific spots and kneed
your feet well. You can also use your knuckles for great strokes on
your feet. If your feet are such that the bottoms are facing down then
kneed them with your fingers while your thumbs remain on top. Try a
variety of circular, kneading, and long stokes to find what you enjoy
best.
Shoulders and Neck.
Often times we feel
stress in our shoulders and neck more than anywhere else. At these
moments a massage can be a great way to get rid of some of the tension
and to bring some relief to the area. There are tips for massaging
these areas anywhere and there are ones for massaging them at home. A
home massage is best, but the immediate relief of a few minutes on
break time or at your desk can be wonderful.
Shoulders (anywhere)- Massaging
your shoulders anywhere doesn't require anything special. However, it
is a good idea for you to sit up as straight as possible. Place your
hands so that the fingers touch the back of your shoulders with your
thumbs off to the sides. Start at the base of your neck and rub in
circular motions. Work your way all the way outward and then back
again. Now do a few long strokes along the tops of the shoulders and
finally down along the shoulder blades as far as you can reach. All of
this can be done with your clothes on.
Neck (anywhere)- Many
of us get headaches that stem from our necks. This can be because of
too much time at the computer, poor sleeping position, or even from
stress itself. To give yourself a neck massage anywhere, sit up as
straight as possible. Gently rotate your head letting it drop all the
way to the back, then one side, then the front, and then the other
side. This will help loosen you up a little. Then turn your hands so
that your fingers are resting on the back of your neck near the base
(where it connects with your body) and your thumbs are off to the
sides. Once again you will start with slow circular motions. This time
you want each of your hands to be on either side of the vertebrae so
your massaging takes place next to it, but not on it. Work your way all
the way up to the top of the neck. This is actually a few inches past
where you head starts, but if your hair do will be a problem you can
stop a little early. Now that you have loosened up some do a few long
strokes. You can move your neck along with the long strokes allowing
you to get the areas that need it most.
Shoulders and Neck at home-
At home it isn't that much different. However, a dab of lotion or oil
(especially oil) can make it feel a whole lot better. To get just a dab
add it to your palms and then rub them together to coat your hands.
Then proceed as normal. Sitting up is best for the shoulders, but to
rub the neck really well lay down on the floor, work on getting your
back as straight as possible, and then rub it. Deep breathing exercises
can also help relieve some of the tension.
Head.
The
last location that you can give yourself a great massage is your head.
It is best to do so at home and not while you are out and about since
it can certainly do a number on your hair. It shouldn't be done with
oil or lotion (since your hair is there, though if you are bald or
shaves you can decide for yourself). To massage your head sit up
straight. Place your hands so that your fingers are reaching toward the
top of your head. Use your fingers and your thumbs to massage in small
circular motions starting at the base where your head and neck connect
and working your way upward. Continue to massage your whole head moving
your fingers and thumb in small circles or back and forth. I used to
imagine that there was a sucker on the palm of each hand and that it
was working on sucking the pain and tension out of my head, this helps
you get the right motion down. Then you can rub your forehead and
temples in circular motions. Close your eyes, breath deep, and gently
rub your fingers over you eyelids, down the sides of your nose, and
along your sinuses. Then bring your fingers down along your jaw bone
and to your chin. This is a great way to finish the massage. You can do
the face portion while laying down in bed. The rest can also be done
while laying face down in bed.
While giving yourself a massage
isn't going to give you the best massage you could ever get, it is good
and it is easy to talk yourself into do in it (for free). A few good
tips and away you go with making yourself feel better and giving you a
chance to do a lot of relaxing. Whether you are at home or out and
about, you can enjoy a little bit of massage.
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Comments
I love massages, especially on my shoulders. Great article!
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