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Giving a Relaxation Massage
Chapter 2
Be prepared with their favorite massage oil (adding essential oils such as; lavender, peppermint or blue chamomile is also a nice touch), put some in the palm of your hand, rub hands together (warm them up if they are cold) and now… massage! If you start dragging the skin to much… add a little more oil to your hands. Don’t pour it directly on the skin.
Remember, with every technique discussed; start with light pressure and then increase. Repetition is key to creating a relaxing effect. . Obviously you’re not trying to hurt them; so if your partner is feeling pain, ease up. Talk to them periodically throughout the massage by asking “Is this ok? Does this hurt?” A little “relieving” type of discomfort is normal, but much more only adds to the tension.
Getting Started
Have your friend lie on their stomach on the floor once you’ve laid out a doubled up blanket. Follow the instructions in “How to Give a Simple Loving Massage,(the first article in this series) preparation chapter; prone” on how to pillow and support your partner. You’ll be kneeling beside them at the hips facing their head.
Place both hands on their lower back on either side of the spine. Let them gently sink in a little, then slowly move up the back to the neck. Move your hands to the side (to shoulders) then slide them down the side of the torso with less pressure until you reach the hips again. Repeat and as mentioned before increase the pressure little by little while your friend takes a couple of deep breaths. This is a great way of easing into a massage and spreading the oil on the person’s back and is known as Effleurage.
Now we’ll work one side of the back at a time. This will save your back from strain.
On the side you are on, make a fist. Place your knuckles about 2 inches on this side of the spine just above their hips, again, let your hand slowly sink into the tissue. Make little circles (5 is a nice number) on the “erector muscles”. Make sure you are not just moving over the skin… you are engaging the muscles underneath.. Then, ease up on the pressure, slide up the back a few inches and repeat. Do this until you get up to the shoulders. If you receive a good response (hmmm’s and ahhhh’s would qualify), you can certainly repeat this step. These muscles are usually tired and sore because their main job is to keep us standing upright.
Next massage the trapezius muscle: the most superficial muscle of the shoulder and upper back. Move up closer to the shoulder. Make a “C” shape with both your hands. Place them on the shoulder. Your fingers will be slightly on the front of the shoulder. Grasp and lift the muscle and gently release it. Do this lightly and slowly. Once you feel the muscle relaxing… increase the strength of the grasps. The key to this technique is to alternate the movements of the hands. Do this one for a minute or so. If done correctly, it feels GREAT! This technique is known as Petrissage.
Levator Scapulae is another muscle that requires some attention. It runs from the innermost top angle of the shoulder blade to the side of the neck. If you see people holding their shoulders up around their ears, chances are these muscles are tight.
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