Step By Step Guide To Giving Massages At Home

The basic movements of a massage

The intuitive triumphs. Doing what we would do to ourselves when any part of the body hurts is correct. However, there are some guidelines to start experimenting with.

• Start and finish. At the beginning, the recipient’s skin must be awakened. The simplest thing is to pass with the tips of the fingers, as if stroking, the area to be massaged. With both hands, one starts and goes up and down, and from there goes back to the beginning, without touching. Meanwhile, the other hand does the same, but alternately. For those who receive, the feeling must be one of continuity, as if they were bicycle pedals: while one hand descends, the other rises, without empty spaces. When you decide to finish the massage in the area, you say goodbye again in this pleasant way.
• Slide. We apply oil in the palm of the hand, we place it on the skin and, supporting our own weight a little, we carry it forward. It is preferable to do it in the direction of the heart: for the legs, for example, you climb them from the ankle by dragging your hand with a little pressure and when you undo the path, the pressure is softened, but without ceasing to contact the skin. We can do the movement repeatedly, slowly warming up the area, and match the rhythm with which we advance to our own breathing or that of the recipient. In this dialogue that is being created between the receiver and the masseuse, asking how the hands feel, what pressure and what rhythm are more pleasant, helps and inspires confidence in whoever is giving.
• Press. We drop the weight on a part of the body in a static way. We are changing the pressure from the right hand to the left, while we take the opportunity to move the one that does not press. It is like walking but with your hands. Each part of the body and each person accepts a pressure, although the usual thing is that one can support himself with all the weight on the back. Those who give can enjoy the sensation of entering the muscles with their hands, as if opening the tissues, which respond by relaxing. On the joints you have to be careful, as they are more fragile. Pressure should also be gentler on children and the elderly.
• Percussions They consist of hitting at a constant rhythm and alternately. Increasing the pace and keeping it constant takes some practice. The most common way to do them is by striking laterally with the hands on the body. We can vary, hitting with closed fists or with the palms of the hand forming a hole, for example.

Massages at home: a space for dialogue for the family

We must take advantage of the confidence of doing family massage to talk, to express what we like. It is a space to experiment: with oils, with essences or with space. And in the process … communicate, know what is taking us on the right track.

That is where the game is born in the family: what do I surprise with in the next session? If I listen, it will be easier: you just have to understand where the comments of the recipient are pointing.

With children, communication is more necessary and easier : necessary so that they do not get bored and participate, and easy because they are better able to express their needs. Making body contact a game, adding tickling to the technique, allows the familiar space of the massage to be filled with naturalness.

The positive effects are great and long-lasting: breaking the taboo of touching, hugging and becoming familiar with nudity. All results in better communication and can provide a space for laughter and play.

Caring for the elderly

If someone appreciates the contact in a special way, it is the elderly. For those who live alone, when you go to visit, you can give a little massage. Sometimes you don’t know what to give them; Few things excite them anymore. Without a doubt the warmth of the contact of the palm of the hand will be an excellent present.

You have to take into account the fragility of your bones: you don’t have to press hard. We look for an area where they have pain : the ankles, the back or the legs. It begins with a simple contact, placing the hands on the clothes and letting them rest in that area for a few minutes.

The next step is to massage directly onto the skin. Here the toning power of rosemary can help for sore muscles, or a witch hazel oil, on tired legs. Experimenting and asking how the massage feels to the recipient is the best way to give them what is good for them.