Massage Techniques

Massage is neither complicated nor difficult and can form part of a healing process. The following is a simple guide to the different types of massage that can be used to ensure the best results.

Always massage with the flow of your body, which is towards your heart. When massaging the abdomen the flow is in a clockwise direction, using circular movements that follow the flow. Be aware of the person whom you are massaging, to ensure that it is a both a comforting and soothing experience, especially where the young and the very old are concerned.

After exercise, massage is a useful way to help the body rid itself of toxins that have built up during muscular activity. As massage helps the body to release the toxins, make sure that you drink plenty of fluids (preferably water) afterwards to wash the toxins through the system, this also helps stop the aches and pains associated with strenuous exercise.

Most of all enjoy it!

For a list of blended oils and their uses visit www.bodyandskincare.co.uk

Head Massage

What type of Massage to use

For Headaches

Neck

Shoulders

Arms 

Back

Abdomen

Legs

Reproductive area (Women)

Feet

This is a series of gentle strokes enabling the massage oil to penetrate the body, helping to bring about a state of calm and relaxation. Use the whole hand to do short or long strokes, these can be firm or gentle depending on how you feel. This type of massage helps to increase circulation, relaxation of the muscles and relieve the body of stress and tension.

Petrissage is gentle kneading movements, like kneading dough. The art of petrissage is never to cause pain or discomfort and should be performed slowly and carefully. It is usually used on the back, muscular and fatty areas, and is good for releasing trapped toxins, relaxing muscles and encouraging the lymphatic system to flow. As you perform each kneading movement put a slight pressure on your thumbs.

Especially beneficial for areas that are cold or of poor circulation. Rub the skin in circular movements with the flat of the hand.

Put your aromatherapy oils on your fingertips and use the fingers to massage around the head. It is only the fingertips that are used to gently but firmly go around and over the head.

For Headaches – start at the base of the neck and work upwards to the base of the scalp. Use the fingers in firm, but not hard effleurage strokes. Continue for as long as is necessary. It may also help to include the shoulder area.

The Neck – using the whole of the hand, at the base of the neck place a hand each side of the vertebrae (never put pressure on the vertebrae), use small but firm circular movements, work from the base of the neck, and continue upwards to the base of the scalp and then down the sides of the neck. Work around the sides of the neck using gentle but firm movements.

The Shoulders – use the thumbs and palms to massage with effleurage and petrissage actions, moving from the base of the neck outwards to the shoulder. You may also find it beneficial to take in the shoulder blade area by making large circular movements around the top of the shoulder to just under the shoulder blade.

The Arms – Using upwards strokes from the wrist to the armpit. Using petrissage on fatty and muscular areas as appropriate.

The Back – Starting from the lumbar region of the back, use effleurage strokes, put one hand either side of the vertebrae, using the whole hand, flat against the back stroke up towards the shoulder around and over the shoulder blade and slide down again the sides of the back. (Do not massage over the vertebrae). Repeat as often as is wished.

The Abdomen – using effleurage strokes, use circular movements in a clockwise direction only.

The Legs – always massage the legs upwards from the ankle to the thigh using effleurage strokes. Where appropriate use petrissage on the fatty or muscular areas. (Never over varicose areas)

The Reproductive area (Women) – using effleurage strokes start at the lower back and slide over the hips, then slide each hand over the abdomen. Use the whole of the hand flat against the skin.

The Feet – massage in an upwards direction form the toes to the ankle, if you are lucky enough to have someone do this for you, thumbs should be on the sole of the foot with the fingers on top, if you are doing your own feet you may find it easier to have your thumb on top with you fingers underneath.

For a list of blended oils and their uses visit www.bodyandskincare.co.uk

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