Neck and shoulder massage

Posted on April 1, 2008
Filed Under Neck and shoulder massage |

Neck massageMassage therapy is a growing profession in which neck and shoulder massages are common. Once you learn the how to give a neck and shoulder massage, you’ll see it is not difficult. Follow these steps to see if you enjoy it enough to enter a completely new profession.
Massage therapy is a growing profession in which neck and shoulder massages are common. Once you learn the how to give a neck and shoulder massage, you’ll see it is not difficult. Follow these steps to see if you enjoy it enough to enter a completely new profession. Find a friend who is willing to exchange massages with you. Place a professional massage chair in an area where you can move around it without running into other furniture. If you do not have access to a massage chair, have your friend sit in a regular, straight-back chair. People who sit long hours in front of a personal computer complain of pains in their neck, shoulders and forearms. Neck and shoulder pains used to be quite common among athletes and those who carry back or shoulder packs or satchels, such as postmen. Massage therapy is a rising profession in which neck and shoulder massages are widespread. Once you learn to give a neck and shoulder massage thoroughly, you’ll see it is not so difficult.

These aches and pains can be reduced significantly, and even eliminated entirely, if proper periodic massage treatments are given by either a knowing friend or a professional massage therapist. A typical process of neck and shoulder massage involves the following steps:

Find a friend who is willing to take massages from you. Place a professional massage chair, table, firm mattress or floor mat in an area where you can move around it easily without being obstructed by other furniture. If you do not have access to a massage chair, you can carry out the process in a regular, straight-back chair.

Have the person lie down face up on either a massage table or firm mattress or floor mat. A rolled towel place under the upper back will help to stabilize the back and neck. Support the person’s head with one hand, while turning the head slightly to the right.

Move smoothly your other hand firmly out from the center of the chest to the top of the arm, and then back along the shoulder, then back along the neck to the base of the skull.

Use your elbows to do a circular massage movement across the shoulders. Apply a crawling pattern with your thumbs and elbows. Make circle like motions with the fingers along the back of the neck to make the neck less tense. Continue these motions down the neck and then on the chest. Then, stroke firmly along the side of neck and then to the shoulder. This will help to stretch the neck muscles.

Turn the head to the center and then place both hands on the head to stretch the neck muscles. Then turn the head to opposite side and repeat the procedure from the opposite direction. Make small, circular movements on the back of the neck, and stroke the back of the head with circular movements. Then lower the head to the horizontal position.

Repeat these motions in different directions until you have finished the massage and covered the entire neck and shoulder area.

The fingers, particularly the finger tips, are very important in this kind of therapy. Use firm, gliding strokes to give the most effect. Since the source of the discomfort is often away from the skull, it is very important to concentrate of the areas where most of the pain is coming from.

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