Self Massage – Only Way to Keep You Fresh

Posted on April 18, 2008
Filed Under Self Massage |

self hand massageA massage is thought of being a relaxing way to sooth a tired and tense body after the trials of the day. When you feel in the need of a massage there are many different massage techniques that you can try. These massages also include the full body massage. Masseuse, a friend, or even a loved one can do these body massages.

The main items that are needed are trust that the full body massage will help to relax the muscles. A comfortable floor mat, firm sofa, massage table or even a massage chair where the person can stay while they are getting the full body massage is needed. A selection of body lotions or essential oils to promote a sense of well being can also be used in the full body massage.

 

Full body massage can produce multiple benefits for your health. These benefits go far beyond an hour spent in relaxing quietly, escaping the day. An increasing amount of evidence indicates that stress and tension form the root causes of many diseases and illnesses. Hence, if you are able to find ways to alleviate or relieve your stress, you are preventing health problems from emerging or becoming worse.

Oil helps your hands glide smoothly over your baby’s delicate skin. It is advisable to use cold-pressed fruit and/or vegetable oils, rather than mass-produced baby oils. Commercially produced oils are believed to dry the skin and clog the pores. If your baby were to put its hand in its mouth, you do not want to worry that a non-food substance is being introduced into your baby’s digestive system, which might happen with mineral oils.

Massage acts as a “mechanical cleanser” pushing along the lymph and hastening the elimination of wastes & toxic debris. Massage helps to eliminate edema (or dropsy) of the extremities through lymphatic massage.

Transverse massage (a therapeutic massage technique) separates muscle fibers, undoing or preventing the formations of adhesions. Massage stretches connective tissue, improves its circulation and nutrition so that it breaks down or prevents the formation of adhesions, and reduces the danger of fibroids.

 

To prepare for the full body massage you will need to make sure that you are wearing loose fitting clothes or you can have a bath towel draped around your body where you don’t want the body massage to be done. Lie down on the massage table comfortably and try to relax.

The person who will be doing the full body massage should apply some lotion or essential oil on to their hands. Slowly but firmly start applying a kneading motion along the sides of the spine. Work upwards towards the neck. The kneading motion should be done with the thumb but the amount of pressure should be light.

From the neck the full body massage can be continued back down the body towards the pelvis or you can give the arms, neck and shoulders a good massage. For the neck and shoulders you employ a circular kneading motion. You can use your fingers and thumbs to work any tension knots loose.

From this point you move towards the upper arms. You will need to rotate the arms in a clockwise motion. This will promote the blood that is in your upper arm to move more efficiently. Your upper arms can have the benefit of the full body massage as you use your fingertips to knead the biceps.

Once you have completed giving your upper body the full body massage it is time to head towards the legs. You will need to concentrate on each section one at a time. This means that when you give your legs a massage it can start from the top of the thighs and work down to the knees.

The thighs should have the same kneading motion as your back but the pressure can be a little harder. You can also use the flat part of your palm to knead the thigh and sides of the legs.

When the top of the legs have had the oil rubbed deep inside you will need to move to the calves and the ankles. At this moment your entire body has received the benefits of relaxation by a full body massage. This massage is the best way to achieve relaxation.

 

Benefits:

Better Circulation

Massage benefits blood and lymph circulation. Good circulation is vital to good health. Your blood and lymph carry nourishment to millions of cells throughout your body and carry away the waste eliminated from the cells. Massage increases the flow of blood and lymph, encourages better exchange of nutrients at the cellular level, and promotes detoxification. This process is important because the “future you” is determined by how well your cells regenerate themselves.

Massage for Chronic Pain Reduces Muscle Tension

Muscles contract around any painful site to protect the area. If pain is resolved quickly, muscles relax. If pain persists, muscles can become habitually tight.

Relax tight and tense muscles - Many people don’t realize how much a tight muscle impacts on vital things such as posture. A tense muscle can throw off your body’s balance. Before long, muscles that were not initially tight begin to tense as they compensate for other parts of the body. It becomes a chain reaction that can spread far from the initial problem spot. A talented massage therapist can identify the source of the problem and start working to alleviate the problem where it started.

Mental Benefits of Massage Therapy:

Fosters peace of mind

Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness

Helps relieve mental stress

Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately

Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity

Benefits to your skeletal systems:

Massage improves the circulation and nutrition of the joints and helps increase your range of joint movement.

Massage reduces joint strain and compression through releasing tight muscles and tendons.

Massage increases the ease and efficiency of your movements

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