How to Give a Massage

When NOT to Give a Massage

Please be responsible

• Either you or the recipient has alcohol or drugs in their system. I know a lot of people think it's cool to get a massage while under the influence - more relaxation, right? But it's really not good for anybody to receive while their system is already compromised and you don't want to give one in that condition either because you could really hurt somebody.
• The recipient has uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease or any other vascular (blood vessel) or circulatory issues.
• The recipient has varicose veins or bruises. You can work around them but not on them. If your recipient bruises easily or has chronic bruising they should get a doctor's permission first.
• The recipient has contagious skin conditions.

Massage the Skull and Face

The First Step in a One Hour Massage

• Have the person lie down on their back.
• Massage the scalp first.
  Position yourself behind the person's head so that you're facing their feet. With both hands on either side of the head apply gentle pressure to the scalp with the fingers making small circles. Use enough pressure so that you make contact with the skull but not so much that it hurts. Move your fingers along from the top of the head to the base of the skull. You can gently push with your thumbs along the top of the skull while you massage with your fingers. Hold the thumbs in place for a few moments as you push them into the skull. Do this about three minutes.
• Get deeper into the muscles at the base of the skull.
  With palms flat along either side of the head so that the ears are between your thumb and first finger and your fingers spread along the back of the head, gently turn the head to one side so that it is cradled in one palm. You'll feel the point where the balance is just right. With the hand that is free, massage the muscles that are all along the base of the skull with the tips of your fingers. You can also use this time to make circular motions along the back of the skull as you did in the first step. Make sure to cover as much of the skull (not the face) as possible.
  
  Then gently move the head so that it is cradled in the hand you were just massaging with and repeat the process with the other hand. All of this can take 5 minutes or so.
• Rest the back of the head in your palms (the back of your hands rest on the surface you're working on).
  Although you're not doing anything, let the head rest like this for 2-3 minutes. It's very soothing and gives the body a moment to integrate what you've just done.
• Massage the face.
  With a very light touch, smooth your thumbs across the forehead, starting at the imaginary line from nose to scalp and pulling your thumbs to the side of the head. Do the same with the cheeks and then along the chin, about three times over the same areas. Put one hand on the forehead (horizontally) and the other with the palm over the top of the head for 2 or 3 minutes. You don't want to squeeze the head. Have the weight of your hands be a little more than just touching the skin.

Massage the Back

Avoid the spine and kidneys

1. Release the shoulder blades
   Stand or kneel at the head of your recipient. Place the palms of your hands on the top of each shoulder, then push each hand alternately so that the shoulder moves towards the feet. Repeat several times. It feels like a cat kneading.
2. Work the entire back using petrissage and effleurage strokes.
   At this point your hands will probably have a good idea of what to do. Let them decide what needs to be worked on and warm the muscles.
3. Release trigger points.
   Trigger points are those super tender points that you often run into along the shoulder blades or at the base of the neck. They can be found all over the body but those are the most common. If you find one, gently ease your thumb into it and ask your recipient if they can tolerate the pain. If so, hold the point for a 10-30 seconds. Then ask if the pain is better. It often will be. Continue massaging the back as above.

Massage the Gluteus Maximus

Yes, I'm talking about the behind, butt, bum, boo-TAY

• The technique is simple.
  Make a fist and gently but firmly push the flat part of your fingers into the butt muscles, alternating hands. It's like punching bread dough down after it's risen. Work all over the muscle. There may be a tender spot. You can push your thumb into that as you did for the trigger points above. It can be very tender so be careful.
• For extra credit.
  While you have your fist pushed into the gluteus muscle, lift the leg up by the ankle with the other hand and rotate. You'll feel the bone moving around under your fist. That massages the gluteus from the inside out and it feels so good!