The benefits of massage are amazing.  A massage is not only a form of pampering, but a massage can have many health benefits, as well.  Massage is not only for the back.  There are actually a number of different forms of massage that can have different benefits.

Follow Us On Twitter!

Benefits of Massage

• Low back pain relief
• Improvement of range of motion
• Helps reduce medication dependence
• Enhances immunity by stimulating the lymph flow, which is the body’s natural defense
• Stretches weak, tight, or atrophied muscles
• Helps athletes recover from strenuous workouts
• Increases joint flexibility
• Promotes tissue regeneration, which reduces scar tissue and stretch marks
• Improves circulation by pumping oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs
• Reduces spasms and cramping
• Relaxes and softens injured, tired, or overused muscles
• Lessens the occurrence of depression and anxiety
• Serves as a natural painkiller by releasing endorphins
• Improves the skin

How to Give a Complete Body Massage

In order to truly reap the benefits of massage, it is important to know how to give a massage properly.  While a massage is generally synonymous with a back massage, there are other areas that can benefit from a massage.  Learn how to give a massage from head to toe, and discover the wonderful benefits of massage.

Head Massage

Stroke your fingertips along the person’s scalp from the forehead to the back of the head.  Then stroke from the sides of the head to the top of the head.  Place your thumbs near the top or back of the head.  Rotate your fingertips in small circles on the scalp.  Next, brace your thumbs on the sides of the head.  Rotate your fingertips in a circular motion on the scalp.  Massage the hairline, around the ears and back of the neck.  Now, place your fingertips near the temples, while placing your thumbs in the middle of the hairline right above the forehead.  Lift your thumbs and place them an inch back toward the top of the head.  Benefits of massage for the pressure points on the top of the head include relieving headaches and sinus congestion.

Should-Blade Massage

Outline the shoulder blade with your fingers.  To increase the pressure here, put one hand on top of the other.   Circle your palms around the shoulder blade.  For even more pressure, press the edge of the forearm right below your elbow around the shoulder blade.

Do the same thing on the opposite side.  If there are a lot of lumps from dense muscle tissue, circle your fingertips of that area and slide your fingers back and forth.

Full Back Massage

Put your palms on the upper back.  Have your fingertips pointing toward the lower back.  Lean your weight into your palms and lean forward.  Glide your palms down the back in one long stroke.  To increase pressure, use the flat part of your fists instead of your palms.  For a relaxing massage, slow down the pace.  To give the person a more energized massage, step up the pace.

When your palms or fists reach the lower back, slide them down both sides until you reach the table or floor.  Make your way up the sides of the rib cage to the person’s neck.  Do this stroke five times.

Forearm Massage

Take your thumb and stroke the forearm in three lines to cover the inner arm, middle arm, and outer arm.  Turn the arm over and repeat on the back of the arm.  Use a lighter pressure.  Do not use as much pressure, as this could be tender for certain people.

Foot Massage

Put a cream to both feet.  Wrap your hands around the foot, squeeze, and then slide from the pad to the back of the heel.  Massage around the ankle in circles.  Circle your thumbs up and down the sole, and squeeze.  Pull each toe.  Use your hands and stroke lightly in between the bones and on top of the foot.

Whether you give a massage for pampering or for the health benefits of massage, knowing how to give it properly is important.

Follow Us On Twitter!