Learn how to give a massage.

I used to offer this service but had to give it up due to a back an arm injury from years ago, so I thought instead I would give you my knowledge and teach you how to give a massage and for you to learn the basic Massage Techniques.

These can be learned in a massage therapy school or in the comfort of your home to perform on family or friends. Different types of massage therapy provide different health benefits, so learning a variety of techniques is important

The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle" or from Latin massa meaning "mass, dough". The ancient Greek word for it was anatripsis, and the Latin was frictio.

It became popular in America in the middle part of the 1800s and was introduced by two New York physicians based on Per Henrik Ling's techniques developed in Sweden.

During the 1930s and 1940s it's influence decreased as a result of medical advancements of the time, while in the 1970s it grew once again with a notable rise among athletes. It was used up until the 1960s and 1970s by nurses to help ease patients’ pain and help them sleep.

It is popular in the United Kingdom today and gaining in popularity. There are many private practitioners working from their own premises as well as those who operate from commercial venues. Lots of people are benefiting and one group is athletes.

The above information is curtesy of Wikipedia

First of all you need to know two basic movements: Effleurage and Petrisage.

Effleurage:

Is the first and last movement you use when you learn how to give a massage. It is a smooth, slow and linking movement. When starting you first of all need relaxing music and some sort of oil, aromatherapy is good but it must be pre blended, especially if you are new to aromatherapy.

So now with the right sort of music which is slow and relaxing and the right medium to use on the skin which is not to sticky etc, you are ready to learn how to give a massage.

Now this first movement effleurage, I personally start at the bottom of the spine, both hands flat and side by side you are then going to slowly, move up the center of the back, making sure you don't lose contact with the body.

When you get to the top of the back, just move both hands round each shoulder and then move your hands back into the center and slowly go back down the center of the back, move both hands out to the hips and bring them back in again and start the whole routine again. You can do this a few times and it really starts to relax the person as well as the muscles.

What I found at this point was I was relaxing and with the right music you can really relax into the massage and the person whom you are working on will know this, I like to think of massage as a slow controlled dance routine, flowing, elegant and relaxing.

Below I have added you tube massage videos massage videos which shows someone else's technique. This shows you how to give a massage using the effleurage movement. I do things slightly different but what works for me won't work for someone else.

This movement is also known as "kneading" and if you think of the way you knead bread, then that's what you are doing to the muscle to relax it and help break down any stress in it.

Now it is important to make sure when you do this movement you are not to firm otherwise you can damage the muscle and make it go into a cramp etc. Now personally I did this movement for 5-10 mins and you do not want to over do it.

Also this movement can be slightly faster than effleurage although I just did this movement at a nice slow pace. Also I forgot to say this movement also starts to get the circulation going.

You can also use the whole of your lower arm to and I found by doing this, that is was a bit firmer although not to much and that you are covering a wider area. You are really relaxing the muscles of the shoulder especially if you are massaging the back.

Again I have posted this video below to show this movement when you are learning how to give a massage.

It is best to do your research on qualifications, I personally think ITEC is good as it is thorough and intense you need to learn anatomy and physiology and the techniques.

It needs to be thorough as being a massage therapist is a responsibility as you are working with the human body. So you really do need to do your homework when you start the quest on how to give a massage professionally.

Types of Massage:

If using aromatherapy oils they will absorb into the blood stream and do what each one has been designed to do.

So there are a lot of benefits and it is fun to learn and do. Afterwards the person whom you have been working on will be so chilled out they will probably have a great night's sleep, especially when using oils. The company above showing the massage blends are one of my favourite companies.

I used these oils when I was working in Edinburgh and they are fantastic but very strong especially the deep relax, I had done 7 massages one Saturday and feel asleep on the train going home, luckily I woke up and didn't miss my stop. The train smelt good though.

Now massage can help with lots of issues like Arthritis, sports injures, relaxation, lymphodema and much more.

I hope you have enjoyed my massage tips and instructions on how to give a massage, don't forget if you are a more visual person check out my other page full body massage videos and if you want to share massage stories with me that would be great...

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