The skill to perform a relaxing full body massage is a great skill. You can use these skills to help friends and family members feel comfortable, to help people who are going through aches and pains, or to enjoy intimate and romantic moments with your partner. Performing a full body massage is not difficult, but requires a little preparation and practical knowledge. See Step 1 below to get started.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Mastering the Right Technique
Step 1. Massage the neck and shoulder area
When you're done massaging your shoulders, use the press-and-release technique to massage along your neck, up to your hairline. Remember that your hands should be next to your spine, not directly on your spine.
- Place one of your hands on one shoulder, in a classic massage position, then perform a deep kneading technique on the shoulder muscles. Use your fingers to grip, but don't press against the collarbone, as this may be painful.
- Now, turn around until you are facing the top of the partner/client's head, so that his shoulders are also facing you. Clench your hands together, then rub your knuckles gently but firmly across the tops of your shoulders to release any tension.
- Then, use your thumb to perform a press-and-release technique along the top of the shoulder and up to the base of the neck.
Step 2. Start with the soles of the feet
Start massaging the soles of your feet by cupping your hands around your feet while using your thumbs to apply pressure.
- Pay special attention to the curve of each foot, as a lot of pressure tends to build up in this area. However, also massage the heel and the base of the toes.
- When you reach your toes, grasp each one and pull gently to help release any tension.
- Be warned, though, because not everyone likes to have their feet touched, and some people get tickled very easily. Therefore, ask your partner/client before starting to touch their feet!
Step 3. Continue to move up to the leg
Once you have finished massaging the soles of your feet, move to the back of your legs. Massage each leg in a long, relaxed motion to begin with, from the calves to the upper thighs.
- Apply light pressure with both hands, gently pulling on the skin. This technique is known as "effleurage", and is a good way to prepare a body part for further massage.
- Next, cover the leg that hasn't been massaged with a towel, and focus on massaging the calf on the other leg. Use the kneading technique (as if you were kneading bread dough) to relax the calf muscles.
- Move up to your thighs and repeat the kneading technique in this area. Then, press the skin of the thigh with the base of the palm of your hand, then move your hand very slowly along the thigh. You should always move towards the heart.
- Cover the leg that has been massaged with a towel (to keep it warm), and repeat the massage on the other leg.
Step 4. Move from your lower back to your upper back
Use the effleurage technique described earlier to give a gentle long sequence from the top of the buttocks to the base of the neck.
- Place your palms on either side of your spine, and move them up, keeping your palms parallel. Once you reach your upper back, bend your arms crosswise outwards along your shoulders, as if you were drawing the top side of a heart/heart shape.
- Return to your lower back and use a kneading technique to relax the large muscles next to your spine. This area tends to store a pile of tension, so you need to allocate enough time to work on it.
- Next, use the “press-and-release” technique to massage your back upwards. This technique can be done by pressing your fingertips firmly against your back, then releasing them quickly. When the pressure is released, your partner/client's brain will release chemicals that make him feel good.
- When you reach the upper back area, ask your partner/client to bend their elbows, so that their shoulder blades point outward. This will give you more access to work the muscles around the ends of the shoulder blades, which tend to store tension build-up and muscle knots.
- To untangle muscle knots, use your thumb or other finger in a press-and-release technique repeatedly over the problem area.
Step 5. Massage the area of both hands and arms
When you're done massaging your neck and shoulders, move toward your arms, and massage each arm.
- Hold the partner's/client's wrist with your left hand, until the entire arm is lifted off the surface where he is lying. Then, use your right hand to massage along the back of the forearm, the triceps and across the shoulder, then turn to the opposite side.
- Now, move on and hold your partner/client's wrist with your right hand. Massage with your left hand along the forearm and biceps, then across the shoulder and down to the opposite side.
- Place your partner/client's arm back on the surface where it lies, then use your thumb and other fingers in a gentle kneading technique on the forearm and upper arm area.
- To massage hands, take the partner/client's hand with your hand, then massage the palm with your thumb in small circular motions. Next, take each finger in turn, and gently massage it along the knuckles all the way to the nail. Pull each finger firmly, but not too hard so you don't break!
Step 6. End the massage with the head area
Have your partner/client turn around so you can massage his head and face. Give him time if he needs to fix the position of the towel covering his body.
- Use your thumbs to gently massage the top of the scalp. For added pleasure, use your fingernails to gently scratch it.
- Then, massage the leaves and the lobes of both ears with your thumb and forefinger. Then, use your fingertips to gently massage along the surface of your cheekbones and chin.
- Place your hands under the partner's/client's head, then lift his head slightly off the surface where he is lying. Use your fingers to locate the small cavity where the neck meets the base of the skull. Apply firm pressure with your fingertips, then release. Repeat several times.
- Place your hands under your jaw and gently pull your head up to stretch your neck muscles. Then, gently press the center of the forehead (between the eyebrows) with your fingertips, and release again. Repeat until you reach 30 seconds.
- Next, use your fingertips to gently massage both temples, in slow, circular motions. The temples are one of the most important points to massage, so this pressure will help release the tension.
Part 2 of 3: Creating a Calming Atmosphere
Step 1. Light the candle
Candles have relaxing properties, so lighting a few candles indoors is a good idea.
- If possible, dim or turn off the lights in the room and only use candlelight. Your massage should make this person feel so relaxed that they are almost asleep by the time it's done, so lower light is a better choice!
- Use candles with a relaxing (but not overwhelming) scent, such as lavender or sea breezes, to help create an overall relaxed atmosphere.
Step 2. Play some soothing rhythmic music
Playing soothing music can help create a calm and relaxed atmosphere during a massage session. Soft classical music, or recorded sounds from nature, are examples of good choices.
- If possible, try to find out what kind of music your partner/client likes. Remember that this massage is for her, not for you, so you should try to follow her taste.
- Do not play music at a volume that is too loud. Music should be played at a very soft volume in the background for the massage session. This music should add to the overall massage experience, not destroy it.
Step 3. Use massage oil
It is very important to use oil when massaging. The oil helps your hand slide easily over the skin surface, so you won't cause pain from pulling or pinching your partner/client's skin.
- There are many interesting (and expensive) types of oils that are easy to buy in stores, but you can use any oil that is naturally based. For example, if you have sunflower seed oil or grapeseed oil in your kitchen, you can use it for massaging. Jojoba oil and almond oil are also very effective and pleasant-smelling options.
- You can also add a few drops of essential oil to the massage oil mixture. You should use pure (natural, unprocessed) essential oils, not chemical essential oils. Note that essential oils can enter the bloodstream, so you need to choose the type wisely. Choose a relatively gentle essential oil, such as lavender or orange oil. However, you need to consult a medical professional first if your partner/client is pregnant or has certain serious medical conditions.
- Try to slightly warm the oil and your hands before applying the oil on your partner/client's skin. Cold oil/hands will not produce a relaxing massage!
Step 4. Prepare lots of towels
Make sure that you have prepared a clean and freshly washed towel, to use at any time during the massage session.
- First of all, you need to cover the surface of the used bed with a towel, to protect it from splashes or drops of massage oil (which can leave stains).
- Second, you need a towel to cover your partner/client's body when you massage them. Ideally, your partner/client should take off all their clothes leaving only the underwear, so that as much of the skin area is exposed as possible. Then, you can cover her body with a towel so that she doesn't look naked and still feels warm, while you massage each body part.
- Third, you need an extra towel to wipe off the massage oil residue from your hands during and after the massage session.
Step 5. Make sure that the room used is comfortable
A comfortable room is a prerequisite for doing your massage. If your partner/client feels uncomfortable during the massage, he or she will not enjoy the massage!
- Make sure that there is a comfortable place to lie down, such as a mattress, rug, or special massage table. Cover the surface with a soft towel to keep it clean and not splashed with massage oil.
- Make sure that the room feels nice and warm. Keep in mind that your partner/client will take off some of his clothes during the massage process, so of course you need to make sure he doesn't get cold. Use space heaters if necessary.
- Make sure that the room you use for the massage is private and private, so you won't be disturbed by other people, children, or animals.
Part 3 of 3: Perfecting the Massage
Step 1. Do the massage slowly
Never do it in a hurry. Massage should be a luxurious and relaxing experience for your partner/client.
Give enough time to each area of the body, with full attention and care. Also keep your movements long, smooth and slow
Step 2. Always maintain contact between your hands and the partner/client's skin
Your hands should always touch the partner/client's skin throughout the entire massage session, as this keeps the momentum flowing and creates an uninterrupted relaxed atmosphere.
While you may have to take extra towels, drinking water, or massage oil during the massage, try to keep one hand in contact with the skin
Step 3. Communicate
Communication is key to the whole massage session. What feels good to you may not feel good to someone else, so it is very important that you ask your partner/client how he or she feels and really pay attention to the answer.
Ask him what he thinks about the strength of your pressure, which areas of the body he would like to massage, and which massages he enjoys the most. However, try to speak in a low, calm tone of voice, in order to maintain a relaxed atmosphere
Step 4. Pay attention to the muscle knots
If the person you are massaging has a lot of muscle knots in the back area, you can massage them to try to untangle them.
- However, make sure that you ask your partner/client first, because some people will feel pain from a massage like this and you certainly don't want to spoil the relaxing massage session that they should enjoy.
- Muscle knots can be areas that are tense and form large circles, or small lumps that feel almost like peas beneath the skin's surface. Try to massage just above the muscle knots, so they don't slip between your fingers.
- Apply increasing pressure to the muscle knots, then twist the thumb or other finger you're using, to untwist it. You may need to do a circular motion in the opposite direction, to really describe it perfectly.
- Try not to massage too deep into the tissue, as this area is best done by a qualified massage therapist. Keep massaging only to produce a sense of pleasure for your partner / client.
Step 5. Avoid the spine and other bones, Never put pressure on the spine or other bones
Pressure on the bones will be uncomfortable and unpleasant for your partner/client, and has more potential for injury than benefit.
After all, what you need to massage is the muscles, because they are where most of the tension is. Stick to the muscle area massage, then you can't go wrong
Tips
- Often, your hands will feel sore after massaging. Then, you can gently massage the palms of your own hands to relieve the pain.
- Make sure that other people can't see this massage session. Close your window blinds.
- Remember to prepare before the massage. Trim your nails, take a relaxing bath, concentrate on the massage session and the person you are going to massage, relax with yoga, mental relaxation methods or breathing techniques, and wear comfortable clothes.
- If your back or your whole body feels sore after the massage, drink lots of water.
- There are mobile apps that can guide you through every step of the massage process. Since you can keep your phone near you during a massage session, this app will come in handy for those who are forgetful. Just be careful not to get your phone splashed/drip with massage oil!
Warning
- Do not massage if you are unwell, or if you or your partner/client are injured or sick.
- Never massage an injured area of skin.
- Never massage a leg with a problem with blood vessels.
- Always apply gentle pressure when massaging the lower back area. Remember that there are no ribs to protect the internal organs in this area from the pressure of your hands.
- Avoid the area behind the knee, which is known as a dangerous area because it holds important body structures but is not well protected by the presence of tissue or muscle, so it can easily get injured.
- If you want to have sex after a massage session, be aware that massage oil will definitely affect the physical form of the contraceptive you use.
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In some cases, massage can exacerbate problematic medical conditions. Everyone should consult a doctor before getting a massage, if they have at least one of the following conditions:
- Injury or damage to the spine, e.g. bone discs changing position, etc.
- Bleeding problems or are taking blood-thinning medications, eg Warfarin
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg area)
- Injured blood vessels
- Weakness of bones due to osteoporosis, recent fractures, or cancer
- Fever
- There is at least one of the following problems in the area to be massaged: an open wound or a wound that has not fully closed, a tumor, a nerve injury, infection or acute inflammation, inflammation due to the radiation process
- Pregnancy
- Cancer
- Sensitive skin due to diabetes or scars that have not fully healed
- Heart problems.
