How to Massage Yourself
When you're stressed or feeling achy, there isn't always a masseuse around to ease your pain. These times call for giving yourself a massage. With a bit of knowledge about anatomy and applying the proper techniques, you'll be relaxed in minutes from a rejuvenating massage.
1
Preface your massage with a warm bath. Loosened muscles will best respond to a massage. Soaking in Epsom salts will help to alleviate the soreness you feel.
2
Dry yourself and keep your clothing off. Skin to skin contact is more effective as clothing creates a barrier to your touch. Use massage lotion to reduce friction. As another option, use
sports
balm to break down knots and loosen muscles.
3
Work your fingers in small circles, starting at the back of your head and working down towards the shoulders. Continue past the shoulders, down the arms until you are massaging your hands. When you reach a knot, work it out in small circles with your fingers. Breathe slowly and evenly. Once working out all the knots, stretch your shoulder blades giving yourself a "hug."
4
Reclothe to work on your lower back. Roll up a large blanket, towel or yoga mat; place it on the floor. Lie down, face up, positioning your lower back over the roll, shoulders touching the floor. Extend the arms outwards from the shoulders and breathe into the stretch.
5
Position yourself into child's pose to stretch your back. Sit on your knees. Lean forward, with arms folded or extended toward your front. Stretch your arms forward or fold them and rest your head on your hands.
6
Finish with your feet. Dig your thumbs in a circular motion into the soles of your feet and the bottoms of your toes. Start at your ankle, rubbing your thumbs outwards across the top of your feet and down the toes. Roll your feet clockwise, then counterclockwise, to stretch the ankles.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2093461_massage-yourself.html
When you're stressed or feeling achy, there isn't always a masseuse around to ease your pain. These times call for giving yourself a massage. With a bit of knowledge about anatomy and applying the proper techniques, you'll be relaxed in minutes from a rejuvenating massage.
1
Preface your massage with a warm bath. Loosened muscles will best respond to a massage. Soaking in Epsom salts will help to alleviate the soreness you feel.
2
Dry yourself and keep your clothing off. Skin to skin contact is more effective as clothing creates a barrier to your touch. Use massage lotion to reduce friction. As another option, use
sports
balm to break down knots and loosen muscles.
3
Work your fingers in small circles, starting at the back of your head and working down towards the shoulders. Continue past the shoulders, down the arms until you are massaging your hands. When you reach a knot, work it out in small circles with your fingers. Breathe slowly and evenly. Once working out all the knots, stretch your shoulder blades giving yourself a "hug."
4
Reclothe to work on your lower back. Roll up a large blanket, towel or yoga mat; place it on the floor. Lie down, face up, positioning your lower back over the roll, shoulders touching the floor. Extend the arms outwards from the shoulders and breathe into the stretch.
5
Position yourself into child's pose to stretch your back. Sit on your knees. Lean forward, with arms folded or extended toward your front. Stretch your arms forward or fold them and rest your head on your hands.
6
Finish with your feet. Dig your thumbs in a circular motion into the soles of your feet and the bottoms of your toes. Start at your ankle, rubbing your thumbs outwards across the top of your feet and down the toes. Roll your feet clockwise, then counterclockwise, to stretch the ankles.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2093461_massage-yourself.html
