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Massage Therapy
Self Massage
The Power of Self-Massage
In the old days healers made medicine by mincing and dissolving herbs and
self-massage was a common practice for maintaining good health and relieving
body pains. Self-massage is the easiest form of instant healing. When you
unconsciously rub an aching knee or a throbbing head, the pain is relieved
through a simple instrument – the hands.
Until today, this practice has been used all over the world. With a large number
of studies on self-massage, there is substantial medical evidence to prove the
great value and power of human touch.
The human touch is so natural that people without it are more likely to become
irritable and depressed. Many studies show that children exposed to a family
where touch is normal grow up healthier – physically and emotionally – and more
capable of withstanding pain than those deprived of touch.
Self-massage has numerous direct effects on the health of a person. It aids in
digestion, relaxes muscles, improves circulation, speeds up the elimination of
waste and stimulates the lymph system. Moreover, the psychological benefits of
self-massage produce a feeling of relaxation and well being, which cannot be
compared to any modern medicine.
Self-massage can be done anywhere. It can be performed with or without clothes,
while watching TV or talking on the phone, as long as you’re in a comfortable
position.
The following simple massage techniques for the hands, feet and shoulders, which
you can perform by yourself, can be used to alleviate certain body pains.
1) Massaging the hands
The hands are probably the most abused part of the body. Just think about all
the daily tasks you perform with holding or clutching actions and other hand
movements. The following steps can relieve the tension around your hands.
First, stroke the back of your left hand, push upward to the wrist and glide it
back gently. Squeeze the hand completely and then press it between your palm and
fingers. Next, squeeze each of your fingers all over, making circular pressures
with your thumb. Hold your finger at the base and gently pull and stretch it.
Using your thumb, stroke the joints and tendons at the back of your hands. Then,
turn your hand over and support it with your fingers. Do a firm, circular
pressure with your thumb, working up to the wrist.
End the massage by stroking the palm of your hand from fingers to wrist. Then
repeat the steps for your other hand. When both hands are massaged, apply your
favorite hand lotion.
2) Massaging the Feet
The average person walks around 115,000 miles in a lifetime. Since the feet hold
the entire body weight, it’s no wonder why many people suffer from foot pain.
Once you ignore a foot ache, it can lead to back aches, bad posture and fatigue.
When you massage your feet daily, not only can it rejuvenate your body, it can
also prevent further body pain.
Massaging your own feet is easy. Sit and rest one foot on the opposite leg. Put
one hand on top of the foot and the other under the sole. Stroke it smoothly
from the toes to the ankles and slide it back to the toes. Repeat the step.
Work on each toe by squeezing it firmly and carefully stretch each toe with a
mild pull. Put pressure down the sole’s center and lines using one thumb on top
of the other. Then, using your fingertips, stroke around the ankles up towards
the leg and glide slowly back to the ankles. Work on the other foot and finish
the massage by stroking your foot as you did in the first step.
3) Massaging the Shoulders
Many people suffer from headaches, stiff necks and aching shoulders after an
exhausting day at work. Massaging your shoulders can alleviate these typical
pains and allow you to have a good night’s sleep.
Stroke your left shoulder with your right hand. Mold your right hand to the
curves of your shoulders. Start the massage at the base of your skull, down to
the neck, shoulders, arm and elbow. Glide back to the neck and repeat the
stroking for two to three times. Do the other side.
Clench your right hand into a fist and pound it gently over your left shoulder.
Keep your wrists flexible and repeat the step on the other side. Finish the
massage by performing a “hypnotic stroke” with your hands smoothly stroking your
face, neck, shoulders and arms. Do this with both sides.
Although going to a massage therapist can completely rejuvenate your body, time
and money can be a disadvantage for some people. With these simple self-massage
techniques, you can alleviate any body pain in the comfort of your home while
saving hundreds of dollars. The power of self-massage is in your hands; use it.
>>>
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