| By massaging your friend or living | | | | the muscle in the direction of the blood |
| partner and let him or her do the same | | | | stream towards the heart, you will |
| to you, you will both get emotionally | | | | simultaneously also achieve the effects |
| closer to each other, and both get | | | | of longitudinal massage. |
| several health benefits. Massaging will | | | | Combining the massage with stretching |
| benefit the mental state of the person | | | | The effects of the massage can be |
| you work on, the muscular condition, the | | | | increased by also stretching the limbs |
| blood circulation and the lymph | | | | and body parts of the person you work |
| drainage. However, what you want to | | | | on. Stretch in the natural movement |
| achieve, will determine the exact | | | | directions of the limb or body parts |
| technique you use. | | | | until you reach some resistance. Do not |
| Massaging across the muscle fibres | | | | stretch hard to go beyond the resistance |
| This type of massage is very good for | | | | point. However, by holding the limb some |
| relaxing tense muscles and a stressed | | | | time at the resistance point will often |
| mind. | | | | cause the limb to relax, and then you |
| You perform this massage by rubbing or | | | | can go some way further. |
| gripping across the direction of the | | | | How hard should you perform the massage? |
| muscle fibres or across tendons. You | | | | Tired and stiff muscles are often tender |
| take one area after the other. You begin | | | | and aching. Working at a tender point |
| by massaging each area lightly, | | | | will always cause some temporal pain. |
| superficially and slowly to warm up, and | | | | However, if you use the right degree of |
| then proceed by massaging deeper, firmer | | | | firmness, the effect of the massage |
| and more swiftly. | | | | should cause an immediate release of |
| According to the size and conditions of | | | | pain and tenderness when you have |
| the area you treat, you can use | | | | finished working at a point. You should |
| different types of manipulation. You can | | | | never work so hard that the pain is felt |
| use a couple of fingers at a small area, | | | | nearly unbearable, or so hard that pain |
| or to reach deep into a tense point You | | | | remains after the massage is finished. |
| can rub with all your finger tips or | | | | If you do so, you can hurt or aggravate |
| with the palm of your hand at greater | | | | already existing tissue damage. |
| areas. To get a harder effect, you can | | | | To achieve the right firmness you should |
| use your finger knuckles. | | | | monitor the reactions of the person you |
| Massage along the muscles fibres | | | | work at and listen to his comments. You |
| This type of massage will give the | | | | should also never perform a massage on |
| following effects: Stiffness will be | | | | an area with a distinct inflammation or |
| reduced or cured, and the muscles will | | | | a distinct injury. |
| gain in mobility. The muscles will get | | | | Use of massage oils |
| better blood supply and drainage. The | | | | By applying a massage oil or ointment at |
| muscles will get a better drainage of | | | | the area you work at, you ease the |
| tissue fluids into the lymph system, and | | | | massage work and increase the effects of |
| thereby swollen muscles will normalize. | | | | the massage. Your fingers glide more |
| These effects will in turn make tired | | | | easily upon the skin covering the area. |
| muscles faster regain good condition. | | | | The blood supply of the skin and muscles |
| By this massage you stroke along the | | | | will be stimulated. You get a sensual |
| direction of the muscle fibres, and | | | | and exciting scent on the area and in |
| always in the direction of the blood | | | | the air. Ingredients in the oil will |
| stream towards the heart. | | | | ameliorate muscular ache and pain. |
| Also now you take one area after the | | | | According to the composition of the |
| other, but try to reach the whole length | | | | massage oil, there will be different |
| of a muscle or muscle group at each | | | | stimulating effects upon the muscles, |
| stroke. Also by this massage, you begin | | | | for example faster regeneration of tired |
| massaging at each area lightly, | | | | or hurt muscle tissue. |
| superficially and slowly to warm up, and | | | | Massaging for mutual joy and pleasure |
| then proceed by massaging deeper, firmer | | | | You can use each of the two main |
| and somewhat faster. | | | | techniques, but you let the pleasure of |
| Also by this longitudinal massage, you | | | | the person you massage decide the |
| can press down and stroke with your | | | | technique, the area you massage and the |
| finger tips, with all your fingers, or | | | | firmness of the massage. Usually gently |
| grip around a muscle or muscle group | | | | touching and caressing will be the right |
| with your fingers. | | | | manner. |
| Massage with an electric massager | | | | Also your own pleasure shall decide. Do |
| Most electric massage devices are | | | | not work so hard that you get tired out |
| vibrating up and down. This vibration | | | | yourself, and the person that you give |
| mostly gives the same effect as the | | | | the massage should be willing to repay |
| massage across the muscle fibres. If you | | | | you by doing the same favour to you. |
| also stroke with the device head along | | | | |