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