Jack Layton
Zombie Member
As promised I am starting with the basics.
The very first thing to understand is that “pinchy” techniques (think what you do when someone asks you to massage their shoulders) will wear your hands out in a few moments.
Look at the rmt in the pic below. Her hands are loose, but in a pinch position. There may be sections of the body where you want to use this hand position, but it is best to avoid!!! it overall, and always keep the hands relaxed.
Even professional massage therapists who have been doing massage for years will tire quickly with that kind of technique. We do not massage like that because it is terrible to put that kind of pressure on your fingers and joints. Avoid this technique at all costs!
No matter what your spouse may ask, do not press your thumb into a muscle to get deeper pressure. Do not do it! Your thumb is not designed to handle stress like that. You run a great risk of injury through hyperextension. Instead, consider gently lowering your elbow into the tight spot (pics below). You may even have some massage tools around that you can incorporate. A golf ball is excellent for this (seriously).
The bulk of your massage will be performed using the palm of your hands, held loosely open, with your fingers relaxed. Like pic below. The heel of your palm is where most of the pressure will be. If you need to give deeper pressure, you may want to use your forearms or elbows.
Next, use your body weight for pressure, not your muscle strength.
Think of it this way.............. stand in front of a wall, and place your hands on it. Now press against the wall as hard as you can. Feel that pressure?
Now, take a step back, and lean against the wall. Do you feel the difference? You want to use your bodyweight to apply deeper pressure. If you just try to use your strength, you will wear yourself out, and you have a whole-body massage to give.
You will want to use a firm, but gentle pressure for your massage. If you press too gently, you run the risk of tickling your spouse, and not doing much to help with sore muscles.
With that said, you are not a trained professional, so do not go overboard with pressure, either.
Ask your spouse for feedback for what they like. If they express hurt or pain and ask you to lighten your pressure, do so!
One last thing (big thing): stay off the backbone! Big NO-GO.
More specifics next week.
The very first thing to understand is that “pinchy” techniques (think what you do when someone asks you to massage their shoulders) will wear your hands out in a few moments.
Look at the rmt in the pic below. Her hands are loose, but in a pinch position. There may be sections of the body where you want to use this hand position, but it is best to avoid!!! it overall, and always keep the hands relaxed.
Even professional massage therapists who have been doing massage for years will tire quickly with that kind of technique. We do not massage like that because it is terrible to put that kind of pressure on your fingers and joints. Avoid this technique at all costs!
No matter what your spouse may ask, do not press your thumb into a muscle to get deeper pressure. Do not do it! Your thumb is not designed to handle stress like that. You run a great risk of injury through hyperextension. Instead, consider gently lowering your elbow into the tight spot (pics below). You may even have some massage tools around that you can incorporate. A golf ball is excellent for this (seriously).
The bulk of your massage will be performed using the palm of your hands, held loosely open, with your fingers relaxed. Like pic below. The heel of your palm is where most of the pressure will be. If you need to give deeper pressure, you may want to use your forearms or elbows.
Next, use your body weight for pressure, not your muscle strength.
Think of it this way.............. stand in front of a wall, and place your hands on it. Now press against the wall as hard as you can. Feel that pressure?
Now, take a step back, and lean against the wall. Do you feel the difference? You want to use your bodyweight to apply deeper pressure. If you just try to use your strength, you will wear yourself out, and you have a whole-body massage to give.
You will want to use a firm, but gentle pressure for your massage. If you press too gently, you run the risk of tickling your spouse, and not doing much to help with sore muscles.
With that said, you are not a trained professional, so do not go overboard with pressure, either.
Ask your spouse for feedback for what they like. If they express hurt or pain and ask you to lighten your pressure, do so!
One last thing (big thing): stay off the backbone! Big NO-GO.
More specifics next week.
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