Try These on for Size
Denise Borrelli, Ph.D., a massage therapist in Medford, Massachusetts, and spokesperson for the American Massage Therapy Association, teaches couples massage and suggests these head, neck, and shoulder techniques for an evening relaxation session. You can do them with one person sitting behind the other on the sofa or, even better, have the massager sit on the sofa and the recipient sit on the floor in front.
Pour a little oil in your hands and rub them together to warm it. Before beginning to work on an area, gently lay your hands on the skin for about ten seconds to warm the tissue underneath. You may actually feel the area relax. Then apply a bit more pressure before starting to move your hands.
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Shoulder Squeezes
Starting with hands at either side of the base of the neck, squeeze the tissue gently between your fingers and palm for five to 10 seconds, then release. Moving out toward the arms an inch or so at a time, continue to squeeze and release.
Shampoo Stroke
Just like it sounds. Massage the scalp as if you were shampooing the hair.
Neck Sweep
Place one hand against one side of the head, tilting it slightly so the ear rests on your hand. Lightly sweep your other hand up and down the side of the neck. Then switch sides.
Chinese Hair
Pull Spread your fingers and slide them under the hair around the back of the head. Grasping the hair, gently pull and then shake it.
Neck Circles
Place one hand on the forehead and lean the head forward slightly so it rests on that hand. With the other hand, use the thumb to make small, gentle circles, starting at the base of the skull and working down toward the back. Stay to the side of the spine. Repeat on the other side.
Dumbo Pull
With one hand on each ear, gently pull on the ears, up toward the top of the head, then toward the back of the head, then out to the sides, then down.
Note: If there’s a chance the recipient is pregnant, keep the massage light. Deep pressure at various trigger points around the body (not just the abdomen, but spots such as the ankle) has the potential to bring on mild uterine contractions.
Learn More
You may be able to find a massage therapist who teaches couples massage techniques in your area. The American Massage Therapy Association’s Find A Massage Therapist® national locator service can be accessed by phone at (888) THE-AMTA (843-2682) or through the AMTA’s Web site (www.amtamassage.org). Another resource is the Massage Therapy Foundation’s Web site: www.massagetherapyfoundation.org.
You can also try an instructional book or video, such as these:
Books:
Massage, by Vivienne Simberg (Parragon, 2004)
The Massage Book, by George Downing (Random House, 1998)
Video:
Living Arts Massage Practice for Couples (1999)
Related Topics: Stress and Fertility
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