Massage - Relieving Tension In The Neck
Being one of the greatest sources of tension in the whole body, the neck can benefit hugely from a good massage. Bad posture, stress, drafts, and poor working conditions can all cause neck pain, but even the sheer weight of your head can often cause your neck to ache. As with chest and shoulder massage, work standing or kneeling behind your partners head.
Side stroking
Your partner should be lying on his or her back. Using both of your hands together, stroke one side of the base of your partner’s neck.
Lean slightly toward the side you are working on, and stroke with one hand from the shoulder up the neck to the base of the skull. As your hand reaches the ear, follow the movement with your other hand.
Lift off your first hand and return it to the shoulder as your other hand strokes up your partner’s neck. Try to keep the return movement smooth, so that the whole sequence feels flowing and your partner cannot tell when one stroke finishes and the next begins. Repeat the strokes several times on one side of the body, then copy the sequence on the other side.
Alternate stroking
This is a wonderful flowing movement to follow side stroking.
With one hand on each side of your partner’s neck, stroke with one hand first and then the other from the shoulders up to the base of the skull.
Sway from one side to the other as you make the movement so that the stroke is large and even as you gently ease the head from side to side. As your partner gradually relaxes, the movement becomes really rhythmic and fluid.
I use my forearms to help make alternate stroking a really big, smooth, flowing movement.
Side stretch
Cup one of your hands over one of your partner’s shoulders, and your other hand around the base of the skull on the same side. Gently push the shoulder down while holding the head, without jerking the neck. This movement gives a gentle stetch to the neck muscles. Repeat on the other side of the body.
When giving a side stretch, on no account should you yank the neck. Pulling the head too sharply or roughly could leave your partner with more than just a small pain in the neck.
Pressures
Refresh your memory of applying pressures before starting.
Slide your hands as far down as is comfortable to the base of the neck. With the two middle fingers of each of your hands, make small, firm, circular pressures on either side of the spine. Work slowly up to the neck, then press into the hollow at the top of the spine and the indentations on either side of the base of the skull.
Make circular pressures all over the base of the skull. Press firmly, but with care. The muscles in this region are frequently taut and tense, and these pressures, which stimulate blood flow, can unknot the tension.
Extra movement
This is a terrific way of opening the chest, as well as relaxing the shoulders and back. Ask your partner to lift up slightly, then slide your hands as far as you can reach under the back. Slowly glide up the back, taking your partner’s weight in your hands. Use your own body weight to give a long stretch to the back.
If your partner is much bigger and heavier than you, take care when lifting them. You must position yourself so that you do not strain your own back; use your hips and stomach as you slowly pull back. If it causes you discomfort, don’t do it. There is always another way of creating a similar effect.
Passive movements
As the term suggests, passive movements are actions performed by the masse any assistance from the person being massaged. When doing such movements, care should be taken not to force them but Just to follow the client’s natural range of movement.
Tension all down the back and up to the top of the head can be relieved by stretching the neck. Apply the stretch very gradually and smoothly, never jerk or pull suddenly.
Cup your hands around the base of your partner’s skull and, without lifting the head up, lean back slowly, using your body weight to give a gentle stretch to the neck. Repeat two or three times.
Cup one of your hands around the back of the head and place your other hand on the forehead. Lift the head so that the chin drops forward. Then gently lower the head, letting your hand take its weight. Repeat several times to encourage the head to move freely.
With both your hands in the same position as in step 2, slowly turn the head from side to side, making sure you support it all the time. Never force these movements just encourage the head to move more freely.
Quick checklist for chest massage
For a qucik reminder, and to avoid going back over pages, use this list of the basic steps in a chest massage:
Stroking the chest
Knuckling, kneading, and circular pressures on the chest
Stroking the back of the neck and shoulders to stretch and relieve tension
Circular pressures at the base of the neck and on either side of the spine
Stroking the chest
Passive movements
Robin is a home remedies and fitness expert. In his spare time, Mr. Robin write for herbal medicines and alternative medicines.
Tags: Massage