Massage For Dummies

From Massage For Dummies by Steve Capellini, Michel Van Welden

Massage is the simple act of touching another person with the intention of helping them relax. With a little training and some care, anyone can give a massage. By following a few simple rules, knowing the lingo, and avoiding certain danger zones, you can help friends and loved ones feel soothed and refreshed.

Rules for Giving Massage

Giving a massage should be relaxing and enjoyable for both the person giving the massage and the person receiving it. The following rules help you make every massage a pleasant one. Review them before you begin giving a massage:

Do no harm: This is the No. 1 rule for giving a massage. Make sure that you’re aware of the moves you shouldn’t make, the places you shouldn’t press, and the conditions you shouldn’t treat.
Think 3-D: Try to visualize the invisible physical structures beneath the skin that you’re affecting with your hands during the massage.
Use your whole body: Remember to use correct body mechanics in order to save your own body from overexertion while applying just the right amount of pressure for your partner.
Focus on the other: This is no time to be thinking about politics, sports, the weather, or your upcoming turn to receive a massage. As fully as you can, focus on your partner, what she’s feeling, and how you can make her feel better.
Go out of your mind: After you figure out the moves, practice the technique, and focus on your partner with all your concentration, then you can stop thinking. Let go of your extraneous thoughts — and even your thoughts about doing a good job.
Get creative: Go ahead, go crazy; just let yourself feel whatever you’re feeling and go with your intuition. As long as what you’re doing is generated from caring and commitment to your partner, it is going to be the right thing.
Let love flow: Certain people develop an ability to send a very distinct and palpable sensation of love into their fingers and palms. You can feel it when they touch you. Everyone else has the potential to develop that ability. Why not use massage as an opportunity to explore your own innate abilities to send a powerful message of caring to others through your touch and presence?

Massage Terms and Definitions

The language of massage isn’t too different from the language you normally use, although some massage terms use different definitions. Some terms — Rolfing, anyone? — are unique to massage. The following table sets out commonly used and commonly confusing massage terms.

Term	Definition
Adhesion	Muscle and connective tissue fibers that are stuck together, which massage can separate
Ayurveda	An ancient healing system from India that uses diet, meditation, herbs, and massage to balance the body
Body worker	A practitioner of massage or similar hands-on healing techniques
Connective tissues	The web of tissue (primarily collagen fibers) that surround your every muscle, organ, and bone, holding your body together
Deep tissue	A type of massage that targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue
Drape	Towels, sheets, and so on, used to cover a person receiving a massage
Energy work	Type of massage that focuses on vital, invisible energies in your body
Full body massage	Relaxation massage treating the whole body as compared to remedial massage treating a localized area
Knots	Tight bands of muscle fibers and connective tissues that massage often softens
On-site massage	Seated and clothed massage given in special chairs — usually in offices, stores, airports, or at special events
Parlor	Place where people eat ice cream
Rolfed	Deep massage work on fascia that realigns the body with gravity
Spa	Health facility where people go to learn holistic practices, eat healthy foods, exercise, and receive massages and spa treatments
Structural work	Massage that realigns the body’s structure
Swedish	The most well-known and widely practiced form of massage in the Western world, consisting of stroking, kneading, applying pressure, stretching, and so on
Trigger point	A tight, tender spot in muscles that responds well to targeted massage

Danger Zones in Giving Massage

You expect massage to be helpful, even healing (if only mentally). You need to avoid certain areas to make sure that the massage you give is doing good and not harm. A massage places the person receiving it in exposed and vulnerable positions. If you’re not a massage professional, with special training to work in special areas, it’s better to stay away from the following spots:

Front of the neck/throat: You’ve heard of the expression, “Go for the jugular,” right? Well, this is where you find it. Unless you’re trying to choke someone, it’s a good idea to stay away from this area that also contains the carotid artery and major nerves.
Side of the neck: Not quite as sensitive as the front of the neck, you should still treat delicately.
The “ear notch”: Just behind your jawbone and beneath your ear you find a little notch. It’s not a good idea to jam a finger into this notch, unless you’re trying to extort money or favors from the person receiving the massage, as it contains a sensitive facial nerve.
The eyeball: Unless you’re trying to do a Three Stooges massage (popular amongst college males), don’t poke your fingers directly into the person’s eyes.
The axilla: This is a fancy term for the armpit which, as you know, is a sensitive area, filled with nerves, arteries, and lymph glands. Not to mention, most people are very ticklish there.
The upper inner arm: Just down from the armpit, along the inside of the upper arm, is a sensitive, nerve-filled area along the length of the arm bone. Pressing here too firmly gives you that yucky-nervy feeling.
The ulnar notch of the elbow: Otherwise known as the “funny bone,” this spot contains the ulnar nerve which, if you touch it too hard, causes normally discreet people to curse in several languages.
The abdomen: Houdini was killed by an unexpected punch to this area, which is filled with many squishy important bits known as organs. Be especially gentle around the upper abdomen along the ribs, where you find the liver, gall bladder, and spleen.
The lower back: On both sides of the spine, and just below the ribs, is where you find the kidneys. Don’t press too hard here or pound on them. Kidneys don’t like it when you do that.
The femoral triangle: Not to be confused with the Bermuda triangle, this area is often referred to as the “groin.” It’s the inner part of the line in front where your leg meets your body. If you press too hard here you can actually cut off circulation to the leg.
Popliteal area: Popularly known as the back of the knee, you should always treat this spot gingerly. It’s very sensitive to pressure.