Basic rules for massage
This is a very general guide showing some basic tips and techniques for giving a relaxing massage. If you are interested in more, please search for an accredited massage therapy school. There are good schools in most areas that will be more than happy to have another student.
We will cover some topics that can change the whole face of the massage and have an impact on the final effect. First is the positioning of the recipient. This includes the environment. A quick chair massage on a busy street corner will feel different than an hour session in a dark, quiet room. We’ll focus on the latter, as they tend to be both more relaxing and a bit more sensual. This is an erotic site, after all. The most relaxing environment for most people is actually quite similar to what most consider to be romantic – a room with bright lights blocked out, perhaps with a low-wattage lamp or a few candles lit, or with the curtains drawn to block out the light. The temperature should be set to a comfortable level for a naked person without being too hot for you. It’s quite possible to sweat if the temperature is just a degree or two too hot. Soft and soothing music or nature sounds can add to the overall effect. Another option is to set up outdoors, preferably in a sheltered area. The sudden attack of a mosquito would spoil the effect of a good massage.
It is also important to have a good work surface. This should be stable and tough enough to withstand quite a bit of pressure without breaking, but soft enough to be comfortable for the person working. My personal table has been tested for over 500 pounds of working pressure. Even weighing just over 100 pounds, I have been known to put nearly 300 pounds of pressure on a person. This on top of their weight adds up quickly. Whatever surface you use should be strong enough to handle this. It should also be at a comfortable height. A good height for most people is about feet. When the client is lying at that height, your hands will generally rest just below waist level. Something in that general area will allow you to put downward pressure on a person fairly easily without having to bend and strain your back. The work surface must be covered. If your room is a bit chilly, an electric blanket on a low setting covered by a sheet is a nice touch. Your client would lie on top, then be covered with another sheet and possibly a light blanket.
Once your area is set up, positioning the client is pretty simple. It should be between layers of sheets and sit in a comfortable way for them. If they are on their stomachs, it can be helpful to put a pillow under their ankles. This provides support for the ankle joints and will put less stress on them while working your calves and hamstrings. If they are on their back, place the pillow under their knees. This will take the tension out of your lower back, hips and knees. It should be under at least one sheet, possibly more if the room is cool. It’s better to have the inconvenience of having to fold a sheet to keep him cozy and warm than to be cold.
Also consider what type of lubricant would be best. There may be a reaction to certain types. For example, if the person you are working with is allergic to nuts, it would be best to avoid almond oil and lotions that contain pieces of nuts. If they are prone to acne, it is better to use something a little less greasy and oil-free. I personally prefer to use either pure jojoba oil or a special cream. Both have a pleasant smell and neither has caused any kind of reaction so far. Whatever type of lubrication you decide on, please remember that you are not greasing a pig. Use it sparingly. Just enough oil or lotion to make your hands glide smoothly, it feels good. Swimming in puddles of the stuff doesn’t. It is easier to add than to take away.
It feels better for the person you are working on if the oil is slightly warmed before touching their body. A simple but effective approach is to sprinkle a small amount into the palm of your hand, then rub your hands together. It has a dual purpose: heating the oil and lubricating the hands. This is important because most relaxation massage is a gliding stroke, not a hard stroke (tapotement) or kneading (petrisage). It’s difficult for your hands to glide smoothly over your skin without proper lubrication, and the rough feel can be unpleasant.
Your hands are your instruments in massage. Every shape your hands make can be used as a different tool. The two that are easiest to use are the palm bridge and a free fist. These are pretty self-explanatory. The palm bridge is an open hand with the palm following directly behind the fingers. Turn your hand to drive with the side of your hand for another tool. If you bend your fingers slightly in the palm of your hand and use the part between the first and second fingers, this is called a free fist. These are used to make wide movements along the muscles. Each has a different feel but essentially does the same thing. Another tool is often referred to as the “double V” and consists of using both hands as one. Simply move your thumb out of your palm to form a V shape, then insert the heel of your other hand into the space created. It is a natural movement for the second thumb to open and rest on the index finger of the other hand, forming the second V shape.
Any of these are good for your first move. However, it is better to start with either the bridge of the palm or the side of the hand, as you can spread out one edge of the tool and roll the rest of the hand down the skin from there, rather than hitting an open hand or fist on the person you work for. It’s a little more pleasant for them. Either of these can be used either with or against the fiber of the muscle, depending on how you would like the movement to feel.
After the first few moves it is important to find a good working pressure. It should be comfortable for both you – no need to hurt your joints – and the client. I’ve found that most people are comfortable with a pressure that allows your hands to easily sink into their flesh. If you were to push down and forward in a long stroke, their skin and muscles would swell slightly or make a small “hill” in front of your hand. Always ask to make sure this is comfortable for the person being worked on. Some people cannot handle this kind of pressure for many reasons.
This is when you should try to feel for any bands or lumps that feel like they shouldn’t be there. Some of them are quite obvious, others are more subtle. An indication of a possible problem area is reddening of the skin, caused by increased blood flow to the area. When passing through an area that requires additional work, it is necessary to judge its overall size. Large bands are usually found on the lower back and legs. These can be solved with the tools already explained used in a repetitive hand over hand motion. Simply focus on the knot or strip of tissue. Smaller pieces and strips usually require a narrower tool, such as a fingertip or thumb. Narrow instruments penetrate deeper into the tissue using the same amount of pressure, so a little extra care is needed when using them. They can be used in the same motion, or they can be focused on a smaller area using a circular motion, like what you would do on your hands and feet.
Some precautions must be taken. Make sure your blood pressure is OK. You don’t want to bruise a person or possibly cause a more serious injury by pushing down too hard. There are also some areas to avoid due to the way the human body is built. The area around the navel, the front of the neck, the bend of the elbow, the armpit area, the bend of the knee and the groin area should generally be avoided. If you go over these areas, use a light touch to avoid injury. Most of these areas also contain lymph nodes, which can be injured quite easily.
From this point, massage is more of an exercise in learning what you like and what the person you are working on likes. Each person is different, and what is pleasant can change from moment to moment. Use what you have, play, experiment and have fun with it. You never know where a good rub might lead.
