There are many benefits you can get from a full body massage, ranging from stress relief and a boost in your immunity to pain relief and management of depression and anxiety, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Most states require massage therapists to be credentialed and licensed because there are health risks involved in the practice. You can perform a full body massage on friends and family, however, to feel better and pamper your loved one.
Step 1
Rub massage oil or lotion on your hands so that they can move smoothly over the skin.
Step 2
Start at the top on the neck and shoulders. Knead the muscles on the back of the neck gently at first to loosen them up. If you feel tension, press a little harder. Work your fingers up the sides of the neck, away from the heart, and then squeeze the shoulders.
Step 3
Knead the shoulders and work your way down the arms to the fingers. Rub each finger as well as the palms of each hand. Massage one arm at a time. Wiggle each finger and let it drop gently after you've kneaded down each arm two or three times.
Step 4
Work on the back next. Place one hand on each side of the backbone and apply gentle kneading pressure symmetrically up and down the back several times. Press down knots with your fingertips and continue to make circular motions on the sides, continuing down to the top of the buttocks.
Step 5
Continue down each leg one at a time the same way you did the arms. Work down the legs to the toes, paying particular attention to the balls of the feet. Knead each toe and rub between the toes.
Tips and Warnings
- After a massage, give the person a large glass of water or tea with lemon because you may have released toxins in the body that need to be flushed. Additionally, hydration can minimize muscle soreness.
- Do not give massages to people taking blood thinners or those who have open wounds, as the rubbing and kneading could create further bleeding and damage. Pregnant women and cancer patients should consult with their physicians before receiving a massage because of the possibility of dislodging harmful toxins to the fetus or interfering with the cancer treatment, report doctors at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Things You'll Need
- Massage oil
- Drinking water
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