Massage therapy is an ancient procedure that is still practiced in spas, wellness centers, hotels and clinics throughout the United States and much of the rest of the world. Although to work as a massage therapist as a career, you need to take classes and become certified, almost anyone is capable of practicing the procedure on friends and loved ones with a few tips and some practice.
Step 1
Learn the contraindications of massage to ensure the safety of the person you are massaging. Contraindications are divided into three types. First are those that need physician clearance, such as cancer and coronary artery disease. Next are local contraindications, which are areas of the body that should be avoided during the massage, such as areas of inflammation, infection or open wounds. Finally, there with absolute contraindications, massage should not be done at all, such as when a person has a fever or an illness such as chickenpox or tuberculosis.
Step 2
Set up your massage table with your linens and adjust the table to the appropriate height, based on your height, so you can work easily. Place a twin fitted sheet over the massage table, then use the flat sheet to drape the person being massaged. Massage tables should be at a height at which your knuckles just touch the top of the table when stretching your arms out straight toward the ground.
Step 3
Drape the person being massaged correctly to ensure they are not uncomfortably exposed. For men, the genitals and buttock region should be covered at all times. For women, the genital, buttock and chest region should be covered. A towel is typically the right size to cover the breasts while still having access to other areas of the body for the massage.
Step 4
Apply the massage lubrication to your hands, making sure to warm the solution before placing your hands on the skin. Massage oils, lotions, gels or creams can be used depending on the type of massage and your personal preference. To warm the solution, rub your hands together quickly for a few seconds.
Step 5
Use a variety of strokes, including effleurage, petrissage and tapotement during the massage. To perform effleurage, use smooth, gliding movements across the muscle. Petrissage involves kneading, or wringing movements, to get deep into the muscle. Tapotement involves tapping or pounding motions using your fists, palms, fingertips or the sides of your hands.
Step 6
Work in layers, always directing your massage motions toward the heart. With massage, you want to start with light pressure slowly breaking down the muscle tension and increasing your pressure with each movement. This helps warm the muscle up to the massage, letting you go deeper without causing as much muscle pain for the person being massaged later.
Tips and Warnings
- Many massage modalities require extensive training and practice to master. If massage interests you, consider going to a massage school to become certified in massage therapy.
- Follow closely to contraindications for massage to protect the person receiving the massage from serious harm. After the massage, stress the importance of drinking plenty of water to flush out any toxins that may have been pushed into the bloodstream from the muscles.
Things You'll Need
- Massage table
- Fitted sheet
- Cover sheet
- Massage cream, lotion or gel
- Towel
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