How to Give a Good Full Body Massage

A full body massage is an excellent way to unwind, but scheduling professional massages regularly can be expensive. However, the many health benefits of massage, such as alleviating stress and improving circulation, is not something we have to do without. Surprise a friend or loved one with a long, relaxing massage by doing it yourself. If your partner or friend is willing to learn how to give a massage, too, you can take turns massaging each other.

Things You'll Need

• Mat or firm mattress
• Towels
• Pillows
• Massage oil

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Instructions

Preparation

• 1

  Prepare a clean, firm, comfortable surface for your friend to lie on, face down.

• 2

  Rest his forehead on a pillow or rolled-up towel. Place a pillow under his legs, below the knees.

• 3

  Rub some massage oil on your hands.

Limbs

• 4

  Start at the right ankle, using gentle, long strokes to rub upward. Stroke hand-over-hand, toward the hip. Work back down to the ankle, keeping the strokes directed toward the heart.

• 5

  Stroke the leg again, more firmly, ankle to hip and back.

• 6

  Knead the skin by gently grasping it between the first and second finger and the thumb. Lift slightly and release it, trying not to pinch. Work ankle to hip, then start back at the ankle and work up to the hip once or twice more, gradually increasing pressure.

• 7

  Press both palms flat on the leg, just above the ankle, fingertips pointing toward the other leg. Move one hand forward and one hand back, applying moderate pressure. Alternate the direction of your hands in a back-and-forth movement while sliding them sideways up the leg. Repeat if desired.

• 8

  Cup your hands and gently rap, alternating hands, from ankle to hip, twice. Finish with long strokes up the leg. Repeat the same movements on the left leg, the left arm, and the right arm.

The Back

• 9

  Massage the back, starting at the small of the back, with long strokes toward the heart. Stroke from the top of the left shoulder across to the right shoulder with a downward movement.

• 10

  Knead from the small of the back up to the upper center, with one hand on each side of the spine. Knead the shoulders and the base of the neck, then down around the shoulder blades.

• 11

  Place palms flat, one on each side of the spine, fingertips pointing toward the head. Move the hands back and forth, alternating, sliding them upward.

• 12

  Keep the palms flat and switch to a circular movement, both hands circling outward from the spine (apply more pressure) and then back toward it (lightening the pressure). Go from the shoulder blades down the back. Finish with long hand-over-hand strokes once or twice up the back.

Finishing the Body

• 13

  Knead gently up the neck. Spread your fingers and press the tips gently to the scalp, going in a circular motion. Work up the center to the crown of the head then back down behind the ears, back to the neck.

• 14

  Ask your friend to turn over. Massage the limbs again, this time with your friend lying on his back. This time, rub the hands and the feet by applying pressure with your thumb in a circular motion.

• 15

  Knead the shoulders from the front. Stand behind your friend and knead gently up the sides of the neck to his face.

• 16

  Massage the face with the fingertips in small circular motions. Go from the temples to the center of the forehead, down the bridge of the nose, over the cheeks sweeping back up to the temples, then down around the jaw line. Repeat as many times as desired.