How to Give the Best Full-Body Massage

Learning to give the best full body massage can be a useful skill to help relax a family member, friend, or client, if you choose to begin a massage practice. A full body massage works to relax every muscle in the body and typically takes about an hour to complete. Creating a relaxing environment with soothing music, dimmed lights, and aromatherapy candles or scents can help set the tone of the massage and prepare the recipient.

Things You'll Need

• Relaxing music
• Candles
• Massage table
• Warm towels
• Oils

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Instructions

• 1

  Prepare the massage space by playing relaxing music and lighting some aromatic candles. Make sure candles are positioned in a safe location.

• 2

  Ask the recipient of the massage to disrobe to their comfort level exposing as much skin as possible and lay face down on the massage table. Offer them a warm towel to cover themselves once on the table. Leave the room while the recipient disrobes and gets into position on the table.

• 3

  Knock on the door gently before entering the room to ensure the recipient is ready. Pour about a tablespoon of oil into your hands. Rub your hands together to get the oil warmed up. Stand at the head of the table and gently place your hands on the recipients shoulders. Apply medium pressure as you move your hands down their back on either side of their spine down towards their waist. Then move your hands away from the spine at the waist towards their sides and back up to their shoulders. This massage stroke is referred to as the effleurage. Continue this stroke until the back is well coated with oil and feeling somewhat warm to the touch.

• 4

  Ask the recipient if they have any trouble spots or areas of their body that need particular focus such as their neck or lower back. Work all areas of the neck, shoulders, and back with either a kneading technique similar to kneading bread dough or a fanning technique through pressing along the length of each muscle with a flat hand then alternating hands along the same muscle. Spend more time focusing on any areas the recipient has brought to your attention.

• 5

  Work your way down the recipients arms towards their hands using a wringing technique by using your fingertips to apply pressure to an area. Your opposite hand applies pressure to the other side of the limb. Work your fingertips along the muscles while moving towards the palm of your opposite hand. Alternate which hand is pressing and which hand is working the muscles. Repeat this technique on each limb ending with the feet.

• 6

  Ask the recipient to roll over onto his or her back. Give the recipient a gentle scalp massage by running your fingertips through their hair beginning at the forehead down towards the back of the head while rubbing with your fingertips using medium pressure. Run your fingertips from the sides of the head up towards the top of the head using the same technique.

• 7

  Rub the shoulders and limbs again using the same techniques as before. Pull out each limb with medium pressure after finishing the rubbing on each one. To pull out the limb place your thumbs along the inside of the arm or the back of the leg and squeeze with medium pressure while pulling away from the body and moving your hands down the limb toward the hand or foot. As you reach the fingers or toes gently lighten the pressure and lower the limb to the table top prevent it from falling when you release it.

• 8

  Tell the recipient to rest on the table after the massage is over. Instruct them to stand up slowly when they are ready to go to prevent head rush. Leave the room while they are still on the table to give them privacy while getting dressed.