How to Give a Neck Rub
Tension in the neck is a problem for many people. It can be caused by stress, physical strain or injury, illness or simply by sitting at a desk hunched in front of a computer screen all day. Treating a friend or loved one to a neck rub is a simple, comforting gift that can be performed almost anywhere. The recipient can sit in a chair, stand in front of the giver or relax on a couch or bed.Things You'll Need
- Massage oil (optional)
Instructions
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Position yourself behind the recipient. The recipient can be standing or sitting comfortably.
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Apply massage lotions or oils to your hands, if desired. According to Spine Universe, eucalyptus massage oil may help to relieve muscle tension, making it a good choice for an oil for neck massages. Lavender-scented oil is another good choice, as the smell of lavender induces relaxation in many people.
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Rub your hands together vigorously to warm your hands. Being touched by someone with chilly hands is not conducive to relaxation, so make sure your hands are warm before touching the skin of the person you will be massaging.
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Gently grip the recipient's shoulders and use your thumbs to massage the rear neck muscles in slow, firm circles.
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Use your thumb, index and middle fingers to knead and squeeze the muscles on either side of the spine and on the sides of the neck.
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Place your hands on the recipient's shoulders. Gently squeeze and release the muscles in the shoulders in a rhythmic motion. Slowly move your hands from the shoulders to the base of the neck and up to the top of the spine, gently squeezing and releasing the recipient's muscles the entire time.
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Trace the recipient's spine with the tips of your thumbs, starting at the base of the neck and continuing to the base of the skull in one slow, firm stroke. One thumb should lay on either side of the spine.
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Finish the neck rub with soft, gentle downward strokes, starting at the base of the skull. Travel down the recipient's neck and out along her shoulders.
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