Massage is practiced all over the world by many different cultures. Simply put, it can be divided into two main types, or systems, depending on whether it comes from the West or the East.
Most of the massages performed in developed countries are based on the so-called Swedish massage, which began as a form of physiotherapy in the early 19th century. A different system that involves softly palpating the skin is known as manual lymphatic drainage. Passive movement Klasp the toe with one hand and provide the ankle some support with the other. Slowly rotate the foot a few times, then gently flex the toes back and forth. Holding the ankle with one hand, lift the leg and bend the knee forward, supporting the thigh with your other hand.
Straighten your legs and repeat the movement several times. Arms and hands Follow the sequence for the legs and feet, adapting the movements to the smaller surface area of ??the arms, working toward the hands. ChestPlace your hands side by side, just below the collarbone, and stroke (effleurage) firmly into the chest. The fan to the side, sliding towards the shoulder. Stroke above and behind the shoulders, and down the back of the neck to the base of the skull. Slide your hands down the sides of the neck to start over. Repeat six times. Use your thumb and fingers to knead (petrissage) the chest gently and rhythmically. Try not to pinch the skin. Place a circular pressure (friction) with your thumb on the muscle between the ribs. Start at the sternum and work out in a series of rows towards the shoulders. Vary the pressure according to your partner’s needs. Finish with more effleurage.
Avoid firm movements on the sensitive tissue around the breast.
Stomach Place a small pillow under the knee to relax the stomach. Facing the whole body, place one hand on the lower ribs and the other below the navel. Stroke (effleurage) your lower hand slowly and lightly around your belly button in a clockwise direction. Use the fingers of one hand to apply gentle, circular pressure (friction). Work around the navel, increasing the pressure as your partner relaxes. Using a flat palm, knead (petrissage) the top of the stomach rhythmically pushing the meat from one hand to the other. Then knead each side of the stomach in a deeper motion.
Place one palm on top of the other, under the ribs on the left side of the belly.
Contract your upper arms to make a shaking (shaking) motion in your hands, then slowly pull your hands toward your pelvis and continue in a clockwise direction. BackStart with some fan gently stroked (effleurage). Place your hands on your lower back, on both sides of the spine, and sweep firmly upwards. When you reach the lower ribs, fan your hands out and down the sides. Repeat.
Face your partner’s body, then knead (petrissage) the hold, squeeze, and remove as much meat as you can with the alternate hand. Start at the far hips, then work the back and across the shoulders toward you. Work twice in the back. Support the left shoulder blade with your right hand and create circular pressure with the fingers of your left hand in the grooves to the side and away from the spine: Work all the way down the back side. When you reach the hips, release, slide up and start again on the right side of the back.
Take off your hand cup. With your fingers pointing downwards, rhythmically and lightly clap your hands alternately over the buttocks. This percussion movement (tapotement) should make a loud, hollow sound. Continue behind, being careful to avoid the kidneys. Finish by stroking one hand after the other behind.