Massage at home
Massage works best when it’s regular. A great way to get more massage more often is to do it with friends and family. You don’t need a massage table, or any special skills to get started. Here are some tips for setting up wonderful nurturing massage at home.
No massage table? No problem. It’s unlikely you’ll have a massage table with a face hole at home! Some good alternatives are:
- Sidelying (in the recovery position, with pillows supporting head, upper arm and leg, and a pillow under the ribs – work on the uppermost side of the back and uppermost leg, then turn over),
- Face-up (pillows under knees and head),
- Seated at a table (head resting on arms/pillows on table)
- Face-down (for short periods only, with a firm pillow or rolled towel under the chest if comfortable and a pillow under the ankles)
You don’t need specific massage oil. You can use any skin-friendly oil or lotion which lubricates the skin. Use it sparingly – it’s easier to add it than to take it away, and it’s easier to control your massage with less oil (though you’ll need to move slower).
Keep it simple. You don’t need fancy techniques to do good. Work slowly, in communication with your person, and avoid places where you feel bone (especially the spine) or a pulse.
Communicate! Keep two-way communication flowing about pressure, and what feels good and what doesn’t. Treat it as an experiment in finding out what pressure, speed and direction most helps the other person. Don’t worry about “breaking the spell” – good communication means a better massage.
Agree on the session beforehand. Take time before the massage to agree roughly how long it’ll last, what parts of the body will be included, what you both consent to, and if there’s any expectation for the other person to offer the same to you another time. This leaves you both free to enjoy the treatment.
Go easy on your expectations. Even a professional massage is very unlikely to lastingly resolve pain in one session. If you can leave your person feeling a little better, or moving a little more freely, or just a little more relaxed, you’ve done a great job.
Even “sugar pill” massages used as controls in scientific studies, designed to use no therapeutic techniques, have a mild to moderate short-term therapeutic effect. So, you’re probably doing more good than you think! Just offering your care, touch and attention can really help someone.
I hope that’s helpful! If you have any questions, you can always reach out. If you’re a client of mine I’m happy to set up a mini-workshop where you can bring a loved one to your appointment and I can teach them some of the techniques which best work for you.
Happy massaging!