How to Massage Hands for Martial Artists

Hands are as valuable to the martial artist as a pianist's hands are to the pianist. Taking good care of the hands is essential. Martial artists’ hands take a lot of abuse; hand exercises as well as hand massage are both important parts of the martial artist's fitness regime. Hand massage can be done on oneself, if no one is available to do it. Read on to learn how to massage hands for martial artists.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Turn the hand over, palm facing up. Place your thumb in the center of the palm and rub in a slow, circular motion. You should start with gentle pressure and then apply firmer pressure to the muscles of the palm. Your other fingers will be cradling the top of the hand, keeping it steady.

2. Press your thumb very firmly in the center of the palm and hold for a count of 10, and then release the pressure. This helps open chi channels in the hand and will help release any negative chi build up. This step can be repeated through the massage as often as you feel it is necessary.

3. Grasp the hand firmly, your thumb still on the palm and your fingers still cradling the hand. Move your thumb slowly up the outer pinkie side, the fleshy ridge of the hand, all the way up to the tip of the pinkie. You are drawing tension out of this area and opening any blockages to chi in the fingers. Repeat this step for all four fingers and the thumb.

4. Turn the hand—the hand that is being massaged--over and gently rub your thumb over the back of the wrist, down each finger. Your index finger will be on the underside of each finger (the palm side) mirroring your thumb. Grasp each finger and tug lightly. This will help align the joints.

5. Place your thumb and middle finger along the sides of the thumb that is to be massaged. Gently, but firmly massage the sides of the thumb. Work your way up to the tip and repeat this for all fingers.

6. Grasp the entire hand, now, and gently pull. Allow your hand to slide up to the tips of the fingers as if you were pulling a thin sheath off the martial artist's fingers.

Tips & Warnings

• Soft background music is helpful to create a relaxed atmosphere for any massage.
• Natural, relaxed breathing should accompany the massage.
• Pay special attention to any areas that appear very tense.
• Don't apply too much pressure to bruised hands. Massage is still possible, and may be recommended, for injured hands, but pressure should be lighter

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[ceholmes]

on 7/5/2009 Wow! This can be for anyone too with tense and tired hands! great topic 5*