How to Give a Good Neck Massage

There are several causes for neck pain. When you feel stressed, you are more likely to keep your neck and shoulders hunched up tightly. If you sit in front of a computer all day, the bent over position can bring on neck pain. Injury, illness and other events can also cause neck pain. The best remedy for a tight, painful neck is a good massage. Learning to give a good neck massage will allow you to help someone you love.

Things You'll Need

• Straight-backed chair
• Pillow

Instructions

1. Have your recipient sit backwards in a straight-backed, low chair such as a kitchen chair. Place a pillow or small cushion in front of his chest so he can lean forward comfortably.

2. Stand directly behind your recipient. Rub your hands together to create friction and warmth. Warm hands will help the muscles relax.

3. Place the palms of your hands on your recipients shoulders, close to the neck. Lightly grip the shoulders and place your thumbs onto his neck. Gently squeeze the shoulders and push your thumbs into his neck. Move your thumbs in a circular motion as you squeeze and release the shoulders. Repeat for several minutes.

4. Move to one side of the neck. Hold your hands in a claw-like position and grasp the base of his neck gently with your lower hand. Slide that hand up to the base of the skull. Replace your lower hand with your upper hand and again grasp the neck just at the base of the skull. Move this hand down to the base of the neck, gently massaging the muscles. Repeat for several minutes, alternating your hands and the up and down motions.

5. Finish the massage by once again standing behind your recipient. Spread out your fingers and make light, gentle, downward strokes from the base of his skull, down his neck and out across his back and shoulders.

Tips & Warnings

• If a person has severe or chronic pain, you should not give him a massage as you could possibly cause more damage. Always ask permission before performing a massage on anyone.

Resources

• Streaming Massage Music