Shoulder Massage Directions

Help a friend relieve stress with a shoulder massage.

The shoulders and the neck are key areas that hold most of the body's stress and tension, resulting in tightness and pain. This pain can radiate into the head and jaw, causing headaches, and down into the back. Shoulder massage, done properly, can relax tightness in the muscles and release trigger points, or knots, which can cause pain several places in the body. Shoulder massage can also relieve stress to allow the body and mind to work more efficiently.

Things You'll Need

• Pillow
• Massage oil or lotion

Instructions

1. Have the person you will massage sit with his arms resting on a lap pillow.

2. Apply a small amount of oil or lotion onto your hands. Rub onto both of your partner's shoulders.

3. Warm his shoulder muscles with long, gliding strokes with the full hand beginning between the shoulder blades and working up to the neck and out to the shoulders. Repeat several times.

4. Knead his upper trapezius muscles between the shoulder and neck by gently squeezing and releasing. Repeat several times.

5. Apply moderate gliding strokes with your thumbs between the shoulder blades and up into the neck area. Repeat several times.

6. Repeat the thumb-gliding strokes on the upper trapezius from the shoulder toward the neck. Repeat several times.

7. Repeat long, gliding strokes along the shoulders with moderate pressure. Decrease pressure with each stroke.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult with your primary physician before receiving a massage to rule out contraindications or conditions where massage may not be advised.

• If this seated position is uncomfortable, try sitting in front of a table and resting head and arms on a pillow on table. Avoid turning the head.

• Massage oil or lotion decreases drag, which reduces skin friction.

• Pressure can be adjusted to tolerance.

• Drink plenty of fluids after a massage to flush the toxins released from massage.

• Massage should be stopped if severe pain or discomfort is experienced. Seek medical advice if you experience changes in pain or new symptoms.

• Caution should be used to avoid sensitive and bony areas such as the shoulder blades, distal ends of the shoulder and the spine.

References

• Massage Tools for Therapists and the Home