How to Give a Neck Massage
Giving a good neck massage to your loved one after a long day is a wonderful treat. What makes it even better is that it’s totally free. Here’s how to give a great neck massage.
Use a massage oil. This will help your hands glide more smoothly on the skin. Getting one with a good scent will also help with relaxation.
Have a comfortable, straight-backed and low chair. Put a pillow on the recipient’s chest so that he or she can lean forward with relative comfort.
Alternatively, you can have the recipient lie down on a flat mattress for even more comfort.
Stand behind the recipient and put some massage oil in your hands. Rub your palms together to warm the massage oil.
neck massage
Put your palms where the neck and shoulders meet. Grip them lightly and put your thumbs onto the nape.
Squeeze the shoulders and massage your thumbs into a circular motion. Do this for a few seconds and release briefly before repeating again.
Turn the recipient’s head to one side. Use three fingers to stroke the exposed shoulder upwards the neck. Use gentle, light motions. Do this for several minutes and repeat with the other side.
Repeat Step 7, but this time use circular motions, but still going up from shoulder to one side of the neck.
Move both hands to one side of the neck, and make a claw-like formation with them. Lightly grasp the base of the neck with one hand and position one above it. Move both hands lower and switch them, like you are drawing down a rope. Do this for several minutes before moving on to the other side.
Stretch out your fingers and lightly stroke your fingers down from the base of the recipient’s skull, down the neck, and out into the shoulders and back. Do the same motion repeatedly for several minutes.