27
April
2016
There are several ways to incorporate self-massage at home for you and for someone else. Here are a few simple tips that I recommend for many of my patients.
- When doing massage on yourself or on someone else, try to remember not to overuse your thumbs. Your thumb muscles are very small and exhaust easily. When you are doing a general squeezing technique, use all four fingers against your palm. You’ll find that your hand won’t tire as easily.
- You can also use a tennis ball while pushing up against a wall or lying on the ball on the floor for those nagging tripper point areas that require prolonged pressure. You will notice that a tennis ball has enough flexibility that it will not over exacerbate the trigger point.
- Always try and remember when administering massage to someone else to make sure that you are both in a comfortable position. This will make it easier on both giving and receiving massage.
- There are several products available for purchase that can aid in self-massage. Thumper units provide a percussive type massage and can be very beneficial for stiff muscles but remember prolonged use will cause irritation to the skin. These units also require electricity for use.
- Massage rollers are available that allow you to use your own body weight to roll the muscles like pizza dough. They come in all different sizes and colors and are great for portable use also.
These are just a few things available that are inexpensive and easy to use at home or on the go.
Written by:
Domenic J. Falvo R.M.T.
Hand & Stone Barrie