Need tips on how to achieve profound relaxation during massage

[Guest guest]

I am a fairly new massage therapy client who benefits as much from

stress control and relaxation and from pain relief and improved range

of motion. I now enhance the experience by deep breathing as I

receive the massage. Can anyone suggest other things to do either

before or during the massage that can enhance the stress control so I

can become more profoundly relaxed. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Don't drink coffee just before a

massage! Have a relaxing herbal blend

of tea instead.

May sound like a no-brainer, but when

coffee is a habit you may not think of it.

 

Ien in the Kootenays, who adores her morning java

http://profiles./free_green_living

 

 

[Guest guest]

> I suggest that during massage you listen to light,

mellow music, and the room should be conducive for

relaxation..Dim light should be used and put

aromatic scents in the air. Lavender is a relaxing

scent and used for stress/anxiety.Take a warm bath

before the massage.

[Guest guest]

> I suggest that during massage you listen to light,

mellow music, and the room should be conducive for

relaxation..Dim light should be used and put

aromatic scents in the air. Lavender is a relaxing

scent and used for stress/anxiety.Take a warm bath

before the massage.

[Guest guest]

Ien,

Thanks! I'll try going cold turkey on caffein before my next massage.

-- Alan

 

Ieneke van Houten <ienvan wrote:

Don't drink coffee just before a

massage! Have a relaxing herbal blend

of tea instead.

May sound like a no-brainer, but when

coffee is a habit you may not think of it.

 

Ien in the Kootenays, who adores her morning java

http://profiles./free_green_living

 

 

[Guest guest]

Riza,

Thanks for the tips.

-- Alan

 

riza0577 <riza0577 wrote:

> I suggest that during massage you listen to light,

mellow music, and the room should be conducive for

relaxation..Dim light should be used and put

aromatic scents in the air. Lavender is a relaxing

scent and used for stress/anxiety.Take a warm bath

before the massage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Great question to ask!

 

Massage can be so much more rewarding and effective as a collaborative

effort between client and therapist.

 

A technique I use with clients as well as on my own , is to place my

middle fingers at the center of the occipital ridge, right at the top

of the spine and let the weight of the skull generate the pressure

level. In other words, you don't have to push.

 

When working on clients, I lift the head just slightly and allow the

neck and spine to adjust in my hands while my middle fingers are the

pivot point at the occipital ridge. (The occipital ridge is the region

at the back of the head where the base of the skull meets the spine.)

 

Cradle the rest of the head with both hands and then ease the head

back down on the table and when the table takes the full weight off

the hands, continue releasing the skull until you are barely touching,

or just gently relaxing your middle fingers in the little divot that

naturally lies at the spine and the center of the occipital ridge. (If

you try this a few times you'll quickly learn to feel the right spot.)

 

That's what a therapist can do.

 

What can YOU do?

 

The same exact procedure however it feels very different when you are

doing it to yourself.

 

Lay on your back and put your hands under your head, elbows laying up

and out on each side. Grasp the head with your hands and you'll

immediately feel the occipital ridge at the top of the spine. It feels

like a natural place to hold and control head movement with the hands.

Lay you middle fingers near the center and you will quickly realize

there is a small impression where your two middle fingure will easily

fit. In some cases you may want to overlap the fingers, though usually

the fingers will lay comfortable on the sides of the spine.

 

Once you find the position, relax as much as you can into the posture.

This is a great time to use your breathing techniques, as the posture

opens the chest and you are supported by the table or bed, whichever

you are laying on.

 

This point is called the " sleep spot " for acupressure and is also used

in some cranial sacral and polarity techniques. As you lay quietly

you'll find yourself drifting into a sleepy state. The position is

held for as long as you feel comfortable, though it's easier to hold

longer when your performing the technique on others.

 

When done well a therapist will notice a naturally deeper breathe

around the forth or fifth exhalation, and after a few minutes the

client may be so deep that you notice Rapid Eye Movement (REM), or

facial and other muscle twitches as the body releases stress.

 

The deepest level is more challenging to aquire in the self generated

treatment, but is still very effective in releasing stress and

profound relaxation of the body.

 

I hope this technique helps you. And, I commend and encourage your

efforts in responsible self care. If I can be of further assistance,

let me know.

 

Best of success to you,

 

~ B ~

rebelmassage

http://www.massagemsoi.com

http://astore.amazon.com/thewellwithin-20

thewellwithincoach

 

 

 

, " fiftytwo94303 "

<fiftytwo94303 wrote:

>

> I am a fairly new massage therapy client who benefits as much from

> stress control and relaxation and from pain relief and improved range

> of motion. I now enhance the experience by deep breathing as I

> receive the massage. Can anyone suggest other things to do either

> before or during the massage that can enhance the stress control so I

> can become more profoundly relaxed. Thanks.

>

[Guest guest]

Barbara Calkins <rebelmassage wrote: Great question to ask!

 

Massage can be so much more rewarding and effective as a collaborative

effort between client and therapist.

 

A technique I use with clients as well as on my own , is to place my

middle fingers at the center of the occipital ridge, right at the top

of the spine and let the weight of the skull generate the pressure

level. In other words, you don't have to push.

 

When working on clients, I lift the head just slightly and allow the

neck and spine to adjust in my hands while my middle fingers are the

pivot point at the occipital ridge. (The occipital ridge is the region

at the back of the head where the base of the skull meets the spine.)

 

Cradle the rest of the head with both hands and then ease the head

back down on the table and when the table takes the full weight off

the hands, continue releasing the skull until you are barely touching,

or just gently relaxing your middle fingers in the little divot that

naturally lies at the spine and the center of the occipital ridge. (If

you try this a few times you'll quickly learn to feel the right spot.)

 

That's what a therapist can do.

 

What can YOU do?

 

The same exact procedure however it feels very different when you are

doing it to yourself.

 

Lay on your back and put your hands under your head, elbows laying up

and out on each side. Grasp the head with your hands and you'll

immediately feel the occipital ridge at the top of the spine. It feels

like a natural place to hold and control head movement with the hands.

Lay you middle fingers near the center and you will quickly realize

there is a small impression where your two middle fingure will easily

fit. In some cases you may want to overlap the fingers, though usually

the fingers will lay comfortable on the sides of the spine.

 

Once you find the position, relax as much as you can into the posture.

This is a great time to use your breathing techniques, as the posture

opens the chest and you are supported by the table or bed, whichever

you are laying on.

 

This point is called the " sleep spot " for acupressure and is also used

in some cranial sacral and polarity techniques. As you lay quietly

you'll find yourself drifting into a sleepy state. The position is

held for as long as you feel comfortable, though it's easier to hold

longer when your performing the technique on others.

 

When done well a therapist will notice a naturally deeper breathe

around the forth or fifth exhalation, and after a few minutes the

client may be so deep that you notice Rapid Eye Movement (REM), or

facial and other muscle twitches as the body releases stress.

 

The deepest level is more challenging to aquire in the self generated

treatment, but is still very effective in releasing stress and

profound relaxation of the body.

 

I hope this technique helps you. And, I commend and encourage your

efforts in responsible self care. If I can be of further assistance,

let me know.

 

Best of success to you,

 

~ B ~

rebelmassage

http://www.massagemsoi.com

http://astore.amazon.com/thewellwithin-20

thewellwithincoach

 

, " fiftytwo94303 "

<fiftytwo94303 wrote:

>

> I am a fairly new massage therapy client who benefits as much from

> stress control and relaxation and from pain relief and improved range

> of motion. I now enhance the experience by deep breathing as I

> receive the massage. Can anyone suggest other things to do either

> before or during the massage that can enhance the stress control so I

> can become more profoundly relaxed. Thanks.

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Barbara,

Great tip! I can't wait to try it. It's also good to hear someone else

looks for some of the same things out of a massage as I do. Thanks.

-- Alan

 

 

Barbara Calkins <rebelmassage wrote:

Great question to ask!

 

Massage can be so much more rewarding and effective as a collaborative

effort between client and therapist.

 

A technique I use with clients as well as on my own , is to place my

middle fingers at the center of the occipital ridge, right at the top

of the spine and let the weight of the skull generate the pressure

level. In other words, you don't have to push.

 

When working on clients, I lift the head just slightly and allow the

neck and spine to adjust in my hands while my middle fingers are the

pivot point at the occipital ridge. (The occipital ridge is the region

at the back of the head where the base of the skull meets the spine.)

 

Cradle the rest of the head with both hands and then ease the head

back down on the table and when the table takes the full weight off

the hands, continue releasing the skull until you are barely touching,

or just gently relaxing your middle fingers in the little divot that

naturally lies at the spine and the center of the occipital ridge. (If

you try this a few times you'll quickly learn to feel the right spot.)

 

That's what a therapist can do.

 

What can YOU do?

 

The same exact procedure however it feels very different when you are

doing it to yourself.

 

Lay on your back and put your hands under your head, elbows laying up

and out on each side. Grasp the head with your hands and you'll

immediately feel the occipital ridge at the top of the spine. It feels

like a natural place to hold and control head movement with the hands.

Lay you middle fingers near the center and you will quickly realize

there is a small impression where your two middle fingure will easily

fit. In some cases you may want to overlap the fingers, though usually

the fingers will lay comfortable on the sides of the spine.

 

Once you find the position, relax as much as you can into the posture.

This is a great time to use your breathing techniques, as the posture

opens the chest and you are supported by the table or bed, whichever

you are laying on.

 

This point is called the " sleep spot " for acupressure and is also used

in some cranial sacral and polarity techniques. As you lay quietly

you'll find yourself drifting into a sleepy state. The position is

held for as long as you feel comfortable, though it's easier to hold

longer when your performing the technique on others.

 

When done well a therapist will notice a naturally deeper breathe

around the forth or fifth exhalation, and after a few minutes the

client may be so deep that you notice Rapid Eye Movement (REM), or

facial and other muscle twitches as the body releases stress.

 

The deepest level is more challenging to aquire in the self generated

treatment, but is still very effective in releasing stress and

profound relaxation of the body.

 

I hope this technique helps you. And, I commend and encourage your

efforts in responsible self care. If I can be of further assistance,

let me know.

 

Best of success to you,

 

~ B ~

rebelmassage

http://www.massagemsoi.com

http://astore.amazon.com/thewellwithin-20

thewellwithincoach

 

, " fiftytwo94303 "

<fiftytwo94303 wrote:

>

> I am a fairly new massage therapy client who benefits as much from

> stress control and relaxation and from pain relief and improved range

> of motion. I now enhance the experience by deep breathing as I

> receive the massage. Can anyone suggest other things to do either

> before or during the massage that can enhance the stress control so I

> can become more profoundly relaxed. Thanks.

>