Full body massages are excellent stress-relievers after a long
week of work, but only when they’re performed correctly. In this article, we’re
going to teach you the proper way to give a full-body massage, as recommended
by professional masseuses at the top spa centres in Dubai.
Quick summary
Start at the feet and work your way up the client’s body. Maintain
a consistent pressure throughout the procedure, alternating between kneading,
pressing, and circular movements. The best massage therapists use the weight of
their body instead of applying pressure directly to the muscles. Finish at the
neck and head. Be sure to never put any weight on the client’s spine or bones.
Read on for the detailed process of giving the perfect full body
massage.
The atmosphere is important
1. Create a comfortable space
The first step in giving any good massage in Dubai is to create a relaxing, soothing atmosphere that
adds to the overall experience.
Your client’s comfort will always be your top priority. Make sure the
massage experience is a comfortable one by:
- Using a high-quality bed or massage table that doesn’t cause the client to cramp up if they lie down on it for too long.
- Making sure there are towels available for the client to cover themselves while they undress.
- Keeping the room’s internal temperature fairly warm. Your client will be partially naked, and you don’t want them to catch a cold.
2. Use candles and music
Scented candles and light, soothing music are excellent for
enhancing the massage experience and making it more enjoyable.
If possible, dim the lights almost entirely during the procedure
and use only the candlelight for vision. You ideally want the client to be so
relaxed that they almost fall asleep.
As far as the music is concerned, you can always ask the client if
they have any pieces they’d like to listen to. Otherwise, classical music and
sounds from nature are always good options.
The massage technique
1. Start at the feet
Start the massage by wrapping both hands around one foot and rubbing
the soles and arches using only your thumbs. The bottoms of the feet tend to
accumulate the most tension, so this is the area you’ll want to work the most.
Keep in mind that some people are very ticklish, so don’t begin
before asking you have the client’s go-ahead.
2. Move to the legs
Once you’re done with the feet, move up to the client’s legs. In
particular, you’ll want to focus on the back and sides of each leg. Start at
the ankle and use slow, long strokes all the way up to their inner thighs.
Massage
experts in Dubai recommend stretching the skin lightly using your thumbs as you
move up. This is a technique called effleurage, which is an excellent way to ease
the client into the process.
After the long strokes, you’ll need to work on the calves and the
thighs individually using a kneading motion which relieves the stress within
the leg muscles.
3. Work from the lower to the upper back
Using the same effleurage technique as above, work the back
muscles starting around the waist and moving all the way up to the client’s
shoulders and neck. You won’t be able to cover all muscle groups in one go; change
the starting point on every up-stroke.
Your client’s back will usually be the area that feels the tensest,
so it’s advisable that you spend the longest time here. Make sure you knead
each of the muscle group when you’re done with the longer strokes, and then use
a press-and-release technique to address knots.
In the press-and-release, your fingertips will slowly dig into the
flesh before you lift them quickly. This releases a wide range of different
chemicals within the body that help it relax.
4. Do the neck and shoulders
Next, you’ll use the press-and-release technique along the
client’s neck and shoulders. Keep both your hands either side of the spine at
all times, taking care not to press too hard around the neck.
A great tip here is to move to the front of the client’s head and
work the shoulders from this position. To do this, you’ll need to clench your
hands into a fist and rub the knuckles firmly across the top of the shoulders
and upper back to release any tension.
When you’re massaging the neck, make sure you work the side
muscles as well as the ones along the spine.
5. Massage the arms
Work your way from the shoulders to the arms and hands, massaging
one at a time. Make sure you use both hands during the entire process, holding
the client’s wrist with one hand to hold it up while the other massages their
forearms, triceps, and biceps using slow strokes.
For the hands, you’ll need to massage the palms using only your thumbs
moving in circular motion. Next, take their fingers and turn them around the
knuckles, but not so hard that you crack them.
6. End at the head
Finally, you’re going to massage your client’s head. Before you do
this, ask them to turn over so that they’re lying on their back. This gives you
the best angle to work with.
You’ll start the process at the top of the head, gently pressing
your thumbs into the client’s scalp and massaging all around the sides. For an
even better massage experience, use the full width of your hand to squeeze the
entire area.
Next, move to the earlobes and massage them gently using only your
forefinger and thumb. Slide your forefinger down the cheekbones a few times
after you’re done.
After the cheekbones, use the same two fingers to massage the
forehead, slowly working your way inwards from each temple. Press your thumb in
using circular motions around the temple. These points
are considered pressure zones which, when massaged properly, can relieve stress
in the entire body.
Pro Tips
- Always work slowly. The massage is supposed to be an enjoyable experience for the client, and it shouldn’t be rushed.
- Use only high-quality massage oils that have a pleasant smell.
- Your hands should never leave the clients skin, even when you’re applying oils.
- Talk to the client throughout the massage to make sure they’re comfortable. Ask them regularly if the pressure you’re applying feels okay.
- Pay close attention to knots in the back and neck. Use your thumb and the palm of your hands to relieve stress in these areas.
- Always avoid the spine and any bones. Extra pressure here can make the client extremely uncomfortable and cause them pain.
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