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EFTA00008220

 
Chapter 11: Putting the Moves Together 173 
a 
7. With your thumbs atop the shoulders and your fingers up on your part-
ner's back, knead thetops of the shoulders, also called the trapezius 
muscles, as shown in Figure 11-4e. While you're doing this, you can feel 
for tight spots and then stop for a moment to apply pressure with your 
thumbs directly on those areas. 
8. Switch your position to your partner's side. Then, using medium pres-
sure, glide your hands up the back, separating them at your partner's 
shoulders and gliding back down with lighter pressure. Do this two or 
three times, being careful not to press too hard directly over the spine. 
9. Reaching across your partner's back, drape your fingers over her side, 
then pull back slowly, actually lifting her body up a tiny bit as you 
engage in a nifty "reverse glide," as shown in Figure 11:4f. 
10. With "small" kneading movements, using mostly just the fingers, reach 
down and pull up the muscles along the back of the neck, alternating 
one hand after the other, as shown in Figure 11-4g. You can be firm, but 
be careful not to pinch your partner. Also, make sure not to pull her hair 
when you're doing this maneuver. You should also avoid reaching 
around too far with your fingertips because you mayend up in an endan-
germent site on the throat. 
11. Now is the time for you to really focus in on the tight spots you discov-
ered during your thumb glide down alongside the spine. Start at the 
base of the spine and place your thumbs in the little groove that's 
formed between the spine itself and the erector spinae muscles that run 
up alongside the far side of the spine. Then press out toward the oppo-
site side of the back, moving your thumbs in a little reverse "J" motion 
over the muscle, as shown in Figure I1-4h. 
-Never press directly on the spine itself while you're doing this move. 
Instead, keep your thumbs pressing away from the spine at all times. 
The main difference between a good massage and a...

74 Part III: The Art of Giving Massage 
Figure 11-4: 
A series of 
back moves 
to get you 
started. 
_.---,_ tt
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A
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gib 
13. Use your thumbs to zero in on the spot that lies about midway out.from 
• 
the spine at the level of the armpit. It's right at the base of the inner edge-of 
the shoulder blade, and is usually tight on almost everyone. If you can find 
this spot and do a thumb press with firm pressure for 10 seconds or longer, 
you may feel the entire shoulder "fall" away from the back in relaxation. 
S.
EFTA00008222

• 
Chapter 11: Putting the Moves Together 
•: 
-r 
Knots, and what to do with them 
t . 
t' 
As you.get used to glidimaver-peoples bogies 
decide when enough is enoughAind mov&onto 
with your hands, youniqMicLify realize thatno "the nextaree. This isa.toughtapecatise your 
twobodies are the same and-that, in fact, the 
partner's knots ancInsate spots are the areasthat 
same body can even feel different on different`' need the most attention. 
days. Eventually, you'll know how to distinguish 
a "knot" from an area of normal muscle tone. 
Thenyou can apply the techniques you find in 
this .chapter and Chapter 10 to start relaxing 
thosqlight pikes. 
• 
• 
You could ellSi.brntild an-entire hour justdeal-
ing with yout I:Mane/Ye knots, .so you have tot \ ,/ 
• O1 
In general, during a full body massage, spendflo 
mote then 5 minutes on any particulapigntspot 
If you wqnttnfocus on it more toter, schedule a 
specielnession just for that purpose. 
, • : • 
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776 Part III: The Art of Giving Massage  
0 
Creating wholeness 
You ?an create a better experience for your 
partner if younever really "finish" one part of 
the body. Because, if you finish, that means the 
clock is ticking, and the massage is slowly drip-
ping away. It's better to create the illusion of 
timelessness by connecting all the pieces of the 
massage together into one whole. 
So, after you "finish" the back, that doesn't 
mean you shouldn't allow your hands to move 
there again. In fact, it's a good idea to add some 
"connective strokes" throughout the massage 
so that it feels ai though you never completely 
, finish with any particular part of the body. You 
can even connect the front of the body to the 
back by reaching•beneath your partner during 
certain moves; as you sealaterin this chapter. 
a
Nrckof the legs and buttocks 
• • 
• 
• 
' 
• 
The buttackj datttaih th'elargest Ascle in the human body, and they do a 
• large pefcsntage of the woilt. WiTout them, you couldn't walk, sit, or dance 
the poop.g BtIttbcks really digerve a lot of fespegt, but often they've been 
drkiaraged and have unfortunately besome the "butt" of many off-color 
jokes. Don't let this flippantattitudeqbout buttocks keeti)Ou from spending 
to. 
• •• some serious tithe there dUring yourimaisage. 
• 
1. After ypu glide your way dimn from your partner's back and reposition 
yourself by your partner's I tgr poly. some oil to the entire back surface 
.,,.of one leg with firm gliding strokes, circling your outer hand around at 
• \The buttock and gliding more light
back down. 
• 
• 
• 
2. Lift your partner'sfoot, supporting it with both of your hands while 
applying circular rubbing all around the ankle bone with your thumbs 
and fingertips of both hands, as shown in Figure 11.6a. 
It helps your partner relax if you can get her to "let go" of her lower leg 
and allow you to take the full weight of her limb in your hands. Take a 
look at the "Limp arm experiment" in Chapter 7 for...

 
Chapter 11: Putting the Moves Together 177 
into the Joints, in this case the knee and hip. Practice until Just using a 
gentle shaking at the foot can produce a rhythmical movement through-
out the body up to the head. 
4. The largest muscle in the calf is actually separated into two "bellies." It 
feels great to run your thumbs or the tips of your fingers up the middle 
of the calf, separating the two sides, as shown in Figure 11.6c. You can 
also make a straight line up on either side of the middle. 
5. While you knead the calf muscle with a back and forth motion, move 
your hands up and down also, so you cover the entire muscle, as shown 
in Figure 11-6d. Stop about 
of the way down from the knee because the 
calf tapers down to the Achilles tendon there and becomes too thin to 
knead. At that point, you can continue by squeezing the tendon between 
your thumb and fingers down to the ankle. 
6. Grasping the leg Just above the ankle with both hands, use the webbing 
between your thumbs and forefingers to create a tight seal. Then 
squeeze in and push up at the same time, moving slowly, as shown in 
Figure 11-6e. Stop when you reach the back of the knee. With this maneu-
ver, you can actually help move stagnant blood out of the limb, 
improving circulation. If you do it correctly, this move may incite your 
partner to say something like, "Whoa, that's intense!" Take this as a sign 
that you're doing things right, but also make sure that you're not squeez- . 
ing too hard. There's a fine line between intense and painful. 
Remember to apply only very slight pressure over the back of the knee! 
And be careful to avoid any varicose veins. 
7. Making your hands into fists, apply pressure with the knuckles into the 
back of the upper legs, called the hamstrings, as shown in Figure 11-6f. 
Knuckling is a forth of gliding that is especially appropriate to this area 
because each knuckle slides between the long bands of muscles here. 
8. This move feels like an ice cream...

175 Part III: The Art of Giving Massage 
Turning over 
In my opinion, not enough is said about the art of 
turning over during massages. Often, this turn is 
the only physical effort a massage recipient has 
to make for over an hour. And, as it comes right 
in the middle of the experience, there's a poten-
tial for it to be disruptive and a little jarring. For 
these reasons, most massage pros are quite 
gentle with their clients when it comes time for 
them to turn. In a soft, soothing voice, they say 
something like, "All right Mr. Smith, I'm going to 
ask you to gently roll over onto your back now. 
Take your time." 
You have to watch your wording carefully 
because there are those who take what you say 
too literally. I have one client who is a world-
class athlete, and once when I asked him to "flip 
over," he literally flipped, springing a foot off the 
table and twisting over in midair to come crash-
ing back down on the table, splintering one of 
its wooden legs. 
When it comes time for your own partnerto turn 
over, follow the example of the pros: 
;•••• Be gentle 
po Speak softly 
Leo Give them as much time as they need 
ye Assist them if necessary, offering support 
mor Use the words "roll over or "turn gently, 
please" instead of "flip" 
10. Knead the thick muscles of the buttocks, particularly on the upper, 
outside portion, which often tends to be the most sore, as shown in 
Figure 11-6h. You have to watch where your fingers are going while you 
squeeze, roll, and push here, though! It's kind of a tight area to work in. 
NO/ 
11. Because the buttocks include the largest muscles in the body, they can 
withstand some heavy percussion movements. Use loose fists and firm 
pressure, but be sure not to pound with your fists on the tailbone, which 
is much more delicate. Then move the tapping down the leg, opening 
your fists so that you're doing karate-chop moves. Remember to lighten 
up over the back of the knee! 
12. Apply light fingertip brushing up the b...

 
Chapter 11: Putting the Moves Together 779 
Figure 11-6: 
Giving the 
back of the 
legs a kick 
in the pants. 
filfr-
mile MS -IN 
EFTA00008227

180 
Part III: The Art of Giving Massage 
Face and scalp 
After your partner has turned over, you are presented with entirely different 
terrain to massage. The front of the body is a little more perplexing. There 
are more intricate surfaces to deal with, as well as more private, vulnerable, 
and delicate areas. Therefore, you need to be more of a diplomat while mas-
saging the front of someone's body. Most people allow Just about anyone to 
give them a backrub, but when it comes time for you to touch the front of 
their body, they have to trust you. 
The face, for example, is quite a private area. Although it's exposed to the 
world for all to see, it's not there for all to touch. You have to be sensitive as 
you begin to massage your partner's face. Avoid large gestures, or quick 
movements. All of your maneuvers here, including those you make before 
you even touch your partner, should be smooth, deliberate, and slow. 
You probably don't need any extra oil for the face. The oil left over on your 
hands from massaging the back is sufficient. 
1. Start by placing your hands gently on the side of your partner's head, 
thumbs resting on the forehead. This is the perfect position from which 
to start massaging the forehead with some thumb gliding and firm circu-
lar rubbing. First, glide your thumbs out from the middle toward the 
sides, starting low by the brow, making three to four lines progressively 
higher. Then begin making circles with your thumbs, as shown in Figure 
11-7a, all across the forehead. 
2. Leaving your hands In about the same position, begin using the finger-
tips instead of the thumbs. Circle your fingertips into the side of the 
head around the spot where sideburns would start if your partner had 
some, as shown in Figure 11-7b. 
3. Using the tips of your first two fingers, trace around the edges of the 
bones that surround the eye — across the brow, down along the nose, 
and around the top of the cheek bones, as shown in Figure 11-7c. You 
may...

 
Chapter 11: Putting the Moves Together 
1 
ZAP 
5. Use your thumbs in an "opening" gesture to fan out across the cheeks 
from Just under the inside corner of the eye down toward the jawbone. 
The pressure you apply should be light to medium. 
6. At the corner of the jawbone, slightly in front of and below the ear, you 
find the chewing muscles. In order to palpate them, ask your partner to 
clench her teeth, which makes these muscles bulge slightly out to the 
side. Then apply circular rubbing with the fingertips, as shown in 
Figure 11-7e, all around this area. Locate the highest point on this 
muscle, directly in the center, and use some pinpoint pressure directly 
inward for 5 to 10 seconds while suggesting to your partner, "relax your 
jaw, let your mouth open slightly, and Just breathe." 
7. Use some pinch and roll kneading to walk your fingers and thumbs from 
the Jaw muscles out onto the chin, as shown in Figure 11-7f. Glide back 
- 
softly and repeat twice more. 
8. Most people love for you to massage their ears. Use your fingers and 
thumbs to pinch and roll the ear from the lobe up around the edges to 
the top, as shown in Figure 11-7g. Repeat this twice and then tug gently 
for a second on the top, back, and bottom of the ear. 
9. The scalp is often mistaken for a thin flap of skin without much potential 
for massage moves, but actually it's a great place to use medium to deep 
circular rubbing with the fingertips, as shown in Figure 11-7h. Keep lift-
ing your fingers up slightly, moving them a half-inch or so, then placing 
them firmly on the scalp again. During the rubbing, keep your fingers 
glued to the scalp and move the muscles below it over the cranium. Be 
careful not to pull your partner's hair while doing this move. 
Favorite places 
Everyone hastiS or het own particular favorites 
when it comes to getting a massage. Some 
swoon over an ear massage, while others go 
into ecstasy as soon as you lay a finger on their 
forehead. Oftentimes, you c...

182 Part III: The Art of Giving Massage 
Figure 11-1: 
Face the 
face! 
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Chapter 11: Putting the Moves Together 
153 
Neck and shoulders 
We refer to just about anything that bothers us as a "pain in the neck." 
Perhaps this is because the neck is particularly vulnerable to feeling pain. 
Riled with delicate nerves, vertebrae, and vessels, your neck can give you 
pain if you simply turn your head too quickly. Massage is a great way to 
soothe some of the minor complaints that people experience in this area, 
many of which are a reaction to stress. Be especially sensitive when massag-
ing here, "tuning in" to your partner's muscles and letting what you find guide 
your movements. Sometimes, simply by adding your awareness to the equa-
tion, you can help your partner get rid of that pain in the neck she's been 
complaining about. 
I. The "shoulder swoop" move may be a little tricky at first, but after you 
master It you have a great tool under your massage belt. Pouring a small 
amount of oil into one palm, rub your hands together, then place them 
on your partner's upper chest, with your fingers pointing Inward, as 
shown in Figure 11-8a. Slide your hands outward, pivoting your palms on 
top of the shoulder so that your fingers end up beneath your partner's 
upper back, as shown in Figure 11-8b. Finally, glide your hands in and up 
the back of your partner's neck to the base of her head, lifting slightly 
while you do so, as shown in Figure I1-8c. 
2. Slip your fingers beneath your partner's neck, cradling her head in your 
hands. Then lift very gently Just until you can turn her head to one side, 
supporting it In your bottom hand. Rock her head back and forth 
slightly until your partner no longer tries to hold onto her own neck 
muscles. You can then use the other hand to apply circular rubbing to 
the muscles in the back of the neck, as shown in Figure 11-8d. Move your 
circles up and down, and when you find a tense spot, apply some pin-
point pressure. By using both hands for different purposes (one 
massaging, the other cradling t...

/54 
Part III: The Art of Giving Massage 
6. Take the muscles on top of your partner's shoulders between your 
thumbs and fingers, kneading with a good amount of pressure, as shown 
In Figure 11-8f. As your fingertips reach down beneath your partner's 
back, curl them up so you're applying pressure in that area at the same 
time. 
7. Now that the neck and shoulders are warmed up and relaxed, use some 
pinpoint pressure with your thumbs to zero in on the tight spots you find, 
as shown In Figure 11-8g. Remember to keep a straight line from your 
elbows and shoulders to your thumb so you don't stress your joints. 
To create a smooth transition, finish the neck and shoulder area with 
another shoulder swoop. Then move down onto your partner's left 
shoulder and arm with a long flowing glide, which leaves you in position 
to begin massaging the hand. 
Figure 17-a 
Taking the 
burden off 
someone's 
shoulders. 
EFTA00008232

 
Chapter 11: Putting the Moves Together 
7 55 
Arms and hands 
Arms and hands are some of the most active parts of most people's bodies. 
Think about it. Even couch potatoes use their arms and hands to reach for 
the potato chips and open cans of beer. In fact, Just about everybody is so 
used to doing things with their arms and hands that, at first, you may find it 
challenging to get your partner to "let go" in this area (see the "Limp arm 
experiment" in Chapter 7 for help in getting your partner to "let go"). 
However, this doesn't mean that you can't perform some spectacularly bene-
ficial and pleasurable massage moves here. 
The secret of good arm and hand massage is to make your moves smaller and 
to focus on the little details. Every pinkie finger counts! 
A typical reaction you may get when you begin massaging in this area is, "I 
didn't know my arms were so sore until you started doing that!" Good mas-
sage techniques can put vitality back into this active, expressive part of your 
partner's anatomy. 
1. Your initial gliding in this area spreads the oil, of course, but it also does 
much more. At this time, you help your partner "let go" and loosen up. 
You accomplish this by offering some support to the limb at the wrist 
and elbow while you're gliding. This means you're actually picking the 
arm up and supporting it with one hand while gliding with the other. 
Practice switching hands with this lift-support-glide maneuver until you 
get fluid with it. 
2. Begin kneading the palm. You've already picked up your partner's hand, 
so you're in the perfect position for this move. You can flip your part-
ner's hand up and down to work at different angles, spreading open and 
squeezing between the bones of the palm. 
3. You have to build up a little dexterity in your fingers in order to get this 
knuckle rolling technique down. One at a time, curl your fingers closed 
into a fist then open them back up again over your partner's palm, as 
shown in Figure 1I-9a. ...

1 56 Part III: The Art of Giving Massage 
6. This little move feels surprisingly good. While holding your partner's 
hand palm-down, you apply circular rubbing over the top of the wrists, 
as shown in Figure 11-9d. For serious wrist problems such as carpal 
tunnel syndrome (CST), see Chapter 13. 
7. The forearms are jam-packed with muscles all crying out for attention. In 
this move, you use your thumbs to trace lines straight up the forearms 
from the wrists to the elbows, as shown in Figure 11-9e. This is a deep 
gliding that is meant to sink down between the bands of muscle in this 
area. 
There are special massage moves for the forearm that are effective on 
tennis elbow, and you can find out about them in Chapter 16. 
8. Your kneading movements on the forearms are basically a smaller ver-
sion of the ones you used on the legs, but this doesn't mean they aren't 
just as effective. Try to get as much of the muscle tissue between your 
thumb and fingers as possible, and remember to involve your whole 
body in the movement, all the way down to your hips, as shown in 
Figure 11-9f. 
9. With your partner's elbow bent and resting on the ground for support, 
encircle the arm at the wrist with both of your hands, creating a tight 
seal around the entire circumference. Then begin pushing up the arm 
very slowly until you reach the elbow, maintaining firm pressure the 
whole time. This "squeezing toothpaste through a tube" glide is great for 
tired, achy arms that need some renewal. 
10. In order to massage the entire upper arm from one simple position, lift 
your partner's arm up, supporting it at the elbow, allowing her hand to 
fall back toward the floor near her head. Then use your free hand to 
massage the upper arm. For example, in Figure 11-9g the left arm is sup-
ported by your left hand, allowing the right hand to massage the biceps. 
In Figure 11-9h, your right hand supports the elbow, leaving the left hand 
free to massage the triceps. 
As you're doing this mov...

Chapter 11: Putting the Moves Together 757 
12. Finish the arm with a light fingertip glide that floats up over the shoul-
der to the chest, where you're going to massage next. 
Repeat this sequence on the opposite arm. 
Rgure11-t 
Taking up 
arms 
against a 
sea of 
troubles. ratrt
lE 
ty, 
EFTA00008235

SS Part III: The Art of Giving Massage  
Torso 
As a species, we've taken a big collective risk by standing erect on two feet 
and exposing our defenseless underbellies to the world. The front of your 
body, especially the abdomen, can be a very vulnerable area, and you have to 
be extra sensitive when applying massage moves here. 
Your abdomen is the physical home of many emotional realities such as fear, 
anger, and Intuition. That's why we say we have a "gut instinct" about some-
thing. You're not just massaging a stomach when you place your hands on 
your partner's belly. You're massaging her soul. This fact has been recog-
nized by many Asian cultures, such as the Japanese, for example, who have 
even given this soul-in-the-belly a name: the Kara. 
Make your movements on the chest and abdomen gentle at first, until your 
partner relaxes a little and allows you to massage more deeply. Keep in mind 
that your touch here penetrates to the deepest layers, both physically and 
psychologically. 
1. Place your thumbs across your partner's upper chest muscles below the 
collar bone, with your fingers reaching down toward his sides, as shown 
in Figure 11-10a. Begin some kneading, which, as you soon discover, is a 
tricky maneuver to perform without causing your partner to squirm and 
writhe in fits of hysterical giggling. Yes, this area can be quite ticklish. 
Start out gingerly, like a kitten pawing a pillow, then gradually intensify, 
always staying within your partner's comfort level. 
This area can be extremely sensitive, especially on people who exercise 
a lot or who are overly ticklish. Be careful not to poke your fingers into 
your partner's ribs or armpits. And make sure to use extra oil if your 
partner has a lot of chest hair. 
2. Lifting your hands off the chest Just slightly, begin pressing back down 
by using pinpoint pressure of the thumbs along a line about two inches 
below the collar bone, as shown in Figure 11-10b. This can have a benefi-
cial effect...

 
Chapter 11: Putting the Moves Together 
189 
the base of your ribs, and down your left side. When you massage in this 
same direction (clockwise), you're helping the digestive organs do their 
Job. Press in with firm but sensitive pressure so your movements affect 
these organs as well as the muscles on top of them, as shown in 
Figure 11-10d. 
When you get really good at circling your hands over the belly, try 
speeding up your movements a little by letting your left hand glide right 
over the top of the right each time they cross paths, without pausing to 
lift the left hand up. This creates a smoother flow for you and a neat sen-
sation for your partner. 
5. Right around the navel, in the pit of the belly, is where people often store 
pent-up emotions. By gently touching several points here, applying just 
the softest pressure inward, as shown in Figure 11-10e, you can help 
coax the emotions out. It's possible that your partner may sigh with 
relief or even begin to cry when you press here with sensitivity and com-
passion. This is a good time to offer nonjudgmental support and perhaps 
even suggest a positive image, or visualization, your partner can focus 
on. See the sidebar, "Visualize whirled peas," later In this chapter. 
. 
6. This move offers a chance to massage the lower back while your partner 
is lying face up, and it's a nice stretch, too. Slide both hands over the 
waist until the fingertips slip down all the way to meet at your partner's 
spine. Then curl the fingertips up to apply a little pressure as you simul-
taneously lift the whole lower back a fraction of an Inch upwards and 
glide your hands back toward the abdomen, as shown in Figure 11-10f. 
Repeat this move three times. 
During this move, make sure you're not putting too much strain on your 
own back. Position yourself close to your partner's side, and use your 
legs and hips to do the lifting. 
7. Finish the abdomen with a glide that swoops around your partner's side 
at the hipbone, ...

190 Part III: The Art of Giving Massage  
Figure 11-10: 
Torquing the 
torso. 
Feel free to spend some extra time on the feet. Although the full foot massage 
isn't described until Chapter 14, you can incorporate many of those moves 
here as well. 
1. Begin by pushing in with both thumbs on the bottoms of your partner's 
foot and then "spread" the sole open as you move your thumbs out 
toward the side, as shown in Figure 11-11a. Use firm pressure and repeat 
this move three times. 
2. By using the thumb on the sole and forefinger on top of your partner's 
foot, rub between the long bones of the foot, as shown in Figure 11-11b. 
You should find a "groove" between the bones that you can easily slip 
your finger into. 
Make sure to press sideways, as well as Inwards, against the foot bones. 
3. Holding the top of your partner's foot In one hand, use the knuckles of 
the other hand to "rake" into the arch of the foot in a continuous one-
knuckle-at-a-time movement, starting with the pinkie finger, ring finger, 
EFTA00008238

 
Chapter 11: Putting the Moves Together 197 
middle, then index, over and over, as shown in Figure 11-11c. Done cor-
rectly, this move feels exquisite, but you have to build up considerable 
finger dexterity to achieve that. 
4. As if you were squeezing a coin, rub each toe between your index finger 
and thumb, as shown in Figure 11-11d. Start with the little toe and 
progress toward the big toe, making sure to rub on the sides of the toes 
as well as the tops and bottoms. 
5. Then, find the exact location of your partner's shin bone, also called the 
tibia, and then apply firm pressure with both of your thumbs together 
along the outside (lateral) edge of this bone as you glide your way 
slowly up toward the knee, as shown in Figure 11-11e. 
6. You have to use mostly the tips of your thumbs and fingertips to knead 
effectively on the front of the lower leg because, as you may notice, the 
front of the lower leg is mostly bone. Contain your kneading/squeezing 
movements to the fleshy areas on either side of this bone as you 
move up and down from near the ankle up to the knee, as shown in 
Figure 11-11f. 
Visualize whirled .peas 
. 
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192 Part III: The Art of Giving Massage  
7. Reaching around behind your partner's knee with your fingertips, lift 
slightly while making circles over the sides of the knees with your 
thumbs, as shown in Figure 11-11g. Use moderate pressure inward 
against the knee while making this move, and monitor your partner's 
response closely; some people are ticklish in this area. 
8. Continuing up over the knees, use your palms to glide with firm pressure 
in an upward direction on the front of the thigh, also known as the 
quadriceps muscles. Slide back down the thigh with light pressure and 
repeat four to five times. 
9. Apply kneading to the front of the thighs. This is where you can use 
some really big movements, sliding your hands all the way from the 
inside of the thigh to the outside in a constant motion. Remember to use 
your whole body to create the kneading motion, not just your arms and 
hands. And don't be surprised if you work up a sweat during this move. 
10. Imagine a line running along the outside of your partner's thigh from 
knee to hip (right where the stripe is on many warm-up suits). Starting 
at the knee, apply pinpoint pressure with your thumbs to a series of 
points along this line, as shown in Figure 11-11h. Hold each point for 3—5 
seconds, then release and move up to the next point. When you reach 
the hip, slide back down and repeat one more time. 
This area is often very sensitive on many people, so you have to be care-
ful when pressing here. Start out softly and increase pressure gradually. 
You can tell if you push too hard by noticing that your partner tenses his 
leg. If this happens, lighten your pressure. 
11. This is an advanced move that requires quite a bit of trust on your part-
ner's part. You are putting him in a vulnerable position, one leg bent at 
the knee, with the hip open to the side. By using your palms, press down 
firmly just above the knee, then glide slowly up toward the hip, as 
shown in Figurell-12a. For even more i...

 
 Chapter 11: Putting the Moves Together 793 
Rime 1141: 
Fleet moves 
for the feet 
and legs. 
EFTA00008241

794 Part III: The Art of Giving Massage  
13. Cupping the heel in your palm, lift your partner's leg just an inch or so, 
reminding him to "let go" if he tries to lift the leg for you. Shake back and 
forth with a vibrating motion. 
14. Your last move on the leg is a light fingertip brushing down from the 
hips toward the feet to leave your partner feeling "grounded." 
Repeat this entire sequence on the other leg. 
Figure 11-12 
Finishing up 
the feet and 
legs. 
The grand finale 
As with so many things in life, like fireworks and circus acts, in massage it's 
the grand finale that really counts. Sure, you can apply superlative tech-
niques all throughout the massage; flowing from one bliss-inducing maneuver 
to the next in seamless perfection; but if you finish with a ho-hum squeeze of 
the toes and then rush off to grab a cold one from the fridge, you're going to 
leave a slightly disgruntled partner behind. It's like watching a good movie 
with a bad ending: All anyone can talk about Is how bad the ending was, not 
how good the rest of the movie was. 
The way you end the massage leaves a lasting impression. To make your 
finish the best it can be, follow these steps: 
1. Use long gliding strokes that flow over the entire body, starting at the 
feet and moving up onto the torso then down the arms, as shown in 
Figure 11-13. This is the lightest kind of long-soft-light gliding, not meant 
to actually affect the tissues beneath the skin, but rather to send your 
partner a message of connection (see the sidebar, "Creating wholeness," 
earlier in this chapter). 
You don't have to wait until the end of the massage to use connective 
strokes. In fact, you can use them throughout the entire massage to con-
nect everything together. Starting an arm? Connect it to the neck you 
just finished a moment earlier. Go ahead, experiment. Connect away! The 
point is to make your partner feel that you're treating his body as a 
whole, not segmenting it Into chunks. 
EFTA00008242

Chapter 11: Putting the Moves Together 795 
Figure 11-13: 
Whole-body 
connective 
strokes 
create a 
sense of 
wholeness 
and continu-
ity for your 
partner at 
the end of a 
massage. 
Figure 11 -14: 
Placing your 
hands softly 
on two 
areas also 
creates a 
sensation of 
connection. 
2. To finish your massage, place one hand on your partner's forehead and the 
other gently upon his belly, letting them rest there in contact, but without 
pressure, for 30 to 60 seconds; as shown in Figure 11-14. You may begin to 
feel his pulse, or some warmth emanating from his body. This is good. 
Just tune in to whatever it Is you're feeling and, for Just these last few 
seconds, make sure your partner knows he's the center of the universe. 
This type of Intentional hand placement to balance your partner's Inner 
energy Is known In some quarters as polarity. 
The last moment of the massage is as important as the first. When you finally 
break contact with your partner for the last time, make it a conscious, gentle 
letting go. 
EFTA00008243

1 96 
Part III: The Art of Giving Massage 
EFTA00008244

Part 111 
Massage at Work 
The 5th Wave 
B Rich Tennant 
"71-E SRCRT ANSWER 10 YOUR REQUEST FORA RAISE IS 'NO: 1RE 
LCNG ANSWER IS `NO. MD GET OUT CF MY OFFICE:" 
EFTA00008245

Ai
of too long ago, work used to be a very physical 
activity for almost everybody on the planet. Sure, 
there were always a few pharaohs, high priests, and 
ladles-in-waiting whose main activity was flicking fingers 
and shoutingcommands, but for 99.99 percent of human-
ity throughout our entire history, "work" meant physical 
work, and we used our bodies a lot. 
In this part ... 
As you may have noticed, this is not the case anymore. In 
a sense, we've all become pharaohs, masters of a digital 
domain in which we push around bits of data as if they 
were slaves. Click a button, and your wish is executed. 
Most of us check our bodies at the door when we walk 
into work each morning. 
However, even though many of us don't use them as much 
anymore, our bodies are still subject to high levels of 
stress and strain. Recently in the U.S. alone, absenteeism 
went up 25 percent in one year, and stress was the top 
reason sited for missing work. 
Luckily, massage is here for us, ready to breathe some life 
back into our corporate bodies. It is now possible for mas-
sage to become a part of your life at work, where you may 
need it the most. I'm talking about corporate massage 
here, which is the subject of Chapter 12, in which you find 
out how to take advantage of the growing number of mas-
sage pros who specialize in on-the-Job stress reduction. 
Of course, a massage pro might not always be available, 
and you need to know how to de-stress yourself on the job 
too. Chapter 13 is all about self-massage and stretching 
that you can do right at the desk or workstation. In addi-
tion to relaxation techniques, you'll discover some basics 
about how to combat a very serious problem many office 
workers, and others, face: carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). 
The work environment also forces many of us, especially 
females, to wear strange, sadistic contraptions on our 
feet, what Steve Martin called "cruel shoes." We then walk 
around on hard, unnatural surfaces all day, until our f...

Chapter 12 
The New Coffee Break: Corporate 
Massage for a Digital Generation 
00000•000 
OOOOOOO 0 00000000000000000000000000000000 
In This Chapter 
D Considering corporate massage 
D Sitting down to a massage chair 
D Going through the chair routine 
000000000 
0000000000000 
000•000000 
OOOOOOOOOO 0000000 
G
uess which of the following touch-gurus wrote these words: "Touch is a 
very powerful message. It is very honest. People know immediately 
when you touch them if you care about them." 
A. Brian Weiss, psychiatrist and author of Many Live, Many Masters. 
B. Deepak Chopra, proponent of Ayurveda, the ancient healing science of 
India, and author of books such as Quantum Healing. 
C. Ram Dass, modern mystic and author of such classics as Be Here Now. 
D. Ken Blanchard, corporate consultant and author of the business best-
seller, The One Minute Manager. 
• 
Strangely enough, the answer is D, and Blanchard is basically talking about a 
pat on the back, not a massage. But his statement does point out the great 
need for people in the work environment to use the right kind of touch with 
each other. 
Appropriate, stress-relieving touch in the workplace is so important that an 
entirely new category of massage has been Invented in the past several years 
to specifically address this issue. This category is called corporate massage, 
and it has become quite popular in offices and workplaces around the world. 
With corporate massage, a professional massage therapist comes to your 
office with a specially designed chair that you sit on to receive a massage 
with your clothes still on. This saves time and makes the whole massage pro-
cedure easy, safe, and acceptable. 
EFTA00008247

200 Part IV: Massage at Work 
You've probably heard more than you want to about sexual harassment, 
abuse of power, and ruined careers, but the wrong kind of touch in the work-
place can get you in a lot of trouble. Corporate massage, however, can help 
fulfill your touch quotient (your natural need for touch) while in an environ-
ment that otherwise stifles much healthy contact. 
Corporate Massage 
Your first reaction to the thought of massage at work may be less than posi-
tive for several reasons. As you contemplate the idea, you may come up with 
some of the following: 
 Can I really handle the thought of my co-workers lining up to get 
undressed and rubbed with almond oil in the employee lounge? 
 What will my (wife/husband/girlfriend/boyfriend, and so on) say? 
 Won't the boss think that this kind of massage is a waste of time? Or, if 
you're the boss: Won't my employees take advantage of this and turn the 
office into a massage parlor? 
 Will I be in an awkward position on a table or chair and look stupid while 
receiving a massage at work? 
 How much will the massage cost? 
 Will It mess up my hair? 
These concerns are all rational, and this section is meant to set you straight 
on what corporate massage really Is so that you'll run straight out to contact 
your nearest practitioner and at least give it a try. 
What does corporate massage look like, anyway? Well, imagine this scenario: 
It's late on a Friday afternoon. Your whole department has been under 
intense pressure to wrap up that humongous project you've been working on 
for months. Nerves are frayed. Happy hour is looming. No one can think 
about anything but escape. Then right at four o'clock, in walks a healthy-
looking individual toting a strange, padded, chair-like contraption that he 
proceeds to unfold over in one corner. This is the "corporate massage" that 
your boss promised. 
One brave soul offers to go first, and the rest of you watch while he sits 
down — fully clothed — on the de...

Chapter 12: The New Coffee Break: Corporate Massage for a Digital Generation 201 
"Ahh, this Is great!" roars your co-worker through the circular face rest. 
Quietly, but quickly, people start to drift over to that side of the room, and 
soon a line begins to form. One after another, everyone is treated to ten min-
utes of much-needed relief, and a funny thing starts to happen. Happy hour is 
no longer calling so urgently. As you stand around chatting with newly 
relaxed colleagues, the ideas begin to flow again, and you end up staying till 
after 7 p.m., coming up with a few great new concepts that will make this pro-
ject even better. 
Yes, scenarios like this one can actually occur. Massage in the workplace has 
many such benefits, including the following: 
 Increases employee morale 
 Lowers stress 
 Decreases overuse injuries 
 Provides some high-touch to counterbalance high-tech environments 
 Offers employees something new and different 
The benefits of this type of massage quickly outweigh the concerns I mention 
at the beginning of this section: 
 Nobody has to undress, and if they really don't want their hair messed 
up, they just have ask the massage therapist not to massage their head. 
 The massage is usually given in a public space and is very conservative. 
 The boss realizes that happy employees are productive employees. 
 Employees who receive this extra benefit are more likely to feel grateful 
and be more responsible. 
So you're left with one last issue — who pays for all this? Normally, payment 
is handled in one of three ways: 
 The company pays: This scenario, which is the most common, allows 
employees to forget about whether or not they can afford the massage, 
and it makes the boss look great. 
 Everyone contributes to a pool: This scenario is less common, but 
some companies still choose it. Pulling those few dollars out of your 
pocket may hurt at first, but what you receive is better for you than the 
typical office-pool birthd...

202 Part IV: Massage at Work 
Either way, the massage more than pays for itself almost immediately. A mas-
sage pro brought in once a week or once a month can truly upgrade the total 
work experience of everyone Involved. 
In addition to chair massage, many corporations now offer full body massage 
through their wellness programs, employee fitness programs, and so on. My 
advice? Take advantage of this benefit Immediately. 
Call a local corporate massage provider and ask him to come in for a free 
"demo-day." With the prospect of potentially gaining a new, ongoing client, 
he'll probably be eager for the opportunity to prove how good he is with no 
investment on your part. This approach is also a way to convince your boss 
that the expense involved is worth the improved morale and productivity. 
This situation is win-win-win: The massage provider wins new business. Your 
boss wins happier workers. And you win as the hero who introduced this 
great new idea to your co-workers. 
Massage Chairs 
Massage in the workplace goes by various names, including corporate mas-
sage, on-site massage, and chair massage. But regardless of what you call it, 
this type of massage is guaranteed to involve the use of a specially con-
structed device known as the massage chair (see Figure 12-1). 
Massage chairs were originally developed in the U.S. by a man named David 
Palmer who wanted an easy way to massage his clients on the job at the Apple 
Computer company. Now, several models are available from a number of sup-
pliers. The basic idea is that people can lean forward into the device, taking a 
load off their hips and legs and thereby position themselves perfectly to 
receive a back, neck, and shoulder massage. Getting Into one of these things 
is more like lying down than sitting in a chair. Try it sometime; you'll be 
amazed at how supported and relaxed you feel. 
Although they may look slightly intimidating at first, massage chairs are actu-
ally quite easy to get into and out o...

Chapter12: The New Coffee Break: Corporate Massage for a Digital Generation 203 
Figure12-1: 
The mes-
sage chair, 
a strange-
looking but 
comfortable 
piece of 
equipment 
(This one 
was custom 
made for the 
authors by 
Golden 
Ratio 
Woodworks.) 
TP 
2. Make sure that the face rest is covered with a tissue or towel, for sani-
tary reasons. 
Wipe the surfaces down after each treatment to prevent body oils from 
building up on the material. 
3. Let the chair take your weight and the massage therapist do the rest. 
Don't try to support yourself in any way during the massage. Just relax 
and enjoy! 
Make a little vow to yourself right here — the next time you spy one of these 
strange contraptions somewhere with a massage therapist standing by ready 
to work, take the plunge and Jump aboard. You can find them in malls, at air-
ports, in special storefronts like The Stress Station, and even on street 
corners. See what happens! 
Of course, not everyone has access to chair massage. Perhaps you live in a 
small town where no one has ever heard of this concept before. Maybe you 
work at a place where people would look at you like you're insane for sug-
gesting that you pay somebody for the privilege of sitting in such a strange 
contraption. 
EFTA00008251

204 
Part IV: Massage at Work 
Taking the chair on the road 
Offices aren't the only place where massage 
chairs are put to good use. You also see them in 
the front lines at athletic events and disaster 
sites, among others. 
For example, after Hurricane Andrew struck in 
south Florida, I and a crew of other massage 
therapists headed to the epicenter with our 
trusty massage chairs to provide neck, shoul-
der, and back relief for weary soldiers andRed 
Cross volunteers. 
If you don't have a specially made massage chair around, you can use a 
normal chair to receive many of the same benefits. As shown In Figure 12-2, 
simply turn the chair around and sit In it backwards. Then lean forward onto 
a pillow while your partner works on you. The techniques pictured in this 
chapter are done In a professional massage chair, but you can recreate them 
easily at home by using this setup. 
figure 12-2: 
If you don't 
have a 
custom-
made, $400 
massage 
chair, a reg-
ular chair 
turned 
backwards 
works pretty 
well, too. 
EFTA00008252

_ Chapter 12: The New Coffee Break: Corporate Massage for a Digital Generation 205 
The Chair Routine 
Following is a simplified version of the chair massage routine that people 
learn in classes and workshops. You can follow it exactly or feel free to con-
centrate on the areas where your partner needs the most work. 
You don't need any oil or cream to do this type of massage, and your partner 
definitely doesn't have to take his or her shirt off. Also, creating an ideal 
"Inner chamber" (as described in Chapter 9) for this experience isn't so 
important either. Think of chair massage as a rough-and-ready kind of experi-
ence that you can enjoy anywhere, anytime, no matter how many distractions 
surround you. 
The photographs in this chapter show some basic maneuvers. You're tree to 
develop your own style based on the moves f show you in Chapter 10. 
Shoulders and upper back 
The shoulders — where almost everyone holds a good amount of tension —
are best part of the body to begin a chair massage. After your partner is com-
fortably seated, start with some kneading in that area (see Figure 12-3). 
Rgure12-3: 
The chair 
offers a per-
fect angle 
from which 
to work the 
shoulders 
using hands, 
forearms, 
and elbows. 
EFTA00008253

206 Part IV: Massage at Work 
1. Grasp the tops of both shoulders firmly, with your thumbs in back and 
fingers In front, and then begin kneading. 
Your kneading can be relatively firm. For variety, switch both hands to 
one shoulder and then the other, but return to both-shoulder kneading 
at the end. 
2. With your palms facing down, press the meaty underside of your 
forearms directly down on top of your partner's shoulders. 
For a more intense sensation, turn your hands palm up and press the 
forearm bones Into the shoulder. 
3. For the ultimate in pressure, bend your arm and use the point of your 
elbow as a finely honed instrument to zero In on tight spots atop the 
shoulders. 
Use the fingers of your other hand to guide the elbow precisely into 
place, and then ease slowly into pressing because this move is very 
intense. 
4. Stepping back a couple feet, lean into your partner's back, supporting 
yourself with your thumbs against the ridge of muscles on either side 
of the spine. 
Lean back, slide down, and press again, hitting several points down 
along the spine to mid-back. 
5. With your elbow on the muscles alongside the spine, hit roughly the 
same points that you did with your thumbs. 
Be careful not to press directly against the spine with your elbows as 
this could be quite painful. 
Arms 
When a person is seated in a massage chair, her arms are easily accessible. 
Support the entire weight of the arm in your hands while you're working on it 
so your partner doesn't have to help you. 
1. Squatting or bending at your partner's side (see Figure 12-4), use both 
hands to encircle the arm, starting at the top near the shoulder, and 
then squeeze. 
Release the squeeze, move down a couple inches, and squeeze again, 
repeating this process all the way to the wrist. If you want to add some-
thing to this move, try pressing with your thumbs as you're releasing 
pressure with your palms. 
2. Follow the hand massage routine from Chapter 11. 
Don't languish there ...

Chapter 12: The New Coffee Break: Corporate Massage for a Digital Generation 207 
3. Standing up and stepping back a bit, grasp your partner's arm at the 
wrist and elbow then apply a little gentle shaking. 
Afterwards, gently bring the arm back around to the front and lay it 
down again. 
4. Repeat the process on the other arm. 
Figure 12-4: 
You mas-
sage the 
arms from a 
squatting 
position 
either in 
front of the 
chair or to 
the side. 
Lower back 
The lower back is the hardest part to get to during a chair massage because 
it's so low. You can kneel if you want to, or squat, to make these moves more 
comfortable on yourself. 
1. When you finish the arms, brush lightly down the back to the lumbar 
area, get into a squatting or bending position again, and apply some 
firm pinpoint pressure (as described in Chapter 10) with the thumbs 
into the muscles on either side of the spine (see Figure 12-5). 
Be careful not to press too firmly in the kidney area. (See Chapter 10 for 
the reasons.) 
EFTA00008255

20s
Part IV: Massage at Work 
Figure 12-5: 
You have to 
squat or 
kneel to 
work the 
lower back. 
2. Press in firmly with the heel of your hands against the upper portion 
of your partner's buttocks, and then make rapid circles with the right 
hand going clockwise and the left counterclockwise (see Figure 12-6). 
First made famous in the movie, The Karate Kid, this move incorporates 
a little coordination on your part, along with some good old-fashioned 
rubbing. I know, it's complicated, but you can do it! 
Neck 
As you can see in Figure 12-7, the neck Is In the perfect exposed position for 
you to work on it to your heart's content. 
1. Standing slightly to the side, use the thumb and fingers of one hand to 
knead up and down the back of the neck. 
You can switch back and forth from side to side and hand to hand. 
2. Starting at the base of the skull, press in with your thumb on the mus-
cles to one side of the spine. 
"Walk" your thumb down that muscle to the top of the shoulder, press-
ing in at half-inch intervals as you go. Repeat this maneuver two more 
times, each time slightly further away from the spine. 
EFTA00008256

Chapter 12: The New Coffee Break: Corporate Massage for a Digital Generation 209 
Figure 12-ec 
Pressing 
with the 
heels of the 
palms, move 
the left hand 
counter-
clockwise 
and the right 
hand clock-
wise. 
Hgure 12-7: 
With the 
head tilted 
slightly for-
ward into 
the face 
rest, mas-
saging the 
neck is 
easy. 
EFTA00008257

270 
Part IV: Massage at Work 
3. With your thumb on one side of the spine and your fingers on the 
other, make small firm circles on the base of the skull where it 
attaches to the neck. 
Head 
You can modify the three steps in this section in many different ways, 
depending on your intentions and the situation you find yourself in. If you're 
giving seated massage to someone who's going out on a date ten minutes 
later, for example, don't mess her hair up too much because she wants to 
look neat when she stands up from the chair. 
1. Plant your fingertips firmly on your partner's scalp and make small 
circles, moving the tissue below but not sliding over the hair (see 
Figure 12.8). 
Repeat in several spots. Before you start, ask your partner whether he 
minds having his hair messed up a bit. 
2. Reaching your fingers forward on both sides of the head, find the tem-
ples (which are partially covered by the face rest in a professional 
massage chair) and press in for 5 to 10 seconds. 
This move is great for people with minor headaches. 
3. Use your fingertips and thumbs to apply mint-kneading all over the 
outside rims of the ears, pulling gently up on the tops and down on 
the lobes. 
Finish 
Chair massage is usually an invigorating experience, and people often have to 
get back to work or another activity soon afterwards. Tapping over the entire 
back with moderately firm pressure of the fists or open hands is a great way 
to finish the experience and send them off into the world again. 
EFTA00008258

Chapter 12: The New Coffee Break: Corporate Massage for a Digital Generation 21 1 
Figure 12-8: 
The scalp, 
temples, 
and ears are 
all easily 
accessible 
in the chair. 
EFTA00008259

212 
Part IV: Massage at Work 
EFTA00008260

Chapter 13 
Cubicle Maneuvers: Self-Massage 
for the Keyboard Jockey 
0 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 
00000000000000000000•• 
000000 
In This Chapter 
D. Utilizing self-massage 
p Following a self-massage mini-routine 
I> Recognizing carpal tunnel syndrome 
y
ou're not always going to be able to convince somebody else to give you 
a massage. Like it or not, at times you'll be sore, achy, tired, emotionally 
needy, and Just plain crying out for a massage, but the people around you 
will be much more Interested In the football game on TV, or in going to lunch. 
Don't despair. There are some simple massage techniques that you can use 
on yourself, without the need for anyone else's participation — or sympathy. 
And, coincidentally, those very techniques appear in this chapter! 
These moves work equally as well at home, of course, but I'm including them 
here in the massage-at-work section because that's where so many people 
end up all stressed-out, with no outlets to relax. Sure, you can stand up in 
your cubicle and sing the Frank Sinatra tune, I did it my way," to take a slight 
edge off the tension, but wouldn't quietly engaging in a few self-massage tech-
niques be easier — and a little more discreet? 
Some of these moves not only feel good, but can actually make quite a differ-
ence in your productivity level, which should make your boss happy, too. 
The techniques to fight carpal tunnel syndrome, for instance, can help keep 
you tapping away at the computer for years, and spare your company some 
expensive worker's comp bills at the same time. 
So, limber up those fingers (use the massage-muscle building tips from 
Chapter 10 if you'd like) and get ready for a treatment from one of the most 
talented, and reliable, massage masters around — you. 
EFTA00008261

274 Part IV: Massage at Work 
Sett-Massage: The Basics 
Say you're sitting at your desk. Your neck is killing you, but you don't want to 
ask a co-worker to massage it because the other people In your office may get 
nervous, jealous, or both. What're you gonna do? Well, you can grab that 
nifty massage gizmo that you have stashed in your bottom drawer, but it 
makes a loud, buzzing noise. Instead, sitting right there in your chair, you can 
give yourself an entire mini-massage, get some good relief, and be relatively 
discreet. 
Self-massage is as easy as following a few simple guidelines. Don't stress the 
rest of your body out while trying to relax one spot. Use correct body 
mechanics (see Chapter 10) while applying self-massage moves, Just as you 
do for partner massage. Here are the basic rules for self-massage: 
 Keep breathing: This rule holds true whether you're massaging a part-
ner or yourself. 
 Focus on the sore spots that you find and be willing to experience a 
little "pleasurable pain": At the same time, don't overdo it — self-
inflicted, black-and-blue marks are hard to explain. 
 Be intuitive: Nobody knows better than you where that tight spot is. 
Using the routine in this chapter as a mere template; follow your own 
Inner guidance. 
Sett-Massage Mini-Routine 
Keeping the points from the.preceding section In mind, you can move 
straight into a ten-minute mini-routine right at your desk. If you're at home, 
you can do this on a sofa or a stool just as easily as you can on your chair at 
work. In fact, you can do this routine anywhere you can sit down, although 
you may look a little funny massaging your own feet on a city bus. 
Irrigate your head 
One of the biggest causes for all of your problems, whether you know it or 
not, is a non-irrigated head. Think about it. All day long you're walking or 
standing or sitting, and your head is the highest point on your body. Your 
heart has to pump the blood against gravity to supply your brain, which c...

Chapter 13: Cubicle Maneuvers: Self-Massage for the Keyboard Jockey 215 
A great way to start the self-massage routine is to simply lean forward in your 
chair, getting your head somewhere in the vicinity of your knees. Keep your 
feet flat on the ground and clasp your hands behind your back, as shown in 
Figure 13-1. If you feel limber enough, raise your hands up toward the ceiling 
for a nice stretch. 
Figure 13-1: 
To start the 
self-
massage, 
lean forward 
in your chair 
and bring 
some fresh 
blood to 
your brain. 
Stretch your arms and upper back 
Sitting upright once again, continue your warm-up by reaching across your 
body with one arm and grasping it at the elbow with the opposite hand. Pull 
the elbow in against your chest (see Figure 13-2), which should create a 
stretching sensation across your shoulder. If you don't feel a stretching sen-
sation, either you're super-limber, or you're not pulling on the elbow firmly 
enough. 
Repeat with the other arm. 
Reach around to the back of your neck this time, grasp your elbow once 
again and pull to the opposite side (as shown in Figure 13-3), which stretches 
your upper arm and further opens your shoulder joint. For an extra stretch, 
bend toward the side you're pulling with at the same time. 
Repeat with the other arm. 
EFTA00008263

216 Part IV: Massage at Work 
Figure 13-1 
Sitting up 
straight 
again, reach 
across your 
body to 
stretch the 
shoulder 
and upper 
back 
Figure 13-3: 
With one 
hand behind 
your head, 
raise the 
elbow, 
grasp it with 
the opposite 
hand, and 
pull for 
another 
stretch. 
Massage your temples, face, and jaw 
Time to start the actual massage moves. Reach up and apply circular 
rubbing — see Chapter 10— to your temples, as Figure 13-4a shows. This 
move is a good way to combat tension headaches. Make your circles slow, 
deliberate, and firm, staying in contact with one area on the skin while you 
move over the bones below. 
Sliding your fingers up on to your forehead, continue the circular rubbing 
until your fingers meet in the middle above the nose (see Figure 13-4b). Then 
push in with the fingertips and glide back toward the temples again, keeping 
firm pressure against the skin the whole time. Repeat two more times. 
EFTA00008264

Chapter 13: Cubicle Maneuvers: Self-Massage for the Keyboard Jockey 217 
You may be surprised at how much tension gets lodged in your jaw muscles. 
Tension hides out there like an enemy soldier wearing camouflage gear, espe-
cially while you're sitting at your desk, straining forward to concentrate on 
the computer screen. With the proper pressure and sensitivity, you can flush 
this tension out. 
Using your fingertips, press in at the angle of your jaw, and while you're 
pressing, open and close your mouth slightly, which allows you to find the 
exact point that feels like it's holding the most tension. Apply slow deep cir-
cular rubbing to that spot, plus a little pinpoint pressure (both moves are 
described in Chapter 10), until you feel your Jaw start to relax and drop (see 
Figure 13-4c). 
Use enough pressure with these moves to sink your fingers into the jaw mus-
cles slightly but not so much that you feel pain. Be careful; the jaw's a 
sensitive area. 
Using your thumbs, "hook" them in to press up against the bone just beneath 
your eyebrow, right next to your nose, as shown in Figure 13-4d. This is 
another good headache point. Hold the pressure for about 5 seconds. 
Rpm 13-4: 
Massaging 
all around 
the face. 
EFTA00008265

275 Part IV: Massage at Work 
Rub that neck 
Reach around to the back of your neck with both hands and hook your 
thumbs up under the base of the skull (see Figure 13-5a). Press In firmly and 
hold for .5 to 10 seconds. This move alone should leave you feeling more alert 
and relaxed. 
Now drop your head forward and pick a hand, any hand (probably your 
dominant one), to perform kneading on the back of your neck as you see in 
Figure 13-5b. Squeeze from the base of your neck up to your head and then 
back down again. Repeat twice. 
Turn your head to the left and reach across with your left hand to knead atop 
your right shoulder and up onto your neck, using your thumb to press into 
any knots you find along the way (see Figure 13-5c). This move also provides 
a good stretch for your neck. Repeat on the opposite side. 
Squeeze your arms and hands 
Starting at your shoulder, begin squeezing down your arm, as shown in 
Figure 13-6. When you reach a tender spot, hook your thumb in and hold for a 
moment. Stop when you reach your wrist, glide lightly back up to your shoul-
der, and repeat one more time. 
Repeat on the opposite arm. 
Pinch the webbing between your thumb and forefinger of your opposite hand 
(see Figure 13-7). Hold for 5 to 7 seconds. This spot may be quite sensitive. 
You can also do some coin rubbing on the fingers, circular rubbing on the 
wrists, and any of the other moves featured in the hand massage section of 
Chapter 11— modified, of course, to be performed by one hand on yourself. 
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Chapter 13: Cubicle Maneuvers: Self-Massage for the Keyboard Jockey 219 
Figure 13-5: 
Getting rid 
of that pain 
in your 
neck. 
Massage your tower back 
Scoot forward to the front of your chair and reach around to your lower back. 
Using your thumbs, press into several points along the-muscles beside your 
spine (see Figure 13.8). Then lift and press onto the base of your spine (the 
sacrum) itself, hitting several more points. You can also use your knuckles 
quite effectively in this area by balling your hand up into a fist and "rolling" it 
over the area. 
EFTA00008267

220 Part IV: Massage at Work 
Figure 13-6: 
Squeeze 
down your 
arm from 
shoulder to 
wrist. 
Figure 13-7: 
Press firmly 
with your 
thumb. This 
spot some-
times helps 
relieve 
headaches. 
Squeeze your Ws 
Bring one foot up onto your knee and use both hands to squeeze down all the 
way from your upper thigh, across the knee, and to your ankle, pressing in 
with your thumbs along an imaginary line down the Inside of your leg. (See 
Figure 13-9). 
EFTA00008268

Chapter 13: Cubicle Maneuvers: Self-Massage for the Keyboard Jockey 22 
Figure 134 
Reach 
around to 
your lower 
back and 
use your 
thumbs 
and/or 
knuckles to 
press in. 
Figure 134 
Bend one 
leg and 
place your 
foot on your 
opposite 
knee to 
massage 
down 
your leg. 
If you're in an area where you can take your shoes off, by all means do so and 
apply as many of the foot massage moves from Chapter 14 as you can. 
When you finish the self-massage mini-routine, take a couple of deep, relaxing 
breaths (see the "Breathing lesson" sidebar in Chapter 7) before you dive 
Into whatever activity you have lined up next. 
EFTA00008269

222 Part IV: Massage at Work 
Why massaging yourself feels different 
You may notice that even when you apply self-
massage techniques with an incredible amount 
of verve and enthusiasm, they still don't feel 
quite as good as when somebody else applies 
the very same moves on the very same parts of 
your body. But why? 
The reason is simple. Massage, like tickling (you 
can't do that very well to yourself either), is pri-
marily a social interaction. Studies (yes, actual 
tickle studies by serious researchers) have 
shown that preschool children couldn't be 
tickled when they were in a bad mood or by 
someone whom they didn't like. They were 
poked in the ribs and brushed on their feet, but 
the reaction was completely negative. It seems 
that tickling is as much about relationship and 
context as it is about contact. And so it is with 
massage. A large part of the enjoyment of a 
massage is the social interaction with another 
person, which actually causes the sensations to 
feel different 
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) 
You've probably heard the phrase carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS for short), 
and you know it has something to do with pain in the hand and wrist area, 
right? That's the "syndrome" part of the phrase. But what is the carpal tunnel 
anyway? An underground passage for carp? A tube running through your 
hand somewhere? No, the carpal tunnel is actually an area in your wrist, sur-
rounded on three sides by the little bones of the hands (carpal bones) and on 
one side by the transverse carpal ligament, as shown in Figure 13-10. Several 
tendons pass through this "tunnel," along with the median nerve, a very 
Important nerve that supplies sensation and action to most of your hand. 
Inflammation or swelling of the tendons and tissues that surround the 
median nerve can compress it within the carpal tunnel's constricted space. 
This decidedly un-fun experience can cause pain, numbness, tingling, burn-
ing, and loss of hand strength, amongst other problems. Re...

Chapter13: Cubicle Maneuvers: Self-Massage for the Keyboard Jockey 223 
Figure 13-10: 
Your carpal 
tunnel looks 
like this. 
Do you have CTS? 
If you've been experiencing some funky sensations in your own hands and 
arms lately, don't panic. You may Just have some normal aches and pains 
caused by overwork. A nice vacation and some well deserved wrist-rest will 
put you right back in shape. However, CTS is not something to take lightly. 
Many people end up having to undergo surgery, endure considerable pain, 
and lose valuable time at work because of this condition. 
As with any health problem, early detection is the key to effective treatment. 
If you notice any of the symptoms in the following bulleted list, immediately 
seek medical advice, in addition to trying the exercises and massage tech-
niques in this section: 
 You wake up in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning with 
numbness, tingling, and an achy feeling In your hands. 
 Your little finger seems to be unaffected while the rest of your fingers 
experience pain and numbness. 
EFTA00008271

224 
Part IV: Massage at Work 
 You begin losing strength in your hands: Your grip becomes weak; you 
begin dropping things. 
 You experience pains shooting down your forearms. 
 Your hands and wrists become swollen. 
Figure 13-11: 
Phalen's test 
for CTS. The 
backs of 
your hands 
are together, 
but without 
pressure, for 
60 seconds. 
One way to test yourself for CTS is to take Phalen's test, which is quite easy to 
do. Completely flex your wrists and hold the backs of your hands together —
without force — for 6O seconds (see Figure 13-11). Any numbness, tingling, or 
pain, indicates a positive test, and you should seek a physician's opinion. 
What you can do about CTS 
At first, you don't have to do much to combat CTS. Simply shaking out your 
hands vigorously relieves the Initial numbness or tingling. But the pain can 
progress to a point that makes your work unpleasant or even impossible. 
(CTS is not uncommon, by the way, in massage pros who're using their hands 
all day In quite intensive ways.) 
The best strategy at this early stage is, of course, to stop doing what's caus-
ing the pain. However, because your pain-causing activity is often your 
money-making activity as well, the pain is often overruled. If you must con-
tinue the activity, you can do several things to try and improve the situation. 
Just one or a combination of the suggestions listed here may help you: 
 Take breaks: Even short breaks during the work day help relieve the 
repetitive stresses you're putting on your hands. 
 Get ergonomic: Make sure that your wrists are as straight as possible 
while working and that your back is upright. Use wrist rests for your key-
board and mouse. Don't press weight onto your wrists while working. 
EFTA00008272

Chapter 13: Cubicle Maneuvers: Self-Massage for the Keyboard Jockey 225 
 Immobilize it: Use inexpensive splints and braces (available in drug and 
medical supply stores) to immobilize your wrist while working and even 
while sleeping. 
 Ice your wrist: An ice pack on your wrist helps reduce the inflammation 
of tendons and tissues in your carpal tunnel. 
 Apply heat: Heat helps soothe tightened muscles in your upper arms, 
shoulders, and neck that often accompany CTS. 
 Seek treatment 
• Chiropractic: Spinal adjustments may help relieve pressure on.the 
nerves of your arm and hand, reducing pain. 
• Acupuncture: This therapy balances the entire system and may 
help heal the injured nerve. 
• Ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves may help relieve pain 
and inflammation. 
• Physical therapy: Physical therapy includes many types of therapy 
that can help rehabilitate the wrist area after treatment. 
• Massage therapy: Certain massage therapists are experts in CTS 
relief. 
• Homeopathy: Some good anti-inflammatory ointments and creams 
are available that can be used alone or in conjunction with any of 
the other treatments. Homeopathy utilizes minute amounts of a 
remedy that would cause symptoms On this case inflammation) in 
a healthy person. 
• Surgery: Surgery involves cutting (and sometimes severing) the 
transverse carpal ligament that surrounds your wrist, which is a 
pretty dramatic step to take. Pressure is taken off the median 
nerve, and eventually scar tissue grows in to fill the gap. 
Sometimes, in later stages, it's the only thing that will help. But 
then you run the risk of re-experiencing the pain as the scar heals 
and the tissues tighten around the carpal tunnel once again. 
 Use the exercises and self-massage techniques in this section. 
Exercise and settmassage for aS 
The following are simple techniques that are meant to help, not cure, CTS. 
Remember, always seek the advice of a physician when treating any serious 
health problem. 
If you ...

226 Part IV: Massage at Work 
Chinese exercise balls 
Steve Chagnon, a massage therapist who studied in China and the U.S., has 
developed a treatment program for CTS sufferers, and he offers a simple 
approach for people who want something they can do for themselves. 
According to him, Chinese exercise balls are an effective, consistent way to 
treat this situation. 
Chinese exercise balls are inexpensive and widely available in department 
stores, specialty shops, and Chinese grocery stores. They're a little smaller 
than a golf ball, and they come in pairs. To use them, you put them both in 
one palm and rotate them around each other, using only the one hand to 
create the movement (see Figure 13-12). 
Figure 13-1t 
Using the 
Chinese 
exercise 
balls is a 
quick and 
easy way to 
relieve some 
CTS pain. 
Most squeeze-gizmos get all your muscles flexing and extending at the same 
time, but with the exercise balls you're only flexing one muscle at a time, in 
rotation, which helps to pump your lymph fluids. Traditionally, the exercise 
balls are said to stimulate reflex points in the palm, but this lymph-pumping 
action is a more important factor in addressing CTS, according to Chagnon, 
who believes that a build-up of lymph fluids in the wrist area is a major con-
tributing factor to the condition (see the explanation of the lymph system in 
Chapter 1). 
Just using the exercise balls five minutes a day will help. You may want to 
keep them nearby and pick them up during computer downloads or while 
booting up. Warming up your arm and hand muscles in this way at the begin-
ning of a work session is especially important. 
EFTA00008274

Chapter 13: Cubicle Maneuvers: Self-Massage for the Keyboard Jockey 227 
Self-massage for lymphatic drainage 
*aro 
"Once you realize how it works," states Chagnon, "CTS can be looked at as a 
plumbing problem with the lymph fluids." Since 60 percent of lymph flow is in 
the top X inch of your skin, all massage moves lymph. His technique, called 
Specific lymphatic massage clears superficial tissues of excess lymph fluids 
and in doing so reduces the volume of lymph fluids in the extremities as well. 
INC/ 
When your hand and wrist hurt, the natural tendency is to start massaging at 
the site of the pain, but starting at the "lymph drain" (a point Just under your 
right collar bone where your lymph empties back into your circulatory 
system) and working your way back along to the problem is actually more 
effective. Leave direct manipulations of your painful wrist to a massage pro 
Instead of jabbing in there yourself, no matter how tempting it is. 
Although you're working far from the painful area itself, this move helps 
unclog the main lymphatic drain where it all dumps out into the circulatory 
system at the junction of the subclavian vein and jugular vein. Lymph 
drainage massage in this area reduces hydraulic pressure on all the tissues 
down the arm Into the wrist and carpal tunnel. 
Using very light pressure (about the amount you feel when a nickel rests on 
your skin), lay your hand on the opposite side of your chest with your palm 
down and your fingers alongside the lower edge of your collar bone. Then 
slide your skin up over your collar bone with a very short stroke of only X to 
X inch long (see Figure 13-13). Continue with this move for about 5 minutes 
on whichever side of your body is affected or 5 minutes on each side if you're 
experiencing pain in both of your hands. Then you may want to drink a glass 
or two of pure water to help flush your system of toxins. 
Figure 13-13: 
A light pros- 
sure on the 
skin up over 
your collar 
bone helps 
drain...

228 Part IV: Massage at Work 
Just this one move itself will offer some relief by beginning to drain lymph 
from the area. For more information on the technique, visit Chagnon's Web 
site at www . carpal tunnel massage .com. 
Another technique you can use is some self-kneading on your forearm, as 
shown in Figure 13-14. Overuse of the muscles in this area can be a main con-
tributing factor to CTS, and releasing some of the tension there may help 
reduce pain. 
Figure 13-14: 
Kneading on 
your forearm 
loosens 
muscles 
and aids 
circulation. 
EFTA00008276

Chapter 14
Relief for the Feet with 
Reflexology 
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 
• 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • • 
• • 
In This Chapter 
p. The problem of high heels and other enemies of the feet 
p. Reflexology 
p. Foot massage routine 
0
ne great universal truth exists outside the boundaries of any race, reli-
gion, or culture. A truth that has stood for centuries throughout human 
history, It is so fundamental that most of us take it for granted. That truth is 
this: Almost nothing beats a good foot rub. 
Yes, I'm aware that some people are not big fans of foot rubs and in fact don't 
want their feet touched at all. In this chapter, however, I flagrantly disregard 
these people, because the vast majority of us absolutely love foot massage. In 
fact, entire civilizations have been built up and sustained for the sole pur-
pose of giving certain people enough power, money, and influence to be able 
to get other people to rub their soles. 
You may know a certain person in your own circle who is famous for giving 
"good foot." Some people seem to have a special knack for it, almost as If foot 
massage were a completely separate entity from body massage. Foot mas-
sage isn't really separate from the whole-body massage we discuss In 
Chapter 11, but feet definitely deserve a chapter of their own. After all, feet 
have a massage technique all their own, called reflexology, which we cover in 
this chapter. 
EFTA00008277

230 Part IV: Massage at Work 
High Heels and Other 
Enemies of the Feet 
If you're a woman and you wear high heels, you have an especially big prob-
lem to deal with. I'll never forget the first woman I saw on my massage table 
with high-heelitis. She was lying down, relaxed and comfortable; but her legs 
and feet were still bent into the position they would have been in if her shoes 
had still been on — feet extended, toes pointed down, calves flexed. 
Extended wearing of those torture devices we know as high heels can actu-
ally change the shape of your lower body. The effects reach all the way up 
into your hips, lower back, and spine. 
If you're a man and you wear high heels, you'll have the same problems with 
your calves and lower back, plus the added problem of seldom finding any-
thing at a clothing store that truly matches your choice of footwear. What a 
dastardly predicament! 
The common problems certain shoes cause are some of the reasons that a 
large number of massage pros wear Birkenstock-type sandals. We want to 
give our feet and bodies a little break from the pounding they take on the 
cruel streets of life. 
Part of the reason feet get so sore is the delicate nature of their structure. 
They sustain your entire weight during walking, standing, running, and so on. 
Thousands of pounds of cumulative pressure, day in and day out, press on 26 
relatively small bones. Add to that the fact that you have approximately 
72,000 nerve endings in each foot, making them some of the most sensitive 
parts of your body, and you can see why keeping your feet happy can be a 
tough Job. 
Reflexology 
The feet deserve massage, just for being feet, but another reason exists for 
concentrating some extra time on your feet and perhaps even devoting an 
entire session to foot massage. I'm talking about reflexology. You've probably 
heard this strange word somewhere before, right? Maybe on the Discovery 
Channel, or in a magazine with a picture of a New Age M.D. on the c...

 
Chapter 14: Relief for the Feet with Reflexology 23 1 
B. The art of developing fast reflexes for use in such real-world situations 
as gunfights and race car driving. 
C. The act of flexing something over again after you've flexed it once 
already. 
D. None of the above. 
The answer, as you may have suspected, is A, but just knowing that doesn't 
do you much good, does it? Not unless you know a little of the background of 
reflexology and the philosophy behind this unique therapy, as well. 
Zone Therapy 
The origins of modern reflexology are rooted in another treatment method 
called zone therapy. In 1917, Dr. William H. Fitzgerald of Boston City Hospital 
published a book called Zone Therapy, or Relieving Pain at Home. In it, he 
stated that many types of health problems could be helped, or even cured, by 
applying pressure to various strategic points, mostly on the hands. 
This whole idea did not catch on like wildfire, but one of Dr. Fitzgerald's asso-
ciates, a therapist in his office named Eunice Ingharti, took the idea and 
tweaked it a bit, experimenting with many people, mostly on their feet, which 
she thought were more sensitive than the hands. Eventually, she wrote her 
own books, Stories the Feet Can Tell, and that follow-up favorite, Stories the 
Feet Have Told. Ingham's work and her books heralded the birth of modern 
reflexology. 
The work of Eunice Ingham is continued today at the International Institute of 
Reflexology, founded in 1973. You can call or write the Institute to request 
books, charts, tools, and more. 
But just what is zone therapy anyway? According to zone theory, your body 
can be divided (metaphorically, of course) into long slender pieces. 
Everything that's going on in any one part of a particular zone can be felt in a 
distant part of that same zone. You can see, then, how something happening 
in your abdomen can be reflected, or felt, in your foot. By stimulating a cer-
tain point in the foot, you can.treat the pancreas, for ...

232 Part IV: Massage at Work 
Figure 14-1: 
A reflexol-
ogy chart. 
Eyes 
Ears 
Lung 
Solar 
plexus 
Diaphragm 
Gallbladder 
Transverse 
colon 
Ascending 
colon 
• 
Ileocecal 
valve 
Brain 
Head & sinuses 
Pituitary gland 
Thyroid, neck, 
parathyroid 
Thymus 
Heart 
Thyroid area 
Liver 
Adrenal glands 
Stomach 
Pancreas 
Duodenum 
Spinal area 
Small intestine 
Bladder 
Tailbone 
Sciatic nerve 
Arm 
Shoulder 
Spleen 
Kidney 
Descending 
colon 
Sigmoid colon 
Some people swear by reflexology as a life-saving healing method. In fact, the 
woman I learned the technique from was diagnosed with a serious form of 
cancer and not given much chance of survival. None of the conventional 
treatments seemed to be helping, so as a last resort she turned to a Greek 
man in his nineties who specialized in reflexology. He also recommended 
coffee enemas. Within several months, this woman was cured and has been 
living a normal, productive life for over 20 years. (After the experience, how-
ever, she did develop a slight aversion to coffee shops.) 
Frankly, nobody can tell you why reflexology works. But the truth is it often 
does. Reflexology is still a theory, but one with practical applications, and it 
certainly won't hurt you to give it a try. It may indeed help your overall 
health, but at the very least reflexology is guaranteed to feel darn good on 
your feet. 
Foot Massage Routine 
This section gives you a 20-minute foot massage routine based on the princi-
ples of reflexology. The routine Is so easy to do that almost anyone can follow 
EFTA00008280

 
Chapter14: Relief for the Feet with Reflexology 233 
the instructions and perform the entire routine from start to finish the very 
first time, even members of the United States legislature. So, of course, that 
means you should have no problem at all. 
Positioning 
First, get yourself and your partner in a comfortable position. The partner-
reclining position shown in Figure 14-2 is the one favored by professional foot 
massagers around the world, but you can also position your partner on a bed 
or massage table so that her feet are just at the edge. She can even lie on the 
floor. Also, pay attention to the way you're bending over to access your part-
ner's soles and toes. You don't want to hurt yourself while trying to help 
someone else. 
You can perform this routine through stockings or socks if you don't want to 
remove them. So far, though, no method has been devised to perform reflex-
ology through a pair of shoes. 
Points to remember 
If you want to remain friends with the person you're giving the foot massage 
o, keep in mind a few things when you're about to dig into her soles: 
 Start on the left foot. This compliments your partner's natural digestion 
and circulatory patterns. 
 Don't use oil, because it makes the foot too slippery. Corn starch works 
well to absorb excess moisture, so rub some on your partner's feet 
before you begin. 
 Always talk to your partner and ask for feedback. 
 Don't diagnose any problems or treat someone for serious•disorders 
(leave that to physicians). 
 Don't use any instruments or tools to push against the feet (such as 
pencil erasers for example, which have been known to get lodged 
between toes). Use only your fingers and thumbs. 
 Never push so hard that you cause pain or discomfort. If your partner is 
in pain, ease up your pressure a little bit. 
 Finish one foot completely, and then go on to the next. 
EFTA00008281

234 
Part IV: Massage at Work 
Figure 142• 
Kick your 
feet up. Rest 
a spell. This 
is an optimal 
position for 
reflexology. 
Basic moves 
You can make certain basic, time-tested moves on the feet. These moves have 
been passed down by practicing reflexologists from generation to generation, 
and now you can use them, too. This section provides you with detailed 
explanations of these moves and how to use them yourself. 
Cradling 
Cradle your partner's foot (at either the ball of the foot or the ankle) in both 
palms, with your fingers pointing straight ahead. Then move your hands back 
and forth rapidly, just an inch or so (as shown in Figure 14-3). This move Is 
especially good for warming up, and you can also use it in the middle of a 
foot massage to give your partner a little extra pleasure. Cradling feels so 
good it was called "dessert" by one of my colleagues who specialized In 
reflexology at a spa where I worked. 
Thumb Walking 
The most basic move of all in foot reflexology is "thumb walking," which Is a 
lot trickier than it looks. Start by placing the pad of your thumb firmly against 
your partner's foot (as shown in Figure 14-4a). Then bend the thumb and 
creep it forward like an inchworm across the surface, pressing in while you do 
so (as shown in Figure 14-4b). Every time you bend your thumb, move your 
hand forward just slightly. You may want to practice this technique a little 
before subjecting your partner to a spastic or weak inchworm movement. 
EFTA00008282

Chapter14: Relief for the Feet with Reflexology 
235 
Figure 14-3: 
This move is 
called 
"cradling," 
and it feels 
most 
delicious. 
Figure 14-4: 
Start with 
your thumb 
in the posi-
tion on the 
left (a); then 
inch your 
thumb for-
ward while 
bending it 
to wind up 
in the posi-
tion on the 
right (b). 
Index anger technique 
Sometimes (for example, when you're working on the sides and tops of your 
partner's feet), using your thumbs is just plain awkward. That's when you can 
use the length of your index finger to slide next to the ankles and between the 
long bones that run from the heels to the toes, for Sample, as shown in 
Figure 14-5a. 
EFTA00008283

236 Part IV: Massage at Work 
Figure 14-& 
Using your 
index 
finger (a), 
hooking 
in (b), 
wringing (c), 
and doing 
circles (d). 
Hooking in 
Using the tips of the thumbs or index fingers, bend slightly at the last knuckle 
and "hook in" at the point you're targeting (see Figure 14-513). This technique 
allows for some pinpoint pressure on the bony, intricate surfaces of the foot. 
Wringing the foot 
Because the arch of the foot corresponds to the spine in reflexology, this 
technique is like giving a chiropractic adjustment to the foot. Grasping your 
partner's toes with one hand and her heel with the other, give a gentle twist 
in opposite directions as if wringing out the arch of the foot (as shown in 
Figure 14-5c). 
Ankle circles 
Holding your partner's ankle In one hand, circle her foot around In both 
directions (clockwise and counterclockwise) for several seconds, stretching 
the muscles and tendons in the area, and warming up the ligaments (see 
Figure 14-5d). 
Step-by-step 
Begin by getting into the most comfortable position, as mentioned earlier, 
and then do this warm-up: 
EFTA00008284

Chapter 14: Relief for the Feet with Reflexology 237 
V Cradle the ball of the foot. 
V Cradle the ankle. 
fro Do ankle circles. 
sof Stretch the toes back and forth. 
V Squeeze the foot. 
Now you're ready to move into the 15-step foot massage routine that follows, 
which is based on the work of Claire Marie Miller in North Carolina. 
Remember to start on the left foot, complete the entire routine, and then 
repeat the process on the right foot. Refer to Figure 14-1 if you need help. 
I. Head: Your head is filled with lots of important anatomical highlights, 
such as the brain. It's worth spending a few extra minutes here as you 
begin your reflexology routine. 
To affect the reflexes of the head, do some small, focused, thumb walk-
ing in three lines down the big toe and three lines across the bottom of 
the big toe. 
2. Neck: The neck can be an area of nagging pain. Sometimes working 
the reflex areas for the neck can help bring relief. 
Do thumb walking back and forth along the base of the big toe, right 
where it attaches to the foot. To specifically treat the region at the base 
of the back of your skull, "hook in" with your thumb on the lower, inside 
part of your big toe, between it and the second toe. This is often a key 
point for relieving headaches and neck tension. 
3. Face: Yes, even the face has a reflex on the foot, which is perhaps why 
it seems so easy to put your foot in your mouth. 
Do thumb walking across the top of the big toe, then "hook in" right at 
the base of the toenail. 
4. Sinuses: The sinus cavities are hollow areas in your head, behind your 
face. Keeping them clear and healthy helps you breathe more easily. 
The points for the sinuses can be found on the bottoms of all of the little 
toes. To stimulate them, do three lines of thumb walking down the 
bottom of each toe, and "hook in" right in the center of each toe for a 
couple seconds. 
5. Ears/eyes: The ears and eyes have reflexes by the base of the middle 
toes. Stimulating those r...

23s Part IV: Massage at Work 
Using your knuckles or both thumbs, press in on the spots on the 
bottom of the foot between the second and third toes (for the eyes) and 
between the third and fourth toes (for the ear reflexes). You can press 
both areas at the same time. The spots are on the very edge of the 
bottom of the feet, almost on the webbing between the toes themselves. 
6. Lungs/chest: The area around the balls of your foot reflects your air 
passages, bronchial tubes, lungs, and chest muscles. If you stop 
breathing, you may run into some serious problems, and so you will 
benefit by paying attention to the healthy functioning of your lungs. 
Use the index finger technique for this reflex, sliding the length of your 
finger between the long metatarsal bones on top of the foot and pressing 
in against them. You can also switch your hand around and slide your 
finger between the same bones from the bottom. 
7. Diaphragm: The diaphragm (discussed in more detail in Chapter 7) is 
the muscle at the bottom of your lungs that is responsible for keeping 
you breathing. So, if you like breathing, try to keep this muscle happy. 
Pushing the toes up toward your partner's head with one hand, use the 
thumb of the other hand to walk back and forth along an imaginary line at 
the base of the ball of the foot, approximately two inches from the toes. 
8. Spine: Many people experience back pain, and many of those same 
people seem to have pain in the arches of their feet as well. A coinci-
dence? Not when you know that the arches of the feet correspond in 
reflexology with the spine. 
Do thumb walking up and down the reflex for the spine, which is basi-
cally the arch of the foot. You may want to switch thumbs when you're 
moving up the arch and back down, which will make this technique less 
awkward. 
Then "wring" the spine out by twisting the arch of the foot. Hold the heel 
with one hand and the toes with the other, while twisting gently in oppo-
site directions. 
9. In...

Chapter14: Relief for the Feet with Reflexology 239 
When working on the right foot, walk the thumb in the same area, but as 
you do, you'll be stimulating the liver and gallbladder instead. Then walk 
your thumb up the outside edge of the heel and across the center of the 
foot to stimulate the first half of the large Intestine. 
Understanding the large intestine reflex is easier if you consider both 
feet together. Picture the large intestine going up the right side of the 
abdomen, across the upper abdomen, and down the left side (because 
this is what it actually does). Now you can imagine how you're affecting 
this reflex by walking your thumb up the outside of the right foot, across 
the center of both feet, then down the outside of the left. 
10. Small intestine: "A man is only as happy as his digestive tract." This 
ancient saying, which I just made up this minute, highlights the impor-
tance of healthily functioning intestines. 
Using your thumbs to walk helter-skelter in all directions, crisscross 
back and forth over the bottom of the heel, which corresponds to the 
lengthy loops of the small intestine. 
11. Hips/knees: Your hips and knees are your foundation, and stimulating 
these reflexes can help keep you in balance. 
Walk your thumbs along the upper part of the foot toward the outer 
edge, midway between the toes and the heel, moving in all directions 
around the general area of the cuboid bone, which is the little protuber-
ance that sticks out the farthest in the middle of your foot on the 
outside edge. 
12. Sciatic: The largest nerve in your body, the sciatic can be the unfortu-
nate victim of a proportionally large amount of pain. 
Using the thumb and index finger, pinch all along the back of the base of 
the heel, then up a couple inches along the Achilles tendon toward the 
calf. Repeat several times. 
13. Reproductive organs: Men and women, as you've undoubtedly 
noticed by now, have different reproductive organs. But, as it so hap-
pens, the...

24 0 
Part IV: Massage at Work 
What to do if you find a problem 
While you'reexploring the various reflex areas 
on your partners foot, you may come across a 
very specific spot that is significantly more 
tender than the rest. You'll be able to tell you've 
hit a tender area, because your partner will sud-
denly jerk her foot out of your hand and shout 
"VVhoa, what's that spot?" When this happens, 
consulting your reflexology chart, discovering 
the corresponding reflex, and immediately pro-
claiming the presence of a life-threatening 
disease in,that area of the body is not a good 
idea. Feel free to tell your partner which part of 
the body the tender area represents, but that's 
all you should do. This is not a time to show off 
your newfound knowledge of foot anatomy and 
proclaim yourself a medical expert. 
Rather than diagnosing her "illness," tell her 
that if the pain persists in that spot, she should 
consider consulting with her physician and get 
a general checkup. You actually may have stum-
bled upon a viable health concern here. Then 
again, your partner may have stepped on a tack 
the day before, in which.case, the tender spot 
you're hitting in the center of her left foot is 
simply a boo-boo, not the sign of a diseased 
spleen. 
Stimulating the reproductive organ reflex points for pregnant women Is 
said to help induce labor. Although I've never heard of a woman going 
into premature labor due to a massage to the foot, just to play it safe, 
stay away from this area completely if your partner may possibly be 
pregnant. Some people skip foot reflexology altogether on potentially 
pregnant people for this reason. 
14. Bladder and kidneys: Save these reflexes for the end of the routine, 
because they're organs of elimination, and stimulating them promotes 
a cleansing reaction. 
Starting near the heel, use thumb walking up and back along the arch of 
the foot, almost up to the ball of the foot. This line is a little more onto 
the bottom of the foot...

Part V 
Living the Good 
Life: Massage for 
Every Body 
EFTA00008289

In this part ... 
A
Iright, you can confess. You've finally gotten all the 
way to Part V, and still there's a nagging little voice 
in the back of your head saying something silly like, 
"Massage really isn't for me, at least not on a consistent 
basis. Sure, maybe as a novelty once or twice it's great, 
but how am 1 supposed to take advantage of it in real life? 
Isn't it just for the rich and famous, after all?" 
No, no, no! Don't get so down on yourself like that. There 
are lots of ways that you can enjoy massage in many areas 
of your life, areas that perhaps you hadn't thought of 
before. That's what this section is all about. 
You don't need to be rich and famous, for example, to take 
part in the luxury spa lifestyle you've seen on 'N. Chapter 
15 shows you how to simply and inexpensively recreate 
those experiences for yourself, your friends, and your 
family. Or say you're a weekend warrior looking for a way 
to stay limber and uninjured while pursuing your part-
time passion for sports. Then the massage moves and 
stretches in Chapter 16 should be perfect for you. 
And how about if you have a new baby? Or if you're preg-
nant? Or 96 years old? Chapter 18 provides easy-to-use 
tips and techniques made exactly for you. Of course, if 
you're "in the mood" and you're with that special some-
one, you can use massage as a sensual prelude to your 
encounters, as explained in Chapter 19. 
Finally, if you find that people are calling all hours of the 
day and night asking for massage, telling you you're a 
"natural" and that you have "great hands," Chapter 20 
offers some tips on going pro and creating a successful 
career for yourself based on helping others feel better. 
Whether you're an athlete, an infant, a mad warrior, a 
hedonist, a sexy octogenarian, or expecting triplets, you'll 
find something here that can improve many levels of 
enjoyment, pleasure, and health in your life. Massage truly 
is for every body. 
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Chapter 15 
The Spa Lifestyle: Massage, 
Youth, and Beauty 
0000000000000000000000000000•00000000000,00M00 
hi This Chapter 
D Understanding spas 
D Choosing the right spa 
D Looking at fantastic spa treatments 
D Finding massage specialty stores 
E
ver notice how some people seem like they were born with a silver-
plated bottle of Evian water in their mouths? They're the ones out there 
living it up at expensive luxury spas, getting all the massages, right? Not! 
Over the past decade, the household Income of the average spa-goer has 
dropped from around $500,000/year down to about $50,000/year. That one "0" 
makes a lot of difference. Today, spas are for everybody. If you're not making 
$50,000/year, don't despair. With the advent of day spas, which I describe in 
this chapter, the experience of luxury is becoming even more accessible to 
people from all walks of life. And, if you're steadfastly opposed to spending 
money, this chapter also contains a few tips and techniques to turn your very 
own home into a luxury spa, almost for free. 
Spas: More than Just a Pretty Jacuzzi 
Spas are not, as commonly believed, just a kind of Jacuzzi. Although the word 
spa has become interchangeable with hot tub, a spa can also be a really cool 
place where all kinds of exciting things take place, like chardonnay grape 
massages for instance. 
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244 Pad V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body  
Back in the good old days of King Louis' court in France (it may have been 
Louis XV, or XIV, or perhaps VIP ... I'm not sure), certain ladies-in-waiting 
found themselves waiting around so much that they began feeling jaded. 
"Another typical almond-oil massage from our love slave, Gregory?" said one 
lady to the next. "How boring." 
So, they came up with a new Idea. Their servants filled huge vats with 
smashed chardonnay grapes, and the ladies proceeded to Jump in au nature! 
for a total-immersion aromatherapy experience. The sensation was so new, 
and the positive effects of the grapes on their skin so pronounced, that they 
decided to make It a tradition. 
Thus was born an early version of a spa treatment that can still be experi-
enced today. At the Meadowood Spa in Napa Valley, California, for example, 
they offer a treatment based on this theme (ladies-in-waiting not included). 
The distilled essence of chardonnay grapes is infused into the massage 
cream used by the massage therapists there. 
Choosing a Spa 
Today, whether you plan to immerse yourself in grapes, or to simply try to 
lose a few pounds and look your best, you can choose from a large array of 
spas to visit. They range from super-luxurious to down-home rustic. So how 
cl,* 
do you decide where to go? 
Spas = H2O 
What is a spa anyway, and what does the word 
spa really mean? Originally, it was a Latin 
acronym from the words, Sanitas Per Aqua, 
meaning health through water. This was a 
phrase favored by the Romans, who took those 
three words with them everywhere they went, 
including a town in modern-day Belgium that 
had healing hot spring waters bubbling out of 
the ground. They called this town Spa, perhaps 
also in reference to the Latin words 'espa' 
(meaning "fountain") and 'sparse' (from sparg-
ere, meaning, "to bubble up"). 
You can go to Spa, Belgium, and immerse 
yourself in the waters there. Visit 209.41.63. 
136/spa/spa . h...

 
Chapter 15: The Spa Lifestyle: Massage, Youth, and Beauty 245 
First, knowing what kinds of spas are out there helps. Spas fall into three 
basic categories: 
 Destination spas: This is the King Louis kind of spa, the type of place 
you go when you want a super special experience. They're called desti-
nation spas because they are dedicated to the spa experience and 
nothing else. When people visit them, the spa is their final destination, 
and they usually stay for several days to a week. 
 Resort spas: Becoming more and more popular, these spas are an impor-
tant part of a larger resort. Guests may travel to the resort for other 
reasons, but many of them take advantage of the spa while they're there. 
 Day spas: The fast food joints of the spa world. Day spas are places to go 
to receive spa treatments, massages, and more, and you don't have to 
travel far or stay overnight to do so. 
Visiting the spa down the street 
These days, you can probably find a day spa available right in your very own 
neighborhood. Several multimillion dollar day spas have opened recently, but 
the majority existed first as hair salons that expanded into spa services. Some 
good massage is going on at day spas, because many skilled massage thera-
pists are finding work there. 
Although the true origins of the term day spa are somewhat shrouded in mys-
tery, the term is generally attributed to a business woman and spa owner 
from Connecticut named Noelle DeCaprlo. She started her day spa in 1978 
and is credited with being the first person to classify her establishment in 
this manner. 
Want to give your Aunt Minnie in Cleveland a spa surprise for her birthday 
but you don't know how to set it up? Just call 1-888-SPA-W1SH (888-772-9474) 
and order a gift certificate that's good for massages, facials, and other treats 
at nearly 800 day spas across the U.S. And check out the coupon at the back 
of this book to receive a discount! 
Choosing a spa that's right for you 
Spas range from ...

246 Part V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body  
Some spas, such as the Green Valley spa in St. George, Utah, offer rock climb-
ing on the menu right alongside their massages. Some spas expect you to Join 
in on every exhausting 6 a.m. mountain hike they offer. Others leave you 
alone to steep in herbal baths all day. 
So, how do you choose? 
First, decide what's important to you and what you want to accomplish on 
your spa trip. This can usually be broken down into a few basic categories: 
fitness, healing, spirituality, relaxation, or some combination of these. 
Next, talk to someone who's been there before, or get the details from a reli-
able source. Here are three sources that may help you make the right match 
with a spa: 
 Get in touch with Spa Finders travel agency and check out their 
magazine by calling 800-ALL-SPAS (800-255-7727) or visiting 
www.spafinders.com. 
 Pick up the spa travel guide, Fodor's Healthy Escapes (Fodor's Travel 
Publications), by Bernard Burt, which lists great spas of all types in 
many parts of the world. 
 The International SPA Association (ISPA) has a Web site, the Global Spa 
Guide, at www. global s paguide . corn, which may help you find the right 
place for your spa trip. 
Spa Treatments 
So what do people actually do at spas all day, other than get massages and 
douse themselves in crushed grapes? Believe it or not, they are also in pur-
suit of improved health. Yes, that's right. And the way they achieve It is to eat 
spa food, follow a spa exercise program, and receive what are known as spa 
treatments, all of which are good for you in one way or another. Spa treat-
ments Include: 
 Scrubs 
 Wraps 
 Hydrotherapy 
 Facials 
 Mud, seaweed, and other messy things 
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Chapter 15: The Spa Lifestyle: Massage, Youth, and Beauty 247 
if you don't want to travel to one of the three types of spas to receive these 
treatments, you can create them at home for yourself and your family. The 
advantages of this approach are obvious. First, if you're like most people, you 
live right in your own home, so you won't have to travel far to get there. Also, 
having your husband or wife or best friend wrap you in herb-infused sheets is 
a lot cheaper than paying a professional wrapper to do it. 
If you're like most people, a 10-day spa vacation in Maui is a little out of 
reach, except perhaps as a once-in-a-lifetime dream vacation. But you can still 
take advantage of your local day spa a few times a year, and create some spa 
experiences for yourself at home, each and every week. Each type of spa 
treatment I list below includes a version you can try at home, and, as you can 
see, they're not that difficult. 
For the following treatments, you need a very specialized piece of equipment. 
Don't worry — it's very inexpensive, and you can find it in the spa depart-
ment of your local drug store. It looks amazingly like a simple 6-pack cooler, 
but I call it a spa thermal unit Use it to store the hot moist towels that you 
need to wipe off spa goop from your partner's body. 
Scrubs 
During their stay at a spa, many people sign up for an exfoliation, which is a 
word that comes from that ancient spa language, Latin. It means "to strip away 
dead leaves." In other words, It's a fancy name for a body scrub. 
Body scrubs are good for you because they slough away dead skin cells, 
allowing your skin to breathe again and preparing your pores to absorb all 
those enriching ingredients like massage oils from India and mango bath salts 
from The Body Shop. 
If you don't have the time or patience to create the entire body scrub experi-
ence that follows, try using a pair of scrub gloves. You can find them in beauty 
supply stores, drug stores, and gift shops. ...

248
 
Part V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body  
 Washcloth 
 2 bath towels 
 Body bath 
 Exfoliant (1/2 cup sea salt with approximately 3 tablespoons of water 
and 3 drops of essential oil added) 
The exfoliant itself is quite simple. Mix the sea salt with water a little at a time 
until you have a batter-like consistency, and then add a few drops of your 
favorite essential oil. Any of the many over-the-counter skin scrubbing prod-
ucts you can buy at the beauty store or department store will work quite 
nicely, too. 
You may not want to do this treatment on your new $800 silk carpet from 
Turkey, because drips and drops of salt and other ingredients do tend to find 
their way onto whatever surface you're using. 
Step-by-step body scrub 
The following steps show you how to create a body scrub that's as nice as 
one you experience at a spa. Just make sure to keep your partner warm 
because wet bodies cool down fast. You can cover the areas you're not work-
ing on with a towel. 
I. With your partner face down on a bath towel, moisten her back and 
the back of her legs with a washcloth. 
2. Place a dab of exfollant in one palm and use circular movements to 
scrub your partner's skin. 
3. Use a hot, moist towel from the cooler to wipe off the exfollant. 
4. Dip the loofah sponge in the bowl of water, squeeze a dab of body 
bath onto it, and then go back over your partner's skin again with cir-
cular movements. 
5. Use your second hand towel to wipe the skin. 
6. Have your partner turn over and repeat Steps 1-5 on the front of the 
legs, torso, and arms. 
Never use sea salt or body exfoliants on the face. You can purchase exfo-
Hants made specifically for the face in the cosmetics departments of 
most major department stores. 
7. When you've finished exfoliating the front of the body, apply some 
massage lotion to the skin. 
You can either do this application of lotion quickly, or you can linger and 
perform an entire massage, depending upon your mood a...

Chapter15: The Spa Lifestyle: Massage, Youth, and Beauty 249 
8. Have your partner turn over once more, replacing the damp bath 
towel beneath her with a dry one, and apply skin lotion to her back 
and the backs of her legs. 
9. Touch your partner's skin (or have somebody else touch it) gingerly, 
exclaiming, "Ooh, aah, you feel so smooth!" 
Facials 
As you may know, the cosmetics industry is big business, with lots of expen-
sive products out there for you to buy, but all you need in order to give 
yourself or a partner a very nice facial treatment is a little bit of aloe and a 
ripe papaya. You never knew it could be so easy, did you? 
Facial ingredients 
You have to have just a few things ready in order to perform a fun and effec-
tive facial: 
fro 3 hot moist hand towels in your cooler 
v Cotton pads 
V Facial toner 
V 1/2 ripe papaya (no seeds or skin) blended with 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel 
iv Skin cream 
Step-by-step facial 
Follow the steps in this section to create a relaxing, rejuvenating facial. 
1. Cleanse the face with skin toner and remove any makeup. 
2. Place a hot, moist towel on the face and hold it in place for 2 minutes, 
allowing the pores to open. 
Remember to leave an opening for the mouth and nose if you want your 
partner to be able to breathe through this procedure. 
3. Remove the towel and apply the papaya/aloe blend in a thin smooth 
layer over the face, using your fingers. 
4. Place another hot towel over the face to keep the mixture moist. 
5. Massage your partner's hands while the face is covered. 
6. Exchange the towel for a warm one after a few minutes and continue 
massaging the hands. 
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250 Part V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body  
7. Remove the towel, wiping off whatever's left of the papaya/aloe mix-
ture with it. 
8. Using a face cream, do the face massage routine in Chapter 11. 
Remember to always stroke upwards when you're giving a facial, like 
professional estheticians do, so you won't pull down on the delicate col-
lagen fibers which give your skin its tone. 
Wraps 
Some people think that body wraps are only good for losing inches. And cer-
tain wraps can help you slip into that red dress that's been hanging for years 
in the closet. But, as you've probably been told (by everyone except the 
manufacturers of the wraps), what you're really losing is water weight, which 
will, unfortunately, come back. 
Serious health spas use wraps that detoxify the body, usually known as 
herbal wraps. And they work by tricking your body into thinking it has a fever, 
causing it to purge itself of internal toxins. While working as a wrapper at big 
spas, I used to routinely unwrap people and find the sheets permeated with 
the smell of nicotine and other products that the client's body was purging. 
Other types of wraps, like aromatherapy ones, for example, are available, but 
my favorite is the herbal wrap, because It is the most deeply detoxifying, so 
that's the one I describe for you here. 
This treatment is a bit more involved than the others, so only attempt it if 
you're in a truly experimental mode and want to learn by trial and error. 
Herbal wrap ingredients 
Get ready for a fun production in your kitchen as you prepare the herbal 
wrap, and don't be discouraged if the wrap is not as warm as you'd like the 
first time you try. This treatment takes a little practice to do well. 
 3 ounces of herbs — the fresher the better (Try a combination of 
chamomile, rosemary, lemongrass, and eucalyptus.) 
 A little bag or piece of cheese cloth in which to tie up the herbs for soak-
ing (Even a clean sock will do in a pinch.) 
 A sheet for soak...

Chapter 15: The Spa Lifestyle: Massage, Youth, and Beauty 251 
II
 A rubberized sheet, or space blanket, or piece of plastic (like a drop 
cloth) 
 A wool blanket 
Herbal wrap step-by-step 
Follow these steps to create a do-it-yourself herbal wrap similar to the type 
given at great luxury spas. 
1. Place the herbs in the cloth, basically creating a big tea bag, and drop 
it in a big pot of hot (not boiling) water. 
Maximum temperature should only be around 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 
Soak the herbs 20 minutes. Then add the sheet to the pot of hot tea and 
let it soak for a few minutes. 
2. While the sheet is soaking in the herbal tea, lay the wool blanket 
down, then place the plastic or rubberized sheet on top of it. 
3. Wring the sheet out very well, remembering to wear your rubber 
gloves. 
Lay the sheet down on top of the plastic and have your partner lie down 
on it. In order to make the herbal wrap work best, have your partner sit 
In a hot bath, Jacuzzi, or sauna before getting wrapped. 
4. Wrap around your partner the hot sheet, then the plastic wrap, and 
then the wool blanket. 
5. Make sure your partner is comfortable. 
You can put something beneath his knees and head for support, if 
desired, and give him a sip of cool water through a straw. Leave him 
wrapped for about 20 minutes, keeping an eye on him. And, if he asks, 
scratch his nose for him (wrapped people often complain of itchy 
noses). 
6. When you unwrap him, give him some more water and help him sit in 
a comfortable chair where he can relax for another 20 minutes, let-
ting the herbs dry naturally on his skin. 
Hydrotherapy 
Hydrotherapy is a word that means, obviously, therapy with fire hydrants. Just 
kidding ... but that description is actually quite close to the truth. Would you 
believe, for example, that people pay good money in spas to stand naked 
against a tile wall while a hydrotherapy expert sprays a blast of cold water at 
them from a pressure hose? It's true (this is called a Scot...

252 Part V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body  
Hydrotherapy treatments in luxury spas can also involve the use of super-
expensive hydrotherapy tubs, which look like a cross between a bathtub and a 
Jacuzzi. You don't need to be in one of these tubs to experience hydrother-
apy. In fact, your own bathtub or shower at home will do just fine. 
Here are a few ideas for taking advantage of your own water source to do a 
little hydrotherapy at home: 
 Bathe someone. For most of us, the last time we were bathed was in 
early childhood by our mothers, and we've forgotten how soothing it is. 
Using a pitcher, pour warm water over your partner's head, shoulders, 
and back in the bath. Then wash her slowly and luxuriously. 
 Take a cold plunge. Many spas have what's known as a cold plunge, 
which is a pool kept at a shockingly low temperature. Patrons jump in 
after being heated up in saunas and whirlpools. You can simulate the 
extremely Invigorating effects of this activity by drawing a cold bath and 
immersing yourself for 30 seconds (or. as long as you can stand it). 
 Share a bath with a Mend. First, make sure the friend wants to share 
the bath with you. After you determine that, slip into a tub of warm 
water with 10 drops of aromatherapy oll added, and see what happens 
next. It may not be entirely therapeutic, but it certainly will be fun. 
Exercise ... a day of pleasure 
The spa lifestyle is for everyone —unless 
unless 
you're the type who disdains pleasure and 
health, like the flagellant monks of the Middle 
Ages, for example, who used to wander around 
the streets beating themselves with sticks. If 
that's your idea of fun, definitely stay away from 
anything to do with spas. 
lf, on the other hand, you.have what it.takes to 
treat yourself to some healthy enjoyment in life, 
why not plan an entire day of spa pleasures? 
The sultans used to do it, and so did.Cleopatra 
with rose petals a foot thick °lithe floor of her 
love chamber. But how about ...

 
Chapter 15: The Spa Lifestyle: Massage, Youth, and Beauty 
Mud, seaweed, and other messy things 
Other kinds of spa treatments work, too, but I don't go into them here, 
because if you tried them at home you may mess up your furniture or carpet. 
These treatments involve the use of such products as mud, seaweed, and 
clay —and they can be really messy! If you do experiment with these prod-
ucts (many of which are available at cosmetics counters and in beauty supply 
stores), try to confine your activities to the bathroom, where you're less 
likely to stain things. 
Massage-O-Matic Speciatty Stores 
When you're searching for items to create your own spa or massage environ-
ment at home, try checking out a new type of outlet known as the massage 
specially store. Until recently, this type of store didn't even exist, but now 
they're popping up in many locations. If you ever find yourself near one of 
them, you really should pay a visit, because they're quite cool. And don't be 
intimidated by the New Age feel at some of these places. Everyone is allowed 
Inside, not just crystal-toting members of the massage avant-garde. 
Three basic types of massage-oriented storefronts exist: 
 Manufacturers' outlets 
 Ergonomic specialists 
 Massage-o-matics 
Manufacturers' outlets 
Some of the companies that manufacture equipment such as tables and 
chairs for massage pros have also begun experimenting with selling their 
wares directly to the public. These companies are still concentrated in that 
global hotbed of massage innovation, California, although they exist else-
where as well. Their number will grow quickly as these items become more 
popular, and in the meantime you can find some quality massage products in 
a number of other stores, too, such as the Sharper Image. (See the "Massage 
Gizmos" section in Chapter 10, which explains the use of many massage 
devices.) 
253 
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254 Part V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body  
Check these massage stores out, if you have the opportunity: 
 The Massage Company: 
• 1714 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 (telephone: 
415-346-7828) 
• 1533 Shattuck Ave, Suite A, Berkley, CA 94709 (telephone: 
510-704-2970) 
 Bodywork Emporium: 
Call 800-TABLE-4-U (800-822-5348 or 310-394-4475 extension 14) for a free, 
48-page catalogue 
 Massage Central: 
12235 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025 (telephone: 
310-826-2209) 
 New Life Massage Equipment: 
2853 Hedberg Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305 (telephone: 800-852-3082 or 
612-546-4100) 
 Best of Nature: 
176 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740 (telephone: 800-228-6457, or 
732-728-0004) 
You can find a lot of massage equipment on the Web as well. Go to 
www.mtswa rehouse . com, for example, to find good prices on professional 
massage tables, and www. ma ssagematters . c om for a few, select, high-quality 
massage items. 
Ergonomic specialists 
*Alto 
Some stores are not primarily massage outlets, but they do offer massage 
items and other tools that make our working and living environments more 
ergonomically correct. Ergonomics is a fancy term for the science concerned 
with designing and arranging things (like pieces of furniture) so that people 
interact with them most efficiently and safely. 
One store in particular, Relax the Back, has created the mother lode of 
ergonomically designed furniture to help you prevent injuries and keep you 
healthy. It also sells several massage items that you can choose from. The 
philosophy of Relax the Back is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound 
of cure. Call 800-290-2225 to find a store near you, or look them up at 
www. rel axtheback .com on the Web. 
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Chapter 15: The Spa Lifestyle: Massage, Youth, and Beauty 255 
Massage-a-matics 
Believe it or not, places exist where you can just pop In off the street and get 
your back rubbed for ten minutes. This kiosk take on the massage phenome-
non is ideal for people traveling through airports or rushing through big 
cities. Here are a couple of examples: 
 The Great American Back Rub (800-BACK-RUB or 800-222-5782): This 
company has stores in New York City; Kennedy Airport (New York, New 
York); Dallas, Texas; Toronto, Canada; and Los Angeles, California — and 
it's always looking to expand. 
 The Stress Station: This company has two locations in the Phoenix, 
Arizona, area, one in Scottsdale (480-990-1701), and one in Paradise 
Valley (602-692-9004), with plans to expand. It also provides outcall 
massage to your location. 
In some areas, you may find independent massage practitioners who've set 
up shop on their own or in small groups in public places such as Central Park 
in New York City, The Champs•Elysees in Paris, or the beach in Bali or 
Southern Thailand. Approaching these people for a massage-o-matic experi-
ence is perfectly safe. Just follow the same words of advice found in Chapter 
7 that you'd heed when receiving any kind of massage, especially the one that 
tells you to remember that "You're the boss." Declaring what kind of massage 
you want to receive from these public practitioners is perfectly acceptable, 
even if the massage only lasts five minutes. Don't let an overly enthusiastic 
street masseur pound your back until It's black and blue. 
EFTA00008303

256 Part V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body 
EFTA00008304

Chapter 16 
Higher, Faster, Stronger: 
Sports Massage 
In This Chapter 
D Understanding the techniques of sports massage 
p-TacIding pains specific to certain sports 
H
ey. . . you there ... do I see you getting ready to put this book down 
and rush out to the local schoolyard for an impromptu ballgame? Yes, 
you. Are you planning on stretching much before you jump Into that game? If 
you're like most part-time athletes, you're probably not guilty of over-
stretching. Am I right? It's Just such a hassle. Well, this is another arena 
where massage can come In handy. What could be better than having some-
one stretch your muscles for you? That, and much more, is precisely what 
you can do with sports massage. And you get the lowdown on it in this chapter. 
When the Going Gets Tough, 
the Tough Get a Massage 
If you're a serious athlete, chances are pretty good you probably understand 
the benefits of massage already. Most competing athletes think massage is 
valuable to athletic performance. Just look at top Olympic competitors, many 
of whom have used massage for years to gain an extra edge. In fact, beginning 
in 1996, massage became an official part of the services offered to all athletes 
in the Olympic Village itself. 
Athletes utilize massage in a number of ways: 
0
 V To rehabilitate after getting injured in their sport 
Po To recover from intense workouts and competition 
EFTA00008305

258 Part V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body  
0
  To maintain optimal muscle tone and flexibility on an ongoing basis 
 To appear relaxed and cool getting their massages In front of the compe-
tition at big events 
Good times to use sports massage 
You can use sports massage any time you want, even right before church on 
Sunday morning, or at midnight after drinking margaritas all evening at the 
annual company Fourth of July party. But using sports massage right around 
the time you're going to be engaging in the sport Just plain makes more sense, 
don't you think? And that basically boils down to three different occasions: 
 Pre-event massage: As the name would imply, this type of sports mas-
sage is used by athletes directly before the event. And, contrary to 
popular belief, a massage at this time will not zone the athlete out to a 
state of zombiehood, but rather invigorate her further in preparation for 
competition. 
 Post-event massage: Directly after an event (like just past the finish line 
at the Boston Marathon), is a place and time that athletes almost univer-
sally appreciate a good massage. Massage helps the muscles, not to 
mention the psyche, recover more quickly. 
 Ongoing training massage: Getting massaged throughout the training 
cycle is more and more popular with many athletes. Some even receive 
massage every day. 
Where to find sports massage 
If you live in a large metropolitan area, chances are good that you have a 
sports massage clinic somewhere close by. If you live in a small town, try 
inquiring at your local osteopath or chiropractor's office. They may know 
someone who offers sports massage. 
Massage pros go through a special advanced training in order to become cer-
tified sports massage therapists. You won't offend anyone by asking about 
their certification and where they got it. So if you're really looking for a quali-
fied person, check out their qualifications. Makes sense, doesn't It? 
Athletic trainers are ...

 
Chapter 16: Higher, Faster, Stronger: Sports Massage 259 
Call the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) at 847-864-0123, and 
they will provide you with the name of someone on their National Sports 
Massage Team (NSMT). 
The Techniques 
Sports massage, when applied by skilled practitioners, is an advanced form 
of massage therapy, with many involved maneuvers. The Instructions here 
are not meant to make you an expert. They simply suggest a couple of moves 
that can help ease the strains of the weekend warriors in your life, including 
you. In other words, after reading this chapter, don't go out and announce 
yourself as a special trainer for Olympic marathon runners. That should be left 
to the pros. 
Sporty modes 
This section provides you with some basic sports massage moves. Notice 
how they're similar to regular massage moves? It's just that they're bigger 
and often deeper, and certain moves are used much more frequently during 
sports massage then, say, during a relaxation massage. 
Compression 
Often in sports, overworked and overtired muscles have to be pressed into 
submission. With this move, shown In Figure 16-1a, you can apply enough 
direct pressure to help relieve muscle spasms and provide a calming effect to 
the area. 
Cross-fiber friction 
You may remember the term cross-fiber from Chapter 10. Then again, you 
may not. And you may be thinking to yourself, what the heck is cross-fiber 
friction anyway? Don't fret: Cross-fiber friction is simply the use of some rela-
tively Intense rubbing across the opposite direction that the muscle fibers 
run in any particular area, as you can see in Figure 16-1b. This technique is 
especially good for muscle fibers that are put under strain during sports. 
Deep pressure 
People who work out a lot often end up creating some really sore spots along 
with the improved tone in their bodies. Pinpointing these sore spots can be 
tricky, but after you do, treat them to some direct deep pressure, as shown in 
...

260 
Part V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body  
Kneading 
When you're kneading an athlete, you want to make sure your motions are 
big and strong, and that your hands grasp as much muscle tissue as possible. 
See Figure 16-1d, and refer to Chapter 10 for the three steps of kneading, 
which are squeezing, rolling, and pushing. 
Figure 16-1: 
Compres&on 
(a),
cross-fibr 
frietionlb), 
deep pros-
sure(c), and 
kneading(d). 
Stretches 
ncr 
Stretches feel really good to people who've been using their muscles a lot in 
sporting activities, but be careful not to over-stretch people and possibly 
injure them. Always ask for feedback from your partner while you're perform-
ing the stretch, and always err on the side of not-enough stretch rather than 
forcing it toward too-much. 
Hamstring stretch 
With your partner lying on her back, lift one leg up, supporting it firmly at the 
ankle and on the hamstrings themselves, as you push the leg slowly and 
steadily back toward the head. Don't lock the knee during this maneuver. 
Hold the stretch for 5 to 10 seconds, and then release (see Figure 16.2a). You 
can add more impact by having your partner push back against your hands 
during the stretch, then release while you stretch the leg a little farther. 
EFTA00008308

 
Chapter 16: Higher, Faster, Stronger: Sports Massage 26 
Quad stretch 
The quadriceps muscles in the front of the thigh get especially tight on runners 
and other athletes. A good way to stretch them is to have your partner lie face 
down, raise her leg up to 90 degrees, then lift her foot straight up while also 
lifting beneath her knee with your other hand, as shown in Figure 16-2b. Only 
lift until you feel the natural resistance of her muscles. For an extra stretch on 
limber partners, bring the foot closer to the buttocks at the same time. 
Calf stretch 
When you stretch the calf, you stretch the Achilles tendon, too, which is 
extremely strong. So don't be afraid to give a deep stretch here by cupping 
the heel and pressing your forearm firmly against the bottom of the foot, 
moving the toes toward the head, as shown in Figure 16-2c. 
Arm stretch 
Lift the hand up over the head, pulling up slightly on the elbow, as shown in 
Figure 16-2d. This stretch is easier to do on a massage table, but if you don't 
have access to a table, just try bending your partner's elbow out to the side a 
little first until you get her arm into the correct position. 
044" 
latat 
Figure 16-2 
Stretches 
for the 
hamstring(a), 
quad(b), 
califs), and 
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262 Part V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body  
Routines 
You can perform an entire sports massage routine, which is going to look sim-
ilar to the regular routine you discover in Chapter 11, except that your 
partner will be wearing an athletic outfit instead of a towel! But that's not the 
only difference. You'll also be using a lot more cross-fiber friction, compres-
sion, and deep kneading, focusing on the muscles that have done the 
exertion. And some extra stretching aids in recovery, too. Other than that, 
though, don't be too surprised if sports massage looks amazingly similar to 
non-sports massage. 
A Pain in the Elbow, a Pain in the Butt 
Athletes run into all kinds of problems because they push their muscles to 
the limits, and certain sports are famous for causing certain pains. You've 
probably heard of tennis elbow, for example, and runner's cramps, both of 
which are problems that can be helped with sports massage. 
Tennis etbouf 
Tennis elbow is a slow, creeping, debilitating condition that can really make 
you unhappy over a long period of time. This condition is a swelling of the 
tendons in the forearm near the elbow and an irritation of the muscles there 
caused by repetitive use. Of course, the best thing to do when you start 
noticing this type of pain is to stop doing what's causing it (namely, playing 
tennis). Some people don't want to stop playing tennis, though. In that case, 
try taking a break just for a few days, using ice to reduce soreness in the area. 
Also, a physician may be able to help by prescribing anti-inflammatory drugs, 
so check with your doctor. 
A little sports massage can help tennis elbow, too. Remember to do some 
gradual warm-up massage moves first before digging straight in with these 
two rather intense maneuvers. Also, apply ice for 5 to 10 minutes beforehand 
to reduce inflammation. Then follow these steps: 
1. Supporting the arm at the wrist, with the elbow resting on the floor or 
massage table, gras...

 
Chapter16: Higher, Faster, Stronger. Sports Massage 263 
2. Using the tips of your fingers or thumbs, apply cross-fiber friction to the 
muscles on top of the forearm near the elbow, as shown in Figure 16-3b. 
This is the area most directly affected in tennis elbow, so take it easy on 
your partner, using more ice if necessary to lessen discomfort. Apply 
more squeezing, gliding, and a little kneading afterwards to help smooth 
things out. 
Figure 16-3: 
Squeeze the 
forearm 
muscles and 
push slowly 
down 
toward the 
elbowiek 
then apply 
deep friction 
to the fore-
arm 
muscles 
near the 
elbowfb). 
Runner's cramps 
Runners often get muscle cramps In their calves, hamstrings, quads, or but-
tocks after pushing themselves to the limit. If you've ever been the victim of 
runner's cramps, you know that they are not fun at all. These cramps take 
over your leg like an invading alien from the latest episode of Star Trek, and 
they show no mercy. If you're standing at the time the cramp starts, you 
begin limping around and screaming like a maniac. And if you're lying down, 
the cramp is even worse. The following techniques may help the next time 
someone you know falls victim to a charley horse. 
For over a century now, runner's cramps have also been known by the term 
charley horse, which originally came from the world of baseball. No one 
knows for sure who Charley was, or why he had a lame horse, though some 
people say he was a groundskeeper at a Sioux City ballpark. 
Make sure the athlete drinks plenty of fluids to counter the cramping effects 
of dehydration. And after the massage, try placing some ice on the area for a 
few minutes to further reduce soreness. 
EFTA00008311

264 
Part V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body  
When a cramp strikes, follow these steps to help ease the athlete's pain: 
1. Get the person to lie down comfortably and apply direct compression 
to the area, as shown in Figure 16-4a. 
2. After a few seconds, release the pressure and apply a stretch to the 
muscle that is cramping, as shown in Figure 16-4b. 
3. Grasping at the far end of the muscle on either side of the spasm 
itself, push the muscle fibers in toward the middle, as shown in 
Figure 16-4c. 
Hold for several seconds. 
4. Have your partner contract the opposing muscles, which in 
Figure 16-4d are the muscles in front of the lower leg, near the shin. 
This technique will have the effect of further loosening the cramping 
muscle. 
5. 
etch gently one more time. 
rih
r ors
6410:41
Fyne 16-4: 
Relief for a 
cramping 
muscle. 
.4 
EFTA00008312

Chapter 17 
Taking It With You: Massage 
On the Go 
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 
0 000000000000000000 
In This Chapter 
r> Receiving massage around the world 
D Getting massaged while on the road 
D Using massage to relax while flying 
W
t
herever your hands can go, massage can go, too. And there's no limit 
o the strange and wonderful environments you can find yourself in 
when seeking out professional massage or exchanging one with a traveling 
partner. 
The only problem is, you have to get to your destination in order to enjoy the 
massage offered there, and the getting-there part often causes quite a bit of 
tension. That's why I share a coach-class massage with you at the end of this 
chapter, to help make getting there a little less of a pain. 
One World, Many Massages 
If you travel around much and receive massages in different parts of the 
world, one thing you'll notice pretty quickly is that each culture has its own 
distinct attitudes about massage and its own unique ideas about what a mas-
sage should be. In Turkey, for example, the massage you receive in a 
traditional hamam, or bathhouse, may include a tremendously vigorous rub-
down in a big steamy chamber by a silent giant who is apparently indifferent 
to your discomfort, or your bliss, for that matter. On the other extreme, a 
massage on a cruise ship sailing the warm waters of the Caribbean may be an 
airy-light, soothing experience given to you by a sensitive and delicate 
English woman. 
EFTA00008313

266 Part V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body  
Just say the word 
Wherever you are in the- world, people often 
appreciate it if you attempt afewwords of their 
language. And what better opportunity to prac-
tice your language skills titan:when seeking a 
massage in Madagascar, a backrub in 
Bangalore, or soniareflexology in Rotterdam? 
With that in mind, [include a. list of phrases in 
several different languages in the following table, 
all of which will getyou thesame result no matter 
where you are in the world — a massage! 
Language 
German 
Spanish 
Phrase 
ich machte eine Massage. 
Me gustaria un masaje. 
French 
Portuguese 
Chinese 
Japanese 
Italian 
Thai 
Greek 
Hindi 
Je voudrais un massage. 
Gostaria de uma massagem. 
Woa Yao ANN:MOU. 
Messeji wo uketoritai. 
Gradirei un massaggio. 
Chan yahk die maw newad 
pan bow Ian. 
Thelo ena massage. 
Mujhe massage chahiye. 
In Thailand, you can enter one of the public pavilions at a sacred temple to 
receive your massage on a low, wide bed, while dressed in loose-fitting 
pajamas. 
The Japanese take their bathing and their massages seriously, and they've 
developed a very elaborate system of hot spring resorts called onsen. If you 
visit one, you'll get to immerse yourself in a series of ever-hotter baths and 
receive a massage directly afterward. 
And, in Mexico, you may find yourself in an adobe enclosure up in the moun-
tains where white•robed massage therapists try to attune you to the inner 
rhythms of the surrounding environment. 
You get the idea — massage can be found almost anywhere you go these 
days, even in the places you least expect it. I have a client who was on a trip 
through the Yucatan, visiting ancient Mayan ruins, when she received a mes-
sage about massage from a very unexpected source. 
She had heard of a spiritual healer who lived in a remote Mayan village, and 
she wanted to meet this woman. After traveling for hours on a dirt road, she 
was escorted into the healer's hut. This...

 
Chapter 17: Taking It With You: Massage On the Go 267 
Massage on the Road 
You don't have to travel by Jeep to a remote Mayan village to have someone 
tell you to get lots of massages, right? No, you've probably already figured 
that one out for yourself. And when you travel, chances are you're much 
more likely to receive your massageon•the-road In a hotel room rather than 
in the Yucatan outback. 
Hotel rooms, even though they're often expensive and advertised as luxuri-
ous getaways, offer their own distinctive brand of discomfort. They are, after 
all, not home. Massage is the perfect antidote for hotel discomfort. Chapter 8 
shows you what to do to get a professional massage while staying in a hotel 
and how to deal with the hotel concierge. In this section, I offer a few words 
of advice for exchanging massages with each other in hotel rooms. 
The most important thing about on-the-road massage is to bring along your 
own traveling inner chamber like the one described in Chapter 9. That way 
you can transform almost any blah hotel space Into your own personal mas-
sage sanctuary. Then simply follow the instructions from Chapter 11 as you 
trade massages with each other. 
To create your traveling inner chamber, remember to pack: 
 Massage oil 
 A little massage gizmo (see Chapter 10) 
 A portable CD player with mini-speakers 
 Candles and matches 
 A familiar photograph 
 Incense 
 A bathrobe 
n a pinch, you can always try magic fingers, if It's available in your room. 
Magic fingers is a rather hokey-looking device installed in the beds at many 
hotels and motels. When fed with coins, it vibrates the entire bed, and can be 
actually quite pleasurable. As singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffet says, "Put in a 
quarter, turn out the lights, magic fingers makes ya feel all right? 
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268 Part V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body  
18-wheeler massage 
All around the world, the people who probably 
put in the most hours traveling are truckers. Day 
after day, for thousands of miles, with their butts 
glued into high-bucket seats, they roll across 
the countryside, their necks, shoulders, and 
backs getting more and more tense as they go. 
You can't get much tougher than truckers. 
They're not the type to complain, but recently 
even they, too, have seen the light about mas-
sage. The Triple T Truck Stop in Arizona now 
offers therapeutic massage to the guys and gals 
hauling goods in their big rigs across the U.S. 
If you've ever had any thoughts along the lines 
of, "I'm too tough for massage. That's for 
wusses who can't stand pain," just consider the 
example of the truckers. 
If they see the value of massage therapy, it's 
good enough for me — and for youl 
Massage in Coach Cass 
The toughest thing about travel is that it involves an awful lot of moving 
around, often in air-tight steel tubes hurtling through the upper atmosphere. 
Air travel is one sure way to get stressed out. Whoever uttered that famous 
phrase, "Life is a journey, not a destination," probably wasn't sitting In coach 
class on a transoceanic flight at the time. 
Although there's just no way to get what you need the most on flights 
(namely, a hot shower and lots of fresh oxygen), you can still offer yourself or 
your traveling companions a little relief with a coach-class massage. By the 
way, this technique works equally well in first or business class, although it 
may not be quite as necessary. 
The coach-class self-massage 
Imagine yourself sitting in your coach-class seat like a good little passenger, 
all packed in like fruitcake in a tin, when suddenly the thought strikes you 
that you are, indeed, exceedingly uncomfortable, and you need to do some-
thing about it. You've already stood up twice to stretch, climbing all over 
other passengers to do so. Noth...

Chapter17: Taking It With You: Massage On the Go 269 
1. Lean forward slightly (not too far, or else you'll bang your head into 
the tray table of the seat In front of you), and hook your thumbs into 
the tender neck muscles just below the bony ridge at the base of your 
skull. Press in here, making little circles with your thumbs as you 
apply firm pressure, as shown in Figure 17-la. 
2. Use your thumbs to press in to the upper inner corner of your eyes, 
right next to the nose, as shown in Figure 17-1b. 
Pressure against the nose bones can help relieve sinus soreness. If 
you're wearing glasses, take them off first. And if you're wearing con-
tacts, don't press directly against them through your closed eyelids. 
This move can be done very discreetly, but if you end up sitting next to 
someone who looks at you strangely, just smile, point at your own head, 
and say, "Sinus trouble. If I don't do this my eyes will fall out." 
3. With firm pressure, make fingertip circles on your temples, moving 
the skin and muscle over the bone below while keeping your fingers 
firmly anchored to one spot on the skin (see Figure 17-1c). 
4. Press straight in on the temples and hold for 5 to 10 seconds (as 
shown in Figure 17-14 
You may also try moving your jaw around a bit at the same time, which 
will allow you to press at slightly different depths into the muscles. 
5. Press the heels of your hands into both sides of your head, above the 
ears, compressing the junction between your parietal bones and your 
temporal bones (as shown in Figure 17-1e). 
Hold this for up to 30 seconds. It often helps reduce headaches and take 
pressure off your poor skull in those pressurized airplane cabins. 
Be careful not to wallop the passengers on either side of you with your 
elbows when performing this maneuver. 
A couple extra tips 
Try stretching your legs out a little and pushing several points along the out-
side of your thighs (being careful not to kick the person in the seat in front of ...

270 Part V: Living the Good Life: Massage for Every Body 
Figure 17-1: 
Your coach-
class 
massage. 
EFTA00008318

Chapter 18 
Massage for the Whole Family 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • C o 0 0 C OOOOOOOOOOOOOO 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
In This Chapter 
D Sharing massage with your whole family 
p Massaging your baby 
p Enjoying massage during pregnancy 
Giving massage to seniors 
W
elcome to the mom-and-pop chapter of this book, the one that gives 
you that warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Yes, you can include every-
body in the family in your newfound passion for massage, from newborn 
babies right up through Grandma and Grandpa. All it takes is a little creativity 
on your part, and the willingness to share your newfound skills. 
Alt in the Family 
Elaine, a sales manager from Living Earth Crafts massage manufacturing com-
pany in California, put it best: "The family that massages together, stays 
together." 
That makes sense. If you can't share massage with your family, who can you 
share it with, right? But just how exactly do you go about sharing it? Often, 
getting your family members to lie still for massage isn't that easy. And get-
ting someone to give a massage is even harder. People all have their own 
agenda, their own time schedule, and their own feelings about physical con-
tact. You are the person interested in massage, and you're the one who is 
reading this book. So, if you want to introduce massage into your family, you 
have to use certain stealthy techniques to get everybody thinking the same 
way you do. 
Here are a few techniques you can use to get your family into massage, even 
if they don't seem interested at first: 
n Y Give a foot massage to the couch potato while he's watching his favorite 
team in action. 
EFTA00008319

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Surrounding text: Figure 13-12: Using the

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Surrounding text: retleve some CTS pain. a ——

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Surrounding text: Figure 13-13: A light pres-

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Surrounding text: arm, improv~

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Surrounding text: Figure 13-14: Kneading on

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Surrounding text: and aids circulation. —

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Surrounding text: lleoc valve — Figure 14-1; A reflexol-

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Surrounding text: ATENEXON- ogy chart.

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Surrounding text: — Figure 14-2: Mek vour

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Surrounding text: Figure 14-3: This move is

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Surrounding text: delicious. —

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Surrounding text: Figure 14-4: Start with

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Surrounding text: ‘Gon onthe right (b). } —

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Surrounding text: — Figure 14-5: Using vou =

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Surrounding text: and coing circles (d). — Hoo

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Surrounding text: Figure 16-1: Comoression

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Surrounding text: ‘Sure\c), and kneading(d). b> —

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Surrounding text: Came), and ami. —

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Surrounding text: Figure 16-3: Squeeze the

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Surrounding text: near the elbowi(b). — Ry

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Surrounding text: Figure 16-4: Relief fora

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Surrounding text: cramping | muscle, —

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Surrounding text: Figure 17-1: Your coach-

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Surrounding text: massage.