Hand Massage Therapy Guide

The benefits of having a good hand massage therapy guide can do far more for you than simply making your hands feel better. Studies have shown that massaging the hands can do more than helping relax those aching fingers. It can also help balance your energy, assist other parts of the body, and help maintain overall health. If you're not familiar with how to give hand massages, try following this simple hand massage therapy guide. Before you know it, everyone will be talking about your "magic hands."

1. Research what you’re doing. It might come as some surprise that there are different kinds of hand massages you can use on a person. Palm therapy, for instance, deals with reading the lines and contours of the hand and helping to relax the person through a series of touch and non-touch techniques. Reflexology, on the other hand (no pun intended), deals with massaging the hands and affecting other parts of the body through gentle pulling and applied pressure. While you can learn how to perform all different kinds of hand massages, it’s highly advised to learn one technique at a time.
2. Create a comfortable environment before you begin. While this isn’t always possible in a bustling office, you can still provide those you massage with a few comforts that will help them to better relax and enjoy their hand massage. Allowing them a place to sit, where they can relax their arm on a table or countertop is ideal. If this isn’t an option, at least ensure they don’t mind others gawking over their shoulder or listening in. If they do, try and arrange a massage somewhere that’s a little more quiet.
3. Lotion or no lotion? Honestly, this is more a personal preference than anything else. While many women enjoy having a little lotion or a scented oil massaged into their skin, there are others who will prefer to receive their hand massage therapy without. If you’re performing a hand massage on a guy friend, he may opt to go without lotion or you might try using a little vitamin E oil (it’s easily absorbed into the skin and doesn’t carry a perfumed scent). Even if they do want lotion, be sure to place just a small amount in your palm before performing the next step.
4. Warm your hands. This simple step will mean the difference between a good hand massage therapy session and one that is absolutely amazing. Taking your hands (with or without the lotion), place them together and then briskly rub them in a back and forth motion. Within seconds, you’ll feel the friction begin to warm your palms. Now you’re ready to begin.
5. Gently take their hand in yours, palm up, and allow them to rest their arm on the table if they choose. You will want to provide support during the hand massage session, holding their hand so that your thumb is in the center of their palm, your fingers curling under to hold top of their hand and the wrist.
6. Move your thumbs in circular motions. Begin in the center of the palm and massage with a gentle pressure. You want enough pressure so they can feel it, but not so much as to make their hand massage feel uncomfortable. Be sure not to neglect the heal of the hand as well as the top of the palm, right where the fingers join.
7. Next, take each finger and lightly pull it towards you with a gentle pressure. While doing this, you will want to start at the base of the finger and twist lightly back and forth with a gentle rocking motion as you move back towards the fingertips. It’s not actually twisting the finger, but moving the skin back and forth as you massage. On occasion, they may experience a "popped knuckle" sensation but do not try to pop the knuckles intentionally.
8. Repeat the process with the other hand. Just be sure to take your time and enjoy every moment as they melt like putty beneath your touch. One of the best ways to improve your hand massage therapy is simply to practice. Chances are, you’ll have lots of eager volunteers to practice on.