How To Give Yourself A Massage

Figuring out how to give yourself a massage depends on exactly what needs to be massaged. Certain places you just won't be able to reach. Unless, of course you're a contortionist. In which case, massaging yourself will be easy. For all of you with a normal range of flexibility, massaging certain areas of yourself will take a little creative thinking. Well, whatever the case may be, get ready to touch yourself. Massaging yourself is nothing if it isn't fulfilling. Here's how to give yourself a massage.

What you need:

• lubrication (optional)
• tennis ball

1. Your legs. These are probably the easiest parts of your body to reach. Grip both sides of your thigh and use your thumbs to dig into your muscles. Alternate and use your knuckles as well. Work as far down as you can until you can reach anymore. Switch to your other leg and repeat. You should have no problems reaching the backs of your legs too. When you get down to your calves, use a squeezing, rubbing motion to massage them thoroughly. See, pretty easy, yet effective. Right?
2. Foot massage. You'll need to sit with your legs crossed to reach your feet. The trick to a good foot massage is to focus on your arch the balls, and pads of your feet. Use your thumbs to press into the pads. Use a rotating rubbing motion. Bend your toes back to expose your arch. When you do this, use your other hand to massage the arch out.
3. Chest and stomach. Use the same rubbing techniques you used on your legs. Focus on the meatier parts of your torso. Also, give special attention to the more sensitive areas. Don't rub too hard. You run the risk of bruising yourself.
4. Your arms. There's not much to say about these. Use your right to rub your left. Use your left to rub the right. The circular thumb rubbing motion will work well here.
5. Your neck and shoulders. Grip you neck on both sides. Press your thumbs into the back of your neck. While rubbing your neck slide your hands up and down. Get the entire area. Do the same with the base of your neck and your shoulders.
6. Head massage. Spread your fingers. Use each digit as separate little personal massagers. Rub the entire surface of your head. Use your thumbs to work out any sore areas with that rotary motion mentioned earlier.
7. And now for your back... Have you ever had an annoying back pain that you just couldn't reach to rub? Grab your handy tennis ball. These things work great for giving yourself a back massage. They aren't too hard and you can move them pretty easily. Simply place the tennis ball on the floor. lie down on top of the tennis ball. Place your sore areas directly on the ball and just roll. The tennis ball will dig into your muscles firmly, but it wont hurt you.