Massage therapy has been around for centuries and has been discussed in the ancient texts of many languages, including Chinese, Indian, Greek and Egyptian. While the exact roots of massage therapy are not known, it is known that getting regular massages can be very beneficial for those who receive them. Massage can treat everything from aches, pains and digestive issues to insomnia and more, which everyone experiences at some point in their lives.
Not everybody can afford to either take time out of their busy schedules or book time with a professional massage therapist to get relief through massage. Since most insurance policies don’t cover massage, it can become pricey for some, yet self-massage is something that can be done by anybody and in almost any location. Below are three self-massage techniques that can provide relief when you are limited on time and money.
MASSAGE THROUGH THE SCALP
One self-massage technique is what most people turn to when an area feels tight or sore. Just apply pressure with your hands or fingers and gently massage the area. For areas like the head, sometimes using the fingernails can be helpful. Giving yourself a good vigorous scalp scratching is actually a form of massage and it can help relieve tension headaches, eye strain and neck pain. Plus it’s really relaxing.
DIRECT STIMULATION
Another simple self-massage technique requires nothing more than time and your own fist. Using your fist, you lightly to moderately “pound” the affected area. This technique has been used for centuries by martial arts practitioners. It is a great way to stimulate blood circulation and loosen up tight muscles. You gently thump your body from top to bottom and then back up again, from front to back and back to the front once more. Using this technique in the morning can be particularly beneficial because it wakes up the mind and body and relieves muscle tension and stress.
PUT YOUR FEET UP
For those tired legs and feet, keep a shoebox of golf balls or tennis balls under the desk. Periodically throughout the day, remove your shoes and place your feet in the shoe boxes. Applying gentle pressure, roll your feet over the balls in the box. The bottoms of the feet are full of pressure points that affect all areas of the body. By gently rolling your feet over the balls, you will be giving yourself a relaxing foot massage and nobody will ever know.
Self-massage techniques don’t have to be fancy. You can use your own fingers or hands, balls or even a pencil eraser. Muscle tension can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. While a great professional massage provides relief without the expenditure of your own energy, it might not be viable at the exact moment you need it. By applying some simple self-massage techniques, you can be your own massage therapist and resume your daily activities with very little down time. Give these techniques a try and see how you feel!
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