Types of hand massage with instructions

Relaxation, stress relief, and improved circulation can all be achieved with a simple but effective hand massage. It’s a practice that’s simple to do at home and provides a peaceful moment during a hectic day.

Hand massages come in a variety of forms, each with unique advantages and methods. Knowing the various techniques can help you select the best one for your needs, whether you’re trying to relieve fatigued muscles or release tension in your fingers.

The most popular hand massage techniques will be covered in this article, along with step-by-step instructions to help you become an expert in each one. It is possible to create a spa-like atmosphere in your home with a little practice.

What is massage and why is it needed

Massage, which can take the form of rubbing, pressing, gentle stroking, or strong pinching, is a mechanical or reflex action applied to the skin with the goal of strengthening it generally and providing therapeutic benefits.

Because of regular hand massage:

• improves blood circulation;
• increases elasticity and tone of the skin;
• fatigue disappears;
• improves the shape of the hands;
• corrects problem areas;
• accelerates nail growth;
• restoring the elasticity of ligaments;
• improves joint mobility;
• reduces swelling.

On the other hand, consistent massage sessions, adherence to technique, and consideration of contraindications can all help achieve the listed successes.

Categories:

• manicure;
• acupuncture or point;
• for weight loss;
• anti-cellulite;
• children"s;
• self-massage.

Exotic varieties are identified differently:

Furthermore, depending on the type of performance, massage can be:

• tonic is carried out with moderately strong fast movements;
• relaxing is carried out with smooth slow movements with low pressure.

Manicure

A manicure includes a massage as part of the process. In this instance, massage aims to promote faster nail growth and better hand blood circulation.

Other beneficial outcomes of the procedure include:

• relieves fatigue;
• when acting on reflex points, it relaxes muscles, eliminates any discomfort and even painful sensations;
• promotes regeneration (restoration) of the skin;
• helps useful substances of the cream or other product penetrate into the deep layers of the skin.

Important guidelines:

• carry out the massage after the end of the manicure. Firstly, it will become the final relaxing point of the procedure, secondly, after an impressive amount of cream or oil, the coating can quickly come off the nails;
• before starting the procedure, carefully apply cream, oil or a special product to the skin of your hands;
• do not press too hard on your hands – the pressure should be firm, but not painful.

Detailed instructions:

1. Before starting the procedure, warm up your hands by rubbing your palms together or take a warm soap bath for 5-10 minutes, then knead your fingers well;
2. Apply nourishing cream to your skin in circular motions – first on the outer sides of your hands, then massage your palms;
3. Clasp your fingers together and make several circular motions in one direction and then the other;
4. Skip your fingertips several times from your wrist to your nails;
5. Gently pull your fingers, but do not do it too hard so as not to provoke painful sensations;
6. Finally, soothe your skin with light stroking movements.

Spend at least ten to fifteen minutes repeating these motions. SPA manicures include stone therapy, or the application of heated stones to the hands, in addition to the traditional manicure massage.

Stones of the following kinds are employed:

They vary in size as well, with each one chosen specifically based on hand dimensions.

Acupuncture

Reflexogenic (acupuncture) points are affected by hand acupuncture or point massage. They are all related to an individual’s internal organs. Significant benefits of hand massage with pressure points include a strong analgesic and calming effect.

Acupuncture massage can treat a variety of pathological conditions and has a general healing effect on the body due to the relationship that bioactive points have with internal organs.

• headache;
• decreased concentration and deterioration of thought processes;
• indigestion;
• insomnia;
• stress.

You can use point impact on your own or get in touch with a massage therapist who practices this method.

The level of pressure determines the massage’s effectiveness:

• strong and short has a stimulating effect;
• soft and long – calming.

Where the reflex points are located:

• He-gu. Located between the thumb and index finger. Responsible for the functioning of the brain, impact on it helps to cope with anxiety and stress. Stimulate the zone for no more than a minute, pressing with the pad of the thumb of the other hand;
• Le-tsue. Located in the area of ​​​​pulse palpation. Strong pressure lasts 5-7 seconds and is repeated up to 25 times. Helps to wake up in the morning, as well as relieve muscle tension;
• entry point into the intestines. On the inside of the palm between the ring and middle fingers. Massaged with circular movements in the morning before eating. Helps to eliminate pain in the stomach and cope with digestive disorders and peristalsis.

The figure displays every point along with how it relates to the organs.

Restrictions:

• oncological diseases;
• open form of tuberculosis;
• acute infectious diseases;
• psycho-emotional overexcitation.

For weight loss

It is applied to adjust the arm’s shoulder region, extending from the elbow to the shoulder. You can eliminate fat deposits in your upper arm by undergoing the procedure. It has a ton of other beneficial effects.

• improves blood circulation;
• tightens the skin;
• eliminates flabbiness;
• normalizes the work of sweat glands.

Traditional massage is done with dry palms; however, you can add other techniques by:

• natural cosmetic oil;
• massage mitten;
• sea salt;
• plastic or glass jars.

Method for carrying out the operation without the need for extra tools:

1. Before starting the massage, warm up your hand from the wrist to the shoulder. To do this, rub the skin with rubbing movements, pressing lightly on the palm. The hand should lie on the table or be located along the body;
2. Clasp your hand around the outer part of the shoulder and gather a small fold of skin. Gradually moving upwards, gently knead the newly appeared folds;
3. On the inside, simply rub the skin with your palm – strong impact in this area is contraindicated due to the thinness of the skin.

Massage therapy for weight loss needs to be consistent. Each case is counted separately, but 8–10 procedures are typically performed twice a year.

Massage with vacuum cups

Glass, silicone, plastic, or ceramic containers with an enlarged hemispherical bottom and thickened edges are known as vacuum cups. For the quickest possible vacuum creation, some have a rubber bulb attached to them. The cups work on a similar principle to a medical bulb in that the main part is applied to the skin and the rubber part is compressed. The skin is drawn into the flask by the vacuum effect when the pressure on the bulb is released.

Cups are available for purchase online or at pharmacies. They can be purchased separately or as a set. The Alpina Plast brand offers both kinds of packaging:

• cupping massage is performed along massage lines in the area from the elbow to the shoulder. At the first point, the cup is sucked onto the arm and is not torn off until the end of the procedure.
• movements are performed from top to bottom;
• the inner part of the arm is subjected to short-term exposure (1-2 minutes), since the skin in this area is quite thin;
• procedure time is 10 minutes.

Anti-cellulite

Cellulite typically affects areas of the body with a lot of soft tissue, such as the inner part of the arm, the buttocks, and the thighs. Improving blood circulation in these areas is the main goal of anti-cellulite massage, which will progressively get rid of ugly stretch marks, dents, and bumps.

To increase the efficacy:

• it is better not to use creams and gels in the procedure, even those specially designed for this. Strong hand slippage does not allow to properly work out the zones. To ensure that the movements are moderately gliding, use talc. You can use anti-cellulite products after the massage to speed up the metabolism;
• do not make sudden movements. The impact should be soft, but moderately strong;
• carry out the procedure for at least 15 minutes on each hand;
• do the massage in the morning – at this time of day the body is most relaxed and receptive to changes;
• if you have skin diseases or allergic rashes, refuse the massage until the symptoms disappear completely.

Motions:

• rubbing the desired area with the inside of the palm;
• pinching with the thumb and index finger. Try not to make too small or strong pinches, otherwise bruises or pinpoint hemorrhages will appear on the skin;
• patting with the inside of the palm.

Children"s

Children aged 0 to 3 should receive hand massages to relieve the palms from the heightened tone of their "clenched fist." The child’s hands become more flexible and their fine motor skills develop as a result of the proper impact on the palm and fingers, which will eventually aid in their ability to successfully master writing skills.

Guidelines for implementation:

• do not make sudden movements. Skin and joints are very susceptible to impact and any sudden movement can cause sharp pain;
• involve the child in the process, read poems, translate all actions into a game form;
• if you perform the procedure yourself, consult a pediatrician to make sure there are no contraindications. The doctor will also give useful advice and tell you about common techniques and methods of execution.

Easy motions for massaging children:

1. With light movements without strong pressure, stroke the hand from the fingers to the elbow;
2. Stroke each finger – from the pad to the palm;
3. With light point movements, go along the palm from the fingers to the wrist;
4. Massage the pads of each finger;
5. Complete the procedure with stroking to relieve tension from the fingers to the shoulder and lightly shaking the hand.

Children can begin receiving this massage as soon as they are born. After nine months, you can progressively introduce increasingly challenging exercises:

• fold your hands into a lock and make light movements to the sides;
• clench and unclench your fist;
• alternately connect your thumb with the ring finger, little finger.

More than just a soothing treat, hand massages can greatly enhance the circulation, flexibility, and general health of your hands. This article examines several hand massage techniques and offers simple, step-by-step directions that can be followed at home. These methods provide efficient ways to take care of your hands, whether your goal is to unwind, improve joint mobility, or just treat yourself.

Self-massage

Self-massage is done on oneself, without the assistance of another person, and can involve any of the above-mentioned techniques or just be soothing. The primary benefit of self-massage is that it can be performed anywhere, at any time, and without the need for additional fees, financial commitment, or household participation.

Overarching guidelines for self-massage:

• carry out the procedure in a sitting or lying position;
• do not make sudden movements – all manipulations should be light, smooth;
• when performing a massage in the morning, its duration does not exceed 3-5 minutes, in the evening – 10-15;
• before you start self-massage, make sure that you have no contraindications to the chosen technique. This is especially true for specific point massage or Thai techniques such as gua sha;
• if you are not sure about the technique, contact a specialist at least for the first couple of procedures to see how the master works.

Step-by-step instructions for a classic hand massage

None of the aforementioned techniques fall under the category of traditional hand massage. Its primary purposes are to increase blood circulation and soothe the hands.

1. Cleanse the hands by washing them with soap and warm water, dry them;
2. Rub the skin to warm it up, rubbing the outer and inner parts of the palm alternately;
3. Knead the joints, clasping your hands tightly. Repeat the action 5-7 times;
4. Knead the phalanges of the fingers separately. Grab the finger with the thumb, index and middle finger of the other hand and make smooth circular movements. Repeat for each phalanx;
5. With point movements, go from the fingertips to the wrist, massaging every centimeter of the palm;
6. Knead the part of the hand from the wrist to the elbow;
7. Finish the procedure with stroking movements, shake your hands well.

Restrictions:

• purulent and infectious processes in the acute stage;
• arthritis;
• allergic rash.

Guasha

Buddhist monks use a Thai healing technique called guasha massage, also known as scraping massage. Guasha is easy to practice at home because of its simplicity, but first you must understand its foundational ideas.

Throughout the entire process, a dedicated scraper or a set of scrapers are used.

Scrapers can be made of the following materials, depending on the maker:

• jade;
• buffalo horn;
• wood;
• metal.

They are varied in length and form. The size of scrapers also varies; the bigger the scraper, the greater the area of impact. For hands, there are tiny scrapers in the shape of horns. They are available as massage products or in health supply stores.

Oil is also needed for the process. Any cosmetic oil can be used, such as Zeitun or CND’s special massage oil or grape seed oil.

Advantages:

• migraine prevention;
• rejuvenating effect;
• improved immune system function;
• cellular cleansing of toxins;
• stimulation of toxin removal from the body.

Guidelines for acting:

1. Always start the massage from the left side – this is what Thai massage therapists recommend;
2. Do not press hard on the skin, but remember – the result of the massage with scrapers should be red marks on the skin;
3. Do not move over one place more than 50 times;
4. Do not go outside and do not drink cold water for 4-8 hours. Do the massage at night to allow recovery processes during sleep;
5. To speed up the process of removing toxins, drink warm tea after the procedure.

Technique for performing Gua Sha massage for hands

1. Start the procedure with the left hand, running the scraper from top to bottom along the massage lines. All massage lines are shown in the picture;
2. Reduce pressure as you change areas of the hand. In areas with thicker skin, such as on the outside of the shoulder, slightly increase the pressure, on the inside – weaken;
3. Work the entire hand, paying attention to each area, but not more than 50 times.

Determining the state of health by skin color

Thais advise observing the scraper marks on the body for two to three days following the procedure. They guarantee that you can tell the level of body slagging by their color:

• pink indicates a low level of slagging;
• red – the initial stage of stagnation of slags;
• marks with dark specks signal a long-term stagnation of harmful substances;
• blue – an excess of toxic and harmful deposits;
• black – severe slagging with the threat of oncology.

However, do not interpret this decoding as gospel. See a physician on a regular basis to ward off illness.

Restrictions:

• prone to irritation, thin and sensitive skin;
• high blood pressure;
• renal and heart failure;
• infectious diseases in the acute stage;
• oncology;
• mental disorders;
• pregnancy;
• menstruation.

Shiasu

A Japanese form of acupressure is called shiasu. The basis is where internal organs are connected to hand points in both this technique and acupuncture.

Hand shiatsu massage is beneficial because:

• relieve leg pain;
• improve heart muscle function;
• improve liver function;
• normalize blood pressure;
• get rid of fatigue.

Furthermore, shiatsu is used as a prophylactic to avoid hand ailments like arthritis.

The thumb and index finger are used on the points in the Japanese massage technique.

• exposure time – 3-7 sec.;
• the number of impacts on one point – 3-5 times.

Points’ location:

• in the center of the palm;
• at the base of the middle finger;
• at the base of the ring finger;
• nail bed of the thumb;
• pad of the thumb;
• 8 points in the direction from the shoulder to the wrist on the inside of the hand.

The pictures display every active point.

Restrictions:

• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• tumors of any nature;
• sensitive skin;
• bacterial, viral, fungal infections;
• stomach pain;
• fractures, dislocations and other injuries.

Additional information regarding hand massage:

Many issues can be resolved with hand massage, but only if the technique is used correctly and there are no contraindications. Study the fundamental ideas, strategies, and techniques before giving massages to yourself or others. This will ensure that the session is as effective as possible. Do you give others or yourself massages? Which technique is more familiar to you? Let us know in the comments.

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Type of Massage	Instructions
Swedish Massage	Apply gentle, circular motions with your thumbs and fingers, moving from the fingers toward the wrist. This helps to relax the muscles and improve blood circulation.
Deep Tissue Massage	Use firm pressure with your knuckles or palms to target deeper muscle layers. Focus on areas that feel tense or knotted, applying consistent pressure to release tension.
Reflexology	Press and rub specific points on the hands that correspond to other parts of the body. Use your thumb to apply steady pressure, holding each point for a few seconds before moving to the next.
Aromatherapy Massage	Combine your massage with essential oils. Rub the oils between your palms, then massage into the hands, using gentle strokes to spread the scent and relax the muscles.
Shiatsu Massage	Apply firm pressure with your fingers to specific points on the hands, holding each point for 5-10 seconds. This helps to relieve stress and improve energy flow.

Beyond just helping you unwind, hand massages can also increase circulation, ease stress, and improve the general health of your hands. Learning various massage techniques can be very fulfilling, whether your goal is to relieve sore muscles or just to have a moment of peace.

You can incorporate the advantages of professional care into your everyday routine by performing these massages at home with the correct guidance and some practice. Keep in mind that regular massages can significantly improve the way your hands feel and perform. Consistency is key.

Examine the different approaches, determine which one suits you the best, and take pleasure in providing your hands with the proper care. By becoming proficient in these methods, you’ll not only enhance the health of your hands but also establish a calming routine that you can look forward to.

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