Self Massage

Self Massage: How To Do It

Massage is a natural complement to skin brushing. With this technique we further work on the areas of the body affected by cellulite to tone and smooth connective tissue. The simplest way to practice self massage is to include it with a bath or shower.

Use soapy water to facilitate the movements of deep stroking and kneading. Body lotion also makes it easier to massage, and you may want to repeat the motions after your bath or shower as you apply a moisturizer.

Place your leg on the side of the bathtub or on a stool to relax muscles. The motions for self massage are kneading and deep stroking. Always work upward, from knees to buttocks, covering the entire area once or twice. With the entire hand, lift and squeeze, just as if you were working with modelling clay or dough. For the thighs, you might also include a wringing motion in which you rest both hands around the area and twist back and forth in opposite directions. To concentrate on buttocks and upper thighs, you may use both hands, and on each side, working simultaneously in kneading motions. This entire procedure should take only a few minutes. Always finish your massage with deep upward stroking.

Massage should not be in anyway traumatic. Under no circumstances should there be pain or bruises. But don't be too gentle either a mere caress does not accomplish much. Pressure should be firm and purposeful. If you have varicose veins or broken capillaries, or if your circulation is especially poor, use a little extra caution.

Until cellulite problems are under control, you will want to use self massage techniques every day for a few minutes at a time. Later, you may wish to switch to a "maintenance" schedule of twice a week.

A few more suggestions for massaging the body:

There is no need to confine massage to the techniques described above. Water, and especially sea water with its long history of healing the body, is natures own instrument of massage. But you don't have to wait for your next visit to the seashore to indulge in the various forms of hydro massage.

Salts Bath:

Fill your tub with very warm to comfortably hot water to which two pounds of Epsom Salts have been added. Remain immersed for fifteen minutes as you massage your entire body beginning with the feet and working up. Dry off quickly and go directly to bed; keep warm as you will continue to perspire (perhaps with an extra blanket). This bath helps promote better circulation along with speedy elimination of wastes through the newly opened pores of the skin.