Massaging the Blues Away

Or How to Have Fun with Two Hands and a Hangover...

There you are feeling like you've been hit by a transport...twice...your tongue grew a fur coat overnight and the floor is now your best friend. What could be better at this point,(with the exception of a time machine you can take to redo the whole evening over again), than a lovely, slow and thorough massage?

Here are a few tips you can use on your partner or have them use on you to make some of the ick go away.

Sit up and relax
To get rid of some tension in your partners neck you can do what is called the shoulder press. Standing behind her seated form, rest your forearms on her shoulders and press down alternately then firmly down together as she lifts her shoulders against the pressure while inhaling. Maintain the pressure as she exhales and relaxes. She should roll her head in a slow and gentle circle while she relaxes.

Another tension easing massage to try is rubbing the back of the neck in circles. Press your finger pads into muscles alongside your partner's spine. Make circular motions from the base of the skull to the nape of the neck where it meets the shoulders. Repeat this three times. Hold her forehead and grip the back of her neck. Using your thumb and fingers, gently rub back and forth over the muscles. Increase the pressure as the muscles loosen. Repeat this three times.

A scalp scrub is a wonderfully relaxing way to ease a headache or just stress in general. Using both hands slowly scrub deeply starting from the base of the skull and working your way around her entire head.

Lay down and rest
All you need for these few massages are a firm, comfortable surface to lie on, some massage oil and a pair of willing hands.

Place some oil in your hands to warm up then apply to your partners back by gliding gently up the thick muscles on either side of the spine. As the oil is distributed, gradually increase the pressure by pressing in with your fingertips. Glide up her lower back, following the muscles all the way up to her neck; keeping your fingertips together.

At her lower back, place your thumbs to either side of her spine and press. Make circles with your thumbs and work your way up to her neck. Use your fingertips on the muscles around the neck and across her shoulders.

Music and Other Fun Stuff

Beethoven's Piano Sonata #29 in Bflat, Op. 106 is a lovely tune to relax to and so are a lot of other classical works. However, yours or your partners favourite music is probably the best to choose when trying to release some pain and tension. Some need peace and quiet along with absolute darkness so having a sleeping mask handy is a good idea, either that or some blackout curtains/blinds.

Aromatherapy is also great for relaxing so have a few candles or oil burners on hand and lit to aid in the de-stressing. Incense is all right but some people can be sensitive or even allergic to the smoke so play it safe and ask or better yet, avoid it altogether.