How to Give a Great Hand Massage

BettyConfidential.com
Tips on how to give a great hand massage to help someone relax and unwind

Robin and Stephanie Greene, BettyConfidential.com


Feeling tired and sluggish? Have a hand massage! The hand is one of the most useful structures in the human body and sets us apart from most other animals. With 19 bones in the hand and 14 small joints for movement and numerous muscles, ligaments and sheaths, a relaxing hand massage is a great pick-me-up when you can't find the time for some serious pampering.

Here are some hand massage pointers. Study up to give someone you love a relaxing treat, or feel free to send this to your significant other so they can practice up too!

1. Start with the person's dominant hand, since that hand probably worked harder during the day.

2. Take the hand gently into yours and pour a few drops of lotion onto the top of the
hand.

3. Rub the top of the hand gently with a circular motion using all four fingers, working from the large part of the hand up through the base of the fingers and then to the tips of the fingers.

4. Then with your thumb, apply a bit more pressure to the top of the hand, and massage the top of the hand with an up and down motion, working from the wrist area up through the base of the fingers and then out to the fingertips. Apply more lotion if the hand feels dry to the touch.

5. Turn the hand over and pour a few more drops of the lotion candle into the palm.

6. Begin working the palm by placing your thumb into the palm of the hand with your four fingers on the other side of the hand.

7. Gently press around the palm, and the thumb, and use your thumb in a circular motion - first in the palm, then around the base of each finger extending out to the tips.

8. From there, return to the palm, and continue the circular motion down the palm to the wrist. Do this on the entire palm.

9. Shake the hand slightly to check its state of relaxation. The hand should feel loose at the wrist and relaxed.

10. Start all over again on the other hand!

Read more about massages from BettyConfidential.com: A Touch of Comfort in Pregnancy and Dealing with PMS