Self-Massage: An Inexpensive Solution

Massage Therapy is a great way to alleviate tense and sore muscles. However very few people can afford the luxury of visiting a massage therapist every week.

The good news is that in most cases a professional massage isn’t always a necessary first step. Self-massage is a popular method of massage and involves the use of your hands to manipulate your own muscles by applying pressure to certain spots.

When done correctly, self-massage provides the benefits of reducing pain, inflammation and swelling, it can improve immune function, reduce anxiety and assist in the promotion of a more active lifestyle.

All you need is a good quality Emu Oil, ten fingers and a little knowledge on the following techniques.

Self-Massage for Headaches

Headaches are by far the most common ailment and can be caused by stress or posture. Luckily there is an easy way to alleviate the pain through self-massage.

Simply:

1. Apply a small amount of Emu oil to your fingers.
2. Lower your shoulders and straighten your neck and back.
3. Place the pointer and middle fingers of each hand on the base of the back of your skull, fingertips touching.
4. Apply gentle pressure and slide your fingers outwards following the point where your neck and skull meet, or downwards towards the base of the neck.
5. Continue to do this for 5 minutes, focusing on the areas of the neck that feel the most tense and painful.
   
   

 

Self-Massage for Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is also a common form of muscle pain, mostly due to our modern sedentary lifestyles or more serious workplace or recreational strains and injuries.

Simply:

1. Sit on the floor, cross your legs and straighten your back.
2. Apply a small amount of Emu oil to your fingers.
3. Place your thumbs on the flat triangular bone at the bottom of your spine.
4. Move your thumbs gently up and down a few inches each way, focusing further attention on areas that feel the most tense and painful.

 

Self-Massage for Wrist and Hand Pain

Most jobs involve using your hands repeatedly, whether it be at a computer clicking a mouse or packing boxes, this can take a toll on your muscles.

Simply:

1. Apply a small amount of Emu Oil to your fingers
2. Place your thumb from one hand over the wrist of another.
3. Gently apply a small amount of pressure in a circular motion up and down the wrist.
4. Next, move your thumb up to the hand to the meaty tissue that connects your thumb to the rest of your fingers.
5. Gently apply a small amount of pressure in a circular motion.
6. Apply the above to the other hand and wrist.
   
   
   

Safety

While self-massage is a great way to alleviate pain and stress without breaking the bank, it is important to be in tune with your own body. If you experience acute or major pain, or if self-massage fails to alleviate any pain after a few sessions, you should stop all self-massage immediately and see a medical professional. It is also important to not engage in self-massage if you currently suffer from fractures, burns, bleeding disorders, deep vein thrombosis, severe osteoporosis, severe thrombocytopenia or cancer.