Massage To Soothe A Chesty Cough

Whether germs are getting stronger or we are getting weaker, the fact remains that hardly a family escapes a winter without at least one bout of sneezing and wheezing. Although the common cold is relatively harmless, it can make you feel absolutely awful. This is particularly true when it goes to the chest when it makes you wheeze, mucus builds up in the nasal passages and you cannot breathe; then you start coughing and you cannot get a wink of sleep all night.

This massager helps in three ways. First, the slow stroking movements relieve any muscular aches in the chest caused by a persistent, hacking cough. Second, the tapping and light pummeling help dislodge congestion so it is more easily expectorated. Third, the warmth generated by stroking the chest and back help soothe the entire area and ease breathing. This massage can be used for anyone of any age. For children, just do all the movements with much lighter hands than you would on adults. However, it is not recommended for asthmatics, anyone who suffers from chronic respiratory problems such as pneumonia, or anyone who has heart problems.

How To Massage To Soothe A Chesty Cough Or Cold

You should do this massage after a bath and before bed. It is even more therapeutic if you mix some eucalyptus oil or a proprietary decongestant with your massage oil to help ease the breathing and stop the nose blocking in the night. Warm the oil beforehand by standing the bottle in a basin of very hot water for ten minutes. If there is a lot of chest congestion, place two pillows under the lower back and waist so that the sufferer's head slopes downhill during the massage. The best positions for this massage are lying on a firm surface, face up for steps one to six and face down for the last two steps.

1. Steps one to six should be done with the sufferer lying on his back. Start by opening up the area: cross his arms over his chest, then lift up each one straight out to the sides at a 90° angle to the body. With arms back down at his sides, gently push down with the palms of each hand over the top of his shoulders. Hold for a count of seven, then relax. Then raise his arms up over his head and put them down beside each ear. Return the arms back to the sides.

2. Place your hands, palms down, across the sufferer's chest so that your fingers are touching over the breastbone. Glide your hands slowly apart and pull them back towards the armpits, around the top of the arms and back up over the shoulders to the start position. Repeat several times in one smooth flowing motion, with both hands working in unison towards each shoulder. It is a firm, slow, pulling stroke, but make sure your hands glide lightly over the collarbone.

3. Place both hands, palms down, on the middle of the chest just below the collarbone, with your fingertips pointing towards the navel. Smoothly slide your hands down the middle of the chest, then fan them out, one to each side, over the bottom of the ribs. Pull back up the sides of the torso to the start position. Repeat as a slow, flowing movement for several minutes. The downward stroke should be light, with the upward one slightly firmer on the sides of the torso.

4. Place your left hand, palm down, flat on the upper chest below the collarbone. Make your right hand into a loose fist and use the base of the fist (heel of hand and little finger) to tap up and down on the back of the left hand. Use it like a hammer in a fast up-and-down bouncing movement that only raises the fist about 3 cm (1 inch). It should be a vibrating stroke, not a thump, to help shift chest congestion. Repeat every 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) all across the upper chest.

5. Place your hands, palms down and one on top of the other, in the middle of the chest where the ribcage parts. Use the top hand to guide the lower one and make large clockwise circles, working across the upper chest (the area between the collarbone and nipples). This is a stroke to push and sweep the skin - do not press into the chest. Try to continue long enough to generate heat between your hands and the sufferer's skin.

6. Now do a stretch to help open the chest area. Slide your hands, palms up, down under the sufferer's back so that your elbows are under his shoulders with one arm on either side of his spine. Take the strain by pressing down with your elbows as you turn your arms so that your hands are parallel, to make his back rise very slightly off the floor or bed. Hold for a count of ten, then relax. Aim to push the back up by an arm's width and not actually lift it, so the chest just spreads open at the front.

7. The person being massaged should turn over to lie face down for the rest of the massage. Place the palm of each hand around the top of each arm, with your fingers wrapped under to the front and thumbs on the back. Slowly pull both shoulders back so that they lift 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) off the floor or bed. Hold for a count of ten, then relax. Repeat step four, the vibrating palm-tap stroke, from the waist right up the back, avoiding both the spine and the bony shoulder blades.

8. Now do a 'pinky' flick all over the back. With your fingers straight but relaxed, use only the little fingers and the sides of your palms to flick the skin as you lightly bounce your hands up and down in a chopping movement. It should be fast, gentle and only 3-5 cm (1-2 inches) up and down, as one hand follows the other. Finish off by doing upward palm strokes from the waist to the tops of shoulders, with your hands working together on either side of the spine, and getting slower and lighter with each stroke.

Tension Headache Massage

Every thought you think, every worry, every anxiety, every problem, scowl, glower or frown ends up on the poor old head. The web of tiny muscles from the neck takes up the strain, knotting and tightening into a full-blown headache. The best way to take this weight off your shoulders is with a soothing face, neck and scalp massage. Not only does it instantly relieve the tight, tense, aching muscles, but it also relaxes the over-tired, overwrought mind. As you massage away the headache and its source, you also release a lot of stress from the rest of the body and will feel calm, tranquil and deeply relaxed all over. In fact, this simple massage has been known to make even a total workaholic stretch out immediately afterwards for a quiet snooze.

To be effective you need the time for lots of slow, soothing repetitions of all the strokes. The more you do it, the better it feels. However, you can find out exactly where the headache seems worse temples, scalp, eyes, forehead or neck - and spend extra time in this area. If you have persistent, recurrent headaches always seek medical advice, as they may be caused by something other than stress.

How To Massage An Aching Head

The best position is lying on your back, as comfortably as possible, with your head supported on a flat pillow or folded towel. To keep any strain off your lower back and to help you relax while lying face up, place another pillow under your knees so that they are bent. Also, have extra towels or blankets ready for warmth, and wear something that leaves the shoulders bare. A dimly lit or darkened room is very soothing, particularly if you have been in bright light (welding, sunshine, etc.) or flickering light (fluorescent tubes, computer screens, etc.) for several hours beforehand. To keep everything as quiet as possible, take the telephone off the hook, throw pets and children outside, close the door firmly and reach for the oil!

1. Oil your hands well. Place both palms over the upper arm near one shoulder and slowly pull one hand up the neck towards the ears, followed by the other hand, gently stretching the neck muscles. Repeat several times in a smooth, firm stroking movement. Repeat on the other side. Then slide your hands under the top of the back, low between the shoulder blades and, using a very firm stroke, pull up, sliding one hand after the other up to the nape of the neck. Repeat several times.

2. Place your hands under the nape of the neck (between the shoulders and skull) and gently stretch the neck upwards 3-5 cm (1-2 inches) to arch it until you feel resistance. Do not lift the head off the cushion. Hold for a count of five, then gently and slowly release the neck. Repeat, stretching and lowering the neck at the same speed three times without any jerky movements. It is important to support the neck across flat fingertips, so that you do not press inwards.

3. With your fingers and hand cupping the chin, gently pull up the sides of the cheeks, pressing in over the temples until your hands meet above the eyebrows. Pull your palms back, one after the other, in a firm stroke up to the top of the head. Finish by pressing the top and sides of the head between your hands and hold for a count of five. Repeat several times, trying to let all the movements flow in a gentle, soothing, full-face stroke from beginning to end.

4. Keeping your fingers stiff, place the pads of your fingertips on the scalp all around the hairline. Using the lightest inwards pressure, make tiny circles with your fingers in the same position so that you rotate the scalp for a count of ten. The movement is similar to shampooing your hair - but a rubbing, rolling motion rather than scrubbing. Repeat, repositioning your fingers farther back until you end up at the crown. Then repeat round the hairline at the nape of the neck.

5. Now run your fingers through the hair, drawing it away from the head in a soothing stroke, for a minute or more. Take a small section of hair between finger and thumb, and tug it repeatedly and firmly for a count of five. If you hold the hair section as close to the roots as possible this will not hurt. Repeat all over the head - this gives an instant boost to the blood circulation and relaxes the scalp in one go. Finish by pushing in with your hands and squeezing the head all over.

6. Place your fingertips gently over the eyelids and, using the tiniest amount of downward pressure, hold for a count of five, then relax for a count of five. Repeat twice. Stroke from the middle to the outer eyebrows firmly, using the tips of your first two fingers, in a slow, steady movement. Repeat several times. Using the same fingers, make slow circles over the temples so that the skin rotates, then slide them up into the hairline.

7. To release shoulder and neck tension, place one palm over the top of the rounded part of each shoulder. Gently press down to open up the chest, holding the shoulders back for a count of five. Relax and repeat again. Then slide your hands under and push the shoulders upwards and round them into the chest to release the upper back and neck support muscles. Hold for a count of five, relax, then repeat.

8. Finish off with a deeply relaxing, slow stroke. Place your left hand palm down on the forehead and your right hand palm up under the back of the neck. Push inwards gently with both hands as you draw them slowly ups the head until they meet at the crown. The lower hand must gently lift and tilt the head as part of the stroke. Repeat this stroke as many times as you like, getting slower and gentler each time.