Of course an annual birthday massage feels great, but it is unlikely the full health benefits of massage will result from a single treatment. In my practice, clients will schedule weekly sessions for acute or condition specific treatments and will yield marked results. Then appointments are spread out bi-weekly as the client experiences further relief. For maintenance, clients will make an appointment every 4 weeks. This suggested schedule is common place for the majority of massage therapists to offer their clients.
The most common reason massage is sought out is for relaxation and stress management. It's a great reason considering 90% of disease is stress related. Bi-weekly sessions yield the greatest benefit such as a reduction in pain, inflammation, and fluid retention. Regular treatments also improve immune function, mental outlook, circulation, and flexibility.
Using various massage and bodywork therapies, in my practice I have witnessed incredible relief from pain and suffering in clients with frozen shoulders, Bell's palsy, pre/post-op spinal fusion, back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis, and emotional trauma. Most therapists offer a myriad of therapies and specialize in a chosen few.
This guide may be helpful when looking over a therapists menu of services:
Swedish Massage: General "feel food" full body massage for relaxation and stress management using lighter pressure.
Deep Tissue: Typically a full body massage that targets tight, trouble areas with deeper pressure to relieve tension.
Myofascial Release: Gentle pressure used to relieve restriction in the myofascial connective tissue which in turn alleviates pain and restores full range of motion.
Hot Stone Massage: Deeply relaxing session using heated stones that are placed on the body and used to warm, relax, and then massage the muscles and melt away tension.
Raindrop Technique: A series of essential oils used on the spine and feet to deeply relax and purify the body. Relaxes deeply as well as supports a healthy immune system.
Reiki: Not technically a massage. This treatment balances and improves flow of life force energy using hands on, no touch, and visualization techniques.
A few things can be expected during any of these treatments. Session duration can range from 30 minutes up to 2 hours. However, a typical massage session is about an hour. Most massage sessions do require clothing to be removed and the body is fully draped with a sheet and blanket. A therapist should never expose or touch a client in an inappropriate or suggestive manner. Most massage rates are around $1 per minute and may increase or decrease depending on the location, type of service, and experience of the therapist.
Be wary of any business that uses words like "masseuse" or "parlor", they may be promoting services of an inappropriate nature. Look for therapists who use words like "therapeutic massage" or "bodywork" in their promotional materials. In states where licensure is required, most therapists will openly display their credentials in their office.
The best way to find a massage therapist is to ask people you know for a referral of someone they've had experience with. Professional associations such as Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals or the American Massage Therapy Association can locate therapists by specialty and location also.
Partnering with a massage therapist that fits your needs coupled with frequent sessions will have a noticeable positive impact on your future health by looking younger, feeling energized and living pain free. The more massage you receive, the more it does for your health.
TANTRIC MASSAGE
I guess the majority of us have heard about Tantric sex and massage. Had anyone asked me what it was exactly I would have giggled shyly and muttered something about gentle touching, feathers, massage and no orgasm. How wrong I was.
Tantric massage is basically just a massage. However it was created from the belief that if you are sexually happy and relaxed then your health will benefit. The Hindus describe Tantra as achieving personal growth through pleasurable existence. The massage itself does tend to cause orgasms, but these are described as a bonus rather than the aim.
Although Tantric massage does not involve actual penetrative sex, it does involve full on touching of the organs. For this reason you will not find it offered down your local health centre. You are far more likely to find it on offer in the many massage parlours in London and other major cities.
If you want to have a go with her or him indoors here is a pretty basic guide to Tantric massage.
Firstly, from this point on, your manhood is referred to as Lingam (wand of light - don't be thinking light sabre it's not that big!) and the lady's bits are called Yoni (sacred space or sacred temple). Let's face it those words sound much nicer than the alternatives.
If you are visiting somewhere for your massage you need to decide in advance whether you will be getting naked or not. Proper Tantric masseuse prefer you to be naked, they believe this helps the healing process all over your body. If you are shy you can choose to keep some clothes on, I am guessing you will want to cover your Lingam or your Yoni. If you are at home with the missus or the husband, get your kit off and turn the heating up.
Choose some gentle music (whale music is optional). Now banish all thoughts of kneading your lover all over until she or he begs for mercy. It's not that kind of massage. Make your lover lie on his or her back, legs apart and a cushion under the hips to raise up the Yoni/Lingam area and a cushion under the head so they can look at their genitals. Explain that although there will not be any penetrative sex this evening you will take them to previously unknown heights of sexual satisfaction. It may help to convince them if you do not print off this article and place it next to them on the bed. Choose your lubricant wisely; chocolate body sauce has no place here.
The massage itself involves every part of the body, although I guess the Yoni/Lingam area will receive more than its fair share of attention. The massaging of the body is to help prepare the receiver for the attention you will be paying their genitals.
Yoni Massage
Pour a small amount of oil on to the mound of the Yoni, just enough so it drips down the outer lips. Massage each outer lip slowly between thumb and forefinger, sliding up and down the entire length of the lip. Only ask your lover if the pressure is too much or not enough. Try to look into their eyes during the massage and ensure she can see what you are doing. Do the same for the inner lips of the Yoni. Take your time and watch your lover relax.
The jewel in the crown is the clitoris. Four times more sensitive that your Lingam so take it easy here. Begin by gently stroking it in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction and squeeze it gently between your thumb and index finger. The missus will be well and truly fired up by now but try not to allow an orgasm just yet, let the sensations build. If it becomes too much, just back off a bit and encourage her to breathe deeply. Now insert the middle finger of your right hand (I can't remember why it has to be the right one but I shouldn't think it would cause too much trouble if you need to use your left instead.) and gently feel around inside continuing to massage gently.
With your palm facing upwards and your middle finger buried in the Yoni, bend your finger back towards the palm and you should feel a spongy area just under the pubic bone. This is known as the G-spot ("that's where it is!" I hear you yell). Gently massage here, in circles, back and forth, side to side. Your lover may feel the need to pee but hopefully she should feel pleasure building slowly. At this point you may wish to insert the finger between your middle finger and your little finger. Whilst a few of your digits are employed inside, you may as well use your thumb to continue circling the clitoris. Another option is to leave your middle finger inside, continue stimulating the clitoris with your thumb and insert your little finger up her anus. I would suggest you perhaps test the waters first as anal penetration when you are not expecting it would definitely ruin the mood. Whilst all this is going on, your left hand may feel a little underused. Use it instead to continue stroking and massaging other parts of her body (her body parts not yours!). Your lover will more than likely experience a very intense orgasm and afterward will feel completely relaxed. She will generally drift off to sleep and leave you in a state of arousal with no prospect of a Lingam massage for you tonight!
Lingam Massage
Traditionally the giver, some men may find it difficult to lay back and think of England whilst his lover goes to work on his wand of light. However, I do suggest you give it a go bearing in mind the fantastic massage you gave her Yoni last night.
Get your man to lay back on the bed with a pillow under his head to enable him to see what you are doing. Put a pillow under his hips and spread his legs with his knees bent. His Lingam must be completely exposed. Begin as before by gently massaging all over his body, avoiding this area for a while. This allows him to become completely relaxed and prepared for the touching of the Lingam. Pour a small amount of oil over his shaft and testicles and begin gently massaging his testicles. Next massage the area on the pubic bone above the Lingam. Massage the area between his testicles and his anus (perineum). Moving on to the Lingam, gently grasp the base with your right hand and move up the shaft and then remove your hand, repeat with the left hand. Do this for some time, then change to grasping the Lingam at the top, slide down the shaft and remove your hand, replace with the left and repeat this process. The head of the Lingam is very sensitive and deserves special attention. Massage it in a circular motion. Don't worry if the Lingam goes soft, it will shortly perk up again. Likewise if your partner seems to be on the brink of orgasm, back off and encourage deep breathing.
Keep bringing him close to orgasm and then back off. This is not a method of torture, it helps them to control their ejaculation and therefore achieve longer and more pleasurable orgasms. Whilst continuing to massage his Lingam, you can search for his sacred spot. This is located between his testicles and his anus. It is a small indentation about the size of a pea. If you massage here and gently increase the pressure he may well feel uncomfortable at first. Applying pressure here will help him gain control of his orgasms in future. If he is nearing ejaculation you can apply pressure here and this will increase the intensity of his orgasm.
The end of the massage is signalled by either ejaculation or snoring. If he is snoring you still have some practising to do. If he has ejaculated, you have some clearing up to do.
I am still very much a beginner however I was pleased to discover that Tantric massage is not a mysterious sexual cult and is certainly not difficult to do. Anyone with an hour look at this site to spare and a bottle of strawberry flavoured body oil can do it.