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Shanna
A. Schultz
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Basic
Massage for the Head, Neck and Shoulders
by Shanna A. Schultz
DISCLAIMER: Massage is in no way a substitute for proper medical diagnoses and treatment.
Goal of this workshop: When the workshop is completed, you will be
able to give a friend of family member a relaxing massage of their head, neck
and shoulders.
Basic Massage Guidelines:
· Always work from light to deep.
· Check in with your partner regarding pressure.
· If you are being massaged and something feels too deep or not right, let
your partner know.
· Avoid deep pressure over bones.
Basic Massage Techniques:
Effleurage: Long, gliding motions using light to moderate
pressure, often used to warm tissues or apply oil.
Pettrissage: Kneading, lifting and squeezing of the muscles. The kneading
motion helps to increase circulation and flush accumulated toxins from the
muscles.
Friction: Rubbing one surface over another in a brisk motion to create
heat, quickly increase circulation or to free tissues that have become "stuck"
to other surfaces.
Tapotement: Brisk, percussion-like movements. This movement, when done
correctly, increases blood flow and is stimulating to the recipient.
Vibration: A technique consisting of quick, quivering movements. This
technique can be done lightly with the fingertips or coarsely over the whole
body of a muscle (this would be called "jostling").
Massage for the shoulders:
| Name | Location | Benefit |
| GB21 (Shoulder Well)-Pregnant women should only press this point lightly | On the highest point of the shoulder muscle, one to two inches from the side of the lower neck. | This point benefits "anxiety, irritability, fatigue, shoulder tension, poor circulation, cold hands of feet, nervous problems or headaches." |
| TW15 (Heavenly Rejuvenation) | One half inch below GB21 | "Relieves aching in the arm, shoulder tension and stiff necks." |
(from "Acupressure's Potent Points" by Michael Reed Gach)
Massage techniques for the shoulders:
Kneading the Trapezius: Using your fingers and heels
of your hands, knead the Trapezius muscle. Use your body weight and try not
to use your thumbs.
C-clamp the Trapezius: Using the same motion as above, squeeze and
hold the Trapezius muscle for a count of 10.
Rolling the Trapezius: Once this muscle is warmed up, use the same
hand position and "roll" the muscle forward over your fingers. Check in with
your partner regarding pressure (some people are VERY tender here).
Circular friction between the shoulder blades: Starting at the base
of the neck, use your thumbs with moderate pressure to make small circles.
Do one set of circles and then move down, going all the way down to the bottom
of the shoulder blade. Do not press on the spine.
Circular friction on the shoulder blade: Use the same technique as
above on the shoulder blades. Start at the bump on the backside of the shoulder
joint and make small circles in towards the spine. Do this pattern in a fan
shape until you have covered the whole shoulder blade.
Compression of the Deltoids: Place your hands on either side of the
person you are working on, on the top of the arm on the thick part near the
shoulder. Your hands should be vertical and facing each other, like you are
holding a ball. Press your hands together and squeeze with your fingers.
Massage for the neck:
| Name | Location | Benefit |
| GB20 (Gates of Consciousness) | "Below the base of the skull, in the hollows between two large neck muscles, two or three inches apart depending on the size of the skull." | "This point relieves depression, headhaches, insomnia, neck pain, dizziness and irritability." |
Massage techniques for the neck:
Kneading the neck: Using your fingers and the palms of your hands (either one of both depending on the size of the person's neck) knead the neck muscles from top to bottom. Continue until you see a change in color in the skin (indication an increase in circulation).
Circular friction at the base of the skull: Stand on the side of our partner. Place your front hand on their forehead for support and your fingers at the place where their skull meets their neck. Make small circles, working horizontally out along the ridge of the skull and back in again. While working, stop and hold pressure on GB 20 for 10-15 seconds.
Small circles on the neck muscles: When you get back to the center, with one finger on the far side of the neck and your thumb on the near side (on either side of the spine, not on it), make small circles all the way down to the bottom of the neck. Make one set of circles, then move down and do the next set.
Lifting up the head: With your hands in the same position as in "Circular friction at the base of the skull" and your fingers in GB20, lift the head up gently, taking pressure off of the vertebrae and neck muscles.
Massage for the head and face:
| Name | Location | Benefit |
| GV 24.5 (Third Eye point) | "Directly between the eyebrows in the indentation where the bridge of the nose meets the center of the forehead." | "Relieves glandular imbalances, irritability, depression and confusion; stimulates immune functioning and calms the spirit." |
| B2 (Drilling Bamboo) | "In the indentation of the inner eye socket where the bridge of the nose meets the ridge of the eyebrows." | "Relieves sinus pain, headaches, blurry vision, red and watery eyes, hayfever and eyestrain." |
| ST3 (Facial Beauty) | "At the bottom of the cheekbone directly below the pupil." | "Relieves stuffy nose, head congestion, burning eyes, toothaches and eye fatigue." |
| LI 20 (Welcoming Perfume) | Just to the side of the bottom of the nostril. | "Relieves sinus pain, nasal congestion, facial paralysis and facial swelling." |
| GV 20 (One hundred mile meeting point) | "Place the left fingers behind the left ear and the right fingers behind the right ear. Move fingertips up to the top of the head, then feel for the hollow toward the back of the top center of the head." | "This point relieves hot flashes, heatstroke headaches and epilepsy; clears the brain and calms the spirit; good for memory and concentration." |
Massage Techniques for the head and face:
"Spreading the forehead": Using your four fingers (not your thumbs),
stand behind your partner with your fingers together in the center of their
forehead. Move them out to the temples in a spreading motion. Do this 3-5
times.
Small circles over GV 24.5: Using one pointer finger, make small circles over GV24.5 (third eye point)
Pinching the eyebrows: Where the eyebrows meet the nose, gently pinch the eyebrows. Move from the middle to the sides. When you are done, apply pressure to B2.
Small circles on the temples
Scissoring the ears: Using your pointer and middle finger (one on the front and one on the back of the ear) make an up and down motion like you are cutting paper. Circular friction behind the ear: Make small circles behind the ear, starting at the top and working down.
Finishing Techniques: These are important because they signify for your partner that they are nearing the end of the massage (an abrupt ending can be jarring)
Holding the head: Place your hands over your partner's head. Hold for 10-15 seconds.
Cat paw to the shoulders: Push down gently on the tops of your partners shoulders, alternating one hand then the other in a "pawing" motion.
Fingertip vibration on the back of the shoulders
Pulling the shoulders back: With your hands on the front of your partners shoulders, gently pull them towards the back of the chair. Hold for 10-15 seconds.
Recommended Reading:
If you enjoyed this workshop and want further information, I recommend the following books:
"Acupressure's Potent Points" by Michael Reed Gach: This is a very easy to use book that shows you acupressure points for treating a variety of conditions. Vert informative and user friendly.
"Tappan's Handbook of Healing Massage techniques: Classic, Wholistic and Emerging Methods" by Frances M. Tappan and Patricia Benjamin: This book has been used as a staple in massage schools across the country. It gives details of basic, western massage techniques as well as detailed information regarding a wide range of massage modalities from acupressure to reflexology to energy work. A great book for learning the basics of massage or for learning about the different massage modalities that are practiced today and how they may benefit you.
"Are You Tense? The Benjamin System of Muscular Therapy: Tension relief through deep massage and body care" By Ben E. Benjamin: This book shows deeper massage techniques for all parts of the body, as well as exercises to relieve stress and tension in muscles. The photographs are excellent. This book provides a lot of information and could be very helpful from someone suffering from chronic tension or pain (ummm, I guess that means pretty much everyone.)
Last Updated: December 19, 2007