How to Give a Leg Massage
Find a comfortable position., Choose your oils (optional)., Figure out how to apply pressure., Communicate with the person., Start at the foot., Use long, gentle strokes along the outside of the thighs and calves., Raise and rub one leg., Repeat...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Find a comfortable position.
To start, help the person you're massaging find a comfortable position.
For leg massages, it's usually easy to lie down somewhere like a couch.
The person can have their legs stretched forward.
If you're only massaging one leg, you may want to have the person lie on their side with the leg you're massaging extending upward.
You can also have the person lie with their legs stretched out and elevated slightly.
A pillow can be used to elevate the person's legs., If you want, it's okay to use oil for a leg massage.
This can make it easier to run your hands and fingers over someone's legs and oils can also provide a soothing effect.
For leg massages, go for oils like olive oil, avocado oil, or almond oil.
Most of these oils can be purchased at a supermarket.Make sure the person you're massaging does not have an existing allergy to the oil you use. , You should use a lighter pressure over bony areas like the shins and knees.
Use more pressure for big muscles, such as the thighs.The body parts you use to perform a massage affect the pressure.
The elbows generally provide the strongest pressure.
The palms and fingers will generally apply less pressure., Ask the person if there's a particular area where they want extra pressure or attention.
For example, if someone's thighs are bothering them, they may want you to focus on massaging their thighs.
You may want to linger on certain areas and give them more attention., Starting at the foot helps promote blood circulation, which can help ease pain and tension in the legs.
Sandwich the person's foot between your palms.
Then, rub the foot firmly for a few minutes.
When you're done rubbing the foot between your hands, give the foot a few gentle strokes moving from the toes to ankles.It does not matter which leg you start with. , Move upward from the foot towards the thighs and calves.
For these areas, use a loose fist to make long, gentle strokes.
Move from the foot upward when you make your strokes.
This pushes blood towards the heart, increasing blood circulation., Raise one of the person's legs.
Use one hand to support the ankle.
Place your hand on the person's ankle and push upward towards their knee.
Apply pressure between your palms for the best effect.
Do six strokes.It does not matter which leg you massage first. , After raising one leg, raise the other.
Repeat the same process.
Hold the leg up by the ankle with one hand and massage the lower leg with the other.
Do six strokes on this leg as well., Finish with a few fast rubs to the thigh, using your palms.
Then, do some more firm strokes using the heel of your hand.
Repeat with the other leg.You can massage either the inner or outer thigh or both. , If legs are swollen due to medical reasons, be very gentle.
Make sure to check with the person to make sure they're comfortable.
Use the lightest pressure possible when massaging swollen legs., If you're massaging a pregnant woman's legs, stay away from massaging the inner thighs.
Blood clots are more common in this area during pregnancy and massaging the area can dislodge clots.
This can be a very serious, even fatal, problem., Leg pain can indicate health problems such as a leg injury or chronic conditions like arthritis.While massages can temporarily relieve, frequent leg pain should be evaluated by a medical professional. -
Step 2: Choose your oils (optional).
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Step 3: Figure out how to apply pressure.
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Step 4: Communicate with the person.
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Step 5: Start at the foot.
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Step 6: Use long
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Step 7: gentle strokes along the outside of the thighs and calves.
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Step 8: Raise and rub one leg.
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Step 9: Repeat with the other leg.
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Step 10: Finish by massaging the thigh.
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Step 11: Be very gentle with swollen legs.
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Step 12: Avoid massaging the inner thighs on a pregnant woman.
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Step 13: See a doctor for chronic leg pain.
Detailed Guide
To start, help the person you're massaging find a comfortable position.
For leg massages, it's usually easy to lie down somewhere like a couch.
The person can have their legs stretched forward.
If you're only massaging one leg, you may want to have the person lie on their side with the leg you're massaging extending upward.
You can also have the person lie with their legs stretched out and elevated slightly.
A pillow can be used to elevate the person's legs., If you want, it's okay to use oil for a leg massage.
This can make it easier to run your hands and fingers over someone's legs and oils can also provide a soothing effect.
For leg massages, go for oils like olive oil, avocado oil, or almond oil.
Most of these oils can be purchased at a supermarket.Make sure the person you're massaging does not have an existing allergy to the oil you use. , You should use a lighter pressure over bony areas like the shins and knees.
Use more pressure for big muscles, such as the thighs.The body parts you use to perform a massage affect the pressure.
The elbows generally provide the strongest pressure.
The palms and fingers will generally apply less pressure., Ask the person if there's a particular area where they want extra pressure or attention.
For example, if someone's thighs are bothering them, they may want you to focus on massaging their thighs.
You may want to linger on certain areas and give them more attention., Starting at the foot helps promote blood circulation, which can help ease pain and tension in the legs.
Sandwich the person's foot between your palms.
Then, rub the foot firmly for a few minutes.
When you're done rubbing the foot between your hands, give the foot a few gentle strokes moving from the toes to ankles.It does not matter which leg you start with. , Move upward from the foot towards the thighs and calves.
For these areas, use a loose fist to make long, gentle strokes.
Move from the foot upward when you make your strokes.
This pushes blood towards the heart, increasing blood circulation., Raise one of the person's legs.
Use one hand to support the ankle.
Place your hand on the person's ankle and push upward towards their knee.
Apply pressure between your palms for the best effect.
Do six strokes.It does not matter which leg you massage first. , After raising one leg, raise the other.
Repeat the same process.
Hold the leg up by the ankle with one hand and massage the lower leg with the other.
Do six strokes on this leg as well., Finish with a few fast rubs to the thigh, using your palms.
Then, do some more firm strokes using the heel of your hand.
Repeat with the other leg.You can massage either the inner or outer thigh or both. , If legs are swollen due to medical reasons, be very gentle.
Make sure to check with the person to make sure they're comfortable.
Use the lightest pressure possible when massaging swollen legs., If you're massaging a pregnant woman's legs, stay away from massaging the inner thighs.
Blood clots are more common in this area during pregnancy and massaging the area can dislodge clots.
This can be a very serious, even fatal, problem., Leg pain can indicate health problems such as a leg injury or chronic conditions like arthritis.While massages can temporarily relieve, frequent leg pain should be evaluated by a medical professional.
About the Author
Denise Smith
Enthusiastic about teaching cooking techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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