How To: Hand Massage

Series: Giving a hand massage to a partner—Part 1

If you’re a dedicated reader of this newsletter, you may remember a tip we sent out in December to use Carea Cream and Theraplush as the mediums to give your hands a well-deserved massage. In honor of Valentines Day, we spoke with Los Angeles-based bodyworker Brittany Rose, who helped expand our skills in the art of the hand massage.

In this email, we’ll be going over how to give a hand massage to a partner. Part two of this series, where we’ll guide you through a self-hand massage, will be in your inbox shortly.

We’ll also be hosting a class on the self hand massage with Brittany on Wednesday, February 12 at 5:30 PM PT/8:30 PM ET via Zoom. Sign up and RSVP here.

This massage will take approximately 15 minutes, but you’re welcome to spend more time on each motion. Make sure your and your partner’s hands are washed and dry, and that you have a comfortable place to sit. If you’re a visual learner, you can follow along with ► this video. Now shh... Dim the lights, light a candle, ♫ cue up your most relaxing selection of tunes, and prepare to treat or be treated.

Materials you’ll need:
—A cushion/pillow
—A towel (to cover the cushion/pillow)
—A lightweight oil or cream (Carea Cream works great for this)
—Optional but encouraged: Theraplush (or any thicker, nourishing hand cream)

Motion 1:

Settle In

Seated and facing each other, situate your partner’s hand and forearm so it comfortably rests on the towel-covered cushion, with their palm facing down. Their shoulders should be able to drop down, eliminating any tension or clenching. If they’re wearing a long-sleeve top, roll up their sleeves. Guide your partner in a few deep breaths to help them settle into the space.

Motion 2:

Effleurage

Warm up 1-2 pumps of Carea Cream (or your massage medium of choice) between your palms. Cup your left hand under their right palm, and use your right palm to start spreading the lotion up their forearm—this is called effleurage, a technique used to spread the lotion and warm the tissue. Do this motion 3 times.

Motion 3:

Apply Pressure

With your partner’s palm facing down, cup both of your hands around it—your thumb should be resting on the back of their hand, and your other four fingers wrapped around their palm. Starting at their thumb, apply pressure with your right thumb and four fingers, squeezing and pulling outwards towards your partner’s fingertip. Do each finger, one at a time.

After a few strokes of each finger, gently pinch the webbing between their thumb and index finger and hold the pressure for a moment (this is an acupressure point called Large Intestine 4—a great way to relieve tension and headaches). Then, flip their hand over, allowing the back of their hand rest on your right palm. Repeat the effleurage motion you did at the beginning, but this time drawing your hand up and down your partner’s inner forearm.

Motion 4:

Figure 8’s

Switch your hands—your partner’s right hand should now be resting in your left hand. With your right palm laying on top of theirs, circle it 3 times to warm the tissue. Next, interlace your right pinky between your partner’s pinky and ring finger, and do the same with your left pinky between their thumb and pointer finger. Wrapping your index, middle, and ring fingers around the sides of their palms, start making continuous circles on the skin below their wrists with your thumbs, moving in a figure-eight shape. Bring this motion down to the pads of their palms (the fleshy parts at the base of their hands).

Motion 5:

Pressure Points

Bring your thumbs together at the crease between your partner’s palm and wrist. While applying pressure, drag them outwards to the base of each finger. Then, drag your thumbs to the center of the palm and hold there for a few moments (this is another pressure point called Pericardium 8—also great for relaxing anxiety and quieting the mind). Afterwards, take your right thumb to the padding of your partner’s palm, and hold pressure there for a moment.

Motion 6:

Lock-in Moisture

If you’d like to conclude the massage with a nourishing lotion like Theraplush, dispense 1-2 pumps into your hands. Rub them together gently to warm it up. Spread the cream onto the top of your partner’s hand and forearm (effleurage). Like you did at the start of the massage, cup their palm with your left hand and use your thumb and fingers to traction their fingers outwards, one at a time. Take extra care to massage the cream deep into their knuckles and cuticles.

Motion 7:

Release & Stretch

To wrap up, sandwich their forearm and hand in between your own, squeezing while drawing your hands towards yourself to release any tension in their arms. Finally, interlace your fingers with theirs and gently stretch their wrist backwards. Move their wrist back and forth 3 times.

Ask them how it was. (Heavenly?)

Great!

Repeat these steps on your partner’s other hand—and suggest that they do you next.

And don’t forget! Brittany will be demo-ing the independent version via Zoom on Wednesday, February 12 at 5:30 PM

And don’t forget! Brittany will be demo-ing the independent version of this massage via Zoom on Wednesday, February 12 at 5:30 PM PT/8:30 PM ET. RSVP here.

Soft Services products used:


Carea Cream ($40) massage medium		Theraplush “Hold” Case & Pod Set ($62) nourishment sealer