How To: Hand Massage

Series: Giving a hand massage to yourself—Part 2

This is part two of our Hand Massage training session guided by Los Angeles-based bodyworker Brittany Rose. Part one instructed you on giving a hand massage to a partner. In this email, we’ll walk you through how to give a hand massage to yourself.

You can follow along with ► this video (scroll down), or join us for the live demo with Brittany on Zoom at 5:30 PM PT/8:30 PM ET Wednesday, February 12. RSVP here.

This massage will take approximately 15 minutes, but you’re welcome to spend more time on each motion. Make sure your hands are washed and dry, and that you have a comfortable place to sit.

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:

Effleurage

Get into a comfortable seated position with a cushion on your lap (towel covering the cushion). Warm up 1-2 pumps of Carea Cream between your palms. With the elbow of your receiving hand resting on the cushion, create a C shape with your giving hand and cup it around the forearm of your receiving hand. Drag your giving hand up and down your receiving forearm while applying light pressure, spreading the lotion and warming the tissue (this is called effleurage). Flip your receiving hand as needed so all sides receive lotion.

Motion 2:

Wring It Out

With your giving hand wrapped around your receiving wrist (middle finger and thumb connected), start to gently wring out your receiving wrist by twisting your giving hand forward and backward 3 times. Extend your receiving arm, resting it on the cushion palm-side facing up. Cup the receiving hand with your giving hand (so the giving thumb rests on top of the receiving palm, and the other giving fingers are wrapped around the back of the receiving hand). Applying pressure to your giving thumb, spread the lotion by drawing it outwards towards each receiving fingertip.

Motion 3:

Knead

Next, place your giving palm on top of the receiving palm and move it in a figure-eight shape to warm the palm. Curl the fingers of your giving hand in, using the knuckles to make circular motions around the receiving palm. To deepen the pressure, lean your body into your hands.

Motion 4:

Circling The Circumference

Interlace your fingers so that both palms are facing each other. Use your giving thumb to hold pressure on the padding of your receiving palm. After a moment, start making circular motions with your giving thumb, slowly drawing it outwards to the webbing between your receiving thumb and index finger. Continue working your way around the circumference of your palm, making circular motions with your giving thumb as you go. Finish with your giving thumb at the center of your receiving palm—make circles, then press and hold the pressure for a moment.

Motion 5:

Stretch

Extend your receiving arm outwards with your inner forearm facing up so that the wrist folds backwards with its fingers facing down. With your giving hand, wring out each finger, gently pulling them back towards your body to stretch the forearm, wrist, and fingers. Then, flip your receiving arm so that the palm faces down toward you, and use the giving hand to pull the wrist in for a counter stretch.

Motion 6:

Lock-in Moisture

Conclude this hand’s massage with a nourishing lotion like Theraplush. Dispense 1-2 pumps and warm up between your hands. Create a C shape (again) with the giving hand, and draw it down your receiving forearm, hand, and fingers to spread the lotion and squeeze out any tension.

Cup your giving hand around your receiving hand (palm facing down), and start making circular motions down each finger, taking extra care to massage the cream deep into your knuckles and cuticles. Interlace your fingers so that they make a fist and roll your wrists around in a figure-eight motion. Lastly, extend your arms and interlace your hands so that their palms face outward for one last stretch.

Voilà!

Now repeat on your other hand—and give yourself props for learning a new act of self-care.

And don’t forget! Brittany will be demo-ing the independent version 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