Scents can definitely add to the experience. While it’s easy to buy regular candles, there is a benefit to an actual massage candle. Massage candles burn at a lower rate and the wax is also skin safe. Furthermore, the scent itself gives an aphrodisiac feeling around the area set. It can encourage a romantic environment for you and your partner so be sure to pick one up!

Music should really be up to the person getting the massage. There’s plenty of playlists that can be discovered for such purposes but, some people prefer complete silence. Forms of meditation music preferably played around 60 beats per minute (bpm) should be considered. Run it by you partner to determine what relaxes them while also being engaging enough to them.

Massage oils is another great investment for your setup. Massage oils are designed to keep the skin hydrated making it relaxing and restorative. In addition, it reduces friction between skin-on-skin contact. When introduced with essential oils, it can calm the senses and melt muscle tension away. Keep in mind, this is a two-way street. Try out a few but, make sure that it’s something you’ll want to use and something your partner will want also.

Towels Make sure you get plenty of towels. You’ll want to cover the surface you’re working on with towels to prevent staining from any oils. You’ll also likely want a towel to cover your partner and focus on the area decided. This well help with modesty regardless of how long you’ve been in a relationship. It also will keep them warm on cooler evenings. Finally, for that excess massage oil you’ll want it to wipe down your own hands during and after the massage.

Getting down to the nitty gritty! Ask any massage therapist and they can discuss the different ways that they massage using industry terms. We’re going to try to avoid this but, if you do take a more serious interest, it never hurts to expand your knowledge.

Swedish Massage is a gentle type of full body massage. This is ideal for those who are sensitive to touch, new to massages, or have a lot of tension. It’s also beneficial for any muscular knots you may have as it can release those. In a full body massage, usually starts by massaging the back and neck, legs, arms, hands and sometimes feet. Keep in mind, this is can feel too gentle or superficial. An aromatherapy massage is essentially a Swedish massage with essential oils used through a diffuser. It’s definitely a mood booster, reduce stress and anxiety, reduce symptoms of depression, relieve muscle tension, and relieves pain.

Deep tissue massage uses more pressure than a Swedish massage. It’s made to treat chronic muscle problems, such as soreness, injury, or imbalance. It’s very good to help relieve tight muscles, chronic muscle pain and anxiety. Keep in mind of something if you do decide to attempt a deep tissue massage. It does release lactic acid but, it can cause physical pain which will cause the receiving partner to tense up. This may not be conductive for lead up to further intimacy so be aware of what this could be.

Reflexology massage specifically focuses on hands and feet. It utilizes finger pressure and other techniques for relaxation and healing. Because the hands and feet are connected to other body parts and organs, it helps balance out the reduce stress and discomfort.

There’s definitely more types than the few we listed here. We’ll link below a couple of sites that can give you better insight than what we’re providing. Let’s wrap this up with what how to perform the most basic of massage.

  – This is the most basic form of massage. Before you even start, you need to get yourself in the right headspace. Get yourself mentally prepared by sitting quietly or doing a deep breathing exercise. We won’t label this as anything but, the most basic massage. However, this will give you the foundation you need to hone your craft. 

1) Start with the neck and shoulders. Place a hand on either shoulder in the classic massage position and knead the thumbs deep into the muscles of the shoulders. Use your fingers for grip, but don’t press them into the collarbone, as this can be painful.

  – When you’ve finished with the shoulders, use the press and release technique to massage along the neck, all the way to the hairline. Remember to keep your hands on either side of the spine.

  – Now move around to stand in front of your client/partner’s head, so their shoulders are facing you. Make a fist with each hand, then rub the knuckles gently but firmly across the tops of the shoulders, to release any tension,

  – Next use your thumbs to press and release along the tops of the shoulders and up the back of the neck.

2) Do the feet. Start massaging the soles of the feet by wrapping both hands around the foot and using your thumbs to apply pressure.

  – Pay special attention to the arch of each foot, as this area tends to accumulate a lot of tension, but also massage the heel and the ball of the foot.

  – When you get to the toes, grab each one individually and give it a gentle pull, this helps to release any tension.

  – Be aware that not everyone likes having their feet touched, and some people are very ticklish, so ask your partner/client before you touch their feet

3) Work your way up the legs. When you’re done with the feet, move onto the back of the legs. Give each leg a couple of long, relaxing strokes to begin with, all the way from the calf to the upper thigh.

  – Apply light pressure with both hands, smoothly stretching the skin. This technique is known as effleurage, and is a good way to ease into the massage.

  – Then, cover the leg you’re not currently working on with a towel and focus on massaging the calf of one leg. Use a kneading technique (like kneading bread) to work the calf muscle.

  – Move up towards the thigh and repeat the kneading technique here. Then press the heel of your hand into the skin and very slowly move it along the thigh. You should always move in the direction of the heart.

 – Cover the leg you just finished working on with a towel (to keep in heat) and repeat the massage on the other leg.

4) Move from the lower to the upper back. Use the effleurage technique described above to perform long, soft strokes, going from the top of the glutes to the base of the neck.

 – Place the palm of each hand on either side of the spine and work your way up, keeping your hands parallel to one another. When you reach the top of the back, fan your hands outwards across the shoulders, as if outlining the top of a heart.

 – Return to the lower back and use a kneading motion to work the large muscles on either side of the spine. These areas tend to build up a lot of tension, so make sure to spend some time here.

 – Next, use a “press and release” technique to work your way up the back. This involves pressing your fingertips firmly into the flesh of the back before quickly releasing. When the pressure is released, your partner/client’s brain will release a rush of pleasurable chemicals.

 – When you get to the upper back, have your partner/client bend their elbows so their shoulder blades stick out. This will give you better access to the muscle around the edge of the shoulder blades, which tends to harbor a lot of tension and knots.

 – To work on the knots, use a thumb or single finger to press and release repeatedly around the problem area.

5) Massage the hands and arms. When you’re done with the neck and shoulders, move onto the arms, working on one at a time.

Hold your partner/client’s wrist in your left hand, so their entire arm is lifted from the bed. Then use your right hand to sweep along the back of the forearm, along the tricep and over the shoulder, coming back on the opposite side.

Now, switch to holding their wrist in your right hand, then sweep your left hand along their forearm and bicep, then over the shoulder and down the opposite side.

Place your partner/client’s arm back on the bed, the use your fingers and thumbs to gently knead the forearms and upper arms.

To massage the hands, take their hand in yours and massage the palm with your thumbs, using small circular motions. Then, take each finger in turn and slowly slide from the knuckles to the nail. Pull each finger firmly, but not so hard that you cause it to crack!

6) End with the head. Ask your client/partner to flip over so you can work on the head and face. Give them a moment if they need to rearrange their towel.

Use your thumbs to gently massage the top of the scalp. For added pleasure, use your nails to scratch slightly.

Next, massage the folds and lobe of each ear between your thumb and forefinger. Then use your fingertips to gently swipe along the contours of the cheekbones and not.

Put your hands beneath your partner/client’s head and lift it slightly from the bed. Use your fingers to find the small hollows when the neck meets the base of the skull. Apply firm pressure with your fingertips, then release. Repeat several times.

Put your hands underneath the jaw and pull the head gently upwards, to stretch the neck muscles. Now, gently press the center of the forehead (between the eyebrows) with your fingertips and release. Repeat for 30 seconds.

Next use your fingertips to gently massage the temples, moving in slow circular motions. The temples are an important acupressure point, so this helps to relieve tension.

Tips:

Always communicate with your partner on what best suits them or yourself.

Cut your nails, avoid using your phone, and drink plenty of water.

Wounds should not be massaged.

Legs with bad veins (varicose) shouldn’t be massaged either.

Back of the knee is a dangerous spot to massage mainly because there’s not a lot of structure there so it’s easily damaged.

If you’re going to have intercourse, massage oils will affect physical forms of contraception.