How to Give a Leg Massage
The whole body can benefit from a good leg massage. It can relieve stress, improve circulation and lymph flow and may help alleviate back pain. Use these steps to guide you through the most common sequence of hand movements for a basic leg massage.
Massage the Front Leg
1
Have your friend lie on her back with one leg exposed from the hip down. Kneel beside the ankle, oil your hands and warm them up. Start at the shin, using the index finger and thumb to massage lightly. This area is sensitive and requires very little pressure.
2
Work your way up the leg with effleurage, increasing pressure slightly over larger muscles. As you reach the top of the leg, circle your palms around the hips, bring them back down the side of the leg, and out through the toes. This is one fluid motion in which you are essentially pushing as you go up the leg and pulling as you come down. Repeat this sequence 3 times to warm the muscles and distribute the oil.
3
Begin the kneading movement of petrissage at the thigh. Avoid the kneecap during a basic massage because it's a sensitive area and uncomfortable to some people. Work on the inner thigh, then continue over the top to the outer thigh.
4
Finish your front leg massage with effleurage and repeat it three times. Now you are using effleurage to cool down and relax the muscles. Cover the leg you have just finished and expose the other leg for massage.
Massage the Back Leg
1
Let your friend turn over and lie face down with one leg exposed from the hip down. Kneel beside the ankle and warm some oil in your hands to begin a light massage, using the index and middle finger. Remember the ankle is a sensitive area, so use very little pressure here.
2
Use effleurage starting at the calf and work your way up to the bottom of the buttocks. Increase the pressure as you reach the larger thigh muscle and the buttocks area. Continue up the thigh, circle your palms around the hips and pull down as you go back down the side of the leg and out through the toes.
3
Starting at the calf muscle, avoiding the back of the knee, begin to use petrissage up through the thigh. Use effleurage when transitioning from a sensitive area to a larger muscle so you don't lose the fluidity of the movements. Continue with petrissage as you work your way back down the leg.
4
Repeat effleurage three times to relax and cool down the muscles.
5
Cover the leg that was just massaged and expose the other leg for massage. When you have finished with both legs, cover your friend and allow her to completely relax her body.
Tips & Warnings
Use only enough oil to lubricate the skin and prevent friction. If the skin is dry or hairy, you may require more oil.
Avoid massaging anyone with varicose veins, heart problems or any type of skin infections.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2092145_give-leg-massage.html
The whole body can benefit from a good leg massage. It can relieve stress, improve circulation and lymph flow and may help alleviate back pain. Use these steps to guide you through the most common sequence of hand movements for a basic leg massage.
Massage the Front Leg
1
Have your friend lie on her back with one leg exposed from the hip down. Kneel beside the ankle, oil your hands and warm them up. Start at the shin, using the index finger and thumb to massage lightly. This area is sensitive and requires very little pressure.
2
Work your way up the leg with effleurage, increasing pressure slightly over larger muscles. As you reach the top of the leg, circle your palms around the hips, bring them back down the side of the leg, and out through the toes. This is one fluid motion in which you are essentially pushing as you go up the leg and pulling as you come down. Repeat this sequence 3 times to warm the muscles and distribute the oil.
3
Begin the kneading movement of petrissage at the thigh. Avoid the kneecap during a basic massage because it's a sensitive area and uncomfortable to some people. Work on the inner thigh, then continue over the top to the outer thigh.
4
Finish your front leg massage with effleurage and repeat it three times. Now you are using effleurage to cool down and relax the muscles. Cover the leg you have just finished and expose the other leg for massage.
Massage the Back Leg
1
Let your friend turn over and lie face down with one leg exposed from the hip down. Kneel beside the ankle and warm some oil in your hands to begin a light massage, using the index and middle finger. Remember the ankle is a sensitive area, so use very little pressure here.
2
Use effleurage starting at the calf and work your way up to the bottom of the buttocks. Increase the pressure as you reach the larger thigh muscle and the buttocks area. Continue up the thigh, circle your palms around the hips and pull down as you go back down the side of the leg and out through the toes.
3
Starting at the calf muscle, avoiding the back of the knee, begin to use petrissage up through the thigh. Use effleurage when transitioning from a sensitive area to a larger muscle so you don't lose the fluidity of the movements. Continue with petrissage as you work your way back down the leg.
4
Repeat effleurage three times to relax and cool down the muscles.
5
Cover the leg that was just massaged and expose the other leg for massage. When you have finished with both legs, cover your friend and allow her to completely relax her body.
Tips & Warnings
Use only enough oil to lubricate the skin and prevent friction. If the skin is dry or hairy, you may require more oil.
Avoid massaging anyone with varicose veins, heart problems or any type of skin infections.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2092145_give-leg-massage.html
