A good shoulder massage, along with strokes on the upper chest and back of the neck, is a great way to encourage relax­ation overall.

Most of us tense our shoulders during the day as a response to stress. Activities such as sitting at a computer screen or driving the car in busy traffic can cause our shoulder muscles to become increasingly tense and sore. Even when they’re eating most people sit with their shoulders slumped forward. Massage encourages the muscles to let go of tension.

Light On The Abdomen

Performed sensitively and gently, abdominal massage can be a wonderfully relaxing experience. It helps ease both physical and emotional tension, as well as abdominal discomfort.

Some people are apprehensive about having their abdomen touched, let alone massaged. The abdomen is a personal and vulnerable part of the body which we naturally protect if we are physically threatened or under stress. It is an area that can carry a lot of tension and we also tend to tighten our stomach muscles in an attempt to shut out painful emotions. Massage of the abdomen should always be very gentle and sensitive. Don’t be surprised if the sequence releases some pent-up emotions – be understanding towards your partner if so.

It is a good idea to practice with some self massage first, so you know how the sequence feels. Although our lower organs (e.g the uterus and bladder) are protected by the pelvis, our soft digestive organs have no bony shell so keep the pressure light and make any circular movements go in the direction of the digestive system, i.e. up the right side and down the left.

Soothing Chamomile

The gentle healing properties of chamomile and a shoulder massage can relieve tension headaches, ease cramped muscles and encourage a deep healing sleep. Chamomile has a wonderfully warming and balancing effect on the digestion so it is ideal for massaging the abdomen, especially if constipation or period pain is a problem.

Comfort First

Have plenty of towels ready (warmed if possible) for covering your partner with. Use rolled-up towels or cushions under your partner’s head and knees.

Keep the areas not being massaged covered with towels so your partner feels warm and pampered throughout.

The sequence starts with the shoulders so your partner feels reassured by your touch before you begin to work on the sensitive area of the abdomen.

Special Advice

• Do not use abdominal massage on someone who is pregnant.
• Leave 1 to 2 hours after eating before massaging the abdomen.
• Use only light, gentle strokes. However, if your touch is too light (and your hands are cold) your part­ner may feel ticklish. Slightly increase the pressure or massage around the area and return to the sensitive area when your partner is more relaxed. Be guided by her wishes.
• A very tense abdomen may feel rigid. Stroke gently over the area plenty of times first to ease tension.

Shoulder And Abdomen Massage Blend

Use 10 ml diluted chamomile oil or make this blend:

• 10 ml diluted chamomile oil
• 1 drop bergamot essential oil
• 1 drop marjoram oil

Pour the chamomile oil into a small china dish. Add the bergamot and marjoram oils, and swirl around the dish to blend together.

Get the essential oils for this recipe from our Essential Oils Shop

Breathing Tips

Breathing from the abdomen, rather than the chest, is very calming. Start the abdominal massage by resting one hand reassuringly on your partner’s shoulder, over the towel. With the other hand lightly on their abdomen, ask your partner to breathe deeply and slowly, letting go as they exhale.

Shoulder Massage – Step By Step

Step 1 – Gentle Release

Kneel at your partner’s head. Before applying any oil, make contact by resting your hands on your partner’s shoulders and push them down gently towards her feet. Next, gently push the shoulders down towards the massage surface and repeat these releases at regular intervals, working your way towards the middle of the chest. The action is similar to the ‘padding’ action a cat makes with its paws.

Step 2 – Stroking The Chest

Roll down the towel slightly. Using a little oil, place both your hands close together at the top of the chest to start your stroke. Lightly and slowly, stroke out across the chest towards the shoulders, fan the hands outwards at the outside of the shoulders and bring the stroke round the top of the back and up the back of the neck, stopping at the hairline. Glide your hands back to the starting position and repeat the stroke 4 or 5 times.

Step 3 – Neck Release Strokes

Repeat step 2, but this time as you come round the back of the shoulders, allow your right hand to keep stroking up the neck. Ask your partner to let their head drop gently away from you as your hand comes up. Bring your left hand across the chest and continue to stroke from the shoulder up the back of the neck with alternate hands, making the strokes flowing and continuous. Now ask your partner to bring their head to the centre, and repeat on the other side of the neck. To finish the neck releases, repeat step 2, twice more.

Step 4 – Light Kneading On Upper Arms

Return your hands to the chest and stroke out to the shoulders again as in step 2, but this time be slightly firmer Now, as you swing your hands around the outside of the shoulders, stroke down the front of the arms as far as you can comfortably reach. Stroke your hands up the backs of the arms to the shoulders. Repeat the whole stroke three or four times. Now do the stroke twice more but this time introduce some light, one-handed kneading on each arm, lightly squeezing the flesh between your fingers and thumb.

Abdominal Massage – Step By Step

Step 1 – Gentle Rocking

Kneel beside your partner. Reassure them by placing one hand on their shoulder and encourage your partner to take some deeper breaths, as described in the breathing tips. Next, place your hands on their abdomen over the towels-Your hands should be together with finger­tips pointing away from you. Keeping your hands in this position, very gently rock them backwards and forwards. You’ll get a more flowing action if you move your body gently in time to the rocking.

Step 2 – Abdomen Strokes

Arrange the towels so you can pull one towel down to the bikini line and lift the other up to the ribs. Turn to face your partners head. Lightly oil your hands, making sure they are warm, and place them on the lower abdomen. Stroke gently up towards the ribs, fan your hands out to the sides of the body, draw them in at the waist and return them to the lower abdomen. Whilst the overall stroke should be light you can be a little firmer as you draw in the waist Repeat 5 times.

Step 3 – Circle Strokes

Shift your weight and position slightly so you are comfortable. With one hand following the other, make a wide circle over the abdomen in a clockwise direction. Keep your hands apart and to keep the move­ment flowing, lift one hand over the other as they cross. Stroke slowly and rhythmically Repeat until you have lightly circled the abdomen about 5 times.

Step 4 – Cupping

Now make similar clockwise circles, with one hand on top of the other. Gradually make the circles smaller until your hands rest on the centre of the abdomen. Slowly cup your hands, side by side, and gently lift them away from your partner. Cover the area with the towels and place your hands gently over the abdomen, as you did in the beginning, before finally lifting them away.