Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Give a chair massage
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

People who sit at a desk or drive a car for extended periods often experience a lot of pain in their neck and shoulders. Giving a neck massage is a great way to release that tension. Massages can also improve circulation, reduce headaches, lift a person's mood and give an energy boost. Giving a good neck massage is a wonderful gift, be it to a friend, someone you love, or a professional massage client.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Give a chair massage

1. Place your partner in a comfortable sitting position. It is important that his back can be comfortably straight. It should also be possible for you to reach his shoulders and upper back.
   • Use a crutch that gives you full access to his back.
   • If you are using a chair, make sure the chair's back is low enough to allow you access to the back of its shoulders.
   • If you don't have a suitable chair or stool available, put a comfortable cushion on the floor. Have your partner sit cross-legged on the floor while you kneel behind him.
2. Warm up the muscles. Hastily starting with an intensive massage, without warming up, can cause your partner to become much more tense under your touch. Start massaging gently by using your fingertips to loosen and prepare the neck and shoulders. This will put your partner in the mood to relax and enjoy the experience.
   • Place the fingertips of the ring, middle, and index fingers of your hands where the base of your partner's head meets the neck. Apply light, but firm pressure.
   • If that doesn't feel right, use the fingertips that feel good to you. You may only be using the index and middle fingers.
   • Run your fingers down the sides of his neck, sweeping further to the shoulders.
   • Make sure to apply even pressure over the entire area as your fingers move across the muscles.
3. Use all parts of your hand. Many amateur masseurs only use their thumbs when massaging. While the thumbs are great for targeted pressure, you can cause yourself pain and discomfort by using them too much. Instead, use all parts of your hand while massaging. Use your thumbs for targeted pressure on tension knots.
   • Use your palms to apply light pressure to larger areas of the skin and muscles.
   • Use your fingertips for firmer pressure.
   • Use your knuckles for particularly stiff muscles.
4. Do not massage your partner's bones. Applying pressure to bones - especially the spine - can cause pain. Apply pressure only to muscles.
5. Have your partner lie on their back. "Supine" means that he is lying on his back. The best thing is if you can find a raised surface for him to lie on, allowing you to sit or stand by his head. If he is on the floor you will have to bend over him considerably and this can hurt your back.
   • Put long hair in a ponytail so that it doesn't hang in your partner's face.
   • If he has long hair, swipe it back and over the side of the table or bed so you don't accidentally pull it during the massage.
   • Ask him to take off his shirt or wear a top that leaves his chest free from the collarbone up.
   • Offer him a towel or blanket if he doesn't feel comfortable exposing his chest.
6. Choose a massage oil or lotion. You can find massage oils in supermarkets, department stores and drug stores, but if you can't find them, they can also be purchased online.
   • Some household oils, such as coconut oil or olive oil, also make wonderful massage oils.
   • Olive, almond, and sesame oils can work well, but they tend to be heavy and thick. Use smaller amounts of these oils for a massage.
   • Before using almond oil or sesame oil, make sure your partner has no nut allergies.
   • Spread the oil or lotion over your hands by rubbing them together. This heats up the product so that it feels more comfortable for him.
7. Massage the muscles just above the collarbone. You will feel a small dent right above the collarbone. Use your fingertips to gently massage the muscles in that area, using both circular and kneading motions.

Tips

• If you feel any bumps or knots on the neck or shoulders, work them out by slowly kneading them with 1 or 2 fingers until you can no longer feel the bump.

Warnings

• Never try to crack the neck or back. You should leave this to a professional.
• Be very gentle when you wrap your hands around the neck. Do not press on his or her throat.

Necessities

• Chair
• Bed or mat
• Massage oil or lotion
• Hands