Massage For Dummies - Chapter 18: Massage for the Whole Family

CHAPTER 18: MASSAGE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Major Sections:

1. MASSAGING MY FATHER Anecdote about providing massage to the author's father following heart surgery at Emory University Hospital. The father experienced significant pain from lying on a hard operating table while strapped in place for hours. The author provided massage relief throughout the night, creating a bonding experience. Key quote from father: "After what I've been through, it feels great just to be alive. And what you're doing feels indescribable."

2. BABY MASSAGE Covers massage for infants and young children: - Babies have Meissner's corpuscles (touch-sensing organs) at 5x higher density than adults (80 per square millimeter vs. 20 for adults) - Research from Touch Research Institute shows massage helps premature infants grow faster and leave hospital sooner - Babies respond well to light, fleeting movements across the skin - Baby massage routine includes: abdominal strokes, thumb sweeps over abdomen, circular thumb motions on buttocks, kneading of thighs, leg stretches, and reflexology on feet - Training resources available through International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) - Contact: Vimala Schneider McClure; 800-248-5432

3. NOT FOR WOMEN ONLY Massage benefits for pregnancy, PMS, and menopause: - PREGNANCY: Use light soothing touch on abdomen; avoid pressure on reproductive organ reflex points; avoid facing down; support with pillows; avoid during certain contraindications - PMS ("Please Massage Soon"): Stress-relief massage during menstrual cycles - MENOPAUSE: Circulation and skin benefits; emotional reassurance; spa treatments helpful

4. SENIOR MASSAGE Massage benefits for elderly: - Helps with stiffness, aches, and loneliness - Prevents falls by improving relaxation and coordination - Touch deprivation is common among seniors, especially widowed persons - Guidelines: Use gentler movements but firm contact (not overly delicate); start softly, increase vigor progressively; request feedback - Seniors benefit almost equally from giving massage as receiving it - Professional resources: Day-Break Geriatric Massage Project, 707-829-2798

5. CHAPTER 19: THE LOVER'S TOUCH - MASSAGE AND INTIMACY Sensual massage techniques including: - The importance of intention, spontaneity, and sensitivity - Fuller body contact than therapeutic massage - Limb draping, hair gliding, belly touching - Setting sensual mood with candles, incense, music - Fantasizing is encouraged as normal - Reference to Dr. Ruth Westheimer on aphrodisiacs

6. CHAPTER 20: MASSAGE AS A CAREER Information on becoming a professional massage therapist: - Ten traits of successful massage therapists (empathy, stamina, ability to remain silent, etc.) - Over 800 massage schools in U.S.; training typically 6 months - Cost ranges from several hundred to $15,000 dollars - Licensing and certification requirements vary by state - Average annual salary under $20,000 per year - Importance of professional organizations and continuing education

7. CHAPTER 21: TEN TOP PLACES TO STUDY MASSAGE Listing of 10 U.S. massage schools:

1. Atlanta School of Massage - 770-454-7167

2. California Healing Arts College - 310-826-7622

3. Down East School of Massage (Maine) - 207-832-5531

4. Educating Hands (Miami) - 305-285-6991

5. Esalen Institute (Big Sur, CA) - 408-667-3000

6. Heartwood Institute (Northern CA) - 707-923-5000

7. Kripalu Center (Massachusetts) - 413-448-3400

8. Scherer Institute (Santa Fe, NM) - 505-982-8398

9. Suncoast School of Massage (Tampa, FL) - 813-287-1099

10. Swedish Institute (New York) - 212-924-5900

International schools listed include those in Australia, England, France, Italy, and Thailand.

8. CHAPTER 22: TOP TEN MASSAGE DESTINATIONS U.S. spas and resorts: - Enchantment, Sedona, AZ - Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA - Green Valley Spa, St. George, UT - Harbin Hot Springs, Middletown, CA - Kohala Spa, Kona, HI - Little Palm Island, Florida Keys - Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, Pennsylvania - The Peaks, Telluride, CO - Spa of the Rockies, Colorado Springs, CO - Ten Thousand Waves, Santa Fe, NM

International destinations: - Amandari, Bali, Indonesia - Camp Eden, Australia - Casa del Sol, Mexico - Charlie's Spa, Jamaica - Javana Spa, Indonesia - La Mamounia, Morocco - Les Thermes Marins, Monaco - Spa Deus, Italy - Spiritual Massage, Brazil - Wat Po Temple, Thailand

9. CHAPTER 23: TEN WAYS TO GIVE MASSAGE AS A GIFT - Spa gift certificates (Spa Wish offers certificates at 700+ locations) - Massage birthday gift (hire professional therapist) - Spa date with partner - Royal treatment at home - Bed & breakfast massage exchange - Leave massage gift certificate as houseguest - Donate massage for charity auctions - Massage for wedding day - Negotiate package discount with local therapist - Offer free massages as personal gift

10. CHAPTER 24: MASSAGE TECHNIQUES FOR PETS Techniques for dogs and cats: - Paw pressure: massage webbing between paw pads - Outer ears: intense rubbing at base - Inner ears: stimulate ridges within ear cavity - Belly rub: find the spot causing most paw movement - "Knee" (wrist) kneading: circular motions around joint - Chin wedgies: soft tissue triangle under chin - Tail tails: massage base where tail connects to back - Underarms: slip fingers between leg and body - Nose nudgies: firm pressure with slight rubbing - Doggy and kitty chiropractic: massage each vertebra up spine

11. CHAPTER 25: TEN QUICK STRESS-RELIEF TECHNIQUES

For Self: - Eye hooks: thumbs in inner upper eye corners, hold 5-10 seconds - Headache point (LI4): webbing between thumb and index finger - Jaw circles: fingertip circles in jaw muscles while opening/closing mouth - Ear reflexology: vigorous kneading of ears - Foot drainage: thumb pressure along arch of foot

For Partner: - Vice grip: grasp shoulder/trapezius, have partner turn head slowly - Head squeeze: heel-of-hand pressure on sides of head above ears - Hooking the skull: thumbs at base of skull, dig into neck muscles - Scalp circles: fingertip pressure on scalp, move skin beneath - Wing lift: hook under shoulder blade, pull upward with light pressure

12. APPENDIX: MASSAGE RESOURCES Comprehensive listing of: - Massage books - Magazines (Massage Magazine, Massage Therapy Journal, Massage & Bodywork Quarterly) - Web sites for general information, therapist locators, products, spas - Equipment and supplies vendors - Massage oils and cream suppliers - Catalogs for wellness products - Professional organizations and associations - Massage specialties and training programs (Ayurveda, Baby Massage, Chair Massage, Connective Tissue Massage, Energy Work, Freedom of Movement Massage, Geriatric Massage, Horse Massage, Mind/Body/Emotion Massage, Pain Relief Massage, Reflexology, Spa Therapy Training, Thai Massage, Water Massage) - College degree programs in massage

KEY THEMES: - Massage is appropriate and beneficial for all ages and life stages - Proper training and professional standards are important - Emotional connection and compassion are essential - Variety of specialized massage techniques for different needs - Growing field with many career opportunities - Cultural acceptance of massage worldwide

Names mentioned: - Steve Capellini — Co-author of 'Massage For Dummies'; Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) called 'best masseur in the U.S.' by Self and Travel & Leisure magazines - Michel Van Welden — Co-author of 'Massage For Dummies'; Physical Therapist (PT) and Nutritionist (NT) - Vimala Schneider McClure — Founder of International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM); Expert in baby massage with over 2,500 members in association - Dr. Ruth Westheimer — Referenced regarding aphrodisiacs and sensual massage - Jack Canfield — Co-author of 'Chicken Soup for the Soul'; Provides endorsement quote for the book - John Gray — Author of 'Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus'; Provides endorsement quote for the book - Ashley Montagu — Author of 'Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin'; Quoted on importance of touch for infants - Marvin Gaye — Musician who sang 'Sexual Healing'; Referenced regarding sensual massage - Bob Hope — Celebrity who received massage almost daily for over 50 years; Example of longevity benefits