MASSAGE for common ailments A complete beginner’s guide to soothing away everyday aches and pains Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018 with funding from Kahle/Austin Foundation https://archive.org/details/massageforcommonOOOOrich MASSAGE] for common ailments MASSAGE for common ailments PENNY RICH P WARNING If you have a medical condition, or are pregnant, the massages described in this book should not be followed without consulting your doctor first. All guidelines, warnings and massage captions should be read carefully before embarking on any of the massages. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for injuries or damage arising out of a failure to comply with the above. PICTURE CREDITS: PWA International: 8, 11, 18, 30, 36, 48, 60, 92, 104 Spectrum Colour Library: 86 Tony Stone Images: 110; /Leslie Sponseller: 42; /Andre Perlstein: 54; /Bruce Ayres: 66; /Chris Harvey: 76; /Julian Calder: 118 ZEFA: 24, 72, 82, 122 Every effort has been made to trace the copyright holders and we apologise in advance for any unintentional omissions. We would be pleased to insert the appropriate acknowledgement in any subsequent edition of this publication. This is a Parragon Book This edition published in 2002 Parragon Queen Street House 4 Queen Street Bath BA1 1HE, UK Copyright© Pairagon 1994 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise without first obtaining written permission of the copyright holder. ISBN 0-75257-753-0 Editorial: Linda Doeser Publishing Services^. Design and DTP: Kingfisher Design Services, London Step-by-step photography: Susanna Price Printed in Spain The Miracle of Massage Contents The Miracle of Massage.6 Know Your Strokes.14 The Relaxing Body Massage.19 The Fit for Life Massage.25 The Energizing Body Massage.31 Beautifying Facial Massage.37 The Circulation-Boosting Massage.43 The Anti-Stretch Mark Massage.49 Massage to Soothe PMT & Period Pain.55 Anti-Cellulite Massage.61 Massage to Relieve a Stiff Neck.67 Tension Headache Massage .73 Massage for Sleeplessness.77 Massage for the ‘Morning After’.83 Massage for Backache.87 Massage for Sore Muscles.93 Massage for Sore Feet.99 Massage for Tired and Aching Fegs.105 Massage for Aching Hands or Wrists.Ill Massage to Soothe a Restless Baby.115 Massage for a Child’s Tummy Ache.119 Massage to Soothe a Chesty Cough.123 Index.128 5 The Miracle of Massage One of the best things about massage is that anyone can do it. It is so easy that you can learn the basic strokes in a single session. It is the one therapy where you do not have to be an expert - you can just feel your way as it is based on the natural human instinct to soothe and comfort someone by touch. It needs no fancy equipment - just a pair of hands and some oil. Moreover, it is the quickest, simplest, most pleasurable and inexpensive way to make someone healthier and happier. Massage is also one of the best ways to treat many of our commonest modern-day ailments. Problems such as stress, lack of energy, Repetitive Strain Injury, sleeplessness, fatigue, PMT, cellulite, headache, back ache, tummy ache and, in fact, any aches or pains anywhere in the body, feel instantly better after the right massage routine. This is not just wishful thinking from a lot of cranks who like to believe that massage cures everything. Medical scientists studying massage have proved that it is a natural tranquillizer. Indeed, stroking the body slows the heartbeat and lowers blood pressure and this is the fastest and most effective way to relax. As research now shows that stress and sickness go hand in hand, the more relaxed you are, the healthier you will be. Its worth as a natural pain-reliever has been proved throughout time. Ever since Stone Age man patted his pet mammoth, touch has calmed the savage beast in us all. In fact, even though you are probably not aware of it, you use it every day whenever you rub a hurt elbow, stroke tired eyes to stop them aching, or cuddle a crying baby and pat his back to relieve wind. (Right) Massage is the quickest, surest way to create a sense of well-being. The Miracle of Massage 7 Massage for Common Ailments ' : ' ■