At the end of a long day, it's not uncommon to feel stressed out, tired and sore all over. People who work with their hands might have aching knuckles and wrists, for example. Giving someone a hand massage is a quick way to induce relaxation. It will also help you connect and bond with the recipient, whether you're massaging a friend, family member or romantic partner.
Wash and dry your hands before beginning the massage.
Put a few drops of massage lotion or oil in the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together.
Spread the lotion over the person's hand and wrist using gentle, flowing, upward motions. Slide your right hand up from the fingers to the wrist and then up to the elbow. Repeat the motion with your left hand. Apply light pressure as you glide your fingers over the palm, wrist and back of the hand. This technique is called effleurage, and it's meant to relax and prepare the person for the massage. Do this motion about six times.
Slide both of your hands underneath the hand. Rest your thumbs on the wrist. Push down gently, and move your thumbs over the wrist in an outward, circular motion. Work your way down the wrist to the knuckles, then back again. Repeat this six times.
Rest the hand in yours. With your other hand, squeeze each finger between your thumb and forefinger. Use small circular movements to massage each finger from the base to the tip. Repeat this twice for each finger.
Hold the hand with the palm facing up. Lightly stroke the palm with your finger tips. Use the heel of your hand or your knuckles to knead the palm with a circular motion. Repeat this motion at least six times.
Squeeze the muscle below the thumb a few times, then squeeze the muscle below the pinkie finger.
Flip the hand back over gently. Run your fingers down the wrist and hand once or twice with very light pressure.
Repeat this process on the other hand to complete the massage.
Do not perform massage on anyone who is pregnant or has heart conditions, infectious diseases, diabetes, mycosis, tumors, skin allergies or blastomycosis. Always ask if any of these conditions are present before starting a massage.
What Are the Pressure Points to Massage?