Absolute Beginner's Guide to Alternative Medicine

■ Comfort your partner by covering her/him with a sheet and placing a pillow

under the knees when lying on the back and under the ankles when lying on

the front.

■ Massage works best when strokes are lubricated. Any vegetable oil will work,

but scented massage oils can add to the sense of relaxation and sensuality.

■ Begin with both of you doing slow deep breathing to center and ground.

■ Warm the oil by rubbing it between your hands before applying it.

■ Begin with light strokes and proceed to deeper pressure only after the muscles

in the area have relaxed and warmed up.

■ Your partner should tell you if any strokes feel uncomfortable: too light, too

deep, or on a tender spot.

■ Take your time: ideally 2–3 minutes per foot, 10 minutes per leg, 15–20 min-

utes for the back, and 15 minutes for the front including 5 minutes on the

face.

■ Stroke toward the heart, instead of against the flow of blood returning to the

heart.

■ Never press directly on the spinal column, just on the muscles

Massage During Pregnancy

Childbirth nurses and nurse midwives have long advocated massage during preg-

nancy. A light, natural oil such as tangerine, almond, or safflower is used, avoiding

the addition of any essential oils, which may have ill effects on the fetus. The bene-

fits of massage during pregnancy are

■ Relaxing. Massage helps reduce tension in the neck and shoulders and, in the

later stages of pregnancy, in the lower back.

■ Uplifting. Massage minimizes fatigue and improves the flow of energy and

induces a general feeling of well-being.

■ Improves circulation. Massage may help prevent varicose veins that may

accompany pregnancy.

■ Stimulates lymphatic drainage. Massage helps reduce fluid retention in the

ankles and feet that often occurs during the later stages of pregnancy.

■ Tones muscles. Massage helps relieve the pain of distended ligaments and

decrease the tendency to cramp that may occur toward the fifth month of

pregnancy.

■ Maintains skin tone. Massage increases the skin’s suppleness and elasticity

and may help prevent stretch marks.

152 ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TOALTERNATIVE MEDICINE