Massage Your Love Life
Couples Massage Class Encourages Intimacy
UPDATED: 7:25 am CDT September 3, 2002
A massage is more than just relaxing. It can have many health benefits by ridding your body of toxins. For many, however, it's the cost that keeps them from getting a weekly massage. Here's how you can get the benefits of a massage for free.
Each week Kathie and Larry Tooley work in their garden. The work leaves their muscles aching. Not a problem around here though -- this couple knows how to give a good massage."I'm not saying we're experts, but at least we know a little bit more about what we're doing," Kathie said. "It's a little more effective."The Tooleys took a couples massage class with massage therapist Michelle Tramm."The couples really seem to like it. It's very well received," said Tramm, of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.She teaches a six-step Swedish massage. The first step is the warm up, gliding stroke.Tramm says pressure should be applied as you are approaching the heart but as you come back just drag hands lightly. Next, apply small circles to the area to get the muscles ready for the pressure.Now comes the pressure. Knead the muscle as you would knead bread."The reason that you go at this hierarchy of depth is because you don't want to start in right away with the deep one, you can cause cramping," Tramm said.The fifth step is the pounding that gets to deep muscle layers.Finally, finish with a light stroke."It allows the nerve endings to know that 'OK, we're finished now,'" Tramm said.The Tooleys say, not only does it help your muscles, but a massage can also benefit your marriage."If his back hurts or if his legs hurt or something, you can just give him a little spot massage and help him out," Kathie said. "It's kind of an intimacy that you don't normally do."To avoid injury, researchers say be careful of joints, including vertebrae, and veins. Avoid applying heavy pressure to the kneecap, back of the knee, abdomen and the front of the neck.If you would like more information, please contact:
Each week Kathie and Larry Tooley work in their garden. The work leaves their muscles aching. Not a problem around here though -- this couple knows how to give a good massage."I'm not saying we're experts, but at least we know a little bit more about what we're doing," Kathie said. "It's a little more effective."The Tooleys took a couples massage class with massage therapist Michelle Tramm."The couples really seem to like it. It's very well received," said Tramm, of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.She teaches a six-step Swedish massage. The first step is the warm up, gliding stroke.Tramm says pressure should be applied as you are approaching the heart but as you come back just drag hands lightly. Next, apply small circles to the area to get the muscles ready for the pressure.Now comes the pressure. Knead the muscle as you would knead bread."The reason that you go at this hierarchy of depth is because you don't want to start in right away with the deep one, you can cause cramping," Tramm said.The fifth step is the pounding that gets to deep muscle layers.Finally, finish with a light stroke."It allows the nerve endings to know that 'OK, we're finished now,'" Tramm said.The Tooleys say, not only does it help your muscles, but a massage can also benefit your marriage."If his back hurts or if his legs hurt or something, you can just give him a little spot massage and help him out," Kathie said. "It's kind of an intimacy that you don't normally do."To avoid injury, researchers say be careful of joints, including vertebrae, and veins. Avoid applying heavy pressure to the kneecap, back of the knee, abdomen and the front of the neck.If you would like more information, please contact: - Community Learning Network
IUPUI
Rm 142620 Union Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 278-7600
http://www.cln.iupui.edu
American Massage Therapy Assn.
820 Davis St., Suite 100
Evanston, IL 60201-4444
(847) 864-0123
http://www.amtamassage.org
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