Instead of using their hands some massage therapists use massage tools on some parts of the client’s body, sometimes to help take the pressure and strain off their fingers and thumbs and on the flip side it feels great for the client. Here are three you may have come across:
Massage thumb
To save putting too much pressure on thumb joints some massage therapists use a “massage thumb”. This refers to a tool that has been specifically designed for massage therapy techniques. The aim of these massage tools is to emulate fingers and thumbs and this is useful because massage therapists or anyone who does significant amounts of massaging can end up with fatigue in their thumbs and fingers. Have you ever come across one of these? I don’t use one in my practice as after 25 years my thumbs are thankfully still fully functional whilst massaging.
Head Massager
Just hold the handle and move the head massager slowly up and down or in circular movements. Hold the handle, putting it on your head and then moving it up and down slowly and softly. There are 20 spindles and at the end of each one is a small rubber bead to stimulate all the nerves on your scalp. The metal spindles will bend to fit the size of your head. The scalp massager will send tingling sensations from your scalp to your toes. Think of it as a dessert, the perfect way to end a massage.
Massage at home? Try the Massage Ball.
If you want to do some self-massage, a great way to do this is use a massage ball. A large bouncy-ball or a tennis ball works just as well. If you don’t have one then when you come for your massage I can give you one for free. Check out this link for tips on how to use it.