Chest Massage
Sharon Hopkins
What is Chest Massage?
A chest massage is very beneficial in relieving congested
chests when the drainage points in the circulatory system tend
to be very active during certain acute illnesses such as
influenza or during menstruation among women. A chest massage
is also rendered to infants to relieve congestion due to excess
mucous accumulation.
Weakening lungs, palpitation and heart disorders can also be
minimized through a chest massage. Emotional stress may cause
contraction of chest muscles and leads to difficulty in
breathing and reduced ability. Other than health disorders
excessive heat can also cause stress and tension in chest and
thoracic area leading to discomfort. A chest massage thus
relieves physical and emotional stress and tension in the chest
area. Chest massage has also been popularly used by women to
develop bust and mammary glands.
A specific chest massage apart from a full body massage can
benefit the chest in more ways than one. The chest massage
works on the chest muscles to strengthen them, improves blood
circulation, and relieves stress and tension in the chest,
heart and lungs. Releasing the tension in the ribs and out of
the chest helps eliminate tension, calm the chest and brings
about a comforting ease while breathing deeply. The deep
massage strokes applied to the chest area in a chest massage
releases stress and tension and has a calming effect on the
body.
How does one benefit from a chest massage?
Here are some benefits a chest massage is known to provide:
• Elimination of stress and tension in chest area.
• Ease in breathing and relief from chest congestion.
• Improved blood circulation and strengthening of chest muscles
• Improved sense of physical and emotional well being
How does one render a chest massage?
As a rule it is necessary to know that chest massage is usually
rendered around the Pectoral major muscle and pectoral minor
muscle only. It is suggested not to place pressure on the
breast tissues. Some common techniques used in chest massage
include: cupping, effleurage, percussion and frictions. Here is
a step by step guide to self massage and rendering a chest
massage to another person.
Self Massage:
• Choose a comfortable location and position. Chest massage can
be done either in a seated or while lying down.
• Use either a vegetable or massage oil to lubricate the skin
and for effective strokes.
• Take the hand opposite to the one to be massaged, begin by
gently applying moderate pressure and circular strokes moving
out from the center and working into the underarm area as well
as the center of the chest (sternum). The oil can also be
spread in the same fashion.
• Move the fingers around in a gentle motion.
• Gently massage by kneading and using lifting and slight
compressive movements.
• Use the flat underside of the fingers to gently lift the
tissues beginning from the underarm area and move in a
clockwise or counterclockwise direction, with medium pressure
directed toward the center.
• Finish by applying light touch smoothing the tissue away from
the center. Breathe deeply.
Rendering Chest Massage I
• Make the person lie down face upwards, with a small pillow
under the shoulders.
• Effleurage the arm, with the palm gliding along the chest
beneath the collarbone. Gently move towards the breastbone.
Gently walk fingertips away from the breastbone to the armpit.
• Make strong returning strokes to the armpit.
• Support the arm and move it gently around the shoulder,
gently stretching it away from the body to release tension in
the chest muscles.
• After massaging both the sides of the chest, ask the person
to breathe deeply to compress the rib cage when exhaling.
• Place hands against the outsides of the chest and gently
squeeze releasing only to allow a deeper breath in.
Rendering Chest Massage II
• Use either a vegetable oil or massage oil as a lubricant
between the hands and the skin.
• Begin by spreading oil over the upper chest area with broad
fingers.
• Use gentle pressure to smooth pectoral minor muscle out. With
soft use of the knuckles place pressure on the upper chest and
glide the knuckles from the middle of the upper chest to the
outer edges several times.
• Repeat the steps on both sides.
• Grab the Pectoral major muscle and gently pull outward, away
from the chest wall. Allow the thumbs to move towards the
armpit pull the muscle over the thumbs with the fingers.
• One can then use one thumb to hold, or pin-down, the upper
Pectoral minor muscle while the other thumb stretches it
lengthwise.
• Finish with gentle smoothing strokes with the palms over the
upper chest muscles.
About The Author: Sharon Hopkins authors web content for
http://www.massagehealththerapy.com , which uses artistic hand
strokes to rejuvenate and revitalize you. This article
introduces you to Chest Massage, a massage technique which
decongests your chest. She also writes for Yoga, Aromatherapy
and more
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