The Complete Book of Massage

If you’ve been working out for any length of time (or simply done any manual labor, played a sport, worked in your garden, etc.) it’s inevitable that you experience tight, sore muscles, a cramp or pulled muscle. Certainly if you experience an inordinate amount of pain, or cannot function properly, you should see your doctor immediately. However, many times sore or tight muscles are simply a consequense, we live with.

Many people routinely treat muscle soreness with over the counter pain medications. What they may not realize is that although the short term discomfort is diminished, they may actually be increasing the total recovery time. You see, the inflammation that these medications are relieving are actually your bodies way of healing the damaged tissue. In many instances you are just delaying the healing process. On top of this, anti-inflamitory medications such as Acetaminophen (Tylenolâ), Ibuprofen (Advilâ), and Naproxen (Aleveâ), can actually halt your body’s recovery from all workouts. In other words, when you take those pain medications for a sore shoulder, you’ve pretty much made that tough leg workout you just completed less effective.

Not that I’m saying you should throw out that bottle of Ibuprofen you have in the medicine cabinet. I’ll be the first to admit that when muscle pain is keeping me from getting a good night’s sleep, and the next day’s schedule is not going to allow a nap, I’ll reach for an over the counter pain reducer. But many times there is a better and even more effective way of relieving those tight, sore muscles: Massage.

I encourage all my clients to find themselves a good deep tissue massage therapist. It’s a treat you’ll never regret. However, sometimes making a last minute appointment with your masseuse isn’t practical. What then? Do you have a spouse or significant other available? Why not both learn some simple techniques you can use on each other.

In The Complete Book of Massage, you’ll learn some easy ways to relieve those tense sore muscles. Each techniques is well illustrated, and the author assumes you are starting with no previous knowledge of this art.

But what if your partner isn’t into working out, and they quickly tire of your repeated requests for post workout massages? This book will help you out there as well. Not all massage is deep tissue theraputic. Many forms are simply “feel good” techniques. I’ve never had a date that would turn down a “feel good” massage. The hand, foot and facial techniques described in this book will melt the stress out of your partner after even the worst days at the office. Let's certainly not forget that many of these “feel good” techniques can be used for sensual massage as well. I think you can think of a few times this skill might come in handy.

This book contains chapters on babies and children, as well as Shiatsu and basic anatomy. There’s even a chapter on “Self-Massage”. No, get your mind out of the gutter, these are simply techniques you can use to relieve those sore muscles and relax when you don’t have a partner to help you out. Most of them you can use on yourself at your desk at work.

No, this book will not turn you into an instant massage therapist. There really is no substitute for a good professional Masseuse, but a couple hours reading will give you the skills necessary to relax the occasional sore muscle.

Find it here: The Complete Book of Massage