Different cultures worldwide have adopted various types of massage therapies that benefit multiple health conditions. All kinds of massage alleviate pain, stiffness, and inflammation and provide mental relaxation. A hand massage is no exception to this. Hand muscle manipulations by an experienced therapist or hand or finger massager make individuals feel good, ease muscle tension, and reduce pain.
Studies have revealed that weekly professional or DIY hand massage may help subside pain associated with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neuropathy. Hand massage also offers advantages of acupressure therapy as it stimulates the designated acupressure points on fingers that help various physical and mental ailments. The following brief explores the connection between acupressure and hand and finger massage, how a hand massager helps, and guidance on DIY hand massage.
Hand and Fingertip Acupressure For Everyday Problems:
Acupressure is an ancient Chinese alternative medicine practice that activates specific pressure points that regulate the flow of energy. Skilled therapists apply pressure on these points to reduce pain and stress. Here’s a look at some acupressure points on the back of your hand, palm, and fingertips and the conditions they may help address.
(I) Back of Your Hand:
- LI-4: Located between the thumb and index finger, helps with headaches, toothaches, and constipation.
- TB-12: On the base edge of the pinky finger’s nail, relieves eye strain, earaches, and headaches.
- LI-11: Found on the outer edge of the elbow crease, relieves neck stiffness, constipation, and headaches.
(II) On Your Palm:
- LU-1: On the thumb tip, helps with cough, cold, and chest congestion.
- PC-6: Inner forearm, one inch below the wrist crease, aids with nausea and anxiety.
- HT-7: Below the pinky finger on the palm, alleviates anxiety and insomnia.
(III) Other Points:
- Hegu: Located in the middle of the valley created by the thumb and index finger, a universal pain-relieving point.
- Shen Men: Another point located on the inner forearm, two inches down the wrist crease, promotes relaxation and calmness.
How Does a Tool Like Hand Massager Help?
Acupressure entails direct pressure on specific points in the hand, while simple massage therapy involves muscle manipulations with different kinds of strokes. In both these practices, a hand or finger massager enhances the experience; it helps provide consistent pressure in acupressure therapy and light or intense rhythmic strokes in massage therapy. The small, handheld device with two finger rollers on side A applies pressure to both sides of the finger simultaneously. At the same time, a single roller on side B provides a targeted deep-tissue massage to pressure points.
Benefits of Hand Massager:
- Accuracy: The rolling consistency of the massager helps target points more precisely than fingers.
- Desired Pressure: The massager helps maintain uniformity or enhance pressure in massage or acupressure. It is beneficial for those with limited hand strength.
- Comfort: The motion of the finger roller provides comfort during longer sessions.
- Relaxing Effects: The use of massaging tools promotes relaxation and improves circulation in fingers, providing relief in many conditions.
Steps To Follow For DIY Hand Massage
Individuals often look for effective ways to conduct hand massage at home. They can massage their hands using the hand or finger massager every day or weekly for 15 minutes or more, depending on their condition, during the daytime or evening. A hand massage before sleeping helps to make an individual sound asleep. Individuals can apply oil, essential oils, or lotions if they wish. They can warm their hands or arms to relax the muscles before massage or acupressure. The following steps can help them perform better massage,
- Sit comfortably, put one hand on the table, and apply moderate pressure using the other hand for massage strokes.
- Use the palm to massage the area between the forearm and elbow, with up and down strokes on both sides. Individuals can extend it to the shoulder. Repeat these strokes three times on the back and forearm.
- Perform moderate massaging strokes from wrists to fingertips with a palm or finger roller three times upside-down.
- Fold the palm with the thumb underneath, pinch the skin from wrist to elbow, and do the same from upside down. Repeat on both sides three times.
- Perform circular or back-or-forth manipulations on the arm and hand with thumb and fingers, gradually moving up the hand and then the forearm. Do this on both sides of the arm and hand thrice using moderate pressure.
- Massage in a circular motion using a thumb or finger roller with moderate pressure all around the back of the hand and palm, fingers, and the area between the thumb and index finger.