Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1896-08-13
AMATEUR MASSAGE.



and what They Are Tor.
The benefits of massage are 50
well known that it il needless to re-
count them. and no i'll person should
be denied the invigorafing effects of
:t.he laying on of hands" Many
persons are kept from the curative
effects of massage by the thought of
expense, skilled masseuses receiv-
ing high wages. To enable the home
attendant or friend in some degree
70 take her place is the aim of this
article.
The skilled nasseuse must know
the body, with the location of nerves
and muscles, that he or she may be
able TO give such as need it special
treatment.
Massage supplies 10 the feeble the
exercise they ara unable to obtain
otherwise and includes q series Of
movements of limbs, fingers and
toes, as well as the strokes of the
masseuse's hands. These, some
what violent. should not be tried
without the advice of the physician,
and no direction for their use is in
cluded in this article.
The strokes given in massage are
for restfulness or for the purpose of
rousing blood vessels and other or
gans to action and may ne light or
hard, the same variety of stroke be-
ing varied to suit the patient. No
rule can be given for this, as judg-
ment is something given only by ma
ture and experience.
Massage must never be given to
weary, and the ~masseuse should
have a hand firm, but soft. flexible,
sensitive and strong. Even an anna
teur may have this kind of hand,
and practice will make it full of
healing to the sick.
The masseuse must stand or sit in
q position comfortable for herself, or
otherwise she will be unable to give
comfort. It Is the rule to rub the
limbs toward the body. Beginning
at tip of fingers, rub with steady
stroke toward the shoulder, varying
the force according to the wish of
the patient, and covering the whole
arm. Starting with the toes, rub
toward the thighs. The rubbing of
the abdomen is in circular course.
On the back it follows the course of
the backbone and must have some
force to it.
With all the motions, in q general
treatment tho arms are taken first,
then legs, chest, abdomen, back
from one end to the other of the
spine.
Rubbing with tho fat hand is the
ordinary method known to every
one. There is also rubbing with the
tips of the fingers, which is very
soothing when done lightly and Of
ten induces sleep when practiced On
the head and wrists.
An invigorating motion Is given
by resting tho base of tho hand on
arm or body, placing tips of fingers
firmly on the skin and drawing to-
ward the base of hand, working in
this manner from wrist to shoulder
and from foot to thigh. The hand Is
never Fat when doing this, but bent
to give purchase TO the action of
the fingers.
1t will be found that tho motion
of kneading the flesh, which is al
most precisely that of kneading
bread. will give both stimulus and a
restful sensation to the invalid. On
the limbs this is taken from side to
side, not UP and down, as the former,
but like it In that it starts Mt the
wrists and ankles, working upward.
Last of oil. and often omitted save
in cases of sluggish circulation,
comes percussion. which Is slapping
the entire body from hand TO Shout
der, from foot upward, the head be-
ing omitted. This may be done with
the entire hard fiat. or with It bent
SO that only the fingers, thumb and
base of hand touch the flesh, and
must DO donc carefully, as even gen.
| tie blows on tender surfaces are Of
| ten not beneficial.
Practice will make these hints
plain and enable any one with
sound body and sympathetic nature
to aid in curing the sick or in max
ing their sufferings more easily
borne, and there are many women
and children who will take massage
from those they love who will not
take it from more skilled masseuse
who is u stranger. These notes are
written to those who long to help
others, and who know nothing of
massage save rubbing. which soon
wear!es both persons concerned.
BY using these four motions a be-
ginner can give an hours massage
without becoming greatly fatigued,
and their benefit is marked to the
sufferer. New York Ledger.