Q: Relax your hand and in a chopping motion pat the clients back. Keep in mind the motion should come from the arm and you should offer no resistance from the fingers or wrist. This must be used gently to avoid causing pain. Do not cross the client's spine when using this technique! This technique is especially effective for masseurs who have weak or fatigued hands. If the client has skin that is not hyper extended, it often feels very good. Pinch with both hands starting by placing your thumb and forefingers about four inches apart. Then "pinch" down to about half the distance. Then grab the next couple of inches a finger at a time allowing the previous grab to slide under your thumb. Your forefingers end up crawling and your thumb keeps the "roll" in check and sliding forward. The easiest area to do this is side by side the spine, but not on it. You end (or don't begin) when it is difficult to grab a roll.
A: Vary touch from light to firm, you can drag fingers lightly as if tickling, then alternate with firm or intermediate levels of touch. Gentle chops are another way to vary the touch. Don't limit touch to hands alone, another useful way to alternate touch is to use your elbow. A knuckle massage is also effective, but like the elbow technique caution must be taken (in intensity and location). Skin rolling is another way to vary your technique.

Q: A hambone "gallop" is a simple three note combination: hand, knee, knee. For the first beat of this gallop pattern, clap both of your hands together. Clap your hands so that one hand rests on top of the other. This works best if you are sitting with your knees or thighs extended directly below your hands. Slide your top hand off the bottom hand and strike the top part of the thigh lying directly below it. The beat or rhythm of this slap should be the same in duration as your first slap. Keep your hand open so that the inside of your palm and fingers strike your thigh. Flip your other hand over and strike the top part of the corresponding thigh with the inside of your palm and fingers. The beat or rhythm of this slap should be the same in duration as your first and second slaps. Repeat these three slaps in successive order to create the gallop effect. The more rapidly you perform the effect, the more impressive it sounds and the closer it comes to an actual gallop. You can experiment with the speed until you find one that sounds pleasing to you, though.
A: Clap your hands once. Hit one knee with one hand. Hit the other knee with your other hand. Speed up and slow down.

Q: If your headaches do not go away with lifestyle and other changes, see a doctor for evaluation. While usually not serious, chronic headaches can be caused by other medical problems. To help your doctor provide the best diagnosis, make a list of your symptoms. Keep a headache diary, chronicling when your headaches occur and any potential triggers. Include the intensity of each headache. You should also note how long your headaches have been occurring and any existing medical conditions you have. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may want to run some tests to check for underlying conditions that may be causing your headaches. They may order a CT scan, an MRI, or blood work to check for neurological or other problems. If your doctor orders any tests, make sure you ask them about preparing ahead of time. Some tests may require you not to eat or drink the day before, for example. Depending on what your doctor thinks is causing the headaches, they may suggest dietary supplements. Magnesium, butterbur, feverfew, coenzyme Q10, and riboflavin are supplements that have reduced headache symptoms for some. Discuss dietary supplements with your doctor to see if they would be safe given your current health and any existing medications. Never introduce a dietary supplement before talking to your doctor first. Massage therapy involves seeing a professional masseuse to have your head, temples, and other body parts massaged to reduce the frequency of headaches. However, you can also give yourself a daily scalp massage to help prevent and possibly also relieve a headache. To give yourself a scalp massage, press your fingertips to your scalp and move them in small circles around your head. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes daily or as needed.
A:
Present your doctor with a detailed list of symptoms. Get any necessary medical tests. Talk to your doctor about dietary supplements. Get or give yourself a scalp massage.