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Help by keeping the atmosphere calm,
especially towards bedtime. Massage is a delightful and effective way
of helping a partner to settle down to sleep. Mothers know that a
child will become drowsy when his head is stroked and the same goes for
adults. Some people, however, don't take kindly to hair ruffling so
back massage in bed is more appropriate.
Massage Techniques
Your partner should be ready for bed,
lying face downwards with a pillow or two under the abdomen to
prevent the tension of an arched back. Stand at the side of the bed if
it is a high one, or sit on the side if it is low.
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Begin with long, fairly strong of
fleurage strokes moving from the waist upwards towards the neck and
shoulders. Move along the sides of the spine first then fan outwards
towards the shoulders. Keep the
whole of your hand in contact all the time so that the skin rolls in
front of your fingers. You can also add some kneading movements. The
aim at this stage is that your partner should feel, rather than think,
so the massage can be quite firm.
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After a while change to a different kind
of massage. This is soothing, gentle stroking with alternate hands
moving downwards from the neck and shoulders to the waist. The hands
work alternately, one hand in contact all the time, and they are very
soft and relaxed, the movement is a gentle lingering one. Gradually
make the movements lighter and slower so that even you begin to feel
drowsy.
Then let your partner turn over to the sleeping position and continue
with a few more stroking movements
down the back. Cover him up and go away quietly.
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