April Merrick 
You’ve just finished your massage. You feel loose and a little dreamy, and now you’re wondering what comes next. Should you drink lots of water? Can you eat, shower or go to the gym? And is it normal to feel a bit sore tomorrow? This guide covers what to do after a massage, with a … Read more
Thai massage looks a little like yoga you don’t have to do yourself. The person receiving stays fully clothed on a mat while the giver uses palms, thumbs and gentle stretches to work through the body. This guide explains the core Thai massage techniques, then walks you through a gentle 20-minute sequence you can try … Read more
If you’ve come across the term lingam massage, you may have found a confusing mix of spiritual language, bold promises and very little practical or health information. This guide takes a calmer, more honest approach. Below, we explain what lingam massage is, where the word comes from, how it differs from tantric and prostate massage, … Read more
Some people book a massage once a year as a treat. Others swear by a weekly session. If you’re trying to work out what’s right for you, the honest answer is that there’s no single magic number. How often you should get a massage depends mostly on why you’re getting one, how your body responds … Read more
You’ve just stepped off the massage table feeling loose, a little tender and maybe slightly spaced out. Deep tissue massage uses slower, firmer pressure than a relaxing massage, so what you do in the hours and days afterward can make a real difference to how you feel. This guide covers what to do after a … Read more
Period cramps can range from a dull, nagging ache to pain that stops you in your tracks. When they hit, most people instinctively press a hand to their lower belly or rub their lower back, and there’s good reason to lean into that instinct. This guide walks you through a 10-minute massage for period cramps … Read more
Tennis elbow can make the simplest things hurt: shaking hands, lifting a coffee mug, turning a doorknob. It’s natural to rub the sore spot on the outside of your elbow, but that bony bump is where the irritated tendon attaches, and pressing hard there often makes it angrier. This guide shows you where a tennis … Read more
Imagine one massage therapist working on your back while a second works on your legs, both moving in the same rhythm. That’s a four hand massage, and for some people it’s the most relaxing hour they’ve ever spent on a massage table. It isn’t for everyone, though, and it usually costs about twice as much … Read more
That tight, overfull feeling after a big meal or a fizzy drink is uncomfortable, and it can last for hours. A gentle stomach massage for bloating is a simple, free way to help trapped gas move along and ease the pressure. Below you’ll find the I-L-U massage, a routine used by physical therapists that follows … Read more
Whether it comes from hunching over a laptop, sleeping awkwardly or a tough workout, shoulder pain has a way of creeping into everything you do. Massage for shoulder pain is one of the simplest ways to ease tight, aching muscles, and you can do much of it yourself. This guide covers what massage can realistically … Read more