Massage Tutorial: Thumb-free techniques

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Do you have achy thumbs that need a vacation? Here's how to give an entire full body massage without using your thumbs even once. It will feel a little awkward at first, but you'll find yourself coming up with some cool new techniques that you'll use for the rest of your career (even after your thumbs feel better!).
0:00 Introduction
1:45 Thumbless petrissage
3:02 Squeezing using two hands
4:05 Trigger point work using the fingers
5:50 Kneading using two hands
Specific body part routines:
7:00 Prone neck
7:40 Wrist and forearm
9:20 Calves
10:20 Feet
12:26 Anterior thigh and leg
13:56 Thigh
14:21 Hands
15:15 Supine neck and shoulders

Some links to related videos:
Self-care for thumb pain: youtube.com/watch?v=agCn_kTltcU
Using the elbow and forearm: youtube.com/watch?v=hcQ5VTsbtlQ
Using the open fist: youtube.com/watch?v=Xvnm_I23skY

When giving a thumbless massage, the main hurdle is figuring out how to compress bits of tissue (upper trapezius, the forearm) without doing it between fingers and thumb. As I demonstrate in the video, petrissage can still be quite effective without your thumb in the equation (and it can even be extra broad and supportive), and you can always bring in your other hand to help out.

For pinpoint acupressure massage, you have several options: You can use several fingers at once, which is very versatile and powerful; or you can use a bony prominence like a knuckle or the tip of your elbow. These thumb vacations can be great times to get in touch with tools that you typically don't use!

Let me know what you think, and if you have any tips of your own for thumb alternatives!

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