I’ve written about self massage to treat various problem like tension headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome before, but self massage can also be used to wake you up in the morning and help you feel energized.

Massage helps increase circulation, stimulate nerve ending and enhance the health of the skin. There are several kinds of self-massage.

Do-in is an ancient Oriental form of self-massage. It’s practiced in Japan, Korea and China. It uses percussive strokes all over the body to stimulate blood flow and nerve endings.

Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic form of self-massage. In Abhyanga you vigorously massage yourself with warm oil. It is especially good for skin health.

I’ve practiced both of these forms of self-massage at various points in my life, but most recently I’ve started practicing my own  form of self-massage that combines the percussive strokes of do-in and the kneading strokes.

Every morning when I get up, I use a loose fist or cupped hand and gently hit myself all over. Then I vigorously knead the muscles of my neck, shoulders, legs and arms. If any area is feeling sore, I pay close attention to that area.

It’s a routine that I can do in about 5 minutes before even getting out of bed in the morning. It helps me feel more alert and energized.

This type of self massage may not be the most appropriate for you. You should experiment and figure out what might work best for you. Self massage isn’t just for when you’re having a physical problem. You can use it to help maintain your health too.

Photo by Chris Gin

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