How to Give Your Partner a Romantic Massage
There are few things more intimate than giving your partner a massage. With your own two hands, you can ease & soothe their muscles and help ease them into a better state of relaxation. On top of that, a good massage can offer tons of benefits including better circulation, lowered stress, and possibly even increased immune function. When we give that special someone a massage, the expectations aren’t typically what they’d be if you were in a spa: there’s no worry about a bad yelp review, you don’t have to undress in front of a stranger, and of course, it’s free. Still, your partner deserves the best, and learning to give a great massage is easier than you think, especially when you consider the reward you might get later. Here are some tips for giving your partner the perfect massage, from the oil to the technique.
Use a CBD Massage Oil
When giving your partner the perfect massage, a massage oil is like popcorn at the movies: sure, you don’t need it, but it’s just going to make the experience better.
Plain carrier oils like coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and grape-seed oil are going to help lubricate the muscles, so when you massage each muscle group, your hands will glide effortlessly over them.
But if you’re looking to give your partner the ultimate massage experience, we suggest going with a CBD-infused massage oil–way less mess, and a much better value. Plus, when you have a whole bottle of CBD massage oil, it’s the perfect excuse to schedule more massage nights in the future.
Set the Mood
Unless you have exclusive access to a spa (lucky you), you’ll probably need to make a few adjustments in order to create the space and set the mood.
Make sure that your massage space is easy to move around in, and of course, make sure it’s comfortable for your partner. They may be more at ease lying face down with their chest, supported by a cushion or pillow so that they can turn their head.
We highly encourage some mood lighting: turn off your brightest lights and leave only the warm light sources on, whether it’s a himalayan salt lamp or a few candles. Just make sure to keep any open flame away from any massage oils.
Speaking of oil, you probably won’t want it to get everywhere, so make sure to cover your couch or bed with a towel.
Adding some aromatherapy to the space can work wonders, as well; candles, incense and essential oil diffusers are all excellent, especially when using scents like lavender, chamomile, and ylang ylang. But of course, skip this step if your partner has a sensitivity to fragrance.
And for the final touch, get the mood going with some spa music. There are tons of spa playlists on every music platform, and it’ll seal the deal for your partner’s at-home spa experience.
Know Your Technique
When giving your partner an at-home massage, the ultimate goal is to have an evening filled with fun and relaxation. Still, it certainly doesn’t help to know some of the basics.
Once you know some of the fundamental moves, you can figure out what your partner enjoys the most, and finesse your technique for an even better massage next time.
Friction is what you want when you find those knots. Work away at them by massaging in short back-and-forth motions, making sure to check in with your partner throughout.
Petrissage involves more intense, deep-tissue strokes with a more kneading effect, which works by firmly gripping the muscles and wringing them out. This is best for those spots of deep tension and extra sore muscles.
Effleurage
Of course, the muscles don’t need to be extra tense to merit a massage, and we don’t always want the kneading and squeezing. That’s when the effleurage movement comes into play. Effleurage requires some massage oil on the hands, and involves drawn-out, gliding strokes along the skin’s surface. These strokes can be used to help warm up your partner to their sense of touch in the beginning, but it’s also great for finishing up a session.