Through fresh, clear photos and step-by-step instruction, readers can learn how to smooth away stress and tension, banish headaches and back pain, share the language of touch and experience optimum health and vitality.

The easy way to soothe stress, banish pain, and share the language of touch

From Swedish and shiatsu techniques to aromatherapy and reflexology, this fun guide to the art of massage shows you how to knead your way to relaxation and wellness. With the help of numerous step-by-step, hands-on photos and illustrations, you'll learn, move by move, how to master the basics and give and receive a therapeutic massage.

• Massage 101 — understand the basics of massage, the origins of the many techniques and how they work, and the many ways it can improve your life

• Giving is better than receiving — use the many photos and illustrations to guide you through learning the art of giving a therapeutic massage

• Don't be a wet noodle — find out how to properly receive a massage (yes, there's an art to that, too!) and develop breathing methods, meditative awareness, and other techniques for blissing out

• Massage for the masses — discover how people in every walk of life can enjoy and benefit from massage, from sports massage to sensual massage and everything in between

Open the book and find:

• The benefits of massage

• A roadmap to what's beneath the skin

• Guidance on feeling for tissues, muscles, and more

• Luxurious spa treatments you can do at home

• Information on creating the ideal massage environment

• Which massage techniques to apply for different results

• Massage tips for baby, pregnancy, sensual massage, sports massage, and more

Learn to:

• Soothe away stress and banish pain

• Perform Swedish, sports, and self-massage techniques

• Improve circulation, raise immune efficiency, and promote the healing of tissues

• Enhance focus and emotional balance

Sooth away stress, banish pain, and share the language of touch with the healing powers of massage

What reduces pain, enhances athletic performance, job efficiency, improves the circulation, raises immune efficiency, promotes the healing of tissues, increases the functioning of the skin, enhances focus and emotional balance, and improves appearance? Right, massage! So what are you waiting for?

Discover how to knead your way to relaxation and wellness with this fun guide to the art of massage. With the help of numerous step-by-step hands-on photos and illustrations, Massage For Dummies, 2nd Edition shows you, move by move, how to harness the healing power of touch. In no time you'll master the basics and learn how to give and receive a therapeutic massage.

• 25% new and expanded content in this edition
• Covers an array of techniques, from Swedish to Deep Tissue and sports massage to self-massage
• The newest strokes and techniques that can relieve specific painful conditions

Hands-on and extremely practical, Massage For Dummies, 2nd Edition shows you how to integrate massage and its benefits into your everyday life.