5 techniques to give yourself a massage at home, from a massage therapist

PHILADELPHIA – The year 2020 has been filled with chronic stress. And for many of us, that mental strain is now showing up in our physical body. If you yearn for a massage, you’re not alone.

Spas and wellness centers are open in many parts of the country, but with climbing coronavirus rates, health experts currently warn against getting a professional massage. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you can’t work out some of those knots at home.

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“You can definitely impact and release muscle tension all on your own,” says Julia Taylor, a licensed massage therapist and founder of Fishtown’s Threshold Wellness. “And it’s a meditative and tangible experience that we can all attain right now.”

This fall, Taylor launched a virtual self-massage workshop designed to help people reconnect with the present moment and release tight muscles in a way that’s safe. If not done mindfully, self-massage can lead to injury.

Starting Dec. 17, Taylor will host her second Zoom workshop. Each week, Taylor guides participants through different techniques to increase circulation and release tension and pain. You can register online: The full four-week series costs $60-$130 (on a sliding scale), about the same as an hour-long massage.

If you miss it or simply want a preview, Taylor has shared five self-massage techniques you can practice at home now, paired with videos to follow along for each. She recommends starting the routine first with a short breathing practice to help center and calm your mind.