The word massage derives from the words 'mass' and 'massa', Portuguese and Arabic meaning to touch or handle. Massage is one of the oldest healing arts. Everybody can massage, and most of us already do so without even knowing it. When you rub your hands together, you're doing massage. When you've stubbed a toe and rub it better, or rub a baby's back, you're doing massage. Massage is a natural thing to do, and the effects of massage promote health in a very natural way.

Massage can help everybody in numerous ways:

Stress Reduction: With current day living we tend to live hard working, hurried lives and stress can accumulate in our bodies in various ways, including neck, shoulder and back pain. Massage therapy identifies those areas and helps reduce muscle tension, as well as the overall level of stress and tension in the body.

Pain Relief: People with arthritis, whiplash, neck or back injuries and even those unfortunate enough to be involved in car accidents can all benefit from massage. Different massages relieve the different kinds of pain experienced. Massage can also benefit those suffering from anxiety and depression.

Sports Performance: Many top sportsmen and women employ massage therapists to treat and even prevent injuries from occurring.

If you've never given a massage before here are a few things you'll need: Clean Towels Old Clean Sheet (massage oils will stain) Candles Romantic CDs Massage Oil

Before you start your massage, you'll need to set the mood. Lock the doors, and turn off the phone. Set the bed ready, use an old clean sheet as massage oils will stain, and roll towels up for a head and neck rest. Turn the lights off and use candle light instead for a more romantic feeling. Put some calming music on.

Good communication is essential for an effective massage. Let your partner know what you would like to do and where you are going to start. Start with light strokes and when you feel your partner is relaxing move onto to a massage.

1. Pour about two tablespoons of massage oil into the palm of your hand, and rub your hands together lightly. When the oil is warm and evenly distributed, begin massaging your partner's back with long, deep strokes.
2. At the beginning, communicate frequently with your partner to determine if the strokes are too hard or too soft. Keep your hands in contact with your partner at all times, take your time with each rhythmic yet sensitive stroke, and proceed from long, gliding strokes to shorter, deeper strokes.
3. Use your body weight rather than your arm strength for deep strokes. Once you have developed a rhythm that pleases both of you, move on to the shoulders and arms, and progress to the legs and feet, brushing the buttocks as you move up and down your partner's body.
4. Ask your partner to turn over. Begin massaging the chest, arms and hands. Pay special attention to your female partner's breasts: don't be too invasive at this stage, but don't ignore them. Lightly stroke the chest and undersides.
5. Glide down to the legs, brushing the genitals on your way down. After finishing the fronts of the legs and feet, glide back up and slowly brush over the genitals. Tease your partner by brushing his or her inner thighs near the genitals, and very lightly touching the pubic region.

Massage is an ideal form of foreplay and can often lead to more. Once the massage is finished, remember to carry on with the relaxation by spending some time together before falling asleep or rushing out the door. You have both just shared a very intimate experience together. If this was your first attempt at massage, just remember practise makes perfect.