01
Permission
Ask about hands, jewelry, and sensitive areas
Hands can feel personal or painful after work, injury, or arthritis. Ask before removing jewelry or touching a visibly affected area.
- Let the receiver position the hand
- Skip painful joints
- Use a stop signal
02
Sequence
Support first, then use broad thumb pads
Rest the hand on a cushion, glide the palm, make light circles through the fleshy areas, and gently hold each finger without pulling.
- Keep the wrist straight
- Avoid strong joint movement
- Use lotion only by agreement
03
Stop
Swelling, heat, numbness, or injury changes the plan
Do not massage acute injury, infection, unexplained swelling, or symptoms that radiate. End the routine if sensation becomes sharp, burning, electric, or numb.
- Do not test pain
- Use movement only if comfortable
- Seek evaluation when needed