Story Massage involves the use of simple massage movements (through clothes), which are associated with spoken words to build up an engaging story. It is an easy and fun way of introducing the benefits of touch through a powerful combination of storytelling and simple massage strokes.

Stories are handed down from generation to generation and can be used as a valuable tool for education and therapeutic encounter. Often without even realising it, we think in the narrative and make sense of our world and our experiences through stories from a very young age. Combined with the benefits of positive touch, storytelling can present opportunities for creative learning, engagement and communication for people of all ages and abilities.

The Story Massage Programme is a set of 10 easy-to-follow massage strokes, each of which is accompanied by a symbol. These strokes can be used to represent a range of actions, objects and emotions when telling a story. In this experience you will be introduced to one story that uses 3 of the programme’s massage strokes.

What you need

No oil is used and it is not necessary to remove any clothes. Story Massage strokes can be given anywhere on the body that is easily accessible and appropriate such as the back, legs, head, hands and feet.

Guidance and instructions

Before you begin please take note of our three suggested guidelines:

1) Show respect: The importance of asking for and gaining consent is at the core of the story massage programme. In whatever way possible, ensure the recipient is happy to receive your touch. Equally, at the end of the massage story, the giver will thank the recipient for the chance to share the massage story with them.

2) Caution – Always take into consideration the individual needs and preferences of each child or adult and share a massage story accordingly.

3) Fun – This should be a positive touch activity so please enjoy!

Use the following three massage strokes whilst singing or saying the rhyme – Hickory Dickory Dock. Instructions are given for massaging the back, but do remember that you can massage wherever is most suitable for the recipient.

Please remember to seek consent before you begin.

“Hickory dickory dock”

1) The Bounce – With both hands working at the same time, place the pads of the fingers and thumbs on your partner’s back. Gently squeeze the fingers and thumb of each hand together and lift off quickly. Repeat this ‘bouncing’ move all over the back.

“The mouse ran up the clock”

2) The Sprinkle – With both hands working at the same time, lightly tap the pads of your fingers in a random fashion up the back as if playing the piano. This is a light and gentle movement.

“The clock struck one”

3) The Circle – Rest one hand on your partner’s shoulder. With the flat of one hand, make a large, circular movement on the back. This can be in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

“The mouse ran down”

2) The Sprinkle – With both hands working at the same time, lightly tap the pads of your fingers in a random fashion down the back, as if playing the piano. This is a light and gentle movement.

“Hickory dickory dock”

1) The Bounce – With both hands working at the same time, place the pads of the fingers and thumbs on your partner’s back. Gently squeeze the fingers and thumb of each hand together and lift off quickly. Repeat this ‘bouncing’ move all over the back.

This can be repeated as often as the person indicates they would like; repetition simply reinforces the benefits and allows for more engagement, even anticipation, to develop in response to the words.

Remember, at the end of the massage story, to thank the recipient for the chance to share the massage story with them.

What to observe, assess and record

• Be guided by the individual: observe their body language, verbal and non-verbal communication and other methods of communication.
• Assess the success of the activity over time, recording any changes in response, however small.
• Celebrate and record any changes in behaviour and response.

Contributors

© Sandra Hooper and Mary Atkinson, Co-Founders of the Story Massage Programme

This massage story, strokes and instructions are taken from the book ‘Once upon a touch… story massage for children’ by Mary Atkinson and Sandra Hooper and also features in our simple online training course, and on our vimeo channel

Website: www.storymassage.co.uk

Facebook: Rhyme template
Twitter: twitter.com/storymassage
Instagram: instagram.com/storymassage/
YouTube: Story massage

Created October 2020