Pain is something that everybody has to deal with at some point in their lives. And for some, that pain can really interfere with day-to-day life.
Pain specialist Dr. Mao Shing Ni writes on Dr. Oz's website, "The next time you have a headache… don't fret! Try using your hands to heal yourself."
What is Dr. Ni talking about?
I've heard of people using acupuncture and pressure points to try to relieve pain in the body, but I never put much stock in either of those. But when I saw these extremely simple self-massaging techniques that can reduce pain, I have to admit that my interest was piqued. These easy self-massages can be done almost anywhere, which is perfect for someone like me who doesn't necessarily have the time or money to go get a full body massage every time I'm feeling a little soreness in my back.
Dr. Ni writes that these basic techniques "exhibit effectiveness in treating a wide variety of conditions including lower back pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, nausea… to name just a few." The whole body is connected, so massaging one area can help relieve pain in a completely different one. While these self-massages are not intended to take the place of medical advice, I will definitely be trying them. Wherever I'm feeling pain or soreness, I can easily try these to help relieve whatever part of my body is aching!
Special thanks to Maya Borenstein for these amazing images.
Be sure to scroll down until you get to the area of the body where you are experiencing pain or soreness. Did these self-massages help alleviate your soreness? Let us know in the comments.
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Self-Massage To Relieve Pain In Your NECK

A stiff neck can be truly debilitating and really can keep you from being productive with your day. Fortunately, this simple self-massage is great for increasing blood flow to the brain, face, and neck. This massage is so easy that you can do it while sitting at work or at home!
- Place your left hand on the left side of your head and your right hand on the right side of your head.
- Spread your fingers and place your thumbs at the spot where your hairline meets the base of your skull.
- To ensure you are at the right spot, search with your thumbs for a small dip.
- Gently apply pressure with your thumbs.
- You can make a small, gentle circular motion with your thumbs, if desired. Otherwise, simply stick with applying pressure.
- After 30 seconds, remove your hands.
- Repeat several times throughout the day.
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Self-Massage To Relieve Pain In Your HEAD

Headaches are one of the most common pains and can very quickly ruin your day. While I've seen many people rub their temples to try to address a headache, this self-massage is great for relieving tension in the head. Surprisingly, you just have to massage your hand, making it an easy technique to try anywhere you happen to be!
- Clasp your hands loosely together.
- Place your right thumb on the soft, meaty skin between your left thumb and index finger.
- Place your right index finger directly beneath the soft, meaty skin opposite the thumb.
- You should essentially be pinching the meaty area.
- Gently squeeze your right thumb and index finger together.
- Alternate between making circular motions with your fingers and simply applying pressure for 1 minute.
- Release your hands and repeat on the other hand.
- Repeat several times throughout the day.
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Self-Massage To Relieve Pain In Your LOWER BACK/BUTTOCKS

Whether you are someone who has to do heavy lifting or you sit in a chair all day, lower back pain can make life extremely uncomfortable. This self-massage is very easy to do and is great for alleviating lower back tension. And since all you need to do is "hold your hips", you can try this in the elevator, on the train, or in the comfort of your home!
- Stand with your hands on your hips and your thumbs on the back side.
- Place your index fingers on your front hipbones.
- Find the back hipbones with your thumbs and place them about four finger-widths below the hipbones.
- With this grip in place, slowly begin to massage with your thumbs.
- Use a circular motion as well as kneading for 1 minute to fully release the lower back tension.
- Release your hands.
- Repeat several times throughout the day.
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Self-Massage To Relieve Pain In Your UPPER BACK

The upper back can be a common source of soreness for many, as it is a place that often carries a lot of tension. While it may sound odd, this self-massage involves the foot – after all, all of these parts are connected. This works best barefoot, so you may need to try this one at home!
- Using your thumb and index finger, grasp the depressions just behind the ankle bones.
- Your two fingers should be pinching the foot.
- Gently apply pressure between your fingers and massage in a circular motion for 30 seconds.
- Release your hands and repeat on the other foot.
- Repeat several times throughout the day.
Please SHARE if you plan to try this extremely easy self-massage to relieve upper back soreness!
Self-Massage To Relieve Pain In Your CHEST MUSCLES

Chest pain is something that should always be taken seriously. If you are experiencing internal chest pain, you should immediately seek medical attention. That being said, if you are feeling soreness in the muscles of your chest, this self-massage is great for relieving tightness and tension. And since all you need are your own two hands for this one, you can do this sitting at work, on a park bench, or even at the movies!
- Using your right hand, grasp your left forearm.
- Place your thumb two finger-widths above the wrist and line it up with the middle finger.
- Place the rest of your fingers on the bottom side of your forearm.
- Gently apply pressure with your thumb.
- While applying pressure, make small circular motions with the thumb in both directions for 30 seconds.
- Release your forearm and repeat on the other arm.
- Repeat several times throughout the day.
Please SHARE if you plan to try this extremely easy self-massage to relieve chest muscle soreness!
Self-Massage To Relieve Pain In Your FOOT

If you're like me and you spend a lot of your day on your feet, you may be experiencing foot pain. While nothing is nicer than sitting down for a full foot massage, this quick-and-easy self-massage should help to do the trick just as well. This is best done sitting barefoot, so you may need to try this one at home!
- Sitting in a chair, cross your right leg over your left, resting your right ankle on your left knee.
- Place your left thumb on the bottom of your foot and grasp the foot with your remaining fingers.
- Make sure the thumb is a little further center from the ball of your foot.
- Apply pressure with the thumb and gently massage in small circles for 1 minute.
- Release your right foot and repeat on the left foot.
- Repeat several times throughout the day.
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Self-Massage To Relieve Pain In Your LOWER ABDOMEN

As with chest pain, if you are feeling chronic stomach pain, you should seek medical attention. If you are feeling minor lower abdomen nausea or muscle tightness, this self-massage is likely the one for you. Surprisingly, this massage isn't anywhere near your stomach – it's behind your knees, which conveniently happen to be connected to your bladder!
- While sitting or standing, grasp the sides of your knees with your thumbs in the back.
- Place your thumbs on the middle of the crease behind the knee, gripping the side of your knees with your other fingers.
- Gently apply pressure to the backs of your knees using your thumbs for 30 seconds.
- Release your hands.
- Repeat several times throughout the day.
Note: You should not try this self-massage if you have varicose veins.
Please SHARE if you plan to try this extremely easy self-massage to relieve lower abdomen discomfort!
Self-Massage To Relieve Pain In Your UPPER ABDOMEN

Similar to the lower abdomen and chest, if you are feeling chronic internal pain in your upper abdomen, you should seek professional medical attention. But for discomfort like minor nausea or muscle soreness in the upper abdomen, give this easy self-massage a try. While this one does involve the leg, you won't need to be barefoot so you can try it anywhere you happen to be!
- Starting with your left leg, grab the lower leg from behind using your right hand.
- Place the right thumb several finger-widths above the inside ankle, just to the inside of the shinbone.
- Gently apply pressure using your thumb and massage in a small circular motion for 30 seconds.
- Release your hand and repeat on the other leg.
- Repeat several times throughout the day.
Please SHARE if you plan to try this extremely easy self-massage to relieve upper abdomen discomfort!
Self-Massage To Relieve Pain In Your PELVIS

Pelvis pain can be debilitating when you are trying to lead an active lifestyle. Fortunately, this easy self-massage is great for releasing tension in the pelvic region. And since you need to be barefoot for this one, you should give it a shot at home!
- Sitting in a chair, cross your left leg over your left, resting your left ankle on your right knee.
- Grab your left foot in your hands.
- Place your right thumb on top of the foot, in the meaty area between the big toe and second toe.
- Place your remaining fingers on the bottom of the foot.
- Gently apply pressure with your thumb and massage the area in a circular motion for 1 minute.
- Release your foot and repeat on the other foot.
- Repeat several times throughout the day.
Please SHARE if you plan to try this extremely easy self-massage to relieve pain in your pelvis!
Self-Massage To Relieve Pain In Your KNEES

One of the most commonly found body afflictions can be pain in the knees. While chronic knee pain certainly requires medical attention, you can relieve minor soreness using this simple self-massage. This is easy enough to try at home or at work – anywhere you can find a place to sit!
- Sitting in a chair or on the floor, make sure your knees are bent.
- On each side, place your three middle fingers on the meaty part of the leg muscle, just outside the shinbone.
- Make sure the fingers are a full hand-width below the knees.
- Gently apply pressure with your fingers and massage the muscle in a circular motion for 1 minute.
- Release your hands.
- Repeat several times throughout the day.
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