Give her one on Valentine's

A good massage is ideal for relieving stress, and anyone can do it. Sadly, new research shows that two-thirds of men think giving their partner a massage - whether or not it's to liven up things on Valentine's Day - is a chore that has to be suffered.

Anyone can be a massage genius by taking time out to practise these easy but effective techniques for problems often caused by work.

World's best back massage

1. Sandra Cox, Boots aromatherapist, says you should use a ready-blended massage solution which contains essential oils diluted with a base oil, or make your own. Apply to the back, using a gentle sweeping motion from the lower spine up towards the neck, across the shoulder area and then down the sides of the body to the base of the spine.

2 Start at the base of the spine, move hands side by side up the back to the base of the neck with light pressure, split hands to move out over both shoulders and move back down the sides of the back to the base of the spine. Repeat this movement as required, working gently and rhythmically.

3. Move hands back up to the shoulders and with one hand on top of the other perform a figure of eight over the shoulder blades, starting by moving upwards from the centre, out over the shoulder, back down and towards the centre and then upwards over the opposite shoulder and back round to the centre. Repeat this movement.

4. Working each shoulder separately, with the fingers over the front of the shoulders and the thumbs at the back, use hands alternately to lift gently the muscles of the shoulders in a wringing motion. Repeat movement two.

5. Starting at the base of the spine, work small kneading circles with the thumbs on either side of the spine, moving up to the nape and making sure not to knead on the spine itself. Gently knead the back of the neck.

6. Start again at the base of the spine and move hands up to the top. Then work outwards in large circular motions, gradually working back to the base of the spine.

7. Now move the hands up to the shoulders, working outwards towards the edge of the back, using pressure. Then move back to either side of the spine without applying pressure. Do this action again, gradually working down the whole spine to the base. Repeat movement two, making your action lighter with each return to the base of the spine.

Exotic Indian head massage

1.Hairdresser Errol Douglas advises you to start by massaging the head with warm water and towel-dry lightly with a fresh, warm towel until hair is 50 per cent dry. Then mix a few drops of essential oils with a good conditioner (or shampoo if your hair is greasy).

2.Once the oils are diluted, rub the mixture between your hands and start at the base of the neck, applying pressure to the scalp using the balls of the fingers. Move fingers and thumb in circular motions, working your way up slowly to the centre of the head as if you were shampooing.

When you reach the centre, let your hands separate - the right hand massaging that side of the scalp and the left hand massaging the other. Work your way down the sides and round to the back again.

3. Applying slightly firmer pressure, cup hands so that you are now using the base of your hands as well as the fingers. Massage for another five minutes by moving fingers and the base of your hands together and work your way along from the front of the head to the back.

4. Finally massage the base of the head and neck with fingertips using light pressure and then gently cradle head from left to right. Put a hot, wet towel around the neck and rest for two to three minutes.

5. Now, apply shampoo directly to the head without rinsing. Massage shampoo into the head with fingertips in a circular motion, starting at the front of the head and working back across the top and then beginning at the front again and working the sides of the scalp.

6. Repeat with more shampoo until the hair lathers, showing the oils have been broken down. Rinse well with warm water and lightly towel dry. Unless hair is particularly dry, the oils used preshampoo will have had a hydrating effect so there's no need for further conditioning.

The perfect foot massage

1. Julie Burgess, massage therapist/ reflexologist at the Life Centre in Kensington, says first rub blended oils in your hands, which will warm up the mixture. Then, start to massage the toes, working in a slow, circular motion between thumb and forefinger. Do this six to 12 times on each joint.

2.the legs, rotating hands firmly, but gently stroking the limbs, not moving along too quickly. Downward strokes should be gentle, while those upwards should be firmer.

3. Back to the foot, massage the ball with firm but light strokes, and also do the heel and the sole as well. Concentrate on the ball of the foot.
By the time you've finished the massage, nearly all the oil will have been absorbed.