Learn how to bolster your partner for a relaxing massage at home.

Using bolsters for massage at home can enhance the effectiveness of massage. Bolster pillows not only provide extra comfort for the partner on the table, but they also position the body in a natural alignment, which allows the muscles to fully relax.

Since the body doesn’t naturally lie flat, a massage table alone doesn’t provide proper support. Bolster cushions support the natural curvature of the body and encourage deeper relaxation. The muscles can tighten up without proper support. Invite the muscles to “let go” by aligning and supporting the body in a neutral position. The more relaxed your partner is, the more beneficial the massage will be. Using bolster pillows gives the home therapist easier access to deeper, thicker muscle tissue.

Here are some tips for using bolster pillows in the face up (supine), face down (prone), and side-lying positions.

Face Up:
Place a full round massage bolster under the knees. Then slide a half round bolster underneath the curve of the neck when your partner is lying face up. Instead of a half bolster, you can also remove the Velcro face cradle pad to use as a neck bolster. Elevating the head and neck is helpful for clients with asthma, allergies, or congestion in the chest or sinuses. Use a thicker bolster to lift the head higher if needed. Ask your partner if he or she is more comfortable with the massage bolsters or without. Adjust the bolsters as needed.

Face Down:
In the prone (face down) position, slide a full bolster pillow under the ankles. You can also slide a bolster under the hips or just above the chest area with the arms resting on the forward arm shelf. Each person may differ slightly in how they like to be positioned. Find a position that works for both partners.

Side:
With your partner lying on one side, slightly bend the top leg at the knee and rest it on top of a full massage bolster. Keep the bottom leg fairly straight in a relaxed position and aligned with the rest of the body. Give your partner a pillow to hug for arm support, and slide a pillow or bolster under the neck.

How you use your massage bolster pillows ultimately depends on the comfort of the partner on the table. Ask for feedback when positioning your partner, and use your own judgment to maximize the comfort of the massage.