Ever wanted to know how to give the best Sensual Massage? Here, you’ve just found what you need to know and do to deliver it.

1) Make sure you have plenty of time before doing any kind of massage, particularly sensual, because time is one of the most important ingredients, apart from you and your massage partner.

2) Ensure you have the necessary space and make it really comfortable with cushions, pillows, curtains, throws, candles and any other luxury items that add to the atmosphere. Make sure the space is also at a really comfortable temperature.

3) Ensure there are no distractions or other things pressing which you need to get out of the way. Your massage won’t be effective or enjoyable for your partner if you keep stopping or starting because you’ve just remembered something else that needs doing. Get everything out of the way before you begin.

4) Decide on whether you want snacks and food to hand. This can make the massage extra special, especially if it’s a favourite food you both enjoy together. This can be really lovely if you like to swap massage, it’s just a way to make the occasion more abundant.

5) Choose music that pleases both of you. Unless you prefer to have quiet, putting music on adds to the overall sexiness of the occasion.

6) Make sure you breathe. Breathing is key to good massage – and it’s just as important for the person receiving the massage as the person giving it. The more oxygen present in both of you will heighten awareness and make your pleasure a hundredfold better.

7) Use warm luxury oil, such as coconut, rice bran, or other mix, making sure your partner has no allergies to the oils you use. Using warm oil is a beautiful experience for your partner. Depending on preference, you might choose to add essential oils to bring scent to your massage as well. Avoid using cold or room temperature oil at all costs, and, most importantly, ensure you haven’t used it for cooking. There’s nothing worse than making your partner feel like they’re being served up alongside fish and chips.

8) If your partner has any slightly sore or aching muscles, it’s really considerate to give those areas some dedicated massage before moving on to the sensual side of the massage. It shows that you care, that you’re patient and that you’re interested in pleasing them.

9) Move to making your touch far more slow, gentle and light. If your partner enjoys a heavier touch, then mingle it in with light touch, then go to slightly heavier touch. Try not to consciously think about anything other than the pleasure you get from giving your partner pleasure. Let your touch go wherever it feels natural and enjoyable. Close your eyes. Really feel your partner. Discover them as though they have words on them which you can feel, rather than needing eyes to see. Go incredibly slowly, then slow down even further. Imagine making your massage so slow that anyone watching could not see your movements. This can make your massage totally sublime.

10) Ensure you listen, observe and respond to the reactions your partner has to your touch and aim to give them the most amazingly memorable time they have ever known. Never rush at any point and, if you do feel more excited, remember not to give in to your pleasure, but make it even more delicious, gentle and teasing than ever. It’s an art that simply cannot be rushed.

Headaches can be quite debilitating. They are among the highest percentage of instances where people are unable to work and call in sick. This applies equally to migraines. The causes of many migraines and headaches are stress and tension related, and others where certain trigger foods run a close second. A surprising number can be caused by subconsciously biting your teeth together. First, take yourself to a quiet, comfortable sound-free space, if possible. Preferably, lay yourself down and try to let all your muscles go floppy. Lay a folded towel under your head. Lightly close your eyes. Allow your jaw to be just comfortably open. Take big, deep, focused breaths.

Then, begin to explore the muscles on your face with the fingers or thumbs. Can you feel any which are quite painful when you press on them? If so, you’ve probably found one of the trigger points for your headache. If you’re not taking any medication for heart conditions, or to thin the blood, then you can safely press and circle over the triggers. The reason I mentioned about medication is that even gentle pressure can cause bruising, especially if you’re taking warfarin.

Some of the trigger points can feel quite painful when you work on them. Remember to press and circle the offending muscles slowly and progressively. If you find one which appears to amplify your headache, take it gently. First, press, and circle. Is it painful? Does the pain recede over a period of 10 seconds? Are you aware of any other muscles which are related to, and contributing to your headache?

They must all completely release before your headache will go. There are many triggers. Some are in the forehead, others on the cheek (zygomatic) bones, in the muscles of that area. Others can be present in the rear of the jaw just below the earlobes. These can be major contributors to headaches so painful you can feel quite sick with pain. Gently attack them. Press, breathe, circle, press further in, breathe, circle. Can you find any others that feel as tender?

They also exist in the orbital cavities (the periphery of the eye sockets), and often at the top of the bridge of the nose adjacent to the eye sockets. Please be mindful around the eyes, because pressure applied in this area can press contact lenses uncomfortably against the eyes. I would recommend them removed before working round the eyes.

Others triggers can be found on the back of the head, at the base of the skull, known as the occipital. The muscle that traverses from the occipital bone, over the head to the forehead and down to the eyes is the Occipitofrontalis muscle. There can be regional tension anywhere along this muscle, and good, deep, invigorating massage with thumbs and fingers can lift an enormous amount of tension and help you feel much better.

Necks and shoulders are also prone to tension, because their muscles are linked to the head and used to move it, as well as being used for a huge amount of other movements. The human head weighs an average of 14 pounds, so think of the work your muscles have to do in a day.

As a great takeaway, here’s a really good shortcut you can use. This is often the best way to start finding the triggers, because it makes you aware of which ones they are: open the mouth as hugely wide as possible. Screw the eyes shut as tight as you can. Stick out the tongue as far as possible. Do this for 10-20 seconds, then relax. Remember how important it is to breathe throughout anything like this. Ingress of oxygen really helps relieve tension, so take really huge big lungfuls. And be careful not to do this on a tube train or bus-someone might be irreversibly scared!