to massage
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to massage
To knead, stroke, and rub the body, especially the muscles, with the hands in order to release tension, relieve pain, or promote circulation.
Nach dem Sport lasse ich mir gerne den Rücken massieren.
After exercising, I like to have my back massaged.
The verb 'massieren' (to massage) almost always needs an accusative object. This object is the person or body part receiving the massage.
Der Physiotherapeut massiert meinen Rücken.
The physiotherapist massages my back.
To express that another person is massaging you, the construction 'sich massieren lassen' (to have oneself massaged / to get a massage) is used very frequently. The person receiving the massage is in the dative or accusative.
Ich lasse mir nach dem Training die Beine massieren.
After training, I have my legs massaged.
Common body parts that are massaged are 'den Nacken' (the neck), 'den Rücken' (the back), 'die Füße' (the feet), or 'die Schultern' (the shoulders). You can also massage someone 'sanft' (gently) or 'kräftig' (firmly).
Eine kräftige Massage kann bei Verspannungen helfen.
A firm massage can help with tension.
to rub / grate
Reiben initially describes only a movement involving pressure and moving back and forth on a surface. Massieren, by contrast, refers to a deliberate treatment of the body or muscles, usually with the aim of relieving tension or pain. Use reiben for the movement and massieren for the treatment.
Der Physiotherapeut massierte die verspannten Muskeln an ihrem Nacken.
The physical therapist massaged the tense muscles in her neck.
Sie rieb die schmerzende Stelle vorsichtig mit der Hand.
She gently rubbed the painful area with her hand.
