Uncover the back to just show the buttock crease. At this point it is good idea to place a small rolled up towel under your partner's forehead otherwise he or she will have to turn his or her head sideways or end up with a squashed nose through which it is difficult to breathe.
1.Starting at the lower back effleurage oil using both hands. Work slowly up the back to the shoulders, pressing gently on the upward stokes, releasing the pressure as you come back down.
2.Starting at the base of the spine work up on either side, using gentle thumb pressure or little thumb circles. Repeat five or six times.
3.With reinforced hands (one on top of the order) sweep up the spine then work around the shoulder blades in a figure-of-eight movement. Repeat the figure-of-eight four or five times.
4.Now work around each shoulder blade individually, still with reinforced hands, in a circular motion. Repeat four or five times each side. You may feel knots (little bumps) around the shoulder blades. These are an indication of tension and massage here gives great relief.
5.Work around the shoulder blades with your thumbs, helping to break down the knots and bumps. Allow your partner to be your guide as these areas can be tender.
6.Squeeze along the top of the shoulders from the neck out, using your fingers and thumbs. Repeat four to five times on each side.
7.Stroke up the back of the neck and out to the ears, using your thumbs.
8.Stand at your partner's head and sweep your hands down the centre back, across the top of the buttocks, then firmly pull up at the sides. Repeat five times.
9.Move to your partner's side and rub backwards and forwards over the whole back with frictions to warm the area.
10.Make thumb circles out from just above the buttock crease round towards the hips. This area can often be tender and massage here is soothing. Repeat several times.
11.Effleurage the whole back.
12.Gently stroke up the spine, hand over hand, several times, allowing your touch to get lighter and lighter.
13.Finish by gently holding your partner. Place one hand at the base of the spine, the other at the base of the neck. Hold this position and feel the warmth build up under your hands. After approximately one minute gently lift your hands off. Cover your partner over.
Note: Use massage oil to decrease the friction created on the skin and to prevent the pulling of hair.
Use slow movements for a soothing or calming response and fast movements for a stimulating effect.
Do not put any direct pressure on the spine. Avoid any broken skin, blisters or areas of possible infection.
Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.
Some Tips on how to Give a Back Massage
Here are some basic tips that you can apply in order to give a soothing and adequate back massage. Have your partner lie on their stomach on a firm and comfortable surface, such as a massage bed if you have one. If not, you can find something else that will do the job easily enough. Just make sure that you have complete access to their entire back without having to reach or strain yourself.
Stand or kneel by their side, placing one your hands on their lower back and the other hand goes up between the shoulder blades, or the heart. Then warm up their back by applying pressure with your thumbs along both sides of their spine simultaneously. You should start at the lower back and work you way up to the neck the area, rather than the other way around.
Then you would use a delicate stroke to apply the massage oil. You do this by using one long stroke and then sliding your palms down either side of the spine to the pelvis, and then you scoop your hands around their hips and back up the sides to the shoulder blades. Remember to constantly maintain contact with the back and always glide your hands rather than removing them completely when you are moving to another area of the body.
You should concentrate on the areas that feel hard or tight. These areas that feel tight are known as knots. If you can loosen up these knots, the person will feel looser and more relaxed. Always perform in a clockwise circular friction with your fingertips along the muscles that are close to the spine and around the shoulder blades, as these areas tend to be the tensest in a person. Also remember to always rotate the arms gently, one at a time, in order to help loosen the shoulder joints and enhance the blood flow.
There are many tremendous benefits that can be gained from a good back massage. Some of the benefits are; increased relaxation, improved circulation, increased body awareness and improved lymphatic drainage for release of toxins. One more thing to remember is that when you're giving a back massage, you must never put any direct pressure on the spine. Also avoid any broken skin, blisters or areas of possible infection.
Both Nick Mutt & Kerry Ng are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Nick Mutt has sinced written about articles on various topics from Diabetes, Supplements and Fitness. Looking for some ? Check out the biggest. Nick Mutt's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.
Kerry Ng has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Buyers Guide, Acid Reflux and Strep Throat. Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Massage Info Blog. For more great helpful information about massages visit . Kerry Ng's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.