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Back Massage
 The
Back
Don't be at all surprised if your message partner dozes off at this point.
Back message is extremely soothing and relaxing and great for relieving
stress and tension.
Uncover the back to just show the buttock crease. At this point it is
a 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.
- Starting at the lower back effleurage oil using both hands. Work slowly
up the back to the shoulders, pressing gently on the upward strokes, releasing
the pressure as you come back down.
- 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.
- With reinforced hands (one on top of the other) 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Squeeze along the top of the shoulders from the neck out, using your
fingers and thumbs. Repeat four to five times on each side.
- Stroke up the back of the neck and out to the ears, using your thumbs.
- 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.
- Move to your partners side and rub backwards and forwards over the
whole back with frictions to warm the area.
- 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.
- Effleurage the whole back.
- Gently stroke up the spine, hand over hand, several times, allowing
your touch to get lighter and lighter.
- 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.
By now, he or she might be snoozing!
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