After a long week at work wouldn't it be nice to get a good back massage-or to be able to give one to your spouse or significant other? Before you get started you might want some instruction on how to make this a great massage; one that will leave the recipient relaxed and comfortable rather than tired and tense. A massage that is not done correctly can actually cause even more pain than the person had before the massage. Giving a back massage is not difficult but it does take a little bit of know-how.

A Few Pointers:

For a general massage of the back, have the person lay on their stomach and sit by their head. Their head should be turned to the side and their arms should be resting at their sides. With your fingers just below the neck, slide your hands slowly down both sides of the back bone and then back up the sides of the body, and out over the shoulders. For the next part of the back massage, begin at the base of the neck again and rub in circular motions out toward the shoulders. With your thumbs make a rolling motion all over the bottom of the neck and top of the back to finish the job.

Lower Back

The lower back is the one most commonly injured and sore and benefits greatly from a back massage. Using your pinky and index finger on each hand, and sitting to the side of the recipient move your fingers along either side of the spine, moving one hand over the other in small rhythmic movements. For the next step of the back massage, you should start at the base of the spine, and using massage oil, make movements up the spine and down the sides of the body. Then, after you have done this with the oil, make rough rubbing motions from the bottom of the spine up to the rib cage. Finally for the last step of the back massage, make big gliding motions over the spine and lower back and then to the hips which should also be given a deep massage with large circular motions.

Upper Back

The upper back massage is accomplished by putting the recipients arm behind their back with the elbow bent, and one had cupped on the shoulder blade while the other hand massages around the shoulder blade in upward motions.

Remember

When you are giving any massage, you should be careful not to rub too hard on the backbone, or just rub to the sides of it. All movements in the back massage should be gentle and not too fast even when you are moving from one part of the body to another. You should also make sure that the recipient has adequate body support with pillows under the upper chest, the ankles, and under the breasts (for women.) Then your back massage should be a great success.