This document provides a detailed guide on how to give a back massage, covering preparation steps such as setting up the room and ensuring the recipient is comfortable. It outlines specific techniques for performing the massage, including the use of massage oil, various hand movements, and pressure methods to effectively relieve tension. The overall goal is to create a relaxing environment and apply appropriate techniques to provide a soothing experience.

1. How to Give a Back Massage

2. Setting Up For a Back
Massage

3. 1 Get a massage table. Ideally, using a massage table will give you the best
access to somebody's back, and it's built for their comfort, complete with
a hole for the head.

4. 2
Prepare the bed. Place a pillow or cushion where the
person's chest will be.

5. 3 Spread the sheet over to catch any excess oil.

6. 4 Prepare the room. Make sure the room is warm,
as a cold room will cause the person to tense up.
This will make it very difficult to give a decent massage!

7.  Play some uneventful
music. New age,
ambient music, quiet
classical music, or even
soundscapes will help
the person relax to their
fullest. Pulsing, driving
music won't help. Keep
the level low.
 Lower the lights. Just
enough so there's no
glare in the room. If you
want, you can turn the
lights lower, and light
scented aromatherapy
candles. Remember, the
goal here is total
relaxation.

8. 5 Have the person prepare by loosening or removing
their clothes. They should do this so that the entire back can
be reached. If privacy is a concern, step out of the room and
have them wrap a towel around their chest (just underneath t
he arms) so that the ends are at the back.

9. 6 Have them lie face down. The pillow should be
underneath the breast bone.

10. 7 Fold one of the towels and place it underneath the
forehead. This will help to keep the person's neck straight.

11. 8 Fold one of the towels and place it underneath the
ankles. This will support the person's lower back.

12. 9 If the person is wearing a towel around their chest,
unfold the ends to expose the back.

13. 10 If the person is wearing pants, spread another towel
over them and tuck the towel into the waistline.
This will prevent the oil from staining them.

14. Give a Back Massage

15. 1
Tell the person you are about to begin. Tell them to
let you know if anything you are doing is painful or
uncomfortable.
I’m going to
begin. Please,
tell me if you
feel any pain.

16. 2
Place massage oil in a cupped hand. Warm it by
rubbing it between your hands.

17. 3
Spread the oil around. Do this across the person's
back with long, light strokes. Don't forget the shoulders and
neck area. It's better not to slather the oil on too thick—you
can always add more if you need.

18. 4
Make palm circles. Place one hand on the lower back
and put your other hand over it. With arms extended, begin
making small circles by going up the back and down again.
Staying on one side of the spine, repeat this 2-3 times.
• The
movement
should come
from the waist
—your core—
rather than from
the shoulders.
This will help
keep you from
becoming
fatigued.

19. 5
Use muscle lifting. Move up and down the back 2 or 3
times. It'll take some practice for this to become a smooth,
confident rhythm:

20. - Make one hand into a "lobster claw" or "L"
shape.
- Move your hand in the direction of your
thumb, applying pressure and gradually
pinching your fingers together, closing the
gap between your thumb and forefinger.

21. - As you finish the stroke, twist your wrist to
achieve a lifting motion on the muscle. As you
bring your thumb and forefinger together, the
outside of your hand (along the little finger) should
be running along the back.
- Keep alternating
hands with a
windshield wiper
motion.

22. 6
Use your knuckles on their back. Repeat 2 or 3 times.
Do not apply pressure on the lower back, and remember to
avoid the spine.

23. - Form the hands into loose fists. With your
arms straight and your knuckles and fingers in
contact with the back, slide up and continue up
and over the shoulders.
- Lightly drag the
knuckles back.

24. 7
Use muscle lifting on the trapezius. This is the muscle
that connects the neck to the shoulders. Continue rubbing
as you move around the head.

25. 8
Repeat the palm circles, muscle lifting, and
knuckling on the other side of the back.

26. 9
Stand above their head. Use an extended thumb to
make upward strokes between the shoulder blade and the
backbone (from the hips, towards the head). As one thumb
slides off, the other one begins its stroke upwards.

27. - Do not apply too much pressure to your thumbs,
especially if you do this a lot.
- Gradually move over and continue on the other
side. Do not do this directly on the spine.

28. 10
Bring both thumbs to the upper back. You can do
this on either side of the spine.

29. - With constant pressure, slowly begin to slide your
thumbs down the back. Remember to be careful
over the lower back, where there are no ribs
protecting internal organs.

30. - When you reach the top of the hips, allow your
thumbs to linger there. Use steady pressure before
beginning a new stroke.
- Slide the hands back up and repeat two more
times. Move a bit farther to the sides (away from
the spine) each time.

31. 11 Apply twists. Come back around to the person's side.
Reach around the far hip with one hand, while the other
hand rests on the near hip. With a fluid motion, pull one
hand towards you as the other one pushes away; in the
middle, they should slide against each other, in opposite
directions. Repeat this stroke up the back until you reach
the shoulder area, then come back down. Repeat 3 times.

32. 12
Spread the fingers of both hands. Draw the
fingertips of one hand down the back, lifting off at the top of
the hips as the other hand begins at the shoulders. Repeat
several times. Slowly allow the pressure to lighten until
your hands float off.