Simple Back Massage

A simple, quick back massage can help a person immensely. Anyone can do this and the benefits are immediate. The secret to a good massage is slow and steady movements with the hands on the back with proper pressure applied.

1) If you do not have a massage table, have the person lay on a flat and comfortable surface on their stomach. Make sure the person receiving the massage is warm and not in a drafty area.

2) This massage can be done right through a person’s clothing. Be careful with the pressure that you apply and have an agreement with the person receiving the massage that they will let you know if you are pushing or squeezing too hard.

3) Start by giving a slow steady stroke up and down the back. This will warm the muscles up and “ground” the person receiving the back massage. After several times up and down the back, start at the hips with a hand on each side of the spine spread out like butterfly wings. Apply pressure on one side of the spine and then the other. “walk” your hands up the spine just like you were walking up a ladder and hold the applied pressure for a few moments at each location. Walk your hands up the entire back and to the neck area. Repeat this hand “walking” motion slowly back down to the hips. (Don’t be alarmed if you hear some popping sounds as you press along the spine, this is the spine going into alignment.)

4) With your hands at the hip and buttock area. Place your hands butterfly style on each buttock. Apply pressure directly downward on one buttock and then the next. Do this several times taking care not to press too hard. Move hands in a circular motion pressing with the palm of your hands into first one buttock and then the next.

5) With your thumbs just above the hip area and just off to the side of the spine start with medium pressure with the thumbs in a circular motion. Stay in one spot and less than an inch away from the spine. Slowly repeat this circular movement all the way up the spine and into the neck area.

6) knead the neck and shoulder area gently pinching the soft tissue in these areas. Pay attention to the strokes and tissue pinch not to squeeze too hard. This should be enjoyable and not painful. Work the neck and shoulder area generously. This is where tension and stress is often held.

7) After spending several minutes on neck and shoulder. Take the palm of your hands and at the same time do long strokes lightly up and down the entire back. Use your fingers to massage the sides of the person receiving the back massage and work into the ribs gently.

8) Work your fingers around the shoulder blades into the tissue, but not on the bone. Press with your fingers and thumbs as you work your way around the shoulder blade. Gently press into and under the shoulder blade.

9) Once again with the long light strokes of the entire back - slowly is the key here. Place one hand on upper back near shoulder on one side and the other hand on opposite side of back at hip area. Rock gently from one hand to the other to stretch entire back area and then hold pressure with both hands for a few seconds. Repeat on the opposite sides.

This back massage can be done almost anywhere at any time in about 15 minutes. This back Massage will yield some excellent results including restored energy, blood pressure lowered, improved circulation and reduction of pain.

Return Home from this Simple Back Massage Page