Keys To GREAT Back Massages

A lot of people enjoy getting a massage but very few people feel comfortable giving a massage to someone else. The possibility of hurting someone is a very real concern. Additionally, it's possible to feel apprehensive that the massage might not be good enough. We're always afraid that other people won't like what we are doing. The great news is that you can learn how to give a great massage somewhat easily. The following are several tips on how to give an amazing back massage.

The first thing that you have to do is see to it that the person is comfortable when he or she lies down. Firm and soft are the aim when it comes to the surface on which they lie down. You don't have to have a table but see if you can have them lie down on the bed. If you are going to massage the person on the floor, provide them with some soft towels or blankets to lay down...or even invest in a good mat, a yoga mat would be great! If the massage-ee wants to keep his or her shirt on, be sure that the shirt is made of a softer material to prevent accidental scratches and friction build up. 

Begin with the basic rub. Use the whole flat side of both hands to rub from the base of the back toward the neck (do this in a slow manner). This rub should have at least some pressure in it but don't use your full massage pressure yet. Start out at the the lower back and then slide your hands up the back then across the shoulders and then back down the back. As you keep doing this, make every "loop" of the back smaller so that you can be sure to get to all areas of the back.

You can provide good and direct pressure when you try using the heels of your hands. Work the heels of your palms in tiny circles beginning in the middle of the base of the back and then working out toward the sides and then upwards and back in until you've rubbed the entire back.

Try sitting at the side of the individual who is receiving the massage. Then, put one hand on top of the other and thrust into the back a little bit with your fingers. Begin at the spinal column and push steadily and with firm pressure across the back away from the spinal column and then gently sort of slide your hands back across the back toward the spinal column and move upwards. Do this again as you try to work up the back and then do it again on the person's other side.

Rub the backbone. Start out at the base of the spine and work up each of the sausage-y muscles on each side of the spine with a couple of fingers or your thumbs. Knead each little node at least five times to produce some friction before moving on to the next. Work all the way up one side of the spinal column and then massage the other side.

One of the things to bear in mind as you work through every one of these massage techniques is that it is best to re-relax your person between each portion of the massage you're giving. This means that after you're done with one technique, perform the basic rub that you used at the beginning of the massage for a couple of minutes. Make sure you are using enough pressure so the person receiving it can actually get something out it, but not so much that you hurt them. You must remember that your hands are around some of the more sensitive parts of the human body so you don't want to be too rough. Too much roughness could not only cause great pain but permanent injury.