There is some important things to remember when you do a back massage. The back is large and variable area to massage and you will need to keep in mind as you give back massage, the kind of pressure on the shoulders, lower back and upper back needs to be different. You may find quit a lot of tension has collected in the shoulders, especially in the ‘trapezius’ muscle that runs across the shoulder, neck and upper back. Pressure here should be sensitive and only slightly firm. With tight muscles, it is tempting to use hard pressure, but if you press to hard the muscles will fight back.

Once you have massaged the shoulders, move down to the lower back. The lower back can be a particularly vulnerable or strained area, therefore you have to pay special attention to this tight area.

Important things to remember when you come to massaging the spine and neck, you should be particularly careful. Both areas are very sensitive and require more gentle pressure. Keeping an inch out from the spine, press evenly along the muscle bands, paying attention where you feel raised areas of muscles.

Use the sensitivity of your fingers to feel the texture and tightness, and as you press correspond you movements to your partner’s exhalation. As nerves branch out from the spine connecting to the whole body, this will be a highly sensitive and releasing movement for your partner. As you reach the top of the neck, bring your hands once more to your partner’s lower back to draw awareness away from the head, and fully connect the back.

Of all the areas of the body, the back appreciates massage most. You will find that you have to change position several times as you massage the back. So, make sure you have enough room to maneuver.

Back Injuries
While back injuries should receive medical treatment, you can ease problems as you massage. Do not massage directly over an injury, but work the surrounding area gently. Muscles around an injury often go into spasm to protect it. Massage can help relieve the stiffness caused by this, allowing the injury to heal. The body will often compensate to protect a painful area, so when the right shoulder hurts, you should also massage the left shoulder. If the problem is caused by tension, massage on and around the shoulder, easing the muscles outwards from the spine. Start lightly, the move in deeper, spreading and moving the shoulder frequently. For problems in the shoulders always include the lower back. For neck problems massage the upper back, then massage on the neck from underneath. For the lower back, ease with sacral circling, then massage the buttocks and middle back, spreading outwards from the spine.

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Tags: back injuries, Back Massage, Massage