10 Tips to Give the Best Back Massage
6. Practice the right technique
Begin by placing both hands at the base of the spine on either side with fingertips pointing upwards to the neck area. Slide your hands gently but firmly upwards in a manner in which you reach out to the sides of the body as you progress upwards. Circular motions are the best to incorporate in a back massage. Make sure your hands end their sweeping motions at the base of the neck and repeat this movement 2 to 3 times.
7. Try the other way round
Place one hand on the lower back and the other on top of this hand. Extend your arms and go up and down one side of the back in small circles. Do this on the other side as well. Repeat the process 2 or 3 times. Make sure you apply force from your waist rather than the shoulders to avoid getting exhausted quickly.
8. Practice the L pinch
The next movement involves L shaped grasp of the muscles on either side of the back using your fingers. Place your thumb pointing downwards and other fingers on the back. In quick and firm movements, bring your fingers towards your thumb resembling the act of pinching. Work up and down the back with consistent pressure on both sides. Repeat couple of times. This kind of muscle lifting can also be done on the shoulders.
9. Try the raking movement
The raking movement is also a popular massage technique. Spread your fingers apart and start from the shoulders as your hands work their way down in one raking motion. Your fingers must move along the sides of the spine and not on the spine directly. Change the motion so that one hand works its way upwards while the other moves downwards.
10. Caress the area to end
The back massage can be ended by lightly caressing the area with fingertips beginning from the base of the neck to the base of the spine several times.
These basic techniques can help you learn how to give the best back massage to a person who needs it the most. Besides alleviating pain, a good back massage enhances circulation and improves blood flow.
