How to Give a Swedish Upper Back Massage

Almost everyone holds their tension and stress in the muscles of the upper back, in turn causing stress on the neck, triggering headaches, sleeping problems and irritability. For these reasons, the upper back may be the most important part of the body to work during Swedish massage. Whether working to expand your repertoire or looking for at-home massage tips, a few Swedish massage techniques will help get you started.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Begin with your client face up. Perform these Swedish massage techniques at the beginning of your massage, after warming up the neck, to help your client relax and prepare for the massage. Once you have turned the client onto their stomach, you can perform your regular upper back techniques.

2. Stand at your clients head with your legs spread about shoulder width apart. You should be about an arms length from the table with your knees slightly bent to protect your own back. This position will allow you to lean into and away from your client's body without stressing your body.

3. Place your hands on both shoulders, cupping the shoulders. Be careful not to hold too high up, towards the base of the neck, or you will stress the clients muscles. There is a small groove at the top of the shoulder where the heel of your hand will naturally anchor. Drape your fingers down the shoulders.

4. Push down with one hand, release and push with the opposite hand, alternating in a kneading motion. Repeat a few times to warm up the muscles of the upper back.

5. Deepen the upper back work by slipping your hands, palm up, under your client's body. Your hands should slide comfortably between the shoulder blades. Once under the body, curl your hands into a fist and rock at the wrist, using the weight of your clients body on your hands to massage the muscles of the upper back. Repeat these Swedish massage techniques until the back is warm before continuing with your massage.