How to Give a Lower Back Massage

When most people give a back massage, they concentrate on the upper back where it feels like we carry most of our tension. However, the lower back is equally vulnerable to stress and strain. Try these techniques for a relaxing lower back massage.

Instructions

1. Ask your partner to lie down on his back and close his eyes, legs stretched out straight but relaxed, and arms lying loose, slightly away from the body.

2. Pour some massage oil into your hands, careful not to let any drip on your partner’s skin. Rub the oil between your hands to warm it.

3. Move to your partner’s side. Start to massage the lower back by placing both hands flat on the side of the rib cage opposite you, just above the hip. Your fingertips should be facing down toward the floor. Alternate your hands in a firm, but gentle, upward motion that reaches up and over the side of the lower back, toward you. So while one hand is moving in this upward motion, the other hand is returning to its place on the side of the rib cage to do the same. Repeat this motion several times in the lower back area.

4. Move to your partner’s other side and repeat Step 3.

5. Place the heel of one hand on the base of the spine--on the bone called the sacrum. Massage the sacrum by moving the heel of your hand in a circular motion, firmly but gently.

6. Place both thumbs on the sacrum at the base of the spine. Apply pressure with each thumb, and move in tiny circular motions all over the area.

7. After massaging the sacrum with your thumbs in tiny circular motions, do the same moving up the length of the lower back--your thumbs on either side of the spine.

8. Repeat Step 3 again on both sides of your partner’s body.

9. End your massage of the lower back with the gentle touch of your fingertips, using a light “feathering” motion all over the lower back area.

Tips & Warnings

• If you come across an area that feels tight or sore to your partner, place your thumb on the area, press firmly and hold for several seconds. Ask your partner to let you know if the pressure feels too hard. Follow it up by using your thumb to make small circular motions on the area.

• You can make your own relaxing massage oil to give a lower back massage by combining a carrier oil --like grape seed, sunflower or safflower--with a few drops of lavender essential oil.