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Step 1
Have the person receiving the massage lie on her belly on a firm, comfortable surface, such as a floor mat or firm bed. Make sure you can reach her whole back without straining your own.
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Step 2
Stand or kneel by her side. Place one hand on the lower back and one hand between the shoulder blades, over the heart.
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Step 3
Warm up the back by applying thumb pressure along both sides of the spine simultaneously: Start at the lower back and knead gently with your thumbs up to the neck area. This will also promote relaxation.
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Step 4
Use a smooth, delicate stroke (called "effleurage") to apply massage oil. In one long stroke, slide your palms down either side of the spine to the pelvis; scoop out around the hips and back up the sides to the shoulders. Maintain contact with the back. Glide your hands over the back to start a new area.
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Step 5
Continue up both sides of the neck to the base of the head.
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Step 6
Start at the spine and slide your palms in opposite directions outward to the sides of the back, starting with the lower back area and moving up to the shoulders.
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Step 7
Knead the fleshy muscular areas at the top of the shoulders, the mid-back area and the buttocks to loosen tight muscles and fascia (the connective tissue).
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Step 8
Use your thumbs or fingers to apply pressure to areas that feel hard or tight, often called knots.
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Step 9
Perform clockwise circular friction with your fingertips along the muscles that are close to the spine and around the shoulder blades.
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Step 10
Rotate the arms gently, one at a time, to loosen the shoulder joints and enhance blood flow.
Comments
lub2064 said
on 11/12/2008 that is some good info you got there. i have all also got a dvd from www.howtodomassage.com it is very practical i recommend it for any one
prim
Mamameme said
on 11/11/2008 Very informative and easy to follow.
iamageniuster said
on 10/26/2008 Awesome article. Great tips. 5 stars!
DoubleThis said
on 10/22/2008 Actually, he said to massage the OUTSIDE of the spine, which is often recommended. NEVER massage or put direct pressure on the spine.
Faithbee81 said
on 9/23/2008 The effect is to increase circulation and release the natural endophins in the body. The body and neck is made of many small stuctures of muscle mass, massaging through those fibers releases the lactic acid build up, which are toxins excreted from muscle. Good job on the technique.