BRILLIANT BACK MASSAGE

Ease away stress and strain with a

THE fast pace of modern life, combined with our often sedentary lifestyles, puts the body under great strain. Many of us develop a ‘tension triangle’ running from the top of the neck and down across the shoulders, which can become hunched.

This constricts the lungs, hampering breathing, and the tightness can also lead to tension headaches, neck and shoulder pain. Massage, especially on the back, allows the whole body to relax, and the mind to unwind.

To get started, your partner should be undressed and lying face down on a firm mattress, arms down by the sides in a relaxed, comfortable position.

Use towels – one large one to cover the body, and two medium-sized ones to add to the upper body and tuck around the feet – to keep them warm and covered up as required.

A thorough back massage, focusing on tension trouble spots including the spine, lower back and shoulders, can take the strain out of the whole body. There are a huge number of different strokes and techniques for back massage and, here, we have given just a brief oversight of three of the simplest and most effective...

EFFLEURAGE

The word effleurage means ‘stroking’. The flats of the hands make free-flowing continuous movements over the area to be treated.

FANNING

This is part of effleurage. Hands are placed flat on either side of the spine and flow outwards in a fanning motion towards the side of the ribcage.

PRESSURE AND FRICTION

Pressure strokes are made by leaning your weight into your hand or arm to sink into muscle. You can also use the heel of your hand, thumb or finger pads and knuckles. Always apply and release pressure slowly.