BM020 Perform Manual Massage Treatments – Back & Neck Massage Part One

Back & Neck Massage

With the client lying on their front, place one hand palm down at the waist and one hand palm down at the top of the back and concentrate your energy there for a few seconds. Throughout the massage try to keep contact with the client’s skin at all times. Apply the chosen massage medium.

Use one hand to superficially stroke from one shoulder down to the opposite hip and then use the same movement with the other hand from the other shoulder to the other hip. Repeat this five times.

Effleurage using both of the palms up the back from the waist to shoulders. Start with your hands together at the spine and then split your hands at the shoulders and effleurage over the deltoids before sliding back down the same route to the starting position. Then stroke upwards again, but out at the underarms instead. Return to the starting position and then stroke upwards and outwards at the lower back. Repeat this sequence four times.

Place one hand on top of the other to perform reinforced finger kneading up and away from one side the spine before sweeping the hands back down to the starting position. Repeat this three times on each side, moving further away from the spine each time before sweeping the hands down to the base of the spine.

Use both hands to perform a deep stroke up the middle of the back before kneading along the trapezius muscle on one side. Use your hands to lift the muscle and then release it. Work outwards towards the deltoid muscle and then back in towards the neck. Repeat this on the other side.

Knead up the back of the neck using alternate hands, squeezing the tissue in between your thumb and your fingers. Repeat this six times before kneading along the other trapezius muscle to the shoulder and back to the neck.

Knead using both hands simultaneously on the trapezius muscle on each side. Repeat this eight times.

Starting at the top of the back, use your thumbs to perform frictions to either side of the spine. Use small, concentrated, circular movements. Progress down the spine, moving approximately an inch at a time. When you reach the bottom of the back, move your hands to each side of the pelvis and continue to use small circular frictions. Return to the top of the back with a superficial stroke. Repeat this sequence twice.

Move the client’s arm round to their back and support this using a bolster. Ensure that this is comfortable for the client. Use the reinforced finger kneading technique to trace the outline of the scapula. Repeat this twice. Knead with your thumbs any areas which need extra attention. Finish this sequence with four deep strokes around the scapula. Reposition the client’s arm so that it is resting by their side on the massage couch before repeating this technique on the other side.

Palmar knead across the scapula, keeping both hands in contact with the back and lifting the tissue between your fingers and thumbs. Start on one side and then work across to the other side. Repeat this twice.

Place one hand on top of the other and use your palm to stroke around the scapula in circles before drawing the circle down in an overlapping fashion towards the top of the gluteal muscles and then stroking back to the top of the back. Repeat this sequence three times on each side.

Work on the opposite side to that which you are standing. Use your hands to alternately lift up the sides of the back towards the spine. Work upwards to the top of the scapula before sweeping back down to the starting position. Repeat this three times on either side, keeping a hand in contact with the client’s skin as you move from one side of the couch to the other.

Use the reinforced finger kneading technique to knead into the back of the pelvis on the opposite side to where you are standing, following round to the side of the back and then lightly stroking with alternate hands back to the starting position. Repeat this three times before using double flat handed kneading in large circular movements around the back of the waist. Repeat this four times. Wring the gluteal muscle by using alternate hands to lift and twist the tissue between the fingers and the thumb. Repeat this six times before moving around to complete this sequence on the other side.