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This article was co-authored by Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP. Rebecca Tenzer is the owner and head clinician at Astute Counseling Services, a private counseling practice in Chicago, Illinois. With over 18 years of clinical and educational experience in the field of mental health, Rebecca specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, interpersonal relationships using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based practices. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology and Anthropology from DePauw University, a Master in Teaching (MAT) from Dominican University, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago. Rebecca has served as a member of the AmeriCorps and is also a Professor of Psychology at the collegiate level. Rebecca is trained as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS), a Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP). Rebecca is also a member of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Society of America and The National Association of Social Workers.
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Love to make other people feel good? Love to make others feel special? The best way to do that is by giving them a massage. This article includes various different ways to make someone you love relax and unwind after a tiring day.
Steps
Get a bed. The first thing you will need is a nice, clean bed (firm is best). Fresh linens are essential.
Ask the client to lie down on his/her stomach, with their shirt off.Advertisement
Clean and disinfect your hands.
Obtain some massage oil and pour a generous amount into your hands. Start rubbing your hands together until they are warm. If you do not have massage oil, you can use baby oil or petroleum jelly.
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Start in the very middle of the client's back, with your hands clasped together (in a 'clap' type position).
Keep body contact at all times, including when you are getting more lotion. This avoids a startling response when resuming touch.
Begin to run your palms of both hands in opposite directions: One hand sliding towards right shoulder, other hand towards left hip. Then slide back, until hands meet again in another 'clap' position. Repeat this for a while.
Place your arms onto the back of the client. Rub back & forth on back with both arms, up and down.
Move up to the front of client, but keep your hands on client's back.EXPERT TIPEric Christensen is a Physical Therapist based in Chandler, Arizona. With over a decade of experience, Eric works in both orthopedic and neurological fields and specializes in custom orthotic prescription and casting, vestibular reprogramming, and manual therapy. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a focus in Sports Medicine from Colorado State University and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from Regis University. In practice, Eric takes a developmental approach to rehabilitation utilizing the Selective Functional Movement Assessment. He uses functional movement patterning and manual therapy to return patients to prior levels of function.Physical Therapist
Eric Christensen, DPT
Physical TherapistBe careful when massaging someone's back. When massaging someone's back, avoid pressing too hard on bones, joints, or the spine itself. Instead, focus on kneading the soft tissues around them. Start very gently, then slowly increase pressure while frequently asking them for feedback.
Squeeze and push the client's lower back.
Start making circular motions along the back of client, towards his/her shoulder.
Grasp the shoulder firmly and "wring" it, pressing your fingertips into them.
Make circular motions along the collar bone, going back and forth repeatedly.
Slide back down to middle of back, and make your hands meet in "clap" position.
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Vary touch from light to firm, you can drag fingers lightly as if tickling, then alternate with firm or intermediate levels of touch.
Gentle chops are another way to vary the touch. Relax your hand and in a chopping motion pat the clients back. Keep in mind the motion should come from the arm and you should offer no resistance from the fingers or wrist.
Don't limit touch to hands alone, another useful way to alternate touch is to use your elbow. This must be used gently to avoid causing pain. Do not cross the client's spine when using this technique! This technique is especially effective for masseurs who have weak or fatigued hands.
A knuckle massage is also effective, but like the elbow technique caution must be taken (in intensity and location).
Skin rolling is another way to vary your technique. If the client has skin that is not hyper extended, it often feels very good. Pinch with both hands starting by placing your thumb and forefingers about four inches apart. Then "pinch" down to about half the distance. Then grab the next couple of inches a finger at a time allowing the previous grab to slide under your thumb. Your forefingers end up crawling and your thumb keeps the "roll" in check and sliding forward. The easiest area to do this is side by side the spine, but not on it. You end (or don't begin) when it is difficult to grab a roll.
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Collect at least six smooth stones that fit comfortably in your palm. Cleanse them thoroughly before using them.
Heat the stones in water using a crock pot.
Heat the stones at a low temperature for about half an hour.
Use tongs to retrieve the stones. Pour away water.
Place a small pile of stones on the lower part of the client's back.
Place larger stones along the client's spine and shoulders.
With one hot stone, glide along lower part of back. Do not cross along spine, bones, or joints.
Glide the same stone along the upper part of the client's back and along the neck.
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Expert Q&A
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- QuestionWhat's the best way to heat hot stones for a massage at home?
Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFPRebecca Tenzer is the owner and head clinician at Astute Counseling Services, a private counseling practice in Chicago, Illinois. With over 18 years of clinical and educational experience in the field of mental health, Rebecca specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, interpersonal relationships using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based practices. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology and Anthropology from DePauw University, a Master in Teaching (MAT) from Dominican University, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago. Rebecca has served as a member of the AmeriCorps and is also a Professor of Psychology at the collegiate level. Rebecca is trained as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS), a Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP). Rebecca is also a member of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Society of America and The National Association of Social Workers.
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct ProfessorClinical Therapist & Adjunct ProfessorExpert AnswerMassage stores, as well as Amazon, do offer non-professional grade hot stone kits that plug in and are regulated by temperature. You must be careful that the hot stones are not too hot and make sure that you know how to use them properly. - QuestionWhere can I get a stone massage?
Carolyn BarrattCommunity AnswerContact your local spa and ask if the RMT does hot stone massage. - QuestionHow do I massage a bruise on someone to make them feel better?
Aryn LongCommunity AnswerYou should not massage a bruised area. It will cause more trauma to the area and probably cause more pain, too. You should massage the area only after the bruise is gone.
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Tips
- Clean and disinfect hands prior to massage.Thanks
- Always clean and disinfect stones before and after each use.Thanks
- Before performing a massage, ask the client to tell you their massage preferences or if any techniques cause pain.Thanks
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Warnings
- Do not perform massage on people with bruises and/or heart problems (especially with heart problems)Thanks
- If using aromatherapy oil, beware of any allergies or sensitivities that the client may have.Thanks
- Do not perform massage on people suffering from anorexia, diabetes,varicose veins, or open wounds.Thanks
- Never use just any stone you find for massage. Purchase stones specifically used for massage from spa stores, etc. Applying heat to a random rock will likely cause it to crack or burst.Thanks
- Do not perform the hot stone massage on pregnant people or small children.Thanks
- When performing hot stone massage, be careful that the stone is not too hot for person's back. Even if it is cool enough to pick with your hand, it may be still too hot for the client's back.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Clean bed
- Clean sheets and towels
- Massage cream or oil
- Massage stones
- Aromatherapy oils (optional)
- lotion (optional)
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about massage, check out our in-depth interview with Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP.
References
- Secrets of Hot Stone and Aromatherapy Massage, (An essential Guide for Health and Pleasure), by Margie Hare.
About This Article
Clinical Therapist & Adjunct Professor
This article was co-authored by Rebecca Tenzer, MAT, MA, LCSW, CCTP, CGCS, CCATP, CCFP. Rebecca Tenzer is the owner and head clinician at Astute Counseling Services, a private counseling practice in Chicago, Illinois. With over 18 years of clinical and educational experience in the field of mental health, Rebecca specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, interpersonal relationships using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based practices. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology and Anthropology from DePauw University, a Master in Teaching (MAT) from Dominican University, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Chicago. Rebecca has served as a member of the AmeriCorps and is also a Professor of Psychology at the collegiate level. Rebecca is trained as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist (CGCS), a Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP), and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional (CCFP). Rebecca is also a member of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Society of America and The National Association of Social Workers. This article has been viewed 142,886 times.
Co-authors: 18
Updated: March 27, 2024
Views: 142,886
Categories: Massage
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 142,886 times.
Reader Success Stories
"I do a lot of back massages for friends and loved ones for fun. I never learned how to do it professionally, yet have decent skill in it. I enjoyed this article because it filled in the blanks of knowledge I could use to please my buddies even more."..." more
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