Aromatherapy Relaxing Back Massage
The back is one of the best bits of the body to massage, since it has such a tangle of muscles and nerves that it responds dramatically to the right touch. It also is a large, smooth space that is ideal for spreading oil and learning strokes. Here is a selection of the best aromatherapy oils to use.
Best Oils for Aromatherapy Relaxing Back Massage
. bergamot
. lavender
. eucalyptus
. orange
. frankincense
. petitgrain
Best Combinations For Aromatherapy Relaxing Back Massage
Relaxing massage
7 drops lavender and 4 drops each rose and mimosa in 60ml (2f1 oz/12 tsps) sunflower oil
Energising massage
6 drops bergamot, 5 drops peppermint and 2 drops of lemon in 60ml (2f1 oz/12 tsps) sweet almond oil
Warming winter rub
6 drops frankincense, 5 drops eucalyptus and 4 drops pine in 60ml (2f1 oz/12 tsps) sunflower oil
Invigorating summer rub
6 drops orange, 5 drops lemongrass and 4 drops rosemary in 60ml (2f1 oz/12 tsps) sweet almond oil
For backache
6 drops each lavender and eucalyptus and 3 drops’ lemon in 60ml (2f1 oz/12 tsps) safflower oil
For tense muscles
8 drops lavender, 5 drops petitgrain and 2 drops basil in 60ml (2f1 oz/12 tsps) sunflower oil
How to Do Aromatherapy Relaxing Back Massage?
The best position for a back massage is lying face down on a well-padded floor or firm mattress with a rolled towel or small pillow under the upper chest, so the head and neck are relaxed in the face-down position. Keep the room warm and the light subdued.
Before you begin, warm your hands and warm the aromatherapy massage oil by standing the container in hot water for a couple of minutes. The more times you repeat each stroke the more relaxing it becomes, so use the instructions here as a guide only for the minimum amount of movements. And feel free to throw in your own special touches.
1., Place your palms flat, with hands on the lower back about 2 inches out from the spine. Slide them up to the top of the back, out over the shoulders and down again to the start. The heaviest stroke is pushing up towards the heart, with a light stroke down. Use it to warm and spread the oil and feel for tension or tender spots in the back. Keep a soothing, regular rhythm going for several minutes, then spread fingers wide on the upward stroke only, pressing in with the tips, for a slightly deeper variation.
2. With palms flat half way up the spine, gently slide your hands apart the length of the-back, so one ends at the base of the spine and the other between the shoulder blades. Repeat several times. Then from the same start position, slide hands diagonally across the torso so one ends on a hip and the other on the opposite shoulder. Repeat, both ways. Each movement should be one long, firm stroke to loosen and stretch muscles, holding skin taught at the end for a few seconds before releasing the tension.
3. Repeat the stroke from step I, but this time, when you get to the top, slide your hands over the shoulders, bending your fingertips down to the collarbones, and on the .downward stroke, pull the shoulder muscle at the base of the neck firmly back. Repeat. Place your hands under the hip, fingers down, and pull upwards from the side of the body towards the spine, one hand after the other in a continuous movement. Work up one side of the torso, across the top of the shoulders and down the other side to the opposite hip.
4. Moving to the upper back, place palms flat on either side of the spine above the waist and push them up to the neck, out around each shoulder and back to the start position. Keep the stroke flowing, then do smaller circles using fingertip rather than palm-pressure around and over each shoulder blade. Then knead the upper back and sides of the neck – place your hands flat, fingers together with thumbs wide, then use your thumbs to push flesh up to the fingers, moving your hands as you go.
5. Moving to the lower back, repeat a few sweeping strokes from step 1. Then place one thumb on either side of the spine about an inch out, and gently push down with the thumb pads for a count of five, then relax, to release the small spinal support muscles. Keep doing this, moving up the back to the top of the neck. Repeat from the bottom, this time making tiny circles with each thumb on either side of the spine up to the neck. Finish by running your fingertips firmly up and down over the same area.
6. Now repeat the smooth, flowing strokes from step 1again, over the entire back. Then use your fingertips to make circular movements from the base of the back up to the neck. Finally, do a raking movement all over the back – bend your fingers so only the pads make contact, then make short, firm stroking movements, pulling towards you. Start raking at the neck and work down to the hips; so one hand follows the other in a continuous flow. Repeat several times, reducing the amount of pressure so you finish with a light, slow movement.
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