Technical steps for full body stress management massage – Back

1.   Spread the lotion in an effleurage along paravertebral zones from L5 to C1. With both thumbs applying pressure (friction), massage paravertebral muscles from L5 to C1.
2. Making sure forearms are parallel with the client’s body, apply pressure with both fists on upper trapezius and perform circular kneading.
3. Hide one thumb in the palm of the other hand, fold the fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints. Keeping wrists straight and arms extended perform backs of the fingers Friction on the left side gluts, 3-5 strokes. Repeat for the right side.
4.  Stand with feet apart in front of the neck, and surround client’s neck, with both hands. Perform Petrissage #3 by applying side to side circular sweeps, “hand after hand” motion.
5.  In a hand after hand manner, sweep the right-side neck and upper trapezius; then perform guitar technique on the top of the trapezius.
6.  Repeat step 5 for left side.
7.  Shake in a guitar manner finger after finger top of the trapezeous.
8.  Perform effleurage following by friction action on all areas of the back.	9. Beginning with the lane closest to you, perform hand after hand (friction) for 3-5 strokes before moving to the next lane.
10. Place the left hand on top of the flat right hand on the lower back in the first of the 4 lanes. Perform ironing Friction over each lane for 3-5 strokes before moving to the next lane.
11.  Hide one thumb in the palm of the other hand, fold the fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints. Place the backs of the fingers on the client’s lower back, such that the hand closest to the spine will cover that lane and the outside hand will cover the lateral lane. Keeping wrists straight and arms extended perform backs of the fingers Friction on the left side lanes for 3-5 strokes. Repeat for the right side.
12. Stand with feet apart in front of the back. Perform petrissage #1 and #2 on all areas of the back, staying 3-4 kneading/rotations with gradually increasing pressure on each area before moving to the next area. Please remember that most people carry a lot of stress in the upper trapezius region; therefore, on these areas perform petrissage for 8-10 kneadings/rotations.
13.  Return stance to initial position and perform effleurage 3-5 (alternating pairs).
14. Stand with feet apart in front of the back and using both hands, pinch and lift the skin in a hand after hand manner over all areas of the back. Motion should be as fast as possible.
15.  Cup both hands as if to hold water in them, then place cupped palms on the client’s back. Starting out with light gentle tapping, with gradually increasing strength, perform alternating fast striking techniques on all areas of the client’s back. Motion should be as fast as possible.
16.  With fingers slightly spread and tilted down to the client’s back (4th & 5th fingertips will strike the client) perform ax tapotement techniques on all areas of the back.
17.  Stand in front of client’s left shoulder/corner of table. Massage ribs by pulling in a hand after hand manner, using finger tips to rake the intercostals muscles. Repeat for other side.
18.  Change position to stand above client’s head. Place hands flat on the lateral sides of client’s lower part of the ribcage area.
19.  Perform reverse friction by pulling hands medially to the paravertebral zones, then straight up towards the client’s head, letting hands disconnect as they come over the shoulders. Place hands on the lateral sides of the ribcage and pull straight up, following the outside back lanes, over the scapular areas. Repeat this for 3-5 alternating pairs.
20.  Return to initial stance position next to the client’s back. Perform waves technique by applying initial pressure at the lower back and massaging with all fingers of both hands up the back, disconnecting as hands slide off the upper trapezius. Repeat the motion 3 to 5 times.
21. Effleurage. Repeat the motion 3 to 5 times.
22.  Place one hand flat on the right side upper back and gently shake from side to side for about ten seconds. Repeat the same technique on the left side.