During this time of physical and emotional stress brought about by so many factors such as 14 hour workdays, 7 day work weeks, repetitive stress injuries, weekend warriors, and not to mention financial problems, a wonderful and therapeutic gift would be a little touch therapy for stress reduction. One of more popular massage techniques would be the lower back massage. A single or better yet a series of massage sessions can offer a lot of benefits for people who are under a lot of stress, but you don't need to be stressed out first to get and enjoy one. Its benefits include stress management, improved lymphatic drainage for release of toxins, increased body awareness, emotional comfort, proper posture, relaxation, improved circulation, and much more.
It will work to our advantage if we will know the process and techniques in doing a lower back massage. By learning to do it, you will be able to offer something to your wife or your husband, your girlfriend or boyfriend something that he or she could have gotten elsewhere but needs to step out of the house. Aside from this, you can both enjoy learning the technique together, therefore you can take turns in massaging one another and give comments and pointers on what can be done better.
To prepare yourselves for the session, you need to have a room that can provide a warm, quite, and relaxing environment. One of the things you need to have is a comfortable firm surface it may be a bed, floor mat, or a massage table. In addition, you can also use cushions and pillows to make it more comfortable. Other things you need would be towels, to cover the body and to lie on, and massaging oil. You can use baby oil if you want to.
One of the basic techniques for a lower back massage is called the whole hand effleurage where you need to use the whole surface of both hands applied with oil. With effleurage, defined as smooth rhythmic stroking, you can stroke firmly upwards from the lower back up to the neck, and with gentler pressure, slowly stroke in circle back to the lower back. This method is done in about 5 to 10 minutes.
Another technique is called the effleurage using the heel of the hand. In this method, both hands work in circles starting at the lower back. While moving in circles, you can start moving outward, then upwards, and return to the center. This is a 5 minute process which has a smaller area of contact therefore it is deeper.
There are other lower back massage techniques used in massage parlors today. The ones discussed are the easier methods but contributes the same benefits.
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