Giving a Back Massage
By Jacob Jarden  [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jacob_Jarden]

It is estimated that just under 80% of the worlds population suffer from ongoing back pain at some stage in their life. Nowadays no one has time to offer to the small feelings of well being, which if given would greatly heighten our efficiency and productivity. And for the same reason we have back massages which can easily get rid of strain and pain from your back and fill you with enthusiasm and get you ready for another rough ride. Giving a back massage can quickly get rid of anxiety, pain and stress, and guess what? it aids in increasing physical intimacy too.


Assuming you have your partner who is ready to take a test massage from you, we'll proceed and discuss how a soothing back massage can be given. Before a convincing massage therapy could begin, the environment must be setup accordingly, make sure you select a room which is soundproof, and has dim lighting. The room with only chandelier or which has few indirect lights would do. Its even possible if you can use scented candles to dimly light the environment. Coming to the back massaging procedure, select a bed or table on which your partner can feel comfortable. Its better if its wide, and long enough so that your partner can lay with legs stretched.


Keep a cushion or a pillow on the table or bed where your partners chest will be. Now if you are planning to use essential oil for this massage therapy, better get your table or bed covered with either dispensable sheet or an old bed sheet to catch the spilled oil. Give your partner sometime to get rid of the top clothes, and make sure they loosen their lower pants so that you can reach the lower back. Make them lay down on the table, facing downwards. Make sure the pillow is in right place; under the chest. Fold some cloth and keep it under your partners head to keep their neck in line with the body. The same can be done under your partners ankles. Cover the lower pants of your partner with a cloth so that it doesn't get stained with the oil. Now take some oil in hand and rub it in both hands, it would make it warm. start spreading it on your partners back, concentrate more on the neck are. [Back massage]


Keep your hands one upon another and start moving them on your partners back in small circles, without much pressure, this is called palm circling. This should be done from waist to neck. Close your hands into fist and slowly star rubbing the back with them till shoulders. Skip the spine and remember not to apply pressure on it. Another type of stroke, the muscle lifting can be done by holding flesh loosely with one hand and subsequently rubbing its hind are with another hand. End the stroke by slowly pulling the flesh outward. Alternate between all the three strokes and make sure the whole of the body is attended. [Back massage]


Continue massaging the back and body in this way, focusing on particularly tight areas (where you can feel "knots" in the muscle, or areas that invoke a strong response of pleasure from your massage subject. [Back massage]

Jake Jarden lives in Indiana with his wife and son. He runs a free publication on common massage therapy and meditation techniques, holistic healing, essential oils and candles, and much more.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Giving-a-Back-Massage&id=2056546] Giving a Back Massage

Shiatsu Back Massager - The Best Massage Chair
By Jason Oh  [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jason_Oh]

A Shiatsu Back Massager is one of the best pleasures in life. Not only can it be close to the real back massage - it has therapeutic benefits.

And with today's technology, you do not have to fork out thousands of dollars for a back massage chair. So if you need one but just could afford to buy it, there are a few versions of a back massager.

One such version is the Chair Style Shiatsu Back Massager which you can strap onto any chair at home or at the office.

Not only does it work efficiently, it seats comfortably and it is very light and portable. You can literally change an ugly chair into one of the most useful chair in your family home. And the best thing is, the price ranges from $70 and up the the hundreds.

Another economical version of a back massager are the pillow style ones. You simple rest your head on the pillow and it massaged the neck and shoulder region.. and it is very effective. Although, it doesn't massage the back, this is a nice option to have, especially for those people who suffer from neck and shoulder tightness.

But if you want the Shiatsu Back Massager Chairs, go for the Japanese models Fuji, Sanyo and the likes. Just make sure the chair can adjust to the length of your back, and able to get to the areas you want attention to.

In fact, the back massage chair must offer settings to allow you to adjust the rollers along your body shape, your shoulders and spine. Whether you opt for the chair or the lighter versions, a Shiatsu Back Massager can be a nice remedy to unwind and relax from a long hard day.

Can't Afford A Shiatsu Back Massager Chair? Visit http://www.shiatsubackmassagers.net/ Now And Discover Other Versions of a Shiatsu Back Massager That Offers Both Therapeutic Benefit And Great Value!

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Shiatsu-Back-Massager---The-Best-Massage-Chair&id=4361751] Shiatsu Back Massager - The Best Massage Chair

Using Reflexology As a Treatment For Back Pain
By Jan Griffiths  [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jan_Griffiths]

The practice of reflexology is a non invasive holistic therapy based upon stimulating the body's own healing process by applying firm pressure to specific reflex points on the feet, with some practitioners using the hands as well.  Each of these reflex points relate to a certain part or organ of the body and therefore the entire body is mapped out, with the left foot relating to the left hand side and the right foot to the right hand side of the body.

Reflexology has its origins in China and Egypt many thousands of years ago but the reflexology we see today was started in 1913 by Dr William H. Fitzgerald who researched body zones and how application of pressure in one part of a zone could influence another area within the same zone. Research into Zone Therapy, as it was known, evolved over the twentieth century and was refined by Eunice D. Ingham who discovered that the feet contain seven thousand nerve endings and were therefore the most appropriate part of the body to treat, her treatment method became known as the Ingham Compression Method of Reflexology.

As with many alternative massage therapies, there is no actual proof that reflexology works but many clinical trials have shown that it can be of benefit in treating all sorts of conditions and has been shown to be effective when dealing with back pain.  During a treatment the practitioner will work the entire surface of both the feet paying particular attention to tender or congested (known as gritty) areas as these represent parts of your body which are out of balance and painful. In some cases the hands will be treated but usually only in the case of extremely tender feet or missing limbs, this is because the surface area of the feet is greater therefore more effective. The treatment should not feel unpleasant as it is similar to a massage therapy and you should feel relaxed during and after the procedure, the pressure applied is not painful and is firm enough to be tolerated by those of us who are ticklish. There are no after effects apart from feeling relaxed and you will probably enjoy a good nights' sleep. Reflexology improves body circulation and cleanses the system from impurities and toxins so it is advisable to drink plenty of water afterwards to help expel them from your system.

Although reflexology is an alternative massage therapy, it is amongst one of the heavyweights in terms of reputation and effectiveness and many of us with varying conditions, including back pain, would no doubt benefit from one or more sessions.

Jan Griffiths maintains a [http://www.backpainreliefblog.org/]regular blog about chronic back pain, and has written many articles specifically on [http://www.backpainreliefblog.org/treatments/upper-back-pain-relief/]upper back pain relief.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Using-Reflexology-As-a-Treatment-For-Back-Pain&id=6528818] Using Reflexology As a Treatment For Back Pain

Why Thai Massage is One of the Best Massage Therapies For Relieving Low-Back Pain
By Nina Schnipper [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nina_Schnipper]

Thai massage, also known as Thai-yoga, is a style of massage therapy that is gaining in popularity in the U.S. recently. More people who get massage are receiving Thai massage.
Massage therapy has been shown to be effective for treating low back pain naturally. With so many massage therapies being practiced, maybe it is time to examine the effectiveness of individual styles like Thai massage.

Thai massage foundations.
Thai massage is rooted in ancient Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is considered a more holistic approach to treating physical conditions than our modern Western medical model.
The Western approach to treating conditions is to look at each symptom, and each corresponding body area, separately from the rest of the body. When we strain a muscle, we repair that muscle. We don't pay attention to the surrounding muscles until they appear symptomatic. This is not holistic, or prevention-based.

Ayurveda and Thai massage are steeped in prevention and holistic treatment. When pain or tension arises, the whole body is treated. There is no question that muscles, organs, and other areas are affected when one is injured or diseased.

Thai massage applications.
Thai massage is a form of relaxed, gentle, assisted stretching. Some of its stretches are more dynamic, like yoga being applied to a relaxed person.
During a Thai massage session, the massage therapist will apply stretches to the client's entire body. In the process, the massage therapist loosens muscles and joints. They enhance movement and restore circulation in tight areas. They relieve stress and tension in restricted tissues.

Thai massage and back muscles.
When a therapist offers Thai massage, they do not focus on one area or muscle group. They apply their therapy to the whole body.
Back fitness depends on many muscles working together. When muscles in the lower back are weak, they are not fit. They are at risk for becoming strained or stressed.
Everyday activities are multi-directional and dynamic. Most daily activities require the use of several muscles working together in harmony. Back injuries commonly occur because the muscles are not prepared for dynamic, everyday functions.

Thai massage loosens all of the muscles in the back, and stretches all of the surrounding muscles. It treats the entire low back in a way that improves its ability to perform everyday activities.
Learn how to use massage therapy and other natural treatments to relieve your pain. New video and article program that you can follow at home: the "10-Day Support and Coaching Guide to Pain Relief".
Discover...
*the big mistake that makes pain worse, that most people in pain are using by accident
*what you need to do right away if you're in pain
*how to avoid surgery and medications with natural treatments

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Thai-Massage-is-One-of-the-Best-Massage-Therapies-For-Relieving-Low-Back-Pain&id=1277669] Why Thai Massage is One of the Best Massage Therapies For Relieving Low-Back Pain