How to Give a Good Back Rub

Giving a back rub can help alleviate tension and stress in your partner. A good back rub should be focused on three muscle groups, according to Patch Adams, M.D. & the Gesundheit Institute: the muscles along the spine, the muscles on top of the back and neck and the muscles stretching from the spine to your sides along the back.

Things You'll Need

• Flat surface
• Massage oil

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Instructions

• 1

  Don't use too much massage oil.

  Ask your partner to remove his shirt and lie down on the bed. Warm a quarter-sized amount of massage oil between your palms. Massage oil is necessary to prevent friction and the pulling of hairs.

• 2

  Start at the lower back.

  Begin with gentle, slow movements of your hands at the base of the back. Using firm pressure, sweep your hands up your partner's spine, towards his neck.

• 3

  Knead the lower back.

  Placing your hands flat against the shoulders, use your thumbs to knead the neck. Glide your hands back down the spine, and use the palms of your hands or knuckles to massage the lower back in a circle.

• 4

  Use firm pressure.

  Use your thumbs to glide along the muscles at the sides of the spine, until you reach your partner's waist. The pressure should be firm, but not hard enough to cause injury. Branch your hands out when you reach the side of your partner's waist.

• 5

  Knead the back flesh as you work your way up from your partner's waist. Once you get to the shoulder blades, use circular motions over the shoulder blades with your palms. Repeat the above steps until your partner is fully relaxed.