The perfect way to bring joy to someone in your life is to offer them a soothing back massage. While you can give a gift certificate for a professional massage from a trained massage therapist, you can also do it yourself. Watch this video from a trained professional to learn the key beginner back massage techniques that can help you give a relaxing, memorable massage. Then, follow along below to learn more about massage and some proper techniques for massaging the back.
What Does a Massage Do?
Let’s delve a little into what massage is. Massage involves light stroking or deep pressure through rubbing, pressing and manipulating parts of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. The act of massage directly involves the:1
- Skin
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Ligaments
Massage is a pleasurable activity that has possible health benefits.
Possible Health Benefits of A Massage
Massages are considered a segment of integrative medicine that can be used in combination with conventional medicine. Possible health benefits for someone receiving a massage, the Mayo Clinic has said, include:1
- Reduction of stress
- Increased relaxation
- Improvement in circulation and feeling more alert and energetic
- Lowered heart rate and blood pressure
- Improvement in immune function.
Massage may also prove beneficial to those suffering from other disorders such as headaches and pain experienced in the neck and upper back, to name a few. However, more research is needed to confirm these claims, the Mayo Clinic says, and notes that massage should never be used in place of regular medical care.
Beyond those possible health benefits of massage, people receiving a massage often find it pleasurable because it may promote feelings of care, comfort and help form connections.
Receiving a massage may also help to improve the quality of sleep, according to the Cleveland Clinic. That’s because it may decrease levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.2
Possible Risks of Massage
While most may benefit from receiving a massage and are likely to enjoy it, it may not be good for people with certain conditions, the Mayo Clinic says. These include:1
- Taking blood-thinning meds or if you have a bleeding disorder
- Healing wounds or burns
- Fractures or broken bones
- Infections
- Severe osteoporosis
- Severe thrombocytopenia
- Deep vein thrombosis
If you’re unsure if it is safe to receive a massage or perform one on someone, it may be wise for the person who will receive it to first consult their medical provider.
Tips for How to Give a Good Back Massage
Here are some tips for giving a memorable back massage.
Create a pleasant massage environment
Find a stable, hard surface in your home and have your loved one lay down with their face towards the floor. You don’t necessarily need a professional massage table—any sturdy surface will do.
Lay towels, blankets, or other types of soft material on the surface to increase the comfort of the lucky person to whom you will give a massage.
You may wish to create a peaceful environment for the massage by including soft music, scented candles or flowers or herbs, and low lighting to make it more memorable. Have any massage oils or lotions you plan to use on the skin close by.
Massage oils
Only use high-quality massage oil for the back massage. Recommended oils include:
- Olive oil
- Grape seed oil
- Blended oils
Tip: Avoid strong fragrances for the best results.
Let the massage recipient decide what to wear for the back massage
The person to whom you will give the back massage can wear light clothing or be shirtless, whichever they prefer. On that note, you may also want to ensure that the person feels comfortable with what you plan to wear while giving the massage.
Step-By-Step Guide to Giving a Back Massage
These instructions are for massages you will be giving to a person who has opted not to wear a shirt or other clothing covering the back during the massage.
Tip: Because the point of a massage is to deliver a pleasurable experience to the recipient, encourage them to let you know if something hurts or feels good as you move through these steps.
1. Begin the back massage.
Begin by rubbing a bit of massage oil into your hands and lightly and evenly spreading the oil across the back.
Spreading the oil in a figure-eight motion can help ensure that you’re covering the entire area. Gradually increase the amount of pressure that you’re applying as you continue with the back rub.
Tip: Moving your body while you apply pressure on a person’s back during a massage can help you maintain your stamina. It can also help prevent you from accidentally injuring yourself.
2. Move on to using gliding strokes.
Move into your next gliding stroke by firmly moving your hands up the back to the shoulder and then down the back again.
3. Use your body weight.
Use your body weight to create additional pressure. Do this in a fluid motion without removing your hands from the person’s back.
If you want to go deeper with each gliding stroke, using your knuckles can help.
Important tip: Take care not to press too hard on bony structures, such as the spine or shoulder blades.
4. Apply more pressure to the muscles along each side of the spine.
Also be sure to apply pressure to the shoulders. Shoulders are an area of the body where a large amount of tension tends to be held.
Hold the upper shoulder muscle in your hands and apply varying amounts of pressure, depending on the comfort level of the person you’re massaging.
5. Finish up the massage by returning to the initial figure-eight stroke.
Consider a Career in Massage Therapy
If you love the idea of bringing joy to others through the art of massage, you may want to consider becoming a licensed massage therapist. Carrington College has an excellent massage therapy training program. Request information today to take the first step towards your new career path.
Sources
Follow all directions on the product package. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medication is for use on the skin only. Do not apply near the eyes, mouth, nose, or genitals, and be careful not to touch those areas while the medication is on your hands. If you do get the medication in those areas, flush with plenty of water. Wash your hands well before inserting contact lenses.
If you are using the lotion, spray, or foam, shake the bottle well before using.
Apply a thin layer of medication to the affected area no more than 3 to 4 times a day. Rub in gently and thoroughly. After applying the medication, wash your hands unless you are using this medication to treat the hands. If treating the hands, wait at least 30 minutes after applying the medication to wash your hands.
Do not apply this medication to skin that is injured or irritated (such as cut, scraped, sunburned). Do not bandage or tightly wrap the affected area. Doing so may increase the risk of side effects. You may cover the area loosely to protect clothing. Ask your pharmacist for more details.
Heat can increase the risk of side effects. Do not apply this medication immediately before, during, or after activities that increase skin temperature (such as bathing in hot water, swimming, sun bathing, heavy exercise) or in hot/humid weather. Wait until your skin has cooled before applying the medication. Do not use a sunlamp/tanning bed, hot water bottle, or heating pad on the treated area.
This product is available in different strengths and with different ingredients but with product names that sound similar. Read the label carefully to make sure you have the right product for you. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts for more than 7 days, if it gets worse, or if it keeps returning. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away.
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Uses
Simvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood. It belongs to a group of drugs known as "statins." It works by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver. Lowering "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides and raising "good" cholesterol decreases the risk of heart disease and helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.In addition to eating a proper diet (such as a low-cholesterol/low-fat diet), other lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better include exercising, losing weight if overweight, and stopping smoking. Consult your doctor for more details.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the evening. If you are using the tablet form of this medication, you may take this medication with or without food.
If you are using the liquid form of this medication, take this medication on an empty stomach. Shake the bottle well for at least 20 seconds before each dose. Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
The usual maximum dose for this medication is 40 milligrams a day. If you have been instructed by your doctor to take more than 40 milligrams, continue on that same dose. However, promptly talk with him or her about the risks and benefits of your higher dose.
Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and the risk of serious side effects may be increased.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of this medication in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same time each day. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high cholesterol or triglycerides do not feel sick.
It is very important to continue to follow your doctor's advice about diet and exercise. It may take up to 4 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.
Side Effects
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
A very small number of people taking simvastatin may have mild memory problems or confusion. If these rare effects occur, talk to your doctor.
Rarely, statins may cause or worsen diabetes. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks.
This drug may rarely cause muscle problems (which can rarely lead to very serious conditions called rhabdomyolysis and autoimmune myopathy). Females, older adults, and Chinese people may be at higher risk. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of these symptoms during treatment and if these symptoms last after your doctor stops this drug: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine).
This medication may rarely cause liver problems. If you notice any of the following rare but serious side effects, tell your doctor right away: yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before taking simvastatin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol use.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for liver problems, especially when combined with simvastatin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially muscle problems.
This medication must not be used during pregnancy. Simvastatin may harm an unborn baby. It is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication. Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) while taking this medication. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions
See also How to Use section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: "blood thinners" (such as warfarin), cyclosporine, danazol, daptomycin, gemfibrozil.
Other medications can affect the removal of simvastatin from your body, which may affect how simvastatin works. Examples include certain azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), boceprevir, cobicistat, colchicine, delavirdine, macrolide antibiotics (such as clarithromycin, erythromycin), nefazodone, HIV protease inhibitors (such as nelfinavir, ritonavir), telaprevir, telithromycin, among others.
Chinese people should not take niacin at doses used to lower cholesterol (1 gram or more) when taking this medication. Doing so may increase the risk of side effects (especially muscle problems). Talk with your doctor for details.
Do not take any red yeast rice products while you are taking simvastatin because some red yeast rice products may also contain a statin called lovastatin. Taking simvastatin and red yeast rice products together can increase your risk of serious muscle and liver problems.
Does Zocor interact with other drugs you are taking?
Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checkerOverdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as blood cholesterol/triglyceride levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Storage temperature ranges differ according to different manufacturers, so consult your pharmacist for more information. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Discard the suspension form of this medication one month after opening the bottle, even if there is medication left. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.
CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.