A few points to remember when using back massage techniques:
Massage in a way that is comfortable to the person receiving massage. Ask for feedback.
Never put direct pressure onto a bony surface area.
You can use any kind of oil or lotion, as long as it gives you some glide. Generally, the less oil you use, the deeper you can make the pressure of the massage strokes.
Video: Swedish Back Massage
A Back Massage Routine
Note: Friction means you do not slide over the skin. Rather, move the skin over the underlying muscle.
Stand at your partner's head. Rub a few drops of oil or lotion into your hands. Place your hands at your partner's shoulders and glide your hands along the sides of the spine until you reach the sacrum (the large triangular bone at the base of the spine). Repeat at least three times.
Place the fleshy pads of your thumbs at the outer edge of the top of one shoulder blade and glide in toward the neck. Stay on the fleshy part of the muscle. Repeat at least three times on each shoulder.
Use your fingers or thumbs or knuckles to apply pressure and make small circles using friction on these areas:
Shoulder: On top of the shoulder, on the shoulder blade, and along the edges of the shoulder blade.
Back: Along the fleshy part at the sides of the spine. Work your way all the way down the back.
Hips: Along the top edges of the hip bones, on the sacrum, and on the surrounding muscles.
Use you whole hands to make a broad kneading action to massage the lower back. Work your way up the back with this kneading action until you reach the shoulders.
Knead the top of the shoulders and back of the neck, being careful not to pinch.
Finish with the same stoke you started with, making it lighter each time.
