This section summarizes the step-by-step procedures for each massage area offered at Tsubaki.
This page explains the back massage.
- [Tsubaki Massage Step 1] Head Massage – Step-by-Step Guide
- [Tsubaki Massage Step 2] Décolleté & Neck Massage – Step-by-Step Guide
- [Tsubaki Massage Step 3] Hand & Arm Massage – Step-by-Step Guide
- [Tsubaki Massage Step 4] Back Massage – Step-by-Step Guide
- [Tsubaki Massage Step 5] Leg Massage – Step-by-Step Guide
STEP 1: Effleurage to Warm the Entire Back
Begin by warming and relaxing the entire back (Reference: What is Effleurage?).
Place both hands on either side of the spine and, without applying strong pressure, gently and smoothly stroke upward from the lower back to the neck along the spine.
Using the whole palm, massage from the shoulder blades to the waist and sides with gentle, flowing motions, promoting lymphatic flow toward the heart (from the lower back toward the shoulders).
STEP 2: Petrissage to Release Muscles Around the Shoulder Blades
The area around the shoulder blades tends to accumulate stress and fatigue. Gently loosening this area helps address the root causes of shoulder stiffness (Reference: What is Petrissage?).
Using your thumbs and fingertips, carefully knead along the inner edge of the shoulder blades (the groove between the scapula and spine), moving from top to bottom.
Outer shoulder blades: Ask the client to slightly extend their arm outward, then grasp the muscles along the outer side of the shoulder blades with your palms and fingers, performing kneading motions.
Insert your fingers beneath the shoulder blades and gently lift to perform scapular release movements.
This helps expand the range of motion around the shoulder blades and enhances relaxation.
STEP 3: Kneading to Relax Large Back Muscles
The back contains large muscles such as the latissimus dorsi. Thoroughly loosening these muscles improves overall blood circulation (Reference: What is Kneading?).
Using your thumbs or the base of your palms, move along the spine, gently rocking the muscles from side to side. This helps release adhesions between the muscles and bones.
For stubborn stiffness, use your thumbs or the base of your palms to apply circular pressure in small motions to knead deeply.
STEP 4: Massage Using Hot Stones
After the body is warmed up, apply oil again and perform a massage using hot stones (Reference: What is Hot Stone Massage?).
First, apply warmed oil over the entire back with your hands. Then coat the heated stones with oil and glide them slowly from the lower back toward the shoulders.
For stiff muscles, use the flat side or edge of the stone to massage in small circular motions.
This technique allows the therapist to reach areas that are difficult to access with hands alone, such as around the shoulder blades or along the spine.
For particularly stubborn knots, use the corners of the stones to apply point pressure and massage along the muscle fibers with small movements.