Mastering Massage for Aestheticians - Learn How To Incorporate an Effective Massage Routine Into Your Back Treatment Service
by Sequita V. Howard

Editor's Note: Please remember to check all state and local laws to make sure your license doesn't prevent you from using certain massage movements.

Over the years I have asked many aestheticians (out of curiosity) how confident they were with their massage routine during back treatments, taking into consideration that they were not massage therapist. The results from the survey were interesting. The majority of the aestheticians replied that they were always a little intimidated because they had no routine. They were uncertain about the amount of pressure to use or felt like their massage had no consistency and was choppy. The general consensus was that their massage had room for improvement.

However, considering that this is the season for halter tops, back outs and strapless dresses, there is no better time to learn how to incorporate an effective massage routine into your back treatment service. If you can successfully and confidently do so, clients will leave your chair or bed looking good, feeling great and proud to bare their backs!

Spa services are on the rise and with the fall season in session, your appointment books are more likely to have back treatment services scheduled on them. So, I ask you "How confident are you in your massage routine during a back treatment?" "What makes your back treatment stand out from the other skin care specialist out there?" "When it comes to the massage segment of the back treatment service do you find yourself at a loss for movements?"

You may think to yourself, "I am an aesthetician, not a massage therapist, why should I learn about massage"? Whether you realize it or not, the entire back treatment service is in a sense primarily massage. For instance, when you apply exfoliation scrubs, the product is spread across the skin in circular massaging motions. This action produces friction, which increases circulation to the skin. The granules from the product polish and buff the body. Creams and lotions are applied the same way unless you opt for applying them with a fan brush. While brush application is more luxurious it requires more product usage than hand spreading.

A back treatment can be a wonderfully relaxing experience with an abundance of hands-on techniques. Although clients schedule for a back treatment, which of course entails cleansing, exfoliating, skin analysis, extractions, mask, toning and moisturizing, (remember to use a moisturizer with sun protection), the client's favorite part hands down, is the massage. If administered properly, a back massage during a dorsal treatment can make a client feel like they have had a full body treatment. Therefore, be generous with the time you allot, devote at least 10-15 minutes to the massage portion of the service.

Learn to Massage Like a Massage Therapist

At the very least, familiarize yourself with the superficial muscles of the back in the event that a client uses a medical term to convey where they would prefer a little more or little less pressure etc.

This does not mean you have to go to massage school, but you should do a little research. Purchase an instructional video or two on the subject. Ask a coworker, who's a massage therapist, to show you some basic strokes then practice on family and friends.

Superficial Muscles of the Back

A) Trapezius - This is the large triangular muscle that extends from the back of the skull and continues on down to the mid-region of the back and covers the thoracic vertebrae.

B) Teres Major, Infraspinatus and Rhomboidius Major - are three smaller muscles that cover the scapula/shoulder blades.

C) Latissimus Dorsi - The largest muscle of the back, (the workhorse) this covers just below the shoulder blades, extends all the way down to the lower back region, covering the last six thoracic vertebrae, all lumbar vertebrae and sacral area.

D) External Obliques - The love handles. Incorporating an effective back rub into a back treatment will enhance the benefits of your service. We are in a feel good career. It is our job to ensure that the spa experience is a memorable and pleasant one; including, but not limited to back treatment services.

Benefits of Massage

Increase Circulation - By way of stroking, kneading, petrissage or friction type movements, the circulatory system is increased, which stimulates the flow of oxygen to the cells, surrounding soft tissues and muscles. This action encourages the skin to have a healthy hue and radiant glow. It also speeds up the healing process post extractions. The lymphocytes (white blood cells) rush to an area to help the skin heal itself after trauma.

Minimize Muscle Soreness - The area of discomfort largely depends upon the type of work or repetitive movements one does. For instance, drivers usually carry pain in their mid to low back region, mothers who hold babies and pick up toddlers share tightness in their upper back, neck and shoulders. Computer operators harbor stress in their neck and shoulders.

Relieve Stress - Massage lowers the heart rate. Lets face it, in this busy techno world of cell phones, beepers, fax machines, desktop and laptop computers, stress is at an all time high! One proven effective way to decrease stress is to wind down with a massage, or other spa related services.

Eliminates Toxins - Overworked and stressed muscles cause lactic acid to accumulate within the body, which is a collection of waste by-products that can cause muscles to hurt and ache. Massage manipulations will loosen up these acids, which are then released and distributed throughout the body.

Advise your client to drink plenty of water post treatment to assist in flushing toxins out of the body rather than allowing them to move and relocate to another muscle group.

Massage is on the rise! If you ask a client why they decided to have a back treatment or massage there will be a multitude of reasons. Some will say because they had a gift certificate, or perhaps they wanted to experience the service. Others may reply they have back pain and wanted to get a little relief.

Contraindications to Massage

Just as there are benefits to receiving a massage there are also contraindications or times when a massage may not be appropriate. Be on the look out and know when it may be questionable or unsafe to work on an area.

Inflammation - Avoid reddened inflamed areas. If a client has recently had back surgery or disk problems be careful. Although massage is great you do not want to do more harm than good.

Fibromyalgia - Ask your client if they have fibromyalgia; (also referred to as fibrosistitis) a disorder that causes pain in the origin and insertion of muscles and where they attach to bones. Although massage is recognized as a viable modality for treating this condition, it is unbearable for some clients. People with this either prefer a very light massage or no massage at all.

Broken Skin - If there are any cuts or open wounds avoid the area.

This article does not disclose the entire list of benefits or contraindications, associated with massage; this list is only a partial documentation. For more information research videos, books, workshops and classes on the subject.

Make Sure the Pressure is Right

How do you know when the pressure is right? The most effective way to gauge your pressure, whether it is too light, overly aggressive or just right is to simply ask. Start out with a level of pressure, and then get some feedback from the client. Encourage them to let you know if they would like a lighter or heavier massage.

Another way to monitor your strength level is by observing. Pay close attention to the recipient's muscles. Sometimes when you are administering too much pressure to a certain area, the muscle will tense up or tighten even more. This is the body's automatic defense mechanism kicking in; respect it and decrease the pressure. Be sure to inquire if the client would prefer a little less pressure (they will usually say yes.).

Some clients are intimidated and will not speak up. Perhaps they have never had a treatment before and feel that it is suppose to hurt. Some clients believe that we are mind readers and are suppose to know when the pressure is perfect through our intuitive sense of touch.

Respect the Kidneys

Be especially intuitive near the kidney region located in the small of the back. Really deep manipulations are not suggested. Be careful not to use massive strength, the kidneys could possibly be bruised. Muscles can also be bruised with extreme pressure leaving the person sore for days.

Tips on Giving a Great Massage

1. Trim your fingernails short so that you do not scratch the receiver.

2. Warm the product in your hand to take the edge off of a cold application.

3. Do not squeeze lotion or oils directly from the bottle onto the skin.

4. Do not talk during the massage part other than to gauge the appropriate amount of pressure to use.

If your client is a talker advise them that this is a time for total relaxation and in order to receive maximum relaxation encourage them to concentrate on something pleasant; coax them to take deep lung cleansing breathes. Deep breathing allows the muscles to relax, which will enable you, the aesthetician to give a more effective treatment.

You must remember, people are always comparing treatments and services and you want to make sure that your back treatment is at the top of the class. The good news is that massage is a very "hands-on" feel good type of service, and if you put some effort into coordinating a smooth, easy flowing routine, you will have more confidence in yourself and the aesthetic services that require minimal massage. Your clients will appreciate the service more and it will hold a higher perceived value.

Skin care is a very competitive business. If you do not go the extra mile another aesthetician will. Do not allow yourself to be in the position where a client of yours goes to another therapist for a back treatment simply because she/he gives a better massage than you do. Do not let the obstacle of not having massage school under your belt discourage you from learning how to give a stupendous massage.

There are a lot of reference materials available at your disposal on the subject of massage. I encourage you to purchase a video, look and learn, then practice.

Contact Information:
Sequita V. Howard has been in the beauty and wellness industry for over a decade and holds licenses in manicuring, massage therapy and aesthetics. Howard has produced two educational videos and is also the proprietor of a Gardena based pedicure products company, Pedicures Ideal. For more information, please call 877-460-6497 or visit their website at www.pedicuresideal.com.