Q&A for How to Massage the Lower Back

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  • Question
    How do you prepare oil for a massage?
    Marty Morales
    Professional Massage Therapist
    Marty Morales is a Professional Massage Therapist and the Founder and Owner of the Morales Method, a manual therapy and body conditioning business based in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Los Angeles, California. Marty has over 16 years of massage therapist experience and over 13 years of experience educating others on the best practices for massage therapy. Marty has over 10,000 hours of private practice logged and is a Certified Advanced Rolfer and Rolf Movement Practitioner, CMT. He has an MBA in Finance from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.
    Professional Massage Therapist
    Expert Answer
    The most important thing is to make sure you're using fresh, clean oil. You can heat the oil up by placing the bottle in some warm water in advance. Use an oil that's pleasant to the other person. For example, if they like the smell of lavender, you could use an oil that's infused with lavender for the massage.
  • Question
    Why is my lower back so stiff?
    Francisco Gomez
    Fitness Coach
    Francisco Gomez is the Head Coach at the FIT Potato Gym, a training gym established in 2001 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Francisco is a former competitive runner who helps endurance athletes train for major marathons like the Boston Marathon. Francisco specializes in Injury Rehab, Flexibility, Marathon Training, and Senior Fitness. He has a B.S. in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology & Running.
    Fitness Coach
    Expert Answer
    Your lower back can become stiff for many reasons. One of the most common ones is bad posture, especially if you work a job that has you sitting all day. To fix this, you should stand up and do some light stretches throughout the day.
  • Question
    What is the best way to massage your lower back?
    Francisco Gomez
    Fitness Coach
    Francisco Gomez is the Head Coach at the FIT Potato Gym, a training gym established in 2001 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Francisco is a former competitive runner who helps endurance athletes train for major marathons like the Boston Marathon. Francisco specializes in Injury Rehab, Flexibility, Marathon Training, and Senior Fitness. He has a B.S. in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology & Running.
    Fitness Coach
    Expert Answer
    Try using a foam roller or a pressure ball to massage the lower back and surrounding areas. Start by using the roller or pressure ball on your glutes, then work your way up to the actual spinal muscles.
  • Question
    Is walking good for lower back pain?
    Francisco Gomez
    Fitness Coach
    Francisco Gomez is the Head Coach at the FIT Potato Gym, a training gym established in 2001 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Francisco is a former competitive runner who helps endurance athletes train for major marathons like the Boston Marathon. Francisco specializes in Injury Rehab, Flexibility, Marathon Training, and Senior Fitness. He has a B.S. in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology & Running.
    Fitness Coach
    Expert Answer
    Yes, absolutely. When people are hurting, they'll often avoid movement. Unfortunately, that's just going to make the problem worse, because your joints are only going to get stiffer and stiffer. This is especially true of your hips, so when you're walking, be sure to lift your legs and use your hips, and not just your knees.
  • Question
    How do you give a back massage as a beginner?
    Marty Morales
    Professional Massage Therapist
    Marty Morales is a Professional Massage Therapist and the Founder and Owner of the Morales Method, a manual therapy and body conditioning business based in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Los Angeles, California. Marty has over 16 years of massage therapist experience and over 13 years of experience educating others on the best practices for massage therapy. Marty has over 10,000 hours of private practice logged and is a Certified Advanced Rolfer and Rolf Movement Practitioner, CMT. He has an MBA in Finance from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.
    Professional Massage Therapist
    Expert Answer
    I suggest you warm up the oil in advance by placing the bottle in warm water. This will make it feel more comfortable on their skin. Then, start slowly and keep open communication during the massage to avoid hurting the person.
  • Question
    How can I help someone else relax during a massage?
    Community Answer
    It's really important for you to be grounded and centered, so take some time for yourself to relax. Also, use soft, warm lighting in the room, and keep the temperature somewhat warm. You can even diffuse a soothing essential oil like lavender, bergamot, frankincense, or chamomile.
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