Some of the largest muscles in the body are located in the back. A typical massage session will spend a good amount of time working this area, as there are many tension-filled points in these muscles. There are a number of massage tools available that can both increase the benefits of massage to the back and make the therapist's job easier.
Hot Stones
The Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals notes that stones as hot as 140 degrees can be placed on points of the back to improve feelings of relaxation and loosen the underlying muscles with heat. During a hot stone massage, the therapist may place stones along the spine or on pressure points on the back. He or she will move the stones around to different points during the session to provide a soothing effect.
Tapping Tools
The tapping or chopping that usually comes at the end of a massage session is called tapotement. Specially designed tools are available to take the stress off the therapist's hands. Tapotement tools generally look like a drum mallet with a soft foam ball on one side and a handle on the other. The therapist pounds the back with the soft end to produce the desired effect.
Heat Pads
The back contains numerous layers of muscles. If you are sitting for a deep-tissue session, the therapist may apply heat pads to your back to relax the superficial layers. Once the tissue is warm, the therapist will have an easier time digging in and accessing the deep muscles and trigger points. As the therapist works on one area of your back, he or she may move the heat pads to other areas so it is warm when he or she moves to those areas.
Acupressure Tools
According to "Massage Magazine," acupressure brings health and balance to the body by stimulating a series of points along the body's energy meridians. While the therapist can stimulate these points with the thumbs or fingers, he or she may use a specially designed tool to dig deeper into the tissue. Many of these pressure points are located on the back. The therapist will place the nub of the tool in his or her hand and lean in to apply pressure and release the energy in the point.
