Deep Tissue Back Massage Techniques: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Best for

Massage students and partners who want to see how slower, deeper techniques are applied to the upper back, then watch a quiet full back massage.

What you'll learn

• How the session is set up and the back is warmed up first
• Working around the rotator cuff and lats
• Using leverage for slow, deeper strokes on the upper back and traps
• How the explained section flows into a full back massage without talking

Key moments

• 0:00 – Introduction and setup
• 1:18 – Warming up the back
• 4:16 – Deep tissue techniques
• 5:51 – Leverage and trap work
• 9:43 – Full back massage, no talking

Not ideal for

Self-massage, since it shows a practitioner working on a client, or anyone after a short clip, as the full video runs about 34 minutes.

This video is for relaxation and education, not medical advice. Stop if anything hurts, and check with a doctor first if you have an injury, are pregnant or have a health condition.

Before you press play

Deep tissue work is about slow, steady pressure rather than force, so if you practise on a partner, check in often and ease off whenever they ask. Watch the explained first ten minutes for technique, then let the quiet section play. Comparing styles? Read our guide to Swedish vs Thai vs deep tissue massage, or try the upper back self-massage with therapy balls. Want a gentler version to try at home? Follow our deep tissue back massage at home guide, or see our best massage balls for the back for slow self-massage. Curious what each stroke in this video is called? Our guide to deep tissue massage techniques explained walks through them gently, one by one.

Video by HM Massage on YouTube.