How to Massage the Back of the Leg

Redrape the back and undrape the right leg, exposing it all the way up to the hip.

Stand at the outside of the leg facing the recipient’s head. Place your hands on the heel of the foot. Apply pressure and glide your hands up the calf, thigh, and hip. As you pass over the knee, lighten your pressure, as this is a sensitive area. When you reach the top of the hip, continue the glide laterally around the flesh of the hip. Then pull back, gliding with lighter pressure back down the leg to the ankle.

Turn to face the leg. Place your right hand on the inside of the thigh and your left hand on the outside of the thigh. Reverse the position of your hands, simultaneously pulling your right-hand toward you and pushing your left-hand away. Think of picking up and “wringing” the tissue. Repeat in a rhythmic fashion, slowly moving down the thigh and calf over the course of several strokes.

Stand at the bottom of the foot facing your partner’s head. Place your thumbs side by side just above the ankle, and relax your hands on the sides of the leg. Slide your thumbs straight forward. Think of splitting the calf muscles into a right-hand section and a left-hand section. As you get closer to the back of the knee, lighten your pressure and divide your thumbs laterally. Retreat back to the ankle and repeat. Reverse this entire sequence for the left leg.