How to Give a Really Good Back Scratch

"Honey could you just scratch my back just a little on my shoulder...ooh, right there."

Everyone loves a good back scratch and everyone wants to know that they are capable of giving one, but how many times has someone scratched your back and you went into the bathroom, grabbed a hairbrush and scratched it again? No one will tell you if you don't satisfy so here are a few ways you can see to it that you do!

1. Start with the whole back. When you scratch just one spot, by comparison other spots on the back get itchy. When you run your nails or fingertips from the tops of the shoulders down and back up the entire back, it evens out the itches so that one spot doesn't stand out more.

2. Scratch toward the spine. Pull the skin in toward the backbone starting from the tops of the shoulders and overlapping strokes all the way down to the waist.

3. Scratch away from the spine. Starting at the waistline run your fingernails out to the sides overlapping strokes all the way up to the neck and then down your partners arms to their elbows.

4. Lightly scratch down and back up. Starting where you left off at the elbows spread your fingers far apart and gently graze the skin up to the shoulders and back down the back just a few times.

5. End with a rub. To keep the skin from feeling over stimulated then abandoned end each backrub with gentle circular rubs that are wide and even. Start out a little firm and end very gently making sure you get the entire surface of the back.

Some tips to keep in mind: Be careful of too much pressure. You don't want to make your partner cringe or bleed, so experiment a little with different pressures until you find one that makes both of you comfortable.

Know your partner's limits. Although everyone loves a back scratch sometimes a little is enough, especially when someone's skin is sensitive or when they are feeling particularly ticklish.

Be aware of injuries. If you haven't seen the skin under the shirt, feel very carefully during the initial down and back up for resistance. If your fingernails snag a little ask your partner if there is a scratch or scar you should be aware of. Again, you don't want to make them bleed.

Wash your hands. Don't jump up and run away too quickly after scratching someone's back, but do be aware that human skin is loaded with bacteria and that before you eat or touch your face it would be a good idea to get their skin cells out of your fingernails with a little soap and water. (It' also a good idea to wash before a really good scratching so you don't risk infecting your partner with whatever might be under your nails!)

The number one tip about giving a good back scratch is: Don't be afraid to ask for one in return!!!