He continues in this pattern until he can easily differentiate beneath his hands the areas of long-standing stress, until the oil is worked in and warm. Again, it is a good thing he has promised not to confront any Others - he would be tempted to give them a piece of his mind about this, too. But that is not for now. Now, once he feels those poor abused muscles are warm enough to take further treatment, he shifts the pattern. Small circles at each side of the spine, with a firmer touch, starting at the small of her back and slowly, so slowly, working back up again.