The human body is a complex multifunctional system. That is why pathological changes in one of its organs can affect our entire he alth. In order to eliminate such changes, there is a reflex-segmental massage. Sometimes during this procedure, pain is projected onto those parts of the body that are removed from the affected organ. These zones are called segmented. In them, both increased sensitivity and pain can be observed, and, on the contrary, loss of pain sensitivity of tissues.
What is reflex-segmental massage?
It is worth noting that this type of manipulation is included in the field of restorative medicine, occupying a special place there. What is the difference between classical massage and segmental massage? It is simpler and less efficient. In addition, segmental massage includes classical, and besides it also connective, acupressure and periosteal. Also, during this complex impact on the human body, special techniques are used. And the massage therapistapplies all necessary technique with high intensity.
The basis of this procedure is the impact on the autonomic nervous system of the patient. At the same time, segmental massage allows not only to successfully deal with many chronic ailments. It is also a preventive measure to prevent the occurrence of pathological changes in the tissue area.
Reflex-segmental massage is a very common type of such procedures. When it is carried out, there is a physical effect on the reflex zones located on the surface of the skin, which are associated with internal organs. Already several sessions of segmental massage can improve the condition of the body. At the same time, pain sensations decrease, blood circulation processes improve, the activity of the endocrine and autonomic systems is activated, and the functions of all internal organs return to normal.
Segmental structure of the human body
At the earliest stages of its development, the human body consists of identical metameres. These are segments, each of which is equipped with a spinal nerve that leads to a specific area of the skin. Such areas are called dermatomes. These are areas of the skin that look like stripes or belts covering the body from the back from the midline, passing to the midline located in front. Only the sacral dermatomes pass to the opposite side. At the same time, the connection between the spinal nerve and the dermatome is constant.
The whole human body is divided into certain segments that correspond to the outputnerves. At the same time, they distinguish:
- 5 sacral;
- 5 lumbar;
- 12 chest;- 8 cervical.
In the presence of a pathological process in a particular internal organ, there is a violation of the blood supply to the segment corresponding to it. Such a connection speaks of the unity of the functioning of these parts. So, in violation of the sensitivity of the skin near the spine, as well as in other pathological changes, it is believed that inflammatory processes take place in the spine. The main area of segmental massage for cholecystitis is the abdominal area. In this case, the emphasis is on the right hypochondrium. A segmental massage of the cervicothoracic spine is performed with thoracic osteochondrosis.
Such procedures are prescribed during the rehabilitation period after an illness and for medicinal purposes. At the same time, segmental massage is able to stop the development of ailments in the body.
Preliminary diagnosis
Segmental massage is carried out in order to find reflex changes in the skin and have a positive effect on them. The mechanism of action during such a procedure is to increase blood circulation in a particular segment.
How are such areas defined? This happens when using one method or another:
1. The masseur presses his fingers on the skin, while watching the appearance of pain.
2. The specialist captures the skin, gathering it into a fold. If painful sensations appeared inside the thickenings that arose or a restriction of their mobility was revealed, then this will be evidencereflex changes in this segment.3. The massage therapist stretches the skin. The appearance of pain in a particular area will indicate reflex changes in the connective tissue.
Thus, segmental massage is performed only after the diagnosis of all areas and zones of the patient's body and when problem areas are found in the tissues.
In addition, to detect reflex changes, you can:
- Easily and without pressure, hold the blunt tip of the needle over the skin. In the zone of hyperalgesia (increased pain), such a touch will be perceived as stabbing and sharp.
- Tickle the patient. There will be no sensation in the zone of reflex changes. - Lightly touch the skin using the sharp end of the needle. The zone of hyperalgesia with such an impact will respond with pain.
In addition, certain pathologies of internal organs are detected:
- when visually examining the skin, on which there may be soft or rough swelling, as well as indentations;
- when measuring with an elastomer;- with point percussion, when the difference in tissue tension is determined after a series of light and short strokes on the skin with the palmar surface of the finger.
Indications for conduction
What are the reasons for segmental massage? This type of impact on the patient's body is recommended for the same indications as the classic one.
However, the peculiarity of this procedure, which consists in its reflex effect on tissues,significantly expands the scope of its use. So, pathologies or causes of segmental massage:
- functional or chronic diseases of the internal organs;
- disorders in the functioning of the autonomic and endocrine systems;
- functional and chronic rheumatic pathologies of the joints and spine;- circulatory disorders.
Contraindications
Segmental massage is unacceptable to use when:
- purulent-inflammatory and acute processes, which require urgent surgical intervention;
- infectious diseases of a general nature, which are accompanied by high fever;
- venereal diseases;
- severe injuries and fractures of the musculoskeletal system;- oncological diseases.
Varieties of segmental massage
The procedure for influencing the patient's autonomic nervous system through certain areas of tissue can be carried out using certain methods of exposure. In this regard, the following types of segmental massage are distinguished:
1. Periosteal. This massage is carried out by exerting a physical impact directly on painful points on the skin, which have a reflex connection with one or another organ of the human body. Periosteal massage helps to increase blood circulation and speeds up metabolic processes. It is recommended for pathologies of internal organs, as well as for problems with the skeletal system and the musculoskeletal system.
2. Segmental. This massage is performed using specialphysical methods of exposure and is an effective method to eliminate reflex changes in tissues. The main goal of such a procedure is to reduce the negative impact of pathological phenomena that have arisen in the human body.
3. Shiatsu. This massage came to us from Japan. This procedure is carried out by pressing the fingers on the acupuncture points. Shiatsu is ideal for restoring the patient's energy balance and improving their overall well-being. Japanese massage has not only a therapeutic effect. With its help, various kinds of mental disorders are prevented and the body's defenses are stimulated. Such a procedure is within the power of every person. Indeed, by pressing on the part of the body in which discomfort is experienced, various he alth problems can be solved without much effort and within a short time. With the help of this type of segmental massage, a person is able to eliminate toothache, cope with fatigue, lower blood pressure and get rid of discomfort that has arisen in the lower back and shoulders.
4. Connective. This massage was created in 1929 by Elisabeth Dicke, a physiotherapy instructor. During a similar procedure, by tightening the pads of 3 and 4 fingers, the nerve endings located in the connective tissue are affected.
As a result, the blood supply to organs and tissues is normalized, the speed of scar regeneration processes increases and negative reactions are eliminatedPatient's CNS.
5. Spot. This massage is a physical effect on the active points of the skin, which is carried out with the help of fingers. Through these zones, a positive effect on the central nervous system is exerted. First of all, the massage therapist must find out the problems of the patient. After that, he determines those active points that are associated with the diseased organ, and performs rubbing, stroking, vibration, grasping and pressure techniques. Initially, acupressure causes pain, which subsequently disappears. A similar procedure is recommended for violations of posture and arthrosis, osteochondrosis, as well as for intervertebral hernias.
Techniques of reflex-segmental massage
As mentioned above, the procedure that affects the human nervous system through the tissues of his skin, is a kind of classical. That is why the techniques of segmental massage largely repeat those that exist with traditional exposure. The most common of these are rubbing and vibration, kneading and stroking. All this is a technique of segmental massage, which is worth considering in more detail.
During such a technique as chopping, or "saw", the specialist places the index and thumbs of his hands on both sides of the patient's spine in such a way that a skin roller appears between them. Conducting a reflex-segmental back massage, he performs sawing movements with his hands in different directions.
Secondreception - drilling. During its implementation, the specialist should be on the left hand of the patient. At the same time, the massage therapist places his right hand on the area of the sacrum of the patient, clasping the spine with his fingers. Next, circular movements are made with 1-4 fingers while focusing on the thumb.
Segmental massage of the sacro-lumbar is performed with movement from bottom to top along the line along the spine. Further, the functions of the fingers change. The masseur performs circular movements with the thumbs while focusing on all the others. The specialist can also stand on the right side of the patient. But at the same time, the direction of the massage should not change. The movement of the hands in this case is carried out from the bottom up.
The next technique is stroking. It is carried out with one-sided impact on the patient's body with two or one hand. The specialist performs this technique from the middle of the chest. Then he moves on to segmental massage of the spine. This technique is performed with the help of the palms, the pressure of which gradually increases.
Stroking technique can be planar segmental. It is performed with both hands, the hands of which are parallel and directed to the cervical spine, and starts slightly below the problem area. With the help of such stroking, a segmental massage of the back, as well as the chest and limbs is performed.
The next technique is called "Shifting away from you." Consider three variations of this technique:
1. The specialist performs a segmental massage of the spine, placing the palms on both sides of it. At the same time, a fold of skin should remain between the thumb and all other fingers. She is being massaged. The specialist moves this surface from the bottom up, either on the right or on the left side of the spine.
2. With the second method of “Shifting away from yourself”, the massage therapist positions his hands in the same way as in the first case. Only in this case, the skin fold includes the region of three vertebrae. This area must be moved from the bottom up from the lumbar spine to the cervical.3. Having formed a fold of skin, the massage therapist begins to move one hand forward, and the other back. At the same time, the direction of influence remains the same - from the bottom up.
The next move is "Pull On". This technique is similar to the previous one except for the direction of exposure.
When performing this technique, the massage therapist is near the patient's head, performing movements on himself, giving most of the load to the index finger.
The next way to perform a segmental impact on the human body is called "Fork". The specialist performs a segmental massage of the lumbosacral region. At the same time, his hands move from bottom to top, reaching the 7th cervical vertebra. This technique is performed with the pads of the index and middle fingers. In this case, the hands of a specialist are located on both sides of the spinal column. The movements of the fingers during the execution of such a technique should be slidingwith weights.
Another way of performing a segmental impact on the patient's body is called "Moving". During this reception, the massage therapist with his right hand grabs the patient's body in the area of \u200b\u200bthe right buttock. In this case, the palm of the left hand performs spiral movements in the direction from top to bottom towards the spine, and the right hand - in the opposite direction.
The next technique is called "Press". It is performed with the thumb of the right hand, burdening the movements with the left hand or with the pads of all other fingers. At the end of the procedure, the pressure force must certainly weaken when the brushes are located along the spine.
Another method of segmental massage is Stretching. When it is carried out, the specialist covers the muscle with his hands, located at a distance of four to five centimeters from each other. After that, there are movements to gradually stretch the tissues by moving the brushes back and forth. Then the position of the hands is changed, and the technique is repeated again.
During the segmental massage, a special technique is used when exposed to the periscapular region. The specialist should stand on the right side of the patient and put his left hand on his forearm. After that, a series of small rubbing is carried out. Such movements are carried out with the help of four fingers of the right hand (without the thumb). The reception begins from the widest muscle of the back and ends with the outer edge of the scapula. Further rubbing continues. For this, the thumb of the right hand is used, which moves from the inner edge of the shoulder blade, reaching the level of the shoulder. The massage ends with kneading and rubbing the upper zone of the trapezius muscle (up to the back of the head). After the specialist goes to the region of the right shoulder blade. At the end of this part, the massage shifts slightly lower. It moves to the subscapularis.
With segmental massage, a technique called “Pelvic shaking” is also used. In this case, the specialist works with two hands. He places them on the iliac crests of the pelvis. Then, with the help of short lateral oscillatory movements, the hands move to the spine. With such movements, a concussion of the pelvis is produced.
In segmental massage there is also a method of stretching the chest. It begins with classic stroking, as well as rubbing the zones of the intercostal spaces. Next, the patient takes a deep breath, during which the massage therapist must forcefully squeeze the patient's chest. The direction of the hands of a specialist during the execution of this technique is different. When exhaling, they slide to the sternum, and when inhaling, to the spine. The main condition for the patient is not to hold his breath. To this end, it is better for the massage therapist to give the “Inhale” and “Exhale” commands. It is worth saying that such a technique perfectly activates the patient's breathing.
It is recommended to perform a double tong-like ring reception on overly tense tissue areas and neck muscles. In this case, the execution technique will completely coincide with the one that exists in classical massage.
General recommendations
Senmentary massage requires certain rules to be followed:
1. Each of the receptions should be carried out gently, rhythmically and withoutno sudden movements.
2. When prescribing a course of segmental massage, the stage of the pathological process existing in the patient should be taken into account.
3. Lubricants should not be used during the procedure as they will reduce tissue sensitivity.
4. The procedure can be done only after studying human physiology and anatomy.
5. In terms of its duration, a segmental massage session should not be less than twenty minutes.
6. Before starting manipulations, the patient should be informed about the sensations that await him during and after the session.
7. The initial impact must be carried out on those areas that lie close to the affected segments.
8. The efforts of the massage therapist during the session should increase in the direction from the surface to the deep layers of the tissue.9. Properly performed segmental massage causes warming and redness of the skin, a feeling of relaxation and lightness, and relieves pain.
Sequence of receptions
With segmental massage, it is important to follow a certain order of exposure.
The sequence of the procedure is as follows:
- back massage;
- massage of the most painful areas of the pelvis and limbs, head and chest cage, as well as the head;
- tissue massage, lying in the superficial layers;
- massage of deeper zones;- massage from the periphery to the spinal column in the area of the exit of the roots of the nervous system.
Interesting facts
Scientists have found that by performing a foot massage,many diseases can be cured. After all, they are, without any exaggeration, called the anatomical map of the human body. It is on the feet that there are reflex points of all systems and organs.
Also, experts believe that facial massage also has a beneficial effect on human he alth. After all, it also presents all the points that have a connection with the internal organs. So, massaging the cheeks eases the work of the lungs.
Soft touches on the skin like even animals. So, whales can stick their heads out of the water and let a person stroke them for several hours.
