Many people wonder how to massage properly, but before learning the technique, few people are interested in what it is for.
Total massage is a relaxing treatment that can have both healing and preventive effects.
Thanks to massage, muscle spasm is relieved, movement through blood vessels and lymphatic fluid improves.
Main types of massage
- Healing. It is used during the rehabilitation period after past illnesses. During the massage, special therapeutic ointments and gels can be used. Classical massage is one of the types of therapeutic.
- Sporty. This type of massage is used in the training cycle of athletes. The purpose of sports massage is to relieve fatigue after exercise, muscle blocks, recovery from injuries, dispersal of lactic acid that accumulates in muscles during intense work.
- Relaxing. The main purpose of this procedure is relaxation. To achieve maximum results, various aromatics can be used.soothing oils, relaxing atmosphere and music.
- Cosmetic. Most often, this massage is used on the face and décolleté. The procedure is aimed at improving the quality and condition of the skin. A variety of moisturizers and oils may be used during the massage.
- Hardware. This type of massage is performed using various technical devices. The main goal of hardware massage is to fight cellulite and excess weight.
Effect of massage on the body
If the correct massage technique is followed, then during the procedure you can achieve a positive effect not only on the integument of the body, but also on the internal organs.
- Leather. During the massage, the skin becomes more elastic, dead cells are removed, microcirculation and excretory processes of the external secretion glands increase. Due to the outflow of fluid, congestion and swelling are reduced.
- Muscles. After the procedure, the amount of lactate in the muscle tissue decreases, relieving fatigue. Medical massage can relieve muscle pain, increase or decrease tone.
- Nervous system. When performing a deep massage, that is, when a large force is applied, there is a decrease in the excitation of the body. With a superficial massage, the body of the person being massaged is toned.
- Internal organs. Massage regulates all autonomic functions of the body.
Principles of classical massage
In order to answer the question of how to massage correctly,you need to know not only the physiological foundations of massage, but also the correct technique.
During the work, the massage therapist must follow some rules:
- Any classic massage techniques should go in a strict direction. It should coincide with the course of the lymph flow.
- During massage techniques, it is impossible to perform massage techniques over the projections of the lymph nodes.
- During the procedure, the person being massaged should not feel pain.
- When performing a massage, the set speed must be observed, and there must be no time intervals between receptions.
Classic massage techniques
In total, there are 6 basic techniques: stroking, kneading, rubbing, squeezing, vibration and movement in the joints.
In order to know how to properly massage and perform it skillfully, you need to remember a certain sequence of these techniques. So, massage should begin with stroking, then apply squeezing, kneading, shaking, active and passive movements in the joints, vibration, stroking, shaking.
Stroking
With this technique, you can work on the skin. It is performed with the entire surface of the palm without pressure. The skin is not allowed to fold. Stroking should start and end the massage, as well as do it between other techniques.
There are several types of stroking:
- Rectilinear. The palmar surface of the hand slides forward parallel to the lymphatic collectors, allfingers should be closed, and the big one should be taken to the side to a right angle.
- Zigzag. The palm also slides forward, but its movement resembles a zigzag.
- Spiral. The palm, describing circles, moves forward, observing the location of the lymph nodes.
- Combined. It consists of rectilinear, zigzag and spiral stroking techniques. Performed alternately with both hands.
- Alternating. Hands move without interruption, after one hand completes the reception, the second begins to move from the starting point.
- Concentric and circular. Fingers make circular movements. The technique is used while massaging large and small joints.
In addition to the main types of stroking, there are auxiliary techniques.
- Force-like stroking. This technique is performed with folded two fingers. Used in medical massage of the nose, fingers, tendons.
- Rake-like stroking. This type of technique involves performing a massage with straight, spread fingers. Used when massaging the head, the spaces between the ribs.
- Comb-shaped stroking. It is performed with a brush, almost bent into a fist. Used during massage of the back, pelvis.
- Ironing. Such stroking is used in massages where special softness is required, for example, in children's and is performed with the back of the hand.
Squeeze
Proper massage technique involves using more force than stroking. With this approachthere is an effect on the skin, subcutaneous fat, superficially located muscles.
The main physiological effects of taking it are to improve blood and lymph circulation, thereby reducing edema and blood stasis, and improving metabolic processes in tissues.
The following types of squeeze are distinguished:
- Transverse. The massage therapist should place the hand perpendicular to the area, with the thumb pressed against the rest of the fingers.
- The edge of the palm. The brush is set across the desired area on the edge and the movement is performed.
- The base of the palm. The palm is set parallel, while only the base of the thumb and palm is in direct contact with the skin, the fingers should be raised. This technique can also be performed with weights, by increasing pressure with the second hand.
Kneading
Medical massage includes up to 50% of the kneading technique, since with the help of this technique the entire muscle frame is massaged.
Due to kneading, blood and lymph circulation improves, tissue respiration improves, muscles become more elastic, and their strength increases.
There are many varieties of this technique. But the implementation of any of them consists of two stages. In the first stage, muscle tissue is captured and lifted from its bed; in the second stage, the tissue is warmed up and returned to its bed. In order to stretch the deep layers of the muscles, the tissue does not rise frombed, but pressed against it, and then warmed up by shifting it.
Between the types of kneading, you can use stroking and shaking techniques.
Rubbing
The essence of the reception is that the skin and underlying tissues are displaced in all directions, forming a skin fold.
The varieties of reception are similar to the varieties of stroking. So, in kneading, straight, zigzag, spiral, circular techniques are used.
These techniques can be performed with the pads of the fingers, the edge of the palm, the knuckle of the thumb, the crest of the fist, forceps, etc.
Vibration
The purpose of this technique is to transmit vibrations of a certain frequency to the massaged area.
Vibration is divided into intermittent-impact and non-intermittent.
The intermittent vibration is a series of shocks that is created alternately with two hands. The vibrations are transmitted deep into the tissues to the deep-lying vessels and nerves, organs. Intermittent include tapping, patting, chopping, quilting, puncturing.
Non-intermittent vibration consists of fast oscillating and pushing movements. This type of vibration includes: shaking, shaking, shaking, pushing.
Indications for massage
The main indications for massage are bruises, sprains, muscle strain, osteochondrosis, joint stiffness, arthritis, back pain, sciatica, paralysis, condition afterfractures.
Massage can be used both as an independent method of treating a disease, and as part of a complex treatment. So, massage for osteochondrosis is one of the main ways to treat and relieve pain. At the same time, muscle spasm is relieved, they are toned, and the blood supply to the brain is also improved, which reduces headaches. Massage for osteochondrosis can be classic, segmental, acupressure, cupping. Any of them is an effective means of dealing with pain in degenerative processes in the spine.
In order for the procedure to be beneficial, you need to know how to massage correctly. Now there are many ways to learn it. Therapeutic massage training can be carried out in various courses, with the help of books, pictures and various videos.
