If you ask a simple layman, far from medicine and everything connected with it, about whether it is possible to do massage with scoliosis of the spine, the answer will be yes. But is this really so, and in which cases you can count on an absolute victory over this ailment, and in which there is a risk of harm even more, you can figure it out only by knowing all the features of the course of a disease such as scoliosis. Indeed, often a person who has been diagnosed, or even several at once, headlong hurries to fulfill all the recommendations of doctors, take all the medicines that are prescribed, and even follow the advice of all compassionate neighbors and relatives. And there are those who are in no hurry to draw up an action plan to combat the disease, hoping that everything will heal itself.
Basic and important about the disease
Scoliosis is a common disease that is manifested by visible deformation of the spine in the frontal plane, that is, to the right or left, with its inherent torsion of the vertebrae. Two types of scoliosis were identified: simple (with one bend) and complex (with two or more bends). In addition to problems associated with aesthetic issues, this condition leads to malfunctioning of deformed organs, and subsequently to serious diseases. So, alveolar ventilation is disturbed, then under the influence of hypoxia there are difficulties in the full functioning of the heart and oxygen starvation of the heart muscle, brain, and skeletal muscles. Perhaps the main side effect of scoliosis is constant discomfort and back pain, which haunt even at night.
The beginning of development of spinal curvature takes in periods of intensive growth and active hormonal changes, namely at 6-7 and 12-15 years. The reason for this is an underdeveloped muscle corset, caused either by low mobility or a lack of nutrients, as well as diseases such as rickets, polio. Experienced doctors and holders of degrees believe that, according to the physiological characteristics of the human body, upright standing and walking are already a constant load, which a weak body can not fully cope with.
Massage as part of an integrated approach
The main condition for a successful outcome with the ability to correct even the apparent degree of the disease is, first of all, maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Only after passing a full medical examination, after consulting with several specialists, you can draw up a course of treatment measures, taking into account all the permissible loads individually.
As a rule, in addition to spinal massage for scoliosis, no less effective exercise therapy, physiotherapy, and a medical course are prescribed. Modern development of rehabilitation methods offer classes on special simulators, which have proved their right to exist by the majority of patients who are satisfied and get rid of pain. But massage stands apart from all the components of the course of treatment. No wonder it was practiced in antiquity, and to this day it has not lost its relevance.
Due to the relevance of this procedure, the supply market is very rich. Masseurs are now in great demand, even with experience in several sessions. At first glance, they know not only how to massage with scoliosis, but even know different exotic techniques. But you should not take a word and be lazy to look for a qualified specialist, as well as try to save on this business. Such frivolity can be the price of one's own health.
The primary tasks of massage
Massage is a combination of mechanical techniques and techniques aimed at stimulating processes in human tissues and organs. The main tasks of back massage in scoliosis are to accelerate blood circulation in the muscles, improve lymphatic drainage, optimize muscle tone of the whole body, strengthen them, eliminate the curvature of not only the spine, but also of internal organs, relieve fatigue and relieve pain. Always with the help of additional tools you can enhance the effect of manipulation. Using special oils with natural extracts, you can fix a tonic or relaxing effect.
The massage technique for scoliosis of the first degree may include classical techniques and techniques. When it comes to the second or third degree, it requires a differentiated effect on the convex and concave zones of the back. There are two completely opposite opinions of doctors regarding which side has hypertonicity and which side has hypotension. Literacy will be distinguished by that massage therapist who empirically, based on his knowledge and careful observation of the patient’s condition and sensations, determines the dynamics of changes in muscles from session to session. And this is the only way to achieve positive results. First of all, the massage therapist should study all aspects and prescriptions of the doctor in order to select the optimal set of techniques according to the degree and form of scoliosis.
Indications
Often the question is whether it is possible to carry out massage with scoliosis. Yes, and even necessary. Massage is indicated for this disease, as well as for the following pathologies:
- Osteochondrosis.
- Headaches, back pains, neck pains.
- Violations of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Neuralgia.
- Hypertension.
- Chronic gastritis, ulcers.
- Weakened immunity.
- Recovery after serious illnesses, operations.
- Bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia.
The list may be much longer, but this is the main one.
Contraindications
Of course, there are cases when spinal massage with scoliosis is contraindicated. You can not conduct it if, in addition to the curvature, the following diagnoses or conditions are present:
- The presence of spinal cord compression.
- Purulent inflammation, accompanied by fever, rashes.
- Any diseases of the organs in the acute stage.
- Blood diseases, leukemia, bleeding, anemia, thrombosis.
- Oncology, AIDS, mental disorders.
- Osteoporosis, osteomyelitis.
- Large vertebral tumors (mechanical stress can damage the vertebrae).
These are the main contraindications, but not all.
Key points of massage
The massage table should be at the level of the extended fingers of the specialist’s hands. This is the best height for using your own weight during intense impacts. It is recommended to massage all muscle groups for a better result: arms, legs, feet, buttocks, abdomen. It is necessary to identify hyperalgic zones, seals, nodes in tissues, areas of hypertonicity for treatment with segmental-reflex techniques and the use of very effective acupressure.
As the course passes after each session, the massage therapist should monitor the tension of the back and changes in the patient’s well-being. If necessary, you should change the technique to avoid inflammation in the muscles from a uniform effect on them. As a rule, massage of the spine in scoliosis begins with the concave side, and then switch to convex. Any massage consists of three stages: preparatory, main and final.
Massage technique for scoliosis
- Stroking.
- Friction.
- Kneading.
- Squeezing.
- Tapping.
- Vibration.
- Cutting room.
Back massage for scoliosis
The patient is placed on the table with his stomach down, his hands are located along the body. If there is no special notch on the table, then the head should be laid on its side, face in the opposite direction from scoliotic curvature. The patient needs to relax the muscles as much as possible and tune in to a pleasant and useful procedure.
First, a preliminary massage is performed to warm the tissues in the form of strokes along the back, starting from the middle, for several minutes. Then transverse movements are made. Squeezes are carried out by the base of the palm along the same lines as stroking. It is necessary to exclude pressure on the bone protrusions. Kneading the longest and broadest muscles with your fingers helps to eliminate toxins and increase blood supply to tissues. This is followed by the capture of the subcutaneous fold with the edge of the left hand and the base of the right. Many professionals, instead of the ribs of the left hand, act with the elbow. Then the right hand moves to the next area of the skin. Thus, stretching is carried out.
After each reception, you need to do a few stroking and shaking. Intense and rhythmic friction with the edge of the palm completes the first stage. If the patient felt the heat spreading over his body, and there was a slight hyperemia, then everything is done correctly. You must adhere to this sequence of actions during massage with scoliosis of the thoracic spine - the most common type of deformity.
Massage of the lower thoracic region is carried out between the seventh and twelfth vertebrae. This zone is being worked out in the same algorithm, adding shock and shocking techniques, if there are recommendations from a doctor. Too intense and abrupt movements can lead to pain, due to the location of the kidneys in the immediate vicinity. If muscles are contracted in the concavity zone, especially long ones, ribs are brought together, intercostal areas are narrow, then it is necessary to apply the technique of stretching, sawing, rubbing. Care should be taken to intercostal spaces, penetrating deeper, stretching, rubbing with the fingertips. And if there is a tone, then relaxing stroking and vibration will help to cope with the task.
Usually on the bulge side, the long muscles are stretched, atrophied. They need to be toned with kneading, transverse squeezing, shock techniques. When the local study of the long muscles is completed, they proceed to smoothing the protruding costal arches. Putting a palm on top of the hump and pressing with moderate force, rhythmically smooth towards the lateral surface of the chest. Very often, as a result of diseases such as scoliosis and osteochondrosis, pain points form in the subscapular area. Massage of the spine with scoliosis will not be complete without treatment of all areas affected by the disease.
With one hand they cover the shoulder and pull it up a few centimeters. The shoulder will not rise if there is at least some tension. The patient needs to relax completely. The other arm massages the interscapular muscles in a circular motion. The same thing is done with the opposite shoulder. Then rub the peritoneal area, widely holding the thumb. In the process, the asymmetry of the tone of the superficial muscles will be more noticeable, so the relaxed areas can be treated with tingling, tapping, and tense - stroking.
Massage of the collar area should be performed with much less pressure and intensity. All techniques are performed along the lines, first symmetrically to the spine, along it, between the shoulder blades towards the neck, then diagonally to the sides, then across and to the sides, and finally along the neck from the side of the head. The sequence of receptions is as follows: stroking, squeezing, rubbing, kneading, vibrating techniques and end with stroking and shaking with your fingertips.
Massage of the lumbar and sacral region is done along the lines going from the spine, dosing the pressure force. So, in the sacral region, the effect will be more intense than in the lower back, due to the location of the internal organs. The sequence and techniques are the same as those intended for the collar zone.
Tummy massage
With scoliosis, the muscles in this area are sluggish, weak. They need to be strengthened and toned with the help of classic stimulating effects: stroking, kneading, ring kneading, circular phalanx of the fingers, tingling. First, circular strokes are performed in a clockwise direction, then kneading is performed on the rectus muscles and finally on the oblique.
Strengthening the muscles of the abdominal wall is one of the components of therapeutic massage for scoliosis. The procedure will be beneficial if the intestines are empty, but a completely empty stomach is undesirable. During the procedure, the patient lies on his back, bending his legs at the knees. The movements should be smooth, the manipulations should not cause pain and discomfort to the patient.
Foot and buttock massage
Much attention is paid to the gluteal, tibial, calf muscles. Quite tough effects are required by such techniques as grinding, squeezing, kneading. If there is a disposition to varicose veins, then a doctor's consultation is necessary. Flatfoot is a common occurrence with curvatures. Kneading the foot using acupressure in certain areas gives an excellent result.
Do it yourself
Does independent massage help with scoliosis at home? None of the family members are able to perform professional massage, even after watching video lessons and having studied a short course. They have been studying this for years, and then gain experience in practice. Moreover, if in the best case such manipulations remain useless, in the worst they can seriously harm. The best alternative is reflexology. It is only necessary to determine the special points on the body and carry out self-massage of these zones. Oriental medicine has gained immense popularity due to the positive effect that many have noted.
Massage with scoliosis in adults, as in children, plays perhaps the most important role in the complex. Indeed, along with the tremendous benefits for tissues and muscles, the patient receives a powerful charge of energy and positive. Massage relieves fatigue, relaxes, stimulates the production of the hormone of happiness - endorphin. And an emotional state is the key to recovery from any disease.