Many people wonder how to massage properly, but few people are interested in what it is for before learning technology.
General massage is a relaxing procedure that can have therapeutic and prophylactic effects.
Thanks to massage, muscle spasm is removed, movement along blood vessels and lymphatic fluid improves.
The main types of massage
- Therapeutic. Used during the rehabilitation period after illness. During the massage, special therapeutic ointments and gels can be used. Classical massage is one of the types of therapeutic.
- Sports. This type of massage is used in the training cycle of athletes. The goal of sports massage is to relieve fatigue after exercise, muscle blocks, recover from injuries, accelerate lactic acid that builds up in the muscles during intense work.
- Relaxing. The main purpose of this procedure is relaxation. To achieve maximum results, various aromatic oils with a calming effect, a relaxing atmosphere and music can be used.
- 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. During the massage, various moisturizers and oils can be used.
- Hardware This type of massage is performed using various technical devices. The main goal of hardware massage is the fight against cellulite and excess weight.
The 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, non-living cells are removed, microcirculation and excretory processes of the endocrine glands increase. Due to the outflow of fluid, stagnation and edema are reduced.
- The muscles. After the procedure, the amount of lactate in the muscle tissue is reduced, 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, a decrease in the excitation of the body occurs. With a superficial massage, the body of the massed person tones up.
- Internal organs. Thanks to massage, all vegetative functions of the body are regulated.
The principles of classic massage
In order to answer the question of how to massage properly, it is necessary to know not only the physiological basis of massage, but also the correct technique.
During work, the masseur must observe some rules:
- Any techniques of classic massage should go in a strict direction. It should coincide with the course of lymph flow.
- With massage techniques, massage techniques cannot be performed on projections of the lymph nodes.
- During the procedure, the person being massaged should not feel pain.
- When performing the massage, the set speed must be observed, and between the receptions there should be no time intervals.
Classical massage techniques
In total, 6 basic techniques are distinguished: stroking, kneading, rubbing, squeezing, vibration and movement in the joints.
In order to know how to properly massage and technically perform it, you need to remember a certain sequence of these techniques. So, massage should start with stroking, then apply squeezing, kneading, shaking, active and passive movements in the joints, vibration, stroking, shaking.
Stroking
With this technique, you can affect the skin. It is performed with the entire surface of the palm without pressure. The skin is not allowed to fold. By stroking, it is worth starting the massage and finishing it, as well as doing it between other methods.
There are several varieties of stroking:
- Straightforward. The palmar surface of the hand slides forward parallel to the lymphatic collectors, all fingers should be closed, and the large should be taken to the side to a right angle.
- Zigzag. The palm also glides forward, but its movement resembles a zigzag.
- Spiraling. The palm, describing the circles, moves forward, observing the location of the lymph nodes.
- Combined. It consists of straightforward, zigzag and spiral stroking techniques. It is carried out alternately with two hands.
- Alternating. The 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 during massaging large and small joints.
In addition to the main types of stroking, there are auxiliary techniques.
- Forceps stroking. This technique is performed with two fingers folded. It is used for medical massage of the nose, fingers, tendons.
- Rake stroking. This type of technique involves performing massage with straight fingers apart. It is used when massaging the head, the gaps between the ribs.
- Combs stroking. It is carried out with a brush, practically bent into a fist. It is used during massage of the back, pelvis.
- Ironing Such stroking is used for massage, where special softness is required, for example, in the nursery and is performed by the back surface of the brush.
Squeezing
The correct massage technique involves using more power than stroking. With this technique, skin, subcutaneous fat, and superficial muscles are exposed.
The main physiological effects of admission are the improvement of blood and lymph circulation, thereby reducing edema and stagnation of blood, and improving metabolic processes in tissues.
The following types of squeezing are distinguished:
- Transverse. The masseur should set his hand perpendicular to the area, with the thumb to be pressed to the other fingers.
- Edge of the palm. The brush is installed across the desired area on the edge and movement is performed.
- Base of the palm. The palm is set in parallel, while only the base of the thumb and palm are in direct contact with the skin, the fingers should be raised. This technique can also be performed with weights, by increasing the pressure due to the second hand.
Kneading
Medical massage includes up to 50% of the kneading intake, since with this technique the entire muscle frame is massaged.
Thanks to kneading, blood and lymph circulation improves, tissue respiration improves, muscles become more elastic, 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, the muscle tissue is captured and lifted from its bed; in the second stage, the tissue is flexed and returned to its bed. In order to stretch the deep layers of the muscles, the tissue does not rise from the bed, but is pressed against it, and after that it is flexed by shifting it.
Between varieties of kneading, you can apply stroking and shaking techniques.
Trituration
The essence of the reception is that there is a displacement of the skin and underlying tissues in all directions, forming a skin fold.
Varieties of reception are similar to varieties of stroking. So, in kneading, rectilinear, zigzag, spiral, circular methods are used.
These techniques can be carried out with the fingertips, palm edge, thumb tubercle, fist crest, forceps, etc.
Vibration
The purpose of this technique is to transmit to the massaged area oscillations of a certain frequency.
Vibration is divided into intermittent-shock and non-intermittent.
Intermittent vibration is a series of shocks that are created alternately with two hands. Oscillations are transmitted deep into the tissues to deep-lying vessels and nerves, organs. Intermittent include striking, patting, chopping, quilting, puncturing.
Non-intermittent vibration consists in rapid oscillatory and pusher movements. This type of vibration includes: shaking, shaking, shaking, pushing.
Indications for massage
The main indications for massage are bruises, sprain, muscle strain, osteochondrosis, joint stiffness, arthritis, back pain, sciatica, paralysis, and the condition after fractures.
Massage can be used as an independent method of treating a disease, or as part of a comprehensive treatment. So, massage for osteochondrosis is one of the main ways to treat and relieve pain. In this case, the spasm of the muscles is removed, they are brought into tone, and the blood supply to the brain also improves, which reduces headache. Massage with osteochondrosis can be classic, segmental, point, can. Any of them is an effective means of combating pain during degenerative processes in the spine.
In order for the procedure to be beneficial, you need to know how to properly massage. There are many ways to learn this now. Training in therapeutic massage can be carried out at various courses, with the help of books, pictures and various video materials.