Massage is not just a pleasant relaxing procedure. This is a whole complex of techniques and actions that can reduce or increase muscle tone, improve posture, balance the nervous system, and simply relieve fatigue after a working day. The range of positive effects is very wide, but to achieve them you need to know the correct technique.
The benefits of massage
The procedure brings not only pleasant sensations and relaxation of the clamped muscles. Massage promotes lymphatic drainage in the skin, enhances blood circulation, improves immunity. With it, you can eliminate pain and correct impaired posture. With prolonged use, it is possible to improve the blood supply to some internal organs and restore their function.
Classic massage
This type is used when the purpose of the procedure is to relax the body (or its individual part) or, conversely, increase the general tone. It can be performed both independently and in addition to spa treatments.
How to do a classic back massage? The execution technique, regardless of the goal, always consists of 4 stages: stroking, rubbing, kneading and vibration. These stages always go in exactly this sequence.
Stroking
This is the initial technique in which the body is superficially heated. It must be performed without moving the skin from the bottom up. The direction of stroking is from the lymphatic vessels to the nodes. When working on the back, the thumb should be set aside from the rest in order to increase the impact area. Stroking is performed without burdening.
2 main types of stroking - flat and grasping. This technique is performed by the entire surface of the brush, and it should be in full contact with the body being massaged. Flat stroking is used on vast, even areas - back, stomach, chest. Movements can be longitudinal, transverse, spiral or circular.
A grasping stroking is used on the upper and lower extremities, lateral parts of the body, in the buttocks. The thumb is laid aside to increase the area of impact.
Trituration
This technique follows stroking when the skin is already sufficiently warmed up. When massaging the back, it is performed by the supporting part of the brush. You can rub it with both one and two hands at once, rectilinear, spiral or circular movements.
The impact at this stage can already be both superficial and deep, affecting not only the skin, but also the muscles. It can be performed with weights - one hand is superimposed on the other, increasing the degree of depression. The purpose of grinding is to warm the tissues - muscles, ligaments, joints, preparing them for a more intense effect.
Kneading
The technique of performing back massage requires that more than half of the session time be devoted to this technique. Kneading consists in the fact that the area of influence of the hands narrows to the space that one hand covers. Pressure on the back increases, the force of pressing allows you to stretch the deep layers of the muscles. It goes without saying that by this point the muscles should already be fully warmed up and relaxed.
The essence of the technique is to capture muscle tissue and press them to the bones. One brush is placed on top of the other for burdening. 3 actions can be distinguished - grabbing a piece of tissue, pulling and squeezing, then briefly relaxing the hand, rolling and squeezing. Do not twist tissue. Movements should be slow, with a gradual increase in intensity.
Squeezing
This technique is performed before kneading and alternating with it. Particular attention is paid to him with swelling of the tissues. Squeezing is not a mandatory action, but in some situations they are supplemented with a basic back massage. Technique of execution: a medical treatment implies that the movements will be carried out strictly along the blood and lymph vessels. The force of pressing is palpable, but does not cause painful discomfort in the massaged.
Squeezing is done in several ways. The first is with the edge of the palm: with the thumb on the index finger, position the hand across the course of the vessels and carry forward. The second way is to squeeze the base of the hand palm down, the direction along the muscle fibers. The third - with two hands folded one on top of the other for burdening.
Vibration
The essence of the reception is in the vibrational effects on the tissue in compliance with a certain frequency. There are several types of vibration: intermittent - patting, quilting, chopping, striking, and continuous - shaking, pushing, shaking.
Intermittent execution of the technique consists of a series of small strokes following one after another. This contributes to the flow of blood to the massed tissues, increase muscle tone and activity of the nervous system. Blending is performed with brushes slightly compressed into fists, often two at the same time. Chopping - with outstretched palms, the little finger is facing the patient's body. It is performed along the course of large muscles and helps to saturate tissues with oxygen and increase their tone.
Continuous vibration is performed without detaching the masseur’s brush from the patient’s body. In this case, the terminal phalanges of one or more fingers work. The muscles of the body being massaged should be extremely relaxed. This technique improves lymph flow, relieves stress, including nervous.
A classic massage ends with stroking, if necessary or at the request of applying creams or body oils.
General massage
This view has much in common with the classic, but involves the study of not only the back, but the whole body. There are several systems by which a general massage is done . The Swedish one implies a session lasting 35 minutes, Finnish - up to 50 minutes, Russian - as much as 60. Depending on the system by which a general back massage is done, the execution technique may provide for different sequence and duration of working out of body parts.
The most common pattern looks like this (with a 60-minute session): 30 minutes for kneading, rubbing with squeezing - 24 minutes, stroking and vibration - 6 minutes. Start a general massage from the back and neck, after which you can choose to work out the upper limbs, neck, pelvis and legs, or in another sequence - buttocks, lower limbs, arms, neck, chest, stomach. There is wide scope for the wishes and needs of the client.
Relaxation state
A relaxing massage is one of the many varieties of this treatment that is loved. It is based on the effect on the body in such ways that will help relieve muscle tension, eliminate clamps, and balance the nervous system. During the session, the use of oily formulations and creams with essential oils with a calming effect is encouraged.
The main goal of the procedure is to reduce the tone of tense muscles. But the actual application is not limited to this. Insomnia, increased emotional irritability, frequent stress, overwork - this is not a complete list of conditions in which a relaxing back massage is indicated. The technique of execution involves the same techniques as in general, but excludes vibration techniques that cause the muscles to tone. You can spend more time stroking and rubbing, work out the cervical-collar zone - this is where a particularly pronounced muscular tension is observed.
There are several opinions on how to do a relaxing back massage. Technique in one of the options involves starting with the feet - there are many nerve endings that communicate with all organs and systems. After that, you need to work out the legs from the ankles to the upper thighs, buttocks and only then - the back. In another case, it is recommended to start from the cervical-collar zone, working over the body parts from top to bottom. It is advisable to do a head massage in the final stage. After the session, it is advisable to cover the client with a blanket and let lie down for 15-20 minutes.
Honey massage
This species stands out from the rest by the fact that the powerful therapeutic effect of honey joins the effect of massage procedures. Honey in terms of content and balance of components is close to the composition of human blood plasma, and its use is quite physiological. It cleanses the skin well and adsorbs toxins, giving in return natural vitamins and nutrients. Honey massage is useful for reduced immunity, apathy, vegetative-vascular dystonia, neurasthenia, sleep disturbances. Its regular sessions help to heal osteochondrosis. It is not at all worth reducing its useful effect to a superficial anti-cellulite effect. When the correct technique for performing honey massage of the back, and lower back, and diseased joints, and internal organs becomes noticeably easier.
For the procedure, you can take liquid or slightly candied honey. You can add essential oils to it to choose from. Citrus oils will give a tonic effect, lavender, ylang-ylang, sandalwood and chamomile - soothing. Before applying honey, a short stroking and rubbing is carried out. The body must be prepared for cold muscles to do the procedure is undesirable.
Honey is distributed in large drops over massaged areas. Then it begins to slowly rub into the skin with a slight pressure. After a certain time (depending on the variety and density of the product), it thickens, and it becomes impossible to massage.
Then they proceed to the next stage: they press their hands to the patient’s body and smoothly, starting from the base of the palm, “unfasten” them. Movement can be accelerated, along with consulting with the massaged, so as not to cause pain. Honey loses fluidity and its original texture, gradually turning into a grayish slurry. It releases toxins and the dead skin cells separate.
When the honey has completely turned into a gray mass, the massage can be completed. Towel dipped in warm water, remove the "pulp" from the surface of the body. Used honey should be washed off under a warm shower as soon as possible - it contains toxins removed from the body. Then it is advisable to apply a moisturizer.
Reviews of this type of massage indicate a feeling of lightness, vivacity, a sense of harmony and balance. The skin becomes fresh and revitalized. To consolidate the effect, it is recommended to drink a cup of herbal tea after the session.