We are all well aware of the beneficial effects of massage on the body, which is a specific system of action on the surface of the skin. He makes his considerable contribution to the treatment of various diseases, and also prevents their development. The basics of massage in the form of various techniques and techniques are widely used not only in medicine, but also in sports, cosmetology, and also in everyday life. How to perform the necessary manipulations? To do this, you need to study the general basics of massage and correctly apply its rules in practice.
A bit of history
The basics of massage began to be laid at the dawn of the formation of human society. In ancient times, people relieved pain on those parts of the body that troubled them and rubbed them.
It’s hard to say exactly where the doctrine of the basics of massage originated. After all, techniques for rubbing painful zones arose simultaneously among peoples of different continents.
From documents that have survived to this day, it is known that in ancient times there were special medical schools, whose students were taught massage among many disciplines. Such institutions existed in China in the 6th century BC.
Confirmation that in 4 c. BC. The massage was used by Egyptians, Assyrians and Persians, records in ancient papyri and inscriptions on sarcophagi serve. Such a procedure in ancient times was revered for its excellent analgesic effect. Such famous physicians of his time as Hippocrates and Avicenna were also engaged in its study.
Somewhat later, Christianity began to struggle in every way with massage, considering it a product of paganism. And only about 300 years ago, this procedure was again elevated to the rank of healthiest. From that time until today, massage has found its description in the works of famous scientists. And today, modern medicine recognizes and widely uses the healing properties of this unique procedure.
Classification
Separating different types of massage is not easy. To date, the techniques used to conduct this healing procedure have much in common and are often used to achieve several goals at once. It happens and vice versa. Specialists can apply several different techniques for the same result.
Initially, various types of massage were divided into two categories. According to this classification, the general and local procedures were distinguished. The first of them implied a massage of the whole body, and the second - only a certain part or zone.
Currently, similar manipulations are also classified according to the method of implementation. In this case, massage can be performed with feet or hands, using special tools or devices.
Group such procedures and depending on the tasks performed. In this case, massage happens:
- Classic. Its main purpose is to increase the general tone of muscle tissue.
- Medical. This type of massage is used to get rid of certain ailments, and also allows you to restore the body during the rehabilitation period after a disease.
- Gynecological. A similar procedure involves working with the pelvic area to improve blood circulation in it.
- Athletic. This massage allows you to restore muscle after overwork and training. Also, with his help, athletes are prepared for the upcoming competitions.
- Self-massage. The use of such techniques allows you to perform the necessary techniques at home, without outside help.
- For children. With the help of such massage, tasks to eliminate various health problems of babies are solved. A separate direction in this group is manipulations for newborns. With their help, a little man is tempered from the very first days of his life.
- Cosmetic. This massage allows you to eliminate flaws in appearance. With its use, the skin is strengthened, which becomes more elastic and resilient.
Based on the method of influencing the body, massage is manual, hardware, and mixed. What are the differences between them, it is clear from the name. The first of these types of massage is performed manually, and the second - using special devices. Mixed massage is a procedure using manual and hardware type.
Who is shown to?
In what cases are massage techniques used? Indications for performing such procedures are both various diseases and the pursuit of preventive goals in order to prevent the development of pathologies.
Knowing the basics of therapeutic massage is useful for eliminating headaches, discomfort in the back, spine, neck. The implementation of such a procedure should be included in a package of measures to get rid of hypotension and hypertension, arthritis and neuritis, neuralgia, stomach ailments and respiratory system. Massages with bruises and sprains, as well as fractures at any stage of the healing of the bone apparatus, help. Such procedures allow you to develop injured limbs and joints, which a person sometimes has to learn to move again.
Massage will help with angina pectoris, static or flaccid paralysis, myositis and myalgia. It is also carried out to people during the rehabilitation period after a heart attack.
Contraindications
Despite the benefits of massage, in some cases it can aggravate the disease even more, causing unpredictable consequences. Do not carry out such procedures for inflammation of the lymphatic and blood vessels, blood diseases, as well as for allergic rashes. Massage is contraindicated in case of any purulent diseases, malignant tumors, fungus and complications after operations. Such procedures are strictly forbidden for tuberculosis, syphilis, gangrene, lymphadenitis, osteomyelitis and acute myocardial ischemia.
Cabinet equipment
We will get acquainted with the hygienic basics of massage, the knowledge of which is necessary not only for beginners, but also for practicing specialists. Such a procedure is carried out on a special couch. On its surface there should be a thin layer of polystyrene foam covered with a leather substitute. This couch must have certain dimensions. Its length should be 2 m, width - 0.6 m, and height - approximately 0.7 m. It is also necessary that the leg and head sections of such a couch can be raised and lowered on hinges. The length of each of them is 0.5 m. It is advisable to additionally have rollers and sandbags sewn from oilcloth. During the massage, they are placed under the legs, back, arms and head.
In the massage room should be a cabinet designed to store equipment, and a first aid kit. There should be a washbasin in such a room with taps for cold and hot water. The hygienic basis of the massage also includes a certain area of such an office. When one specialist works, it should be at least 12 square meters.
The room should be maintained at a comfortable air temperature (20-22 degrees) with a humidity of not more than 60%. To protect the eyes of the massage therapist from fatigue, it is necessary to provide for a sufficient number of light sources.
Specialist Requirements
The hygienic basis of massage contains some rules that a person conducting the procedure must adhere to. This should be a specialist who is well acquainted with the anatomy of the body, as well as with the physiological effects of not only individual techniques, but also their combination. Prior to the first session, the masseur will need to learn the basics of physiotherapy and traumatology. Manipulation is allowed only with clean hands, the nails on which should be short-cropped. Before the procedure, the specialist needs to remove the external clock and rings. After all, these objects can damage the patient's skin.
Before starting a session, it is important for a massage therapist to talk with his client and find out his mood, complaints and features of the course of his illness. This is necessary to develop the correct tactics for conducting the procedure and dosing the strength of movements.
Patient Requirements
Before the massage, the client needs to wash the body, taking a warm shower. During the session, he should relax as much as possible those muscles that are affected, and fulfill all the additional requirements of a specialist.
Use of lubricants
To obtain a greater effect from the procedure, the patient's skin should be protected from injury and irritation. For this, a specialist uses tools that make it slippery. Talc is most suitable for creating such an effect. This substance is able to absorb sweat and not cause irritation. The skin after application of talcum powder becomes smooth, which allows you to freely work with it.
The basic facts about the hygienic basis of massage using various techniques indicate that specialists often use vegetable oils as lubricants, for example, peach, cedar, olive, burdock and some others. They are well absorbed by the skin and provide an excellent gliding effect. This, in turn, helps to reduce the inflammatory process and pain in the field of pathology.
Knowledge of the structure of the body and the processes taking place in it
A novice specialist needs to thoroughly study the anatomical and physiological foundations of massage. Only in this case the procedure will have the maximum effect and will not cause harm to health.
So, during the procedure, the specialist produces a direct effect on the skin. However, its various sections have unequal sensitivity. The smallest is observed in the midline of the chest, abdomen and back. The forehead is most sensitive.
Knowledge of the anatomical and physiological foundations of massage allows you to have an idea about the function of the skin and its significant role for thermoregulation, respiration, blood circulation, immunity, metabolism and secretion of some biologically active elements. Mechanical irritation of the integument is transmitted to the proprioreceptors of joints, muscles and tendons, as well as to the interoreceptors of blood vessels and internal organs. Then it turns into nerve impulses and enters the central nervous system. Similar signals arrive to various tissues and organs, activating or inhibiting their activity.
Studying the general basics of massage, you need to get acquainted with the topography, structure and functions of muscles. They make up almost 40% of the human body weight, with 80% of them located on the limbs. The muscle has a fusiform shape. One of its ends is called the “head”, and the second, the one that is more authentic, is the “tail”. The middle part of the muscle is called the abdomen. Both the other end pass into the tendons, which are fibrous thick connective tissue, usually attached to the bones. The muscles in motion drive blood and lymph circulation. In a relaxed muscle, such processes are reduced up to 30 times.
Studying the basics of massage, you need to get the concept of the lymphatic system. It also plays an important role in the functioning of all organs and systems of the human body. Lymph is a liquid tissue that is an intermediate medium between tissues and blood. Her movement through the vessels occurs slowly and always in the direction of the heart. It is provided by muscle contraction. Along the route of this intermediate medium are the lymph nodes. They are barriers that perform a protective function. When studying the basics of massage for beginners, it becomes clear that the lymph nodes should not be exposed.
Stages of the procedure
When learning the basics of massage for beginners, it becomes clear that the entire session should consist of three parts. Among them:
- Preparatory. At this stage, the basic techniques of classical massage are carried out, namely rubbing, stroking, and also kneading the main muscles. The duration of such manipulations in time is 1-3 minutes.
- The main one. This part is the implementation of special techniques of segmental exposure. Its duration is 5-20 minutes.
- The final one. In this part of the procedure, stroking, stretching, and shaking muscles are used. They are used for 1-3 minutes.
By studying the basics of massage for beginners and practitioners, you can find out that the duration of the session is from 3 to 60 minutes. The exact time depends on the indications for the procedure.
Receptions
The basics of classical massage are five basic techniques. These are such techniques as stroking and kneading, rubbing, striking, and also vibration. Each of them performs a certain function and carries some information.
That is why, knowing the basics of massage and massage techniques, you can produce the necessary effects on various parts of the body, internal organs, nerves, muscles and blood vessels. Consider the technique for performing these manipulations in more detail.
Stroking
The term translated from French means "caress." By stroking, the procedure begins. She ends with them. Apply stroking after a massage agent is applied to the skin.
The technique of this technique involves carrying out smooth, soft, gentle and soothing movements that require stronger pressures in the direction of the heart, and from it - somewhat weaker. Such tactics will enhance the outflow of lymph and venous blood.
Studying the basics of classical massage, to which this technique belongs, one should carefully consider the position of the hands of the one who will make these movements. Fingers need to be pressed tightly to the patient's body. Also applied to the skin and palms. Carrying out stroking movements, the massage therapist should not make stops and take his hands off the patient's body.
This technique has several varieties. It is straightforward, circular and undulating. When performing the first option, the specialist needs to lay hands on the patient’s body and slide them up and down in smooth movements with some pressure. Each time you should cover an increasingly large area of the body.
When performing circular stroking, the specialist needs to press his hands tightly to the surface of the client's body, performing smooth circular movements alternately with his right or left hand. Their direction is from top to bottom. After that, you should return to the starting position.
The wave-like stroking technique is enclosed in the corresponding gentle downward movements, which are performed after the specialist reaches the top of the back, running his hands through it using a straightforward technique.
Trituration
This technique, which must be learned, knowing the basics of therapeutic massage, is performed when the arm moves over the body, which should press on it, while displacing the underlying tissue. This leads to the formation of folds of skin. When performing this technique, such a fold should constantly move in front of a hand moving in the body.
Rubbing with fingers, the base of the palm or the elbow edge is performed. In this case, movements are possible spiral or rectilinear. As auxiliary techniques, comb and forceps grinding, planing, and hatching are used. This technique is carried out before kneading. With its help, it affects all layers of the skin.
Kneading
After performing the above movements, the masseur needs to move on to a stronger effect on the skin and tissues. For this, a kneading technique is used, which is performed using the fingers, ribs and base of the palm. In this case, the specialist will need knowledge of the basics of massage in order to skillfully use the strength of the hands and the weight of his body. A feature of this technique is the effect on the muscles adjacent to the bone.
Kneading is done by grabbing with one hand the area that is exposed. The second one will need to capture the muscles. After that, they should be rolled as if with little effort. Next, the hands need to be swapped. That is, the first hand should hold kneading, and the second presses the skin. Applying similar tactics, it is necessary to perform movements throughout the body.
Vibration
The basics of the classical type massage technique involve the use of a fairly deep technique, which has a reflex effect.
This is a vibration that is divided into continuous and intermittent. The first type of such movements involves communicating to the patient’s body a series of oscillatory movements.At the same time, the massage therapist’s hand should press on the tissue without interruption from the impact site. She needs to perform trembling movements, the oscillation frequency of which will be per minute from 100 to 300 times.
As additional techniques, stable or labile vibration can be applied. This also includes pushing, shaking and shaking.
Among the methods of intermittent vibration, quilting, chopping, patting, striking and puncturing are distinguished. With their help, one can achieve vasodilation, increase the flow of nutrients and oxygen, reduce the sensitivity of nerve roots and other beneficial effects.
Baby massage
The procedure for small patients has its own principles and nuances. Having studied the basics of children's massage, it is possible to carry out both a preventive and a therapeutic procedure, saving the child from flat feet, torticollis, decreased or decreased muscle tone, as well as other pathological conditions.
One of the prerequisites for manipulating children is their good mood. The kid at the same time should neither shout nor be capricious. Otherwise, the child will receive stress, which will weaken the immune forces of his growing body. The basics of wellness massage for the youngest patients also indicate that it is strictly forbidden to conduct a session if the child has:
- elevated temperature;
- illnesses;
- hernias.
The duration and intensity of the procedure, as well as the strength of the effect for babies, can be different. Everything will depend on the following:
- age
- level of development;
- the presence or absence of diseases;
- degree of emotional excitability.
The basis of the procedure and determining its nature, it is necessary to take into account the behavior of the baby, constantly watching him.
If parents want to massage their child, it is necessary to study its preventive appearance. Moreover, it should be used only for a healthy baby. It should be borne in mind that the baby’s body is very fragile. That is why the techniques of this procedure should be studied by dads and mothers very carefully. This will allow you to perform them correctly and not harm the crumbs.
Parents are taught the basics of medical massage by a pediatrician only in exceptional cases. In general, only doctors should perform such procedures.
Face massage
This procedure is one of the most important aspects of skin care. Knowing the basics of facial massage will allow you to rejuvenate it by relaxing your muscles and starting the regeneration process. Performing such a procedure allows you to relieve tension and stress. By making the necessary manipulations regularly, one can achieve positive dynamics in the rejuvenation process.
Among the main methods of facial massage are stroking and rubbing, pinching and tapping, as well as kneading. The most effective methods are lifting procedures. They allow you to get a good result soon.
A deep structural effect on the face and buccal massage. It allows you to train muscles, returning them tone and muscles. A positive effect can be obtained by massaging the necessary lines from the inside of the oral cavity.
Taking into account the type of their skin, each person must individually choose for himself a particular massage technique. This will minimize undesirable effects in the form of redness or irritation of the skin.
Among the most popular massage techniques and techniques that allow you to restore youth to your face, kobiko and chiromassage have the greatest effect. The first is a procedure in which rubbing movements are combined with spot tapping of acupuncture points. You can conduct them from wrinkles on the neck.
Hiromassage is a more gentle technique. It is based on oriental teachings that address all skin problems in terms of vital energy.
Independent massage is possible using the classical technique. The sequence of this procedure:
- applying oil to the skin with gentle pats;
- massaging the cheeks in a circular motion in the direction from the wings of the nose up;
- rubbing oil around the eyes;
- carrying out lifting along the lines of the forehead;
- performing rubbing movements along the contours of the lips.