Massage for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is necessary in cases where the patient notes pain, and additional tests indicate inflammation. This is an auxiliary type of treatment, which is prescribed in combination with other types of recovery. It is an effective means of relieving pain and tension.
The benefits of massage and a positive effect on the body
The main purpose of massage for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is to reverse the changes in the muscles, which are a symptom of the disease. Organs suffer from overuse and too much relaxation. In the first case, lactic acid is formed, which leads to pain. In the second, the bone structure pinches the nerve endings.
Each patient needs to know how to treat osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine. You can not carry out therapy with an exacerbation of the disease, as this exacerbates the condition. The best option is to start the technique on the fourth day of treatment. Massage is combined with physiotherapy and electrophoresis. Along with this, take medication. An important condition is constancy. Most often, 10 sessions are prescribed without interrupting the complex.
The effectiveness of massage in thoracic osteochondrosis is due to the classic version and the point. Several therapeutic actions occur simultaneously. The procedure is performed so that the patient feels relief:
- With a decrease in pain.
- With an improvement in blood flow.
- When getting rid of spasm, tension in the muscles.
- When getting rid of muscle hypotrophy.
- With the normalization of tissue nutrition.
Using this method, they eliminate the causes of violations, remove the pathological condition, relieve spasm, improve metabolism. It helps to influence limited mobility in the chest, eliminates shortness of breath.
When a procedure is prescribed
Massage for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is indicated for various symptoms. After eliminating the pain, you can proceed to its implementation. The specialist determines that it is necessary to conduct sessions in such cases:
- When the patient has difficulty breathing.
- He has a sedentary lifestyle.
- Gripped muscles are felt.
- The cervical spine is overloaded.
- It experiences severe pain.
However, this method is not always helpful in getting rid of problems. It is important to know whether massage is indicated for breast osteochondrosis or if there are contraindications. There are several conditions under which the procedure is not carried out.
It is impossible to conduct a session for patients in whom the pressure rises or falls sharply. It is contraindicated for colds and high temperatures. This includes inflammation, trauma, and compression fracture. The doctor will determine the period after which you can do massage if an operation was performed. Among the contraindications are diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
With caution, they carry out the procedure for kidney stones and gall bladder, inflammation, purulent diseases, tumors. There should be no warts or moles in the chest area. Women should not have menstruation. Forbidden to massage and pregnant.
Massage Stages
The maximum effect of therapeutic massage with osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is obtained during the procedure 3-4 times a year for at least 10 sessions. The specialist must have a certificate, knowledge and skills. A highly qualified doctor has a medical background. The first procedure is 10 minutes, followed by an increase of up to 20 minutes.
The use of basic massage techniques for osteochondrosis is due to their use with movements in such a way that muscle tone does not form. Strong effect is contraindicated. The specialist conducts the procedure with classic movements. It rubs, kneads and strokes. Vibration movements are used on the spine, no shock. More attention is paid to the area around the shoulder blades.
Features of massage for breast osteochondrosis are the use of technology. The cycle of sessions begins with a movement from the periphery to the center of pain. Grind healthy parts of the body, gradually moving to the place of localization of pain. If unpleasant sensations occur throughout the back, begin from those places where the pain is less pronounced.
The patient takes a position in which he feels relaxed. Better lie on the couch. If there is a massage chair, the technique will be in a sitting position. The specialist performs massage of the back, neck and shoulders.
At a younger age, they work on muscle fibers. If the patient is aged, they act on the spinous processes and rub the places of pain localization. Such people will need additional rubbing of their hands. Efficiency is already apparent in the first cycle. If this does not happen, change the treatment method.
Before starting the procedure, it is important to know how to massage with osteochondrosis of the spine. Most often, it is carried out during the period of remission. Sometimes it becomes necessary to start the process during an exacerbation. The main task is to act on pain reflexively.
The first few sessions are gentle. If muscle tone occurs, the fibers will contract. There is no efficiency. Intensive exposure is avoided in fractures and osteoporosis.
Execution technique
The massage technique for breast osteochondrosis depends on the stage, clinical picture and characteristics of the disease. With the unilateral nature of the pain, the procedure begins on the opposite side.
Thoracic osteochondrosis often spreads to the neck, so the collar zone is also treated. With cervicothoracic disease, the occipital nerves are almost always affected. This is an indication that the specialist should use techniques for influencing points of small and large endings. Elements of acupressure and segmental massage with the help of special massagers increase the effectiveness of the treatment procedure.
You need to prepare for a massage. The patient must follow a number of rules. An hour before visiting the masseur do not eat. It is important to wash and empty the intestines and bladder. Relax so that the muscles do not tighten. The specialist should know about contraindications in order to choose gentle methods of exposure. During the session, use massage cream or oil. If discomfort occurs, inform the doctor.
Classic massage
The easiest way to massage with osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is represented by traditional techniques. It includes stroking, rubbing and light kneading. Part of the procedure is lying down, the other in a sitting position.
The doctor strokes his back, rubs and kneads. Each reception is performed 4-5 times. Particular attention is paid to the upper part and the area of the shoulder blades. Stroking over the shoulders 8-10 times, then rubbing 5-8 times, knead 3-4 times. Start from the neck towards the chest area.
In the upper back, with fingertips, perform 5 rubbing on each side. Then go to the trapezius muscles, stroking the neck. Perform the procedure in this order:
- Stroking.
- Grind.
- Kneading.
- Shake lightly.
- Stroking.
After that, they again go to the cervicothoracic region.
Which departments pay attention
Massage of the cervicothoracic region in osteochondrosis is performed with rubbing the spine. Begin from the occipital part down to the thoracic region. During grinding, the patient’s muscles must be completely relaxed so that the masseur finds the lateral and spinous processes of the vertebrae and maximizes them.
After grinding, stroking follows, at this the next stage ends. In the next part, repeat the massage of the upper section with rubbing the spine. Then treat the thoracic region. If the disease is accompanied by pain, extending to the shoulder or joint, massage these parts and upper limbs.
If the pain is stopped, reduce the number of strokes, increase kneading and grinding. The last few massage sessions are considered rubbing as the main technique.
Acupressure
Among the main techniques of massage of the thoracic spine, a point-like appearance is distinguished. It helps to alleviate symptoms, consolidate and improve the result of the classic version. Perform the procedure for pain and acupuncture points. They are affected by fingertips, performing circular movements. First clockwise, then against it. Duration is 5 minutes. Gradually increase the strength and intensity of pressing.
The specialist uses the thumb, middle and index finger. When exposed to pressure, sticking, kneading high or low intensity. The calming inhibitory effect has the strongest effect. With medium pressure, relaxation takes place with a short duration. A weak effect occurs within one minute, so with osteochondrosis it is not recommended to carry it out.
Full course and specialist selection
The massage time is gradually increasing. Start from 5 minutes, increasing the time to 20 minutes. The course is 10 treatments. You can prevent the disease if you conduct cycles 2-3 times a year. The point option is prescribed 5-7 times a year. If necessary, they do a month, the next rest.
You can choose a massage therapist by contacting your doctor. Specialists of this profile work in state institutions. In a private clinic, services are offered by health workers who will also fulfill all recommendations and appointments. The cost differs depending on the status of the institution.
Reviews about massage for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine will help to find out about a good specialist. They are received from friends and relatives who have already visited the session. You can ask for help in specialized forums. Patients who have already completed several massage courses respond positively to the procedure. In some, the symptoms of malaise disappeared after three sessions. Others needed an additional appointment. Elderly people believe that massage helps to restore the normal functioning of the limbs, get rid of back pain.
The masseur must have a medical education and practice in the field of the process. Qualifications are learned from evidence. They indicate which institution the doctor graduated from, which trainings and seminars he attended. A true professional is well versed in anatomical features, understands physiology. The master feels with his fingers where the patient has muscle clamps, determines the points, knows where the vessels and arteries pass.
Other techniques
Patients are offered not only classical methods of healing. The clinics have several types of massage that will help both for prevention and for the treatment of the disease.
- Massage by banks. You will need containers with which an effective effect occurs. Using the tool affect the deep tissue. It can be glass, ceramic, bamboo vessels. To avoid pain, first warm up the muscles with the help of pats and strokes. Then apply cream or oil and put the jars on the affected areas. The skin retracts, the cans begin to move.
- Honey massage. Carried out in a massage room and at home. The product is applied to the collar area and neck. The skin is preheated, then patted. Honey is absorbed and thickens. The rate of hand detachment increases within 10 minutes. After that, take a shower and apply cream.
- Vacuum massage. Spend plastic jars. With the help of the procedure, metabolic processes are restored, muscle tension is removed. The skin in the area of the shoulders and collar is smoothed for several minutes. Then they act with the edge of the palm. The area is rubbed, the skin is pulled. Make massage movements with banks.
End with a light stroking of the palms. The thumb is separate to the side. The rest are closing. The movements can be in a straight line and zigzag to relieve tension, relieve fatigue. Spiraling is necessary for maximum relaxation. Receptions combine. They will help increase muscle tone, relieve congestion, spasm and stress.
Disease prevention
Massage is chosen as an effective treatment method. With it, they get rid of tone, relieve tension. For prevention, the procedure is prescribed 2-3 times a year. For treatment, 6-8 sessions per year are allowed. Depends on the well-being of the patient, neglect of the condition of the back.
During the break, you need to independently massage the spine for 10 minutes every day. The movements are soft, without pressure. It is important to correctly distribute the time of work and rest, take medicine, do exercise therapy. This will avoid limb numbness, increase mobility.
Massage is considered one of the most effective procedures in the treatment of osteochondrosis. It helps to alleviate the general condition, relax, relieve compression of nerves and arteries. Any of the techniques used has a positive effect on the destruction of cartilage. The process ends.
With a neglected condition, osteochondrosis cannot be cured. The method is used as an additional measure. Combined with taking medications, folk remedies. It is important to choose a specialist and get the right treatment, allowing you to quickly recover.