Medical massage - one of the effective physiotherapeutic methods of treatment and recovery. Massage relaxes muscles and tones tissues, improves joint function, and stimulates blood circulation. The procedure prevents lymph stagnation and swelling, fights pain, and has a calming and relaxing effect.
How did massage appear and why was the attitude towards it controversial?
The word “massage” comes from the French language (masser - to rub). Moreover, the procedure itself was known even to primitive peoples. The first official evidence of massage techniques appeared in Ancient China, in the 3rd millennium BC. Even then, there were medical and physical education educational institutions, where one of the disciplines was massage.
During the Middle Ages, massage therapists were subjected to severe persecution. The Holy Inquisition was convinced that pain relief and healing through the touch of hands was a clear sign of the devil. Witch doctors were declared sorcerers and witches and burned at the stake. Only 300 years ago in Europe the works of scientists about massage and its healing properties began to appear again.
Fortunately, in our country there has never been a bias towards the procedure, and therefore the methodology has developed over many centuries. In Ancient Rus', massage was revered both as a full-fledged healing tool and as a pleasant element when going to the bathhouse (rubbing, patting with a broom). Nowadays, massage is recommended for the prevention and treatment of many diseases, and along with manual methods, modern hardware technologies are appearing.
And the last point of a professional massage therapist: a constant desire to learn and interest in the work.
Basically, these are 2 different aspects, but they go hand in hand.
It is impossible to constantly learn something without passion and interest in it. You should find it interesting to watch and experience other massages. Learn if you don't understand something. Study if you feel like you are stalling. Learn if you have been stuck in a massage routine for a long time.
This point is like Schrödinger's cat. All pros have it by default, that's why they're pros. And those who did not stay in the profession of massage therapist do not have it.
If you believe in any esoteric crap, you can consider it "getting on the path." If the path is not yours, then you will turn away from it, but if you take your own path, then you will go cheerfully and cheerfully.
That's all.
Let's summarize:
A massage therapist in a clinic, a massage therapist in a beauty salon, a chiropractor: what’s the difference?
The massage therapist works on the patient's body with his hands, kneading, patting, stroking, rubbing, shaking, pressing, rolling and vibrating. Unlike a chiropractor, he does not have the right to prescribe treatment or realign joints and vertebrae.
A “manual specialist” is a doctor who graduated from a medical school, residency or internship in the specialty “neurologist” or “traumatologist-orthopedist”. In addition, such a doctor has additionally completed a specialized retraining program in manual therapy.
A massage therapist in a medical clinic is a specialist with a secondary medical education in the specialties “therapeutic physical education”, “medical massage”, “nursing”, “physical rehabilitation and recreation”, “massage nurse”. An option with retraining is possible, but only if you have a secondary medical education. Such a specialist has the right to conduct medical, sports, myofascial and other types of massage. Without confirmed qualifications, a person will not be able to perform such procedures and get a job in a clinic. If this norm is violated, then according to Article 69, Article 323 of the Federal Law, the person bears criminal liability.
A massage therapist in a beauty salon, as a rule, does not have a medical education and provides non-medical massage (cosmetological, relaxing). The theoretical and practical knowledge base of a specialist is limited to short-term courses (53-72 academic hours). In this case, the quality of services is practically not confirmed by anything other than the reputation of the salon.
How to choose a massage therapist
When carrying out manipulation, it is important to follow the correct technique. Otherwise, the procedure may be useless or even harmful. When choosing a master, you must:
- Consider only specialists with medical education.
- Make sure the massage therapist is qualified. To do this, you need to ask where he was trained, whether he has the appropriate certificates and diplomas.
- Look for reviews from other clients. A good specialist always has recommendations.
There are also online services for choosing a massage therapist. Thus, residents of Kazan can use https://barb.ru/kazan/spa/massazh and find an individual master or a suitable beauty salon that provides such a service.
Why go for a medical massage?
If you experience a feeling of muscle tension and pain in the back, neck, limbs, if you have severe physical and psychological stress, if you notice poor posture - all this is a reason to think about a massage course. The procedures will also be useful during rehabilitation after injuries, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory diseases, a general decrease in immunity and increased fatigue.
Before enrolling in a medical massage course, you must consult with your doctor. The specialist will determine the required number of sessions (usually 10-15 procedures) and draw up an optimal schedule of procedures. For some diseases, sessions should be daily, for others - with an interval of 2-3 days. The doctor draws up a plan based on your medical history, age, condition, and you must follow the recommendations, because otherwise you can harm yourself.
Remember that massage is not a magic pill. One session is not enough to get rid of any ailments, even if you go to see a highly qualified specialist. It is not advisable to interrupt the course, because in this case it is almost impossible to achieve the desired effect.
Manual massage: features and specifics
The specificity of this procedure is considered to be an improvement in the blood supply to the body in the absence of a phenomenon accompanying this process - the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles, which provokes the appearance of pain symptoms. The features of hand massage also include the possibility of combining various techniques to enhance the effect, as well as the use of additional tools.
The duration of the procedure varies and can take 10-15 minutes or as long as 1.5 hours. The session time is set individually and depends on:
- the purpose of the procedure;
- gender, weight and age of the patient;
- task volume (zone size);
- diagnostic results;
- indications for the procedure.
It usually takes about 15-25 minutes to work on one area of the body. During this time, you can do a full manual massage of the neck, back, and lower back. A massage therapist can spend 20-30 minutes on the procedure for the lower extremities, and 15 minutes for the upper extremities (1 hand ~ 7 minutes). The area of the chest and abdomen is usually taken away from the massage therapist for 15 minutes. The total duration of the session does not include the time during which the person prepares the patient’s body for the session.
Indications for medical massage
The procedures will help in getting rid of many ailments: from obesity to flat feet. Medical massage is recommended for all types of injuries to the musculoskeletal system (fractures, dislocations and sprains of joints, muscle spasms, all kinds of sprains and overloads of muscles and joints, torsion or rupture of ligaments). The course brings relief with:
- degenerative diseases of the spine and other dysfunctional diseases of the skeletal system;
- arthritis and tendonitis;
- diseases associated with respiratory failure;
- rehabilitation after muscle paralysis and peripheral nerve damage;
- neuroses and stress;
- osteochondrosis;
- stomach ulcers and gastritis;
- atherosclerosis;
- neuralgia;
- coronary disease;
- diabetes, etc.
The type of massage is selected depending on the pathology. The impact can be both general and local (aimed at restoring a specific function).
Classic massage technique
Traditionally, classical massage uses stroking, rubbing, kneading and vibration . First, the massage therapist gently warms the skin, stroking it, preparing it for the further procedure. Over time, the movements become more intense. Kneading increases muscle tone, improves posture and strengthens the muscle corset. Vibration strengthens blood vessels and also affects the deep subcutaneous layers.
Auxiliary techniques of classical massage include tapping and squeezing . Effleurage resembles vibration, but is performed with the knuckles. Such movements have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Squeezing is similar to intense stroking. It has a lymphatic drainage effect.
There should be no unpleasant sensations during the massage. If the patient feels pain, he should report this to a specialist.
The classic massage technique has a number of features:
- The patient should be as relaxed as possible . Therefore, before the procedure, the specialist will prepare the room. The temperature should be comfortable.
- Both the patient's body and the massage therapist's hands must be clean . Before the massage, it is advisable to take a shower and use a scrub.
- Be sure to use creams or oils for massage . They make it easier for hands to glide over the skin, saturate it with nutrients, and increase elasticity.
- Movements during the procedure are divided into linear, zigzag, dash-shaped, and circular. A classic massage begins and ends with stroking .
Some massage therapists use incense and pleasant music to help the patient relax. To get a good result from a massage, you need to contact only experienced specialists who have undergone training.
The session takes from 40 to 90 minutes depending on the type of massage, its goals, the patient’s age and other features.
Massage directions for each part of the body
- Stroking and rubbing are performed only in the direction of movement of the lymph flow.
- Hands are massaged in the direction from the hands to the axillary lymph nodes.
- During abdominal , all movements should be made only clockwise.
- The neck should be stretched towards the collarbones, not towards the head.
- When massaging the legs , the specialist moves from the feet to the knee hollows and from the knee to the groin.
- The breast is massaged from the center to the axillary lymph nodes.
- The lower back should be kneaded very carefully, without strong pressure towards the groin area.
Contraindications for medical massage
Massage cannot be performed in some cases. Namely:
- skin diseases;
- immediately after a bone fracture and tendon rupture;
- increased body temperature;
- tumor diseases;
- phlebeurysm;
- hemorrhage, hemophilia, hemorrhagic diathesis;
- developed atherosclerosis;
- advanced stages of hypertension;
- infectious diseases.
Some patients feel weak after the session, observe redness of the skin and make the erroneous conclusion that massage is contraindicated for them. This reaction is just a side effect, which manifests itself less intensely in some and more intensely in others. But after the procedure there should not be a feeling of total “overwhelm” and complete powerlessness, dizziness, or a sharp rise in temperature. Such a response from the body indicates the incompetence of the massage therapist.
Required number of wellness massage sessions
To achieve a significant effect, it is advisable to carry out a wellness massage complex. A single procedure will not give long-term results, but will only alleviate the condition for a while.
A course of healing massage of the back or other parts of the body usually includes from 8 to 15 procedures. Please note that you can save money by purchasing the entire package rather than paying for each session individually.
Thai massage can compete with the classic massage. This technique, which came from Asia, can be suitable not only as a healing massage for men. Its unique atmosphere and many additional bright details will help you relax, improve your body’s condition and serve as a healing massage for women. The result in the form of improved well-being in this case is achieved effectively in the same number of sessions.
Any procedure, including a wellness facial massage, is an investment in your health, performance and appearance. Such an investment will definitely yield a positive result. However, you need to choose a salon or clinic based not only on its location and cost of services. First of all, you should pay attention to the reputation and professionalism of specialists.
What to look for when choosing a massage therapist
Incompetent massage therapists are a big problem in the medical world. Such specialists have harmed the health of many people. There are several signs that this is not a medical professional who is trying to help, but a person aimed solely at commercial gain.
You should be wary if the massage therapist:
- gives a 100% guarantee of complete recovery;
- says that there are no contraindications to massage;
- promises, using the author’s method, to remove all toxins and waste from the body in 3 sessions, get rid of 10 kg of excess weight with one touch, etc.;
- insists on replacing the treatment prescribed by the doctor with dietary supplements and other magic pills;
- names the exact duration of the course in absentia.
Remember that medical massage is a fairly serious physiotherapeutic procedure in which such negligence is unacceptable. Do not risk your health, contact a medical institution, and not dubious specialists.
Our Clinic has professionals with many years of experience and medical education. They are well versed in anatomy, neurology and other fields, which help them form a correct idea of what processes occur in your body. Your health is in good hands here.
Benefits of therapeutic massage
Even if there are no health complaints, it is recommended to visit the massage room at least once a week. The procedure will help you relax, get rid of anxious and obsessive thoughts. The specialist will relieve accumulated muscle fatigue.
Cosmetic massages help reduce wrinkles and improve complexion. You will learn how to do self-massage for wrinkles in our article.
After a course of massage treatment of 10 procedures, you will notice:
- general improvement in blood circulation (a blush will appear on the cheeks, hands and feet will not be constantly cold);
- disappearance of muscle pain;
- improving flexibility, range of motion of joints;
- normalization of heart rate;
- reducing feelings of anxiety;
- eliminating symptoms of stress.
In most cases, massage is pleasant and painless. Don't deny yourself pleasure. Find “your” master on the website 7hands.com. Relaxing types of massage techniques have no contraindications and do not require prior consultation with a doctor.
How to prepare for a session
To achieve maximum healing effect and feel comfortable, it is recommended to follow several rules.
Namely:
- take care of hygiene;
- do not wear jewelry that may interfere with the specialist’s manipulations;
- give up perfume;
- eat no later than 1 hour before the procedure;
- Avoid epilation of legs and other areas on the eve of the procedure - massage oil can get into micro-wounds and provoke inflammation;
- if exposure is expected in the abdominal area, you need to eat no later than 3 hours before the procedure.
During the session, you need to relax as much as possible so that the massage therapist can work on the skin and muscles without encountering muscle resistance. After completing the procedure, you should lie quietly for several minutes.
Deep tissue massage
A rather painful technique that allows you to work deep muscles, eliminate tension, and joint problems. The massage therapist's movements are slow, but very intense. The specialist literally “takes into his hands” the organs, kneads the tendons and fascia located deep under the skin.
Deep tissue massage cannot be called relaxing. But it is this technique that has a real therapeutic effect. A course of massage therapy usually does not last long, but it can relieve chronic tension, eliminate sprains and speed up recovery from injuries.
What methods of influence will the massage therapist use?
Medical massage includes many techniques and methods. The nature of the effect depends on the patient's medical history and condition. For example, procedures after an injury can be combined with cold exposure - this helps relieve swelling and increase joint mobility. However, several types of medical massage can be distinguished:
- Classic . Performed using oil, it is based on the use of basic massage techniques. The nature of the movements is stroking and rubbing.
- Spot . The specialist acts on certain points with his fingers or elbows. By pressing on a bioactive point in the body, certain centers responsible for pain and regeneration processes are activated.
- Periosteal . Necessary for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which are closely related to pathologies of internal organs. Massage improves lymph flow and blood circulation, helps relieve pain.
- Connective tissue . The massage is aimed at improving the functioning of the ligaments. Due to this, you can get rid of pain, reduce swelling and stiffness, and restore joint mobility.
- Reflex . The technique is based on the idea that the human body is a complex self-healing system in which all elements are closely connected. Exposure to certain areas gives a response, and on the basis of this a conclusion is made about a possible dysfunction of the organ. With the right technique, neurological diseases and various diseases of the internal organs can be cured. The methodology of this type of massage is considered one of the most difficult because it requires specific knowledge from the field of neurology.
- Hardware . Based on the use of special equipment. The impact can be due to ultrasound, infrared radiation, weak electric shocks, etc.
The type of massage is selected individually; other physiotherapeutic procedures can be prescribed in combination.
The benefits of different types of massage
Popular types of massage and their benefits:
- Therapeutic back massage.
One of the most popular massages that helps eliminate many diseases and pathological conditions - from lower back pain and pinched nerve roots to intervertebral hernias and post-stroke conditions. - Lymphatic drainage body massage.
It belongs to therapeutic massages and brings a powerful healing effect to the entire body, improves immunity, restores sound sleep, and relieves swelling. - Manual modeling.
Improves skin quality, eliminates fat deposits. - Sports.
Helps prepare the body, especially during intense physical activity, increases endurance, relieves pain, and reduces the risk of injury. - Face massage.
Tightens and moisturizes the skin, restores freshness and youth to the face, removes creases and wrinkles
The effectiveness of a massage is determined by three elements: tempo, strength and duration, which are selected strictly individually. Some types of massage can be combined to get the maximum effect.
Recommendations for improving the effect after massage
Ideally, after the session you can come home and rest for 30-40 minutes, relax. You can take a warm bath with sea salt or natural essential oils. It is also recommended to increase the amount of fluid consumed and eat right.
Diagnostics before the first massage session is a mandatory procedure. It is performed with the goal of not harming and helping the patient.
Extracts from the medical record, photographs and doctor’s reports, and a referral for a massage do not replace the examination of the patient by the massage therapist himself.
If there are any doubts on the part of the massage therapist, before the session, the specialist can invite a doctor to the office for consultation, who is always available in our clinic. An additional completely free consultation with a doctor is a concern for your health and an indicator of our responsible attitude.
Remember: a specialist at our clinic has the right to refuse you a massage session if he considers that the procedure may harm you.
Using various techniques, massage therapists help the patient get rid of various health problems. These include: dysfunction of the cardiovascular system, joint diseases, muscle dysfunction, consequences of fractures, obesity and much more.
In some cases, one massage is enough to combat the disease, but often massage is an integral part of general medical therapy.
Harm from unprofessional massage
The inability to correctly distribute the load on the muscles, incorrect execution of techniques, rough transitions between techniques and poor knowledge of anatomical nuances are common mistakes made by non-professionals. Unskilled behavior is aggravated by an inattentive study of the patient’s medical history, while experienced massage therapists always conduct a preliminary consultation about the patient’s health condition. From such incorrect actions, the patient risks not improving, but worsening his health.
Possible negative consequences:
- - damage to muscle tissue;
- — the appearance of pain due to incorrect work with trigger points;
- - intensification of existing inflammation;
- — disruption of the functioning of internal organs;
- - infection due to non-compliance with hygiene rules.
There is an increased risk of injury when performing deep massage by a non-professional, which can even damage nerve endings. Self-taught people often perform strength techniques that are not recommended by doctors, who note a high risk of disc displacement and even fractures when performing such techniques.
Unprofessional massage therapists are dangerous
Medical fact. “The actions of half-educated massage therapists create disappointing statistics: about 15% of patients who completed a course with such a pseudo-specialist require additional restorative therapy.” (Robert Gotlin, sports physician from the Beth Israel Medical Center, USA).
Professional Responsibilities
The main responsibilities of a massage therapist include:
- preparing the client for the procedure;
- performing the required type of massage manually or using special devices;
- a combination of massage with manual therapy, physical therapy or other procedures prescribed by a doctor;
- monitoring the patient’s condition during the procedure;
- consulting visitors;
- compliance with hygiene standards in the office and safety precautions;
- maintaining relevant documentation;
- providing first aid if necessary.
Of course, the specific functions performed by a children's massage therapist, a beauty salon worker, or a member of a national cycling team differ very much, as do the types of influence they use on a person.
Massage of the cervical-collar area
Therapeutic neck massage is used to treat pathologies of the cervical-collar area. It helps eliminate such unfavorable conditions as:
- headache;
- chronic fatigue;
- neck pain;
- muscle spasms;
- sleep disturbance;
- decreased performance.
Therapeutic massage for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is an important component of therapy. Massage helps normalize blood flow and restores the patency of nerve fibers. Thus, the brain begins to receive the necessary amount of nutrients for normal functioning.
Therapeutic massage of the cervical-collar area relaxes the neck muscles, relieves tension and fatigue. The procedure improves blood circulation in the cervical-collar area, which helps eliminate pain caused by excessive physical activity, swelling or tissue inflammation. After a course of massage of the cervical-collar area, patients note a significant improvement in well-being and mental activity.
