The benefits of massage for the body. Massage - benefits and harm to health. “Nerves of steel” and “boiling” blood in the veins

Without exaggeration, massage can be called the oldest and most effective way to improve health and prevent many diseases. It is used at all stages of medical rehabilitation, using it to tone muscles, restore the body’s performance after injuries, reduce fat deposits and relieve tension.

Having a beneficial effect not only on the physical, but also on the mental strength of a person, massage is often included in a complex of therapeutic, restorative and preventive measures and is very successfully used in sports practice.

Knowing about the exceptional effect of massage, many people turn to qualified massage therapists - specialists, each movement of whose hands gives a certain therapeutic effect. Of course, we are talking about practicing massage therapists with extensive experience and professional knowledge. By turning to a self-taught or amateur massage therapist, you can get damaged muscle and nervous tissue and struggle for a long time with the consequences of poor-quality “treatment.”

The positive effect of any massage appears only after completing the full course of procedures.. Usually their number varies between 7-10, less often 15 sessions. Only regular and daily massage is the key to obtaining a lasting therapeutic effect, so you should not count on miraculous healing after 2-3 procedures. Depending on the indications, the duration of one session is 20...60 minutes, a more precise time is determined individually.

Effect of massage

Considered an inexhaustible source of energy and health, massage brings great benefits to our body. There are a huge number of types of massage: children's, back, face, legs, head, abdomen, aroma massage, acupressure, anti-cellulite, cosmetic, anti-stress, erotic, etc. However, they all belong to two large groups - European and Eastern.

Despite a number of similar movements, the technique of performing European massage differs from Eastern practices. First of all, it is aimed at working with subcutaneous muscles and tissues and solving a specific problem. Oriental massage involves an integrated approach to healing, and work with the patient begins with the master removing energy blocks. During the session, the massage therapist works not only with the body, but also with the soul of a person, activating his internal resources to fight the disease.

The benefits of massage are manifested in:

strengthening the body's immune system;
increasing skin firmness and elasticity;
improving blood and lymph circulation;
activation of the sweat and sebaceous glands;
normalization of psycho-emotional state;
stimulating the central nervous system or calming it down;
reduction of pain;
increasing skin sensitivity;
acceleration of metabolic processes
getting rid of puffiness;
strengthening/relaxing muscles;
and so on...

Using mechanical and reflex techniques on the human body, massage has a variety of physiological effects and is an excellent means of rejuvenating the body.

The benefits of certain types of massage

Massage has the maximum effect on muscle tissue. Depending on the type of movement, it allows you to stretch and relax muscles that have contracted from tension, restore flexibility and elasticity to them, relieve fatigue and get rid of pain.

There are also benefits for the circulatory system. By making breathing deeper, massage expands blood vessels and capillaries, improves blood circulation, saturating the brain with oxygen and lymph flow, strengthening the human immune system.

After a massage session, the sebaceous and sweat glands begin to work more actively. The natural hydration of the skin improves, the processes of cleansing and moisturizing are accelerated.

Thanks to massage, mineral salts, toxins and wastes are well removed from the body. The excretory function of the kidneys and skin is activated, the level of subcutaneous fat is normalized and restoration processes in tissues are accelerated.

Facial massage is popular among the fair sex, the benefits of which are simply enormous. At the same time, you can carry out procedures that improve the condition and appearance of the skin either by going to a beauty salon or at home. This massage allows you to:

achieve greater effect from the use of creams and masks, helping them penetrate the skin faster;
cope with age-related changes (sagging skin, wrinkles, unclear facial contour, etc.)
remove dead epidermal cells;
solve a number of problems at the subcutaneous level (swelling, pallor, rashes, etc.)
relax, even during stressful times.

The benefits of back massage, one of the most popular types of massage, lie in its beneficial effects on the musculoskeletal system, relief from pain and insomnia. It is known that displacement of the spinal discs leads to muscle spasms and disrupts the normal functioning of individual organs and posture.

It is often impossible to eliminate such problems and stop the further development of diseases with the help of medications. Therapeutic massage is the only way to solve the problem. It is shown to almost everyone. The only exception is the stage of exacerbation of diseases of internal organs or skin.

Contraindications for massage

There are many positive aspects of massage and it is impossible to cover them all in one article. Unfortunately, procedures that are pleasant in all respects in some cases can provoke negative reactions in the body, and the harm of massage will be many times greater than its possible benefits.

When is it not advisable to massage?

Firstly, even with slight increases in temperature. Considering that the process of active influence on the body also contributes to an increase in body temperature, it will be quite difficult to predict the consequences, which may be disastrous.

Secondly, you should avoid going to a massage therapist if you have open wounds, cuts, abrasions or bruises.

Thirdly, massage is contraindicated for periostitis, which is often found in rheumatoid arthritis and gout, and bursitis.

If you have any doubts about whether to massage or not, it is better to consult your doctor or massage therapist directly. A qualified specialist will always give a comprehensive answer and determine the degree of possible risk.

Video about the benefits and harms of massage

Hello, dear friends, you are on the Medobaza.ru website. Enjoy reading! Throughout their lives, every person needs touch, care and affection. It's no secret that this attitude helps us calm down, relieve excess stress and restore strength.

There are still people who consider massage a luxury for the rich. However, this is not at all true. Massage has long been known among the majority of the world's population.

It is difficult to disagree with the words of the writer Sandor Marai, who wrote the following words: “trust an experienced massage therapist to understand how much depends on the condition of our body.

Massage significantly speeds up the recovery processes of our entire body. A professionally performed massage session can relieve headaches, fatigue and other seasonal ailments.

Massage is a word of French origin. Literally it means to rub, touch, feel, gently press or squeeze with the hands. In general, massage is a set of various techniques of mechanical influence on one or another part of the human body. Each massage technique manifests itself in both neuro-reflex and mechanical effects on various systems, tissues and individual organs of the human body. Different massage techniques can have different effects on our physical condition.

So, for example, stroking, shaking and rubbing relieve pain; kneading – increases both muscle and general tone of the body, and kneading and patting have a strong stimulating effect. However, all massage techniques improve blood circulation, accelerate muscle nutrition and the removal of toxins.

However, massage also has contraindications. Among the main contraindications for massage are: skin diseases, the presence of acute inflammatory processes and febrile conditions, a tendency to bleeding, blood diseases, gangrene, thrombosis, inflammation of blood vessels and lymph nodes, open form of tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, the presence of malignant or large benign tumors, stones in the kidneys and (or) gall bladder, Quincke's edema, any diseases occurring in the acute period and a general severe physical condition.

Of course, if you give massage to those for whom it is contraindicated, then the massage will do more harm than good. In addition, a massage session performed by a low-skilled or inattentive specialist can cause harm. Therefore, for a massage to be beneficial, you need to make sure that it is not contraindicated for you and that it will be done by a massage therapist who deserves your trust.

Video on the topic:

← Choosing Children's Basketball Shoes Choosing the Best Home Leg Exerciser →

medobaza.ru

Massage: health benefits and harms

Many people in the modern world are in search of an effective remedy that will help improve health and prevent various diseases. The optimal solution to this issue is massage. It has long been used in many stages of medical rehabilitation, as it allows you to tone muscles and restore performance after various injuries. In cosmetology, it is also actively used to reduce fat deposits and relieve tension. At the same time, massage can have benefits and harms on a person, depending on the correct execution and compliance with all the subtleties. It has been repeatedly confirmed that when carried out correctly, it is capable of restoring strength. Massage is often one of the components of therapeutic and recovery complexes.

Benefits of massage

Shower massage is rightfully considered a source of vital energy and good health. With its help you can bring great benefits to the body. At the same time, there are quite a lot of types of massage, among which everyone can choose the optimal solution for themselves, depending on their individual characteristics. If the technology is followed, the benefits of massage are invaluable. In particular, it manifests itself in the following aspects:

Increased immunity;
Giving the skin elasticity;
The skin becomes more elastic;
Blood circulation is activated;
Lymph circulation improves.

During the massage process, a person’s psycho-emotional state can be improved due to its positive effect on the central nervous system. It allows you to regulate skin sensitivity and relieve pain.

Main contraindications for massage

Despite the wide range of positive aspects of this pleasant procedure, some features should be taken into account before performing it. In particular, there are certain contraindications, if ignored, you can get both health benefits and harm from massage. At elevated temperatures, it is strictly prohibited to carry out the procedure, since as a result of active influence on the body, it may increase even more. In addition, visiting a massage therapist is contraindicated if there is any damage to the skin. If there are any doubts, it is better to consult with a qualified specialist before the procedure, who can give competent advice depending on individual characteristics.

joomgallery.ru

Massage: benefits and harms

Many people like to relax with a massage. It is believed that it has a beneficial effect not only on the condition of muscle tissue and skin, but also improves well-being. However, not everything is so simple. Massage can provoke an exacerbation of chronic diseases, and generally worsen health conditions.

This especially happens when it is not done by a professional or if the type of impact is chosen incorrectly. This is why it is important to know your diagnosis accurately and consult a doctor before undergoing a series of procedures.

Each individual body reacts to massage differently. This response of the body is influenced by several factors: the level of development of the nervous system, the sensitivity of receptors, the ratio of inhibition and excitation processes, as well as the rate of development and stage of the disease, the type of procedure and the time of its implementation.

For example, in case of injuries, disorders of the musculoskeletal system and poor metabolism, this manipulation is simply necessary. The same applies to headaches and back pain, osteochondrosis, sprains, radiculitis, pinched nerves and fatigue.

You need to know that therapeutic massage differs from cosmetic and hygienic massage. It has contraindications under which it should never be done. For example, inflammatory and purulent processes, open wounds or ulcers, severe varicose veins, hemorrhages, psychological diseases with seizures, blood diseases - those ailments for which massage is prohibited. The benefits and harms of this procedure must be in proportion to the clear advantages of the first. Otherwise, why even conduct a massage course?

However, many people, without understanding the diagnosis and without learning about the consequences, go to the salon to receive this rather pleasant procedure. And some even try to master self-massage techniques. But an experienced specialist will never perform a general massage during acute febrile conditions of the patient, when he has a high temperature, when there is bleeding and pathologies of the skin or nails, as well as when damage, irritation, abrasions and cracks are detected.

In addition, upon learning that the client suffers from inflammation of the veins, thrombosis, causalgia, active type of tuberculosis, acute venereal disease and AIDS, the massage therapist has the right to refuse to perform the procedure. Atherosclerosis and gangrene, systemic blood diseases and hemophilia, tumors of various locations, vascular aneurysms, lack of cerebral circulation, hyper- and hypotonic crisis, ischemia, pulmonary edema, gangliolitis, Quincke's edema and osteomyelitis are a direct condition for not prescribing a course of general massage.

And if the client is intoxicated, then manipulation of the body is strictly prohibited. If you have the listed ailments, you shouldn’t even think about whether massage is harmful. Even one procedure can provoke an exacerbation of an existing disease or even cause a completely different disease.

Massaging body parts is another matter. It is more popular because it is not so financially expensive and takes less time. However, it can also be harmful if it is carried out on injured areas, in places of protruding veins, with allergies accompanied by rashes, with trophic skin lesions.

But if you have had phlebitis (without relapses), massage of the lumbosacral region is allowed through segmental reflex action. In addition, during the procedure, you should avoid all moles and warts that protrude above the epidermis, as well as areas of rashes due to psoriasis, eczema and herpes.

Massage of the breast is strictly prohibited in case of any disease, and massage of the abdomen during pregnancy, several months after abortion and childbirth, as well as in the presence of a hernia. The same applies to the hip area. It is not recommended to massage areas near benign tumors, and areas distant from them should be treated sparingly in case of exceptional indications. Massage of the lumbar region is excluded in case of ovarian cysts, endometriosis, fibroids and myomas of the uterus, stone disease of the gallbladder and kidneys.

However, even with the correct prescription and correctly performed procedure, you can notice the effects of massage on the body. This happens in cases where the massage therapist increased the duration or number of sessions and did not listen to the client’s complaints. Most often these are bruises that appear on the body the day after the procedure. Sometimes they can be quite large, thereby frightening clients. Often such places are painful.

The fact is that massage performed using “hard” manipulations can provoke unwanted responses in the blood vessels. Although the same manipulation performed by a professional will not leave bruises. Therefore, in case of increased sensitivity of the skin or if the capillaries are located quite close to its surface, it is better to warn the specialist in advance about this feature.

At the same time, he will not experiment, but will immediately select the optimal power load mode. In other cases, bruises may appear on the body after impacting it with brushes rather than with fingers. This is exactly how inexperienced and insufficiently trained craftsmen work.

Health is the body's most important resource, so it is important to take it seriously. It is better to consult with your doctor again before starting a massage course than to correct the consequences of this procedure after it has been carried out.

www.krasomania.ru

Benefits of massage

Massage is not just pleasure. Massage has an incomparable healing effect on the entire body, from the skin to the circulatory and digestive systems.

The effect of massage on the body

The main feature of any type of massage is its complex positive effect on the entire body as a whole, despite the fact that only a certain area of the body can be massaged. This happens due to the fact that the massage process stimulates blood circulation and the outflow of lymph from the tissues.

As a result, cell nutrition improves and they are enriched with oxygen. Metabolic products are removed from tissues through the bloodstream. Irritation of receptors in the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and vessel walls during massage causes the secretion of mediators that transmit impulses to the central nervous system and brain.

Under the influence of massage, biologically active substances and tissue hormones are formed in the skin and enter the bloodstream; histamine, endorphin and other substances that have a beneficial effect on the body are rapidly formed.

The most common results of massage effects are:

improved blood circulation
strengthening the cardiovascular system
improvement of heart function
improvement of metabolism
elimination of congestion
improvement of motor functions of the limbs
positive effect on joints and musculoskeletal system
strengthening health, stimulating immunity, raising vitality
healing effect on the central and peripheral nervous systems
relieving nervous stress, fatigue and emotional arousal

Mechanism of action of massage

Physiological effect of massage on the skin

Cleansing of keratinized epidermal scales and foreign contaminants
Increased skin and muscle tone
Activation of lymph and blood circulation of the skin
Improvement of local and general metabolism due to the fact that the skin takes part in almost all metabolic processes occurring in our body
Improving the secretory function of the sebaceous and sweat glands
Increases oxygen saturation of the skin

As a result, the skin becomes elastic and smooth, acquiring a healthy shade.

The effect of massage on the nervous system

The nervous system is the first to perceive the effect of massage, since the skin contains a huge number of nerve endings. By changing the strength, character, and duration of the massage, you can reduce or increase nervous excitability, strengthen and revive lost reflexes, improve tissue trophism, as well as the activity of internal organs.

Massage has a profound effect on the peripheral nervous system, weakening or stopping pain, improving nerve conductivity, accelerating the regeneration process when it is damaged, preventing or reducing sensitive vasomotor and trophic disorders.

Under the influence of massage, the functional state of the nerve pathways also improves, and various reflex connections of the cerebral cortex with muscles, blood vessels and internal organs are strengthened.

With a slow, long-term deep (sedative) massage, the excitability of the massaged tissues decreases, and this has a calming effect on the nervous system; energetic, quick short (tonic) massage increases the irritability of the massaged tissues.

The atmosphere of the massage is very important for the effect on the nervous system: warm air, dim light, pleasant calm music help enhance the healing effect of the massage. The presence of negative external irritations - waiting for a session in the corridor, noise, excited conversation outside the massage room - can significantly reduce the effect of the massage.

What are the benefits of back massage?

Back massage, especially therapeutic, brings invaluable benefits:

Irritation is transmitted to the central nervous system, which determines the response of organs and the body as a whole.
Helps remove dead horn cells from the surface of the skin, which improves the functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands.
In the process, venous congestion is eliminated and the blood supply to the skin is improved, this is especially felt when massaging the back with cupping.
The temperature of the massaged area increases, so enzymatic and metabolic processes accelerate.

The benefits of back massage for the body are enormous; with its help, you can restore the functionality of the back muscles, eliminate pain that is a consequence of any injury, or simply improve the general condition of the body.

Back massage also has a beneficial effect on other internal organs, liver, stomach, heart, and intestines. Massage improves the condition of the nervous system and eliminates spinal curvature.

Back massage has a beneficial effect on the body and individual organs.

What are the benefits of facial massage

1. Prevents the appearance of wrinkles and increases the body's production of collagen and elastin.

Some women trying to get rid of wrinkles decide to get Botox injections to relax their facial muscles. But facial massage achieves the same goal without any injections.

In addition, facial massage helps maintain the necessary layer of collagen and elastin under the skin. Massage helps relax muscles and increase blood circulation, which makes it easier for cosmetic products to penetrate the top layer of skin. Muscle massage also sends a biological signal to the skin to increase the production of collagen and elastin.

2. Reduces swelling and improves skin color.

Another benefit of facial massage is that it can reduce swelling and swelling on the face. When you move your skin and muscles, blood flow increases. With the blood, nutrients and oxygen enter the tissues and the upper layer of the skin, and when the blood returns to the heart, swelling goes away with it.

So, facial massage not only improves the overall health of the skin from the inside, but its results are clearly visible on the outside as well. The skin does not look swollen, and good blood circulation guarantees a healthy glow on the face.

3. Cleanses skin pores.

Every time the skin on the face or anywhere else on the body is massaged and stimulated, the pores of the skin open. Stimulation can cause an increase in body temperature, which also opens the pores. And this is the best time to cleanse the pores of your facial skin from dirt and oil, which cause many skin diseases such as acne, pimples and other skin problems.

The benefits of different types of massage

Since the classification of types of massage is very diverse, let's look at how massage of its individual types is useful:

☯ Sculptural massage. This type of massage allows you to reduce the volume of subcutaneous fat, as well as increase metabolism and make your figure ideal. First, the massage therapist warms up the body with a special cream, and then uses his hands to actively work on all problem areas of the body for half an hour. Thanks to methods such as pinching, kneading and patting, excellent results can be achieved in just a few sessions.

☯ Anti-cellulite massage. The purpose of this massage is to restore normal microcirculation of skin tissue and improve the functioning of the body's drainage system with a long-lasting effect. The massage therapist works on problem areas of the skin, alternating active and passive actions with his hands, which causes an increased release of collagen in the skin cells. To enhance the effect, creams and serums containing active substances (caffeine, extracts of horse chestnut, ivy, seaweed) are used.

☯ Thai massage. A distinctive feature of this massage is that it is performed on a mat with coconut shavings without removing clothes. Thanks to the impact on various acupuncture points, a person’s muscles relax and tone, posture is corrected, and swelling of the limbs goes away.

☯ Vacuum massage. Using lipolytic oils, the massage therapist glues special cups to the body, using which he makes vigorous circular movements in problem areas. This type of massage helps to cope with swelling and also strengthens the body's drainage system.

☯ Sports massage. As a rule, it is used by athletes to relieve pain after prolonged physical activity. This type of massage is an excellent preventive remedy after various sports injuries.

☯ Lymphatic drainage massage. Using special massage brushes or mittens, the massage therapist makes wave-like movements in problem areas of the body. This type of massage promotes increased removal of fluid from the body, helps get rid of swelling, toxins, and also makes the body's lymphatic system work harder.

Oriental or classic, sports or therapeutic, it doesn’t matter which massage you choose, the main thing is to decide for yourself the need for a massage and choose the right technique for you for this miraculous means of feeling great and looking great. Health is priceless. And therefore, massage is necessary for every person: both healthy and, especially, sick.

Sports massage

Massage with spoons

Classic massage

www.pravilnoe-pokhudenie.ru

The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “massage” is something pleasant and blissful, real pleasure and relaxation for the body. And this is partly true. But the massage procedure does not always bring pleasure and joy. Today we will look at what types of massage exist, what benefits they bring and whether there are contraindications or even harm.

Benefits of massage

Everyone knows that massage is useful, but why exactly? Let's look at what exactly it has a beneficial effect on. It affects almost everything: skin, muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments, lymphatic and circulatory systems, nervous and respiratory. Considering such a wide range of effects, it ceases to seem surprising that after a session of high-quality massage, people feel as if they have just been reborn. Of course, massage can be different, and we will talk about this a little later, but the result will always be the same - benefits! You just need to remember that any massage, and especially that associated with the spine and face, should be carried out exclusively by professionals with extensive experience. Otherwise, this can lead to disastrous consequences.

With the help of massage, you can also remove other impurities, significantly increase the tone of the skin and muscles, improve blood circulation, establish metabolism in a certain area of influence, improve the functioning of pores and sebaceous glands, and saturate the skin with oxygen. Ultimately, you can get smooth, tightened skin that will have a healthy tone.

Considering that massage directly affects metabolic processes in the body and the release of fat from tissues, activating its burning. However, in fairness, it is worth noting that the benefits of such a massage and the effect itself will be noticeable only with an integrated approach, when a healthy lifestyle is added to everything else.

Massage helps increase muscle elasticity, without the appearance of lactic acid, increases blood flow to muscle fibers, saturates them with oxygen, improves and restores their performance, which comes in handy after prolonged physical activity. For comparison, in five minutes of a high-quality massage, the muscles will rest in a way that they would not be able to do in half an hour with normal rest. Helps disperse lactic acid in muscles. Those who know firsthand what it is will understand the advantage of such an impact. Massage can relieve muscle pain. They can also stop muscle atrophy. It has a strengthening effect on the ligamentous apparatus and prevents the deposition of harmful substances in the joints.

It has long been no secret that the skin is a clearing of the nervous system, since it is connected to the entire body by nerve endings. Taking this into account, the effect of massage can be called universal, because it can both excite the nervous system and completely relax it. With its help, you can establish communication between the brain, muscles, internal organs and the circulatory system. It helps accelerate regeneration in cases where the functioning of the nerve has been disrupted for some reason.

Many girls will like the fact that with the help of massage you can really! This is not a fiction at all for the purpose of making money for massage therapists - it is a fact, which is explained by the specifics of the impact.

We can talk about the benefits of massage for a very long time, but the essence will not change. If you have the opportunity to visit good specialists and there are no contraindications, then do not deny yourself such useful and pleasant care.

Harm of massage

Massage is a full-fledged therapeutic procedure, which can also be fraught with harm. Firstly, it is advisable to carry out such procedures solely as prescribed by the supervising doctor, and not at your own request. Let’s make a reservation right away that we are talking about a full-fledged massage. Before the session, be sure to tell the doctor what worries you, if there are any ailments. The harm of massage can be colossal if the patient has various ailments, which we will write about in contraindications, or if there are inflammatory processes in the body. Never ignore this fact, otherwise it will only get worse.

Contraindications for massage

Now, actually, about contraindications. They can be permanent, temporary and local. The names speak for themselves. In the first case, massage is generally unacceptable, in the second, you should wait for recovery, and then begin sessions; in the third, contraindications apply to a specific area.

So, massage is absolutely contraindicated for:

blood diseases and predisposition to bleeding;
atherosclerosis;
heart failure in the third degree;
impaired blood circulation;
active stage of tuberculosis;
gangrene;
the presence of malignant tumors;
scurvy;
angitis;
acute venereal diseases.

Temporary contraindications are:

state of alcoholic intoxication;
the presence of inflammatory processes in the body;
pain in the abdomen, feeling of nausea;
bleeding;
existing acute pain;
acute renal and cardiovascular failure;
hypertensive, cerebral and hypotonic crises;
state of acute fever.

Local contraindications usually include the following places:

where are the lymph nodes located;
breasts, nipples and groin area;
on the stomach, if there is a hernia there, or the woman is menstruating;
back in the lower back, in the presence of kidney stones;
where there are protruding moles;
where the excision of the malignant tumor took place;
with the presence of benign formations;
suffering from a fungal disease, having cracks, warts, viral inflammation, etc.

In fairness, we list the situations in which massage, on the contrary, is indicated. So, make an appointment with a specialist if you have:

there is pain in the back, neck and lower back;
constant pain in the head;
there is a diagnosis;
there are sprains, bruises or fractures that are at the healing stage;
disorders that are a consequence of the fracture are observed;
chronic or acute arthritis;
neuritis or neuralgia;
chronic gastritis;
radiculitis;
paralysis;
bronchial asthma;
stomach or duodenal ulcer, provided there is no exacerbation;
arterial hypertension;
rehabilitation period after a heart attack;
intestinal function is disrupted;
mental fatigue;
physical fatigue;
hypertension;
bronchitis.

In these cases, taking into account the permission of the attending physician, massage will only be beneficial.

Massage is a serious matter, so be sure to consult your doctor before your session.

Types of massage

There are many types of massage and here are just a few of them:

urological;
children's;
hardware
percussion;
cryomassage;
gynecological;
cosmetic;
resuscitation;
medicinal;
hygienic;
prophylactic;
segmental-reflex;
sports;
self-massage, etc.

In addition to these, there are at least 30 more varieties.

Massage treatment

Massage itself has not so much a therapeutic effect as an auxiliary one. For example, if a simple treatment would last two to three months, then by including massage in therapy it will be reduced by two to three times. It can be used as a general tonic, as it helps to increase and strengthen the immune system. It is easier to list diseases for which massage is powerless than those for which it will provide all possible help. Previously, we listed health problems for which such a procedure would be useful; you can rely on this list, but it is far from complete. Comprehensive advice can be obtained from a specialist who is engaged in the relevant practice.

How to do a massage correctly

So, we’ve sorted out the benefits and contraindications, now let’s touch on the topic of how to do a massage correctly. To begin with, the person who will be doing it must prepare not only in body, but also in spirit. There should be no negative thoughts in your head, all problems should fade into the background. This is very important, since only in this case will the muscles completely relax.

It’s even better if relaxing music plays in the room and the atmosphere itself is inviting. And then we’ll look at some variations depending on the situation.

How to massage a man

After a hard day at work, when a man simply collapses, it would be a good idea to pamper him with a relaxing massage. First of all, it is important to prepare the atmosphere itself, which will set you in a romantic mood and allow you to escape from all the problems.

It doesn’t hurt to prepare what will be used for the massage. Take any base oil you like and add vanilla, lemon or lavender ether to it. You just need to be sure that the man, and you yourself, are not allergic to these components. Massage can be done not only with your hands. Touch your “client’s” body with feathers and pieces of natural soft fur - this is also pleasant and relaxing to no less extent.

The routine for a relaxing massage for a man is as follows:

Let the man take a hot bath or shower, as massage is best done on a steamed body and muscles.
Then place him on his stomach so that he is comfortable and ready to begin. Don’t worry if you’ve never had a massage before; if necessary, ask the man to tell you where to press harder and where to stroke longer.
Any massage always begins with stroking, then rubbing begins and only after that kneading the muscles. Be sure to alternate this stroking and finish the massage with them too.
Actions start from the neck, and then gradually “move down” to the back.
After carefully working the lower back, work on the shoulders and arms, paying particular attention to the inner area. You need to massage your entire arm, from the shoulder to the back of the hand. Having finished with one limb, move on to the other.
Using transverse movements, begin massaging the sacrum and buttocks. Pay special attention to the sacrum area, as this is where pinching often occurs, causing pain and a feeling of heaviness.
Next come the inner thighs and knees. Do not spray, first wash one leg and then the other. Massage your heels and calves in the same way.
As soon as the back massage comes to an end, ask the man to lie on his back and begin massaging his chest. The whole sequence in this case is similar.

How to do a back massage

Yes, a complex and therapeutic massage, which is aimed at improving the health of the body, should only be performed by a specialist. A simple massage that will not cause any harm can be performed at home.

The person being massaged should be placed on his stomach, with his arms placed along the body, slightly bent at the elbows. Place a pillow under your head.

It all starts with superficial stroking, and then move on to deep stroking, performing it with the back of the hand, moving from bottom to top. Work the sacrum. Move your palms some distance from the spine and move up to the hollows of the armpits, then return to the groin folds. Using soft but confident movements, work your entire back. Perform grasping movements on the sides.

Next comes the squeezing stage. This is a deep technique in which all movements must be performed in the direction of the lymph, and they must be done slowly. The action is directed not only to the skin, but also to deeper layers. To increase efficiency, weights are needed, so the pressure is applied to the arm. The long muscles are treated first, and then the broad muscles.

Then comes rubbing. The technique is performed by displacing the skin. The long muscles begin to rub moving from the sacrum. The area of the spinous shoots near the neck is worked with semicircular movements. As soon as you reach the hairline, go back to the sacrum. Everything is repeated five or six times.

On the vastus dorsi muscle, movements can be performed with the edge of the palm. You need to move from the buttocks in an upward direction. On the side of the body you need to make a “crossing”, which is made by the radial bones in the direction from the hip to the armpits. In place of the ribs, rubbing is done from the spine in different directions. To work the shoulder blade, the arm of the person being massaged must be bent at the elbow and placed on the back. Hold the person's hand with one hand, and rub it with the other, using the pads of your fingers. Finish rubbing with both hands in a circular motion over the entire surface of your back.

Next comes kneading. To enhance the effect, you need to put one hand on the other. It all starts with working out the longus muscle. You can simply walk with your fingertips along the sides of the spine, or draw circles with your phalanges. Then move on to the broad muscles. Move from the ridge to the armpits, grabbing and pulling the muscle, massaging it in a circle.

The session ends with a small vibration, which is performed through a series of light blows across the entire back. Then vibrating stroking is done.

All this takes on average 20 minutes, with half the time spent just on kneading.

How to do a neck massage

In this case, the person being massaged sits on a chair, and then everything is simple.

First you need to stroke, moving your palms from top to bottom and to the sides. Next, you can make light pinching, grasping or comb-like movements. Then you need to rub the mastoid processes. The neck of the person being massaged is wrapped in a half-hoop. All movements are of moderate intensity. Hatching, sawing and intersecting are used in the same way. Can be applied on the entire surface behind by rubbing with bent phalanges of fingers or pads.

Be careful when performing a neck massage, as this is not the strongest place and is very easy to injure. A variant of massage of the cervical-collar area can be seen in the video below.

How to massage your feet

With a properly performed foot massage, you can achieve simply stunning results from the muscles, subcutaneous layer and the skin itself. The glands activate their work, blood circulation is normalized, and lymph flow improves. The muscles will become more elastic, and the fat deposits will become smaller. During the massage, the legs are relaxed, so at the end of the session, lightness in the limbs is granted.

The legs can be massaged selectively, in specific areas, or completely, from the buttocks to the heels - it depends on the desire and the amount of time allocated for the massage. There is a very interesting fact - when massaging the arch of the foot, you can reduce back pain, and when working with your toes, you can improve the condition of your vision, sinuses and ears.

Now about how you can massage your feet.

Grab your foot by the arch with one hand, and actively rub it with the palm of the other. As you warm up, you can change your palm to your knuckles.
After thoroughly warming up, you need to thoroughly stretch your fingers, each individually. You need to move in the direction from the nail to the base, rolling the skin.
Grab your foot with one hand and secure it, and with the ball of your thumb, begin to make circular movements along the entire foot. If the skin is rough, you can press harder, if it is tender and thin, you can press less. Particular attention should be paid to the heel area.
Next you should work on the Achilles tendon. It is massaged up and down with the thumb so that the person does not feel pain or discomfort. The bones of the foot and ankle are massaged using similar movements.
Rotate your foot towards the ankle.
Next, move on to the shin and warm it up thoroughly, then use your knuckles in a circular motion to lightly knead the entire muscle.
Rise up, avoiding the popliteal fossae. Here the thighs are already massaged.

The massage ends by kneading the buttocks and lightly pinching the entire surface, and then stroking. After this, the person being massaged must lie down for at least a quarter of an hour.

How to massage a newborn

First, let's look at some rules for baby massage.

You can start massage after the baby turns 20 days old. Babies who are not yet three months old should not massage the fontanel area, under the knees, elbow bends, inner thighs and armpits. Also, do not press, knock or pat.
The optimal indoor air temperature is 18-23°C. The baby will be undressed during the session, so it is important to provide comfortable conditions so that he does not freeze.
The massage should be performed on a flat and stable surface. The ideal option is a changing table covered with a terry blanket or diaper.
Prepare in advance what you will need during the session so that you are not distracted and are not separated from your baby.
If you have long nails, cut them off, otherwise you can injure the baby's delicate skin. It is better to remove all jewelry from your hands. Wash thoroughly with soap, including under the nails.
Find the best time for a massage. A good choice would be a couple of hours after feeding.
During the session, talk to your baby, smile at him or sing good songs.
Make all movements strictly in the direction from bottom to top, as well as from the periphery to the center. Do everything very carefully so as not to cause harm or discomfort to the baby.
The duration of one session should be about a quarter of an hour.

Now let's look at the step-by-step massage technique.

You need to start with the handles. Massage each finger, unclench your baby's fist and massage your palm. Smoothly move to the wrist and above, avoiding the armpits.
Move on to the legs. First, massage your foot, remembering to pay attention to each toe. Then lightly move towards your groin. Be careful with your knees, there should be no impact on the joints, and don’t touch anything under the knees at all.
Next is the tummy. Stroke it starting from the navel and moving clockwise. Close your hands on the midline of your belly and perform sliding movements when one of your hands moves in a downward direction and the other up. Try not to touch the baby's genitals.
Massage your baby's chest from the center to the shoulders, and then from the center to the sides. Touch the mammary glands.
Turn your baby over onto his tummy and gently massage his neck. When a child tries to lift his head up, experts recommend stopping the massage for this time.
Then the back is massaged. Two directions are maintained: from the lower back towards the shoulders, from the vertebra to the sides. The spine is not affected. The butt is ironed from the sides to the tailbone.
Lay the baby on his side and begin to gently move your hand along the paravertebral lines, moving from the sacrum to the head. The baby should bend forward a little. Do this three times, and then switch the baby to the other side and repeat the same thing.
Now return the baby to the starting position on his back and massage the head, bypassing the fontanel. Pet the ears.

The massage should be completed with light strokes over the entire body.

The art of massage developed in ancient times. From Greek, massage means “to knead, knead, stroke.” Many techniques that were popular in ancient times have survived to this day. At the same time, modern medicine has come up with many other techniques that are aimed at preventing and treating certain ailments. In this article we will talk about the benefits of massage, its importance for a modern person and its complete safety.

Massage helps a person get rid of many diseases and has a healing effect. The essence of any massage involves the application of dosed mechanical irritations to certain areas of the body, using various techniques and techniques. Massage is usually performed with the hands of a specialist or with the help of additional tools and special devices.

Massage is used not only for pleasure. have a healing effect on the body, it affects many body systems. Massage helps improve blood circulation and ensure better blood flow to certain areas. There are massages that help with diseases of the musculoskeletal system and relieve muscle spasms.

Today there are hundreds and thousands of different massage techniques, directions, schools. Massage is performed on almost any part of the body, using many auxiliary objects, devices, and substances. For example, sesame oil for massage, the beneficial properties of which are undeniable, is used both as additional aromatherapy, for the convenience of massage and for additional skin nourishment. Sesame oil makes the skin more elastic and moisturizes it.

At the same time, massage is used in the treatment of very specific diseases, such as osteochondrosis. A competent massage therapist can not only alleviate symptoms, but also directly influence recovery. Sometimes massage is one of the main components of treatment, along with taking medications.

Massage helps calm the nervous system, helps cope with depression, stress, and psychological discomfort. Massage is recommended for people suffering from insomnia. There are a number of studies that show the beneficial effects of massage on the nervous system, its effectiveness in treating insomnia and stress conditions.

Massage also helps people who want to get rid of cellulite and excess weight. It must be said that this modern massage has earned enormous popularity. It performs well in combination with exercises and other activities that will help people who are dissatisfied with their figure lose weight. Massage helps well if you need to increase metabolic processes in the body, strengthen the nervous system of the body, and also establish normal blood pressure, which will increase the performance of the body as a whole.

Special massage techniques cleanse the skin. This occurs due to the rejection of the horny scales of the epidermis; massage only helps to remove them. It is absolutely painless, has no contraindications and is extremely useful. The secretory function of the sweat and sebaceous glands in the skin becomes better, their excretory ducts work better and easily release secretions. Massage helps improve blood circulation in the skin and improves its nutrition. The skin looks healthier, more ruddy, and more toned. The skin and muscle tone in general increases, it becomes smooth.

Through its effect on metabolism, massage can indirectly affect adipose tissue. It increases metabolic processes, enhances fat secretion, and promotes the combustion of fats that are found in excess amounts in adipose tissue. Massage is carried out in long courses to achieve weight loss. On average, this is fifteen sessions. But here you need to understand that a regular massage will not be enough; you will also need willpower for physical exercise, going to the fitness room, and so on. No massage can rid a person of excess fat.

Thanks to massage, the elasticity of muscle fibers increases and their contractile function improves. It’s not for nothing that many professional athletes use professional massage. After all, it generally improves muscle performance and speeds up recovery after heavy physical activity. Even a short massage helps restore the function of tired muscles. A short massage will do this in five minutes, and a regular rest will give this result only after twenty to thirty minutes.

One cannot help but mention the effect that joints experience if they are well massaged by a professional massage therapist. The joint receives proper blood supply, which is generally the key for the healthy and proper functioning of any organ or body part in the body.

About the effect on the nervous system

Any massage has a positive effect on the human nervous system. In this article, we have already talked about the beneficial effects of massage on a person who has experienced stress at work or was simply tired. Let's dwell on this and tell you in more detail. The nervous system welcomes the action of a competent massage, because there are many nerve endings on the skin, and with the correct change in the pressure, the nature of the manipulation, and the duration, you can achieve excellent results by calming the nervous system, returning it to the right direction.

In addition, using various techniques, you can not only reduce nervous excitability, but also increase it, revive it, and strengthen it. And such effects can be localized to specific areas of the human body, putting in order one or another body function or organ.

Also, massage, especially deep and long-lasting, can have a direct effect on the peripheral nervous system, relieve pain, improve nerve conduction, and speed up the regeneration process. In general, massage is a rather subtle art that requires a certain atmosphere, a certain set in the room: you need warm air, of course, dim lights, pleasant, quiet music. Of course, if we are talking about a soothing, relaxing massage.

Massage also has a significant effect on lymph circulation. Lymph flow usually flows quite slowly, about 4-5 mm per second, but the speed of flow is very variable and depends on various factors. When performing massage movements, the lymph flow accelerates. Massage generally has a predominantly reflex effect on the entire lymphatic system, and improves the vasomotor and tonic functions of blood vessels.

Massage has a positive effect on metabolic processes; under its influence, urination increases. Hemoglobin saturation in the blood improves, the number of red blood cells and leukocytes increases. Massage will not cause an increase in lactic acid in the muscles, as strength exercises do. On the contrary, the muscles, thanks to their kneading, will only improve blood circulation.

The safety of massage and its relevance in the modern world

A massage performed by an experienced person cannot cause any harm to the body in principle. This is a completely safe and, moreover, pleasant procedure. Today, the effectiveness of massage is greatly underestimated. People neglect it and try to spend the money they have on anything but sports, a healthy lifestyle and various procedures. In the modern world, where work is either sedentary or with heavy loads, it is simply necessary to use the help of massage therapists if the person himself does not physically have time to recover after a working day.

Massage can compensate for the harm that a person receives when performing monotonous work and a sedentary lifestyle. Of course, massage alone is not enough, but it also works as monotherapy. If you add just a little bit of your own effort to this, a person will seriously protect himself from possible diseases of the musculoskeletal system and reduce the risk of early osteochondrosis.

Even if you are completely healthy, a few massage sessions at the end of the week or throughout it will not hurt a person. Today, you can learn competent massage and even self-massage yourself, fortunately there is a huge amount of literature and video tutorials for this.

The benefits of massage and the effect of massage on the body: Massage is used for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. A general body massage restores metabolism, improves skin condition, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and digestion, strengthens muscle tissue and joints, is beneficial for blood vessels and the heart, and improves blood composition. Massage can relieve fatigue, soothe and relax, helps with insomnia and hypertension,

relieves headaches, osteochondrosis and rheumatism, improves immunity, and is used for obesity.

Benefits of massage for skin:

Under the influence of massage, the skin is better supplied with blood, which means it is better supplied with oxygen, becomes smooth, and a healthy skin tone appears. Dead epidermal cells are removed, more sweat and sebum are released from adipose tissue - while metabolic products are removed from the body.

Benefits of massage for the nervous system:

The nervous system, perceiving irritation from skin receptors, reflexively affects all organs and systems. Therefore, depending on the type of massage techniques, their intensity and duration, massage can have a calming or stimulating effect.

Benefits of massage for muscles:

Massage has a beneficial effect on the muscular system, joints, ligaments, improves their nutrition and elasticity, and removes decay products. Quickly restores muscle performance and joint mobility. Improves the functions of muscle contraction and stretching. Massage removes excess fluid and lactic acid from the muscles, the accumulation of which causes muscle pain after exercise.

Benefits of massage for blood vessels:

Massage has a positive effect on blood and lymphatic vessels. It accelerates the outflow of blood from organs, thereby reducing congestion in organs and tissues, and swelling resolves. Under the influence of massage, the lumen of blood vessels expands, reserve capillaries are activated, thereby improving blood supply to the massaged areas and adjacent organs. In addition, the composition of the blood improves: hemoglobin, leukocytes and red blood cells increase.

Benefits of massage for breathing:

Massage of the respiratory muscles increases their function - inhalation and exhalation deepen, tension is relieved.

Who is contraindicated for massage?

Often a general body massage is combined with acupressure. However, you should know that acupressure is not used for all diseases. Acupressure is contraindicated for various tumors and varicose veins. It is not recommended for bleeding, high temperature, pregnancy, or during exacerbation of diseases of internal organs. Acupressure is done especially carefully after 60 years of age, because their blood vessels become brittle and bruises may remain.