Why back massage is useful, home technique

Back massage is a unique relaxing and healing procedure that is gaining in popularity. But you need to be very careful about massaging the body as a method of treatment. The procedure, done by a professional, has many beneficial effects. But if the massage is performed by a charlatan, it can do a lot of harm. The benefits of back massage - more on this later in the article.

The benefits of back massage

A correct back massage has a complex effect on almost all organs and systems. Most of all, it affects:

• circulatory system;
• skeletal muscle;
• musculoskeletal system;
• skin;
• nervous system.

For the circulatory system

The beneficial properties of the procedure are associated with the wall of blood vessels, blood cells. Active massaging increases the local temperature in this area. This leads to the expansion of the smallest vessels (capillaries), improved microcirculation in the skin.

Blood flows from the internal organs to the peripheral parts of the body. Venous return of blood to the heart is reduced, as a result of which the muscular organ is unloaded. The stagnation of blood in the systemic circulation is eliminated, the load on the heart is significantly reduced. Therefore, back massage is useful for people with high blood pressure, high heart rate.

Another benefit of back massage on the body is to stimulate the production of leukocytes and erythrocytes in the red bone marrow. Leukocytes are the main participants in the body's defense against foreign microorganisms. Therefore, the procedure is indicated for people with reduced immunity. Red blood cells are essential for the transport of oxygen to the internal organs. A decrease in their level in the blood is called anemia. People with this pathology are advised to use massage in complex treatment.

For muscle tissue

The benefits of a classic back massage for skeletal muscles are undeniable. Depending on the technique, you can change the muscle tone in the required direction. Light strokes relieve spasm, lower tone. Intense rubbing, on the contrary, increases it.

The beneficial properties of massage are manifested after sports. It promotes oxygenation of muscle fibers. Therefore, the procedure helps after physical exertion, in which, due to the accumulation of lactic acid and the depletion of oxygen reserves, an intense pain syndrome develops. Anyone who went for a massage after exercising felt pain relief.

For people whose work involves constant tension of the back muscles, the procedure is a good way to relax and restore the muscles. Drivers, surgeons, dentists, production workers - these professions are associated with a constant forced posture that negatively affects the back. People in these and similar specialties should periodically go for a massage.

For the musculoskeletal system

A properly done back massage has beneficial properties for the spine and shoulder girdle. With age, calcium crystals are deposited in the joint capsules, osteophytes (processes of cartilage tissue) appear.

No massaging can directly eliminate the cause. But any degenerative joint disease is accompanied by muscle tension around it. Gentle gentle massage relieves spasm, reducing the severity of pain, improves the elasticity of the ligamentous apparatus.

There is a popular belief that the procedure "disperses salts", restoring the joints to a normal structure. But no massage or even medicine can restore the structure of damaged articular surfaces.

For skin

Going to a back massage, few people think about improving their skin condition. But the beneficial effects of the procedure are not limited to the vessels, muscles and ligaments. Massaging the skin removes the keratinized epidermis from its surface. This promotes better work of the sweat and sebaceous glands.

By improving microcirculation, the skin becomes pink and firm. The stagnation of blood in the veins is reduced, the lymph flows out better. The resistance of the skin to temperature changes increases. Due to a local increase in temperature in the massaged area, metabolic and reparative processes are accelerated.

For the nervous system

One of the positive effects of back massage is the improvement of the peripheral nervous system. It accelerates the conduction of impulses by nerve fibers. Thanks to this, the coordination of the brain with muscles, blood vessels, and internal organs improves.

The procedure also promotes the regeneration (restoration) of nerve fibers. Therefore, it is carried out in the complex treatment of pinched nerves in their channel - tunnel syndrome.

With osteochondrosis

Massaging the back with osteochondrosis is necessary with extreme caution. This can have a lot of positive properties or only harm. Osteochondrosis is an irreversible change in the structure of the intervertebral discs. It is accompanied by a decrease in the amount of water between them, which leads to friction of the discs against each other. Protrusions, hernias develop.

It is a mistake to believe that with the help of massage it is possible to correct or break a hernia. Intensive massaging of the spine only spreads them along the length. This will relieve the pain for a short time, but soon it flares up with even greater intensity. And if before the "medical" procedure, the cure was possible with the help of surgical intervention, after that surgery is not performed.

The benefits of back massage for osteochondrosis are revealed only when the procedure is performed by a real professional. A light, relaxing massage of the area near the spine is acceptable. Its beneficial properties are muscle relaxation, improving oxygen supply to them and dulling the inflammatory process.

Indications for back massage

Absolutely healthy people are happy to sign up for a back massage. But if the procedure is done for therapeutic purposes, the presence of appropriate indications must be taken into account. Therapeutic back massage is beneficial for the following pathological conditions:

• constant aching pain in the back and spine;
• increased nervousness and excitability of the nervous system;
• constant stress loads, chronic fatigue;
• decreased immune reactivity of the body;
• low skeletal muscle tone - muscle hypotonia;
• scoliotic curvature of the spine;
• osteochondrosis;
• rehabilitation period after back and spine injuries.

Basic techniques for back massage

Masseurs distinguish between 3 groups of basic back massage techniques:

• medium - deep: stroking, rubbing and squeezing;
• drums: vibration;
• deep: kneading.

These techniques should be alternated with each other without interruption. If you want to master the technique on your own, you should first massage your legs. This will allow you to feel how the other person is feeling.

Stroking is a light sliding motion with the entire palm. The masseur's hand barely touches the patient. Reception is performed in one direction along the lymphatic vessels and veins.

Rubbing is done slowly, making 60 to 100 movements per minute. Rub one area for no longer than 10 seconds. More prolonged rubbing leads to painful sensations.

Squeezing is most often done before kneading. The direction of movement corresponds to the flow of blood and lymph. There are several types of squeezing:

• transverse - across the muscle fibers;
• edge of the palm;
• the base of the palm;
• with two hands.

With the help of the “kneading” technique, the masseur affects the deeper layers of the muscles. It covers a bundle of muscle fibers and presses them against bone structures. Reception should be done slowly, gradually increasing the intensity. The patient should not feel pain.

How to do a classic back massage

In order for a general back massage to bring maximum benefit and minimum harm, it must be done correctly. The procedure starts with light, gentle movements, gradually moving to more intense ones. At the end, the rhythm slows down again. The number of individual receptions is very individual. It depends on the patient's age, state of health, and the desired effect.

It is important to correctly distribute the strength and intensity of the massage. Aggressive, rough, abrupt movements lead to muscle tension, pain, and worsen the client's mood. This procedure has no useful properties and only brings harm.

A classic back massage includes 4 stages:

1. Preparatory... The back muscles are warmed up to improve microcirculation and increase skin elasticity.
2. Medium - deep... The middle layer of muscle fibers is actively massaged. Blood flow to them increases, motor function improves.
3. Deep... The longest stage, requiring the highest energy costs. They use techniques to work out the deep muscles that support the spinal column.
4. Final... Techniques are used to relax muscle fibers, eliminate tension.

Technique for performing therapeutic back massage

The technique of back massage therapy depends on which diseases the procedure is aimed at treating. Most often it is done for people with problems with the work of the spinal column, curvatures, and poor posture. So that massage has only useful properties and does not cause harm, it is done according to the following stages:

1. They warm up the muscles of all zones of the back massage and only after that they start the main manipulations.
2. One hand is placed on the lower back, the other at the level of the shoulder blades. Slowly begin pressing movements, gradually increasing the intensity.
3. Place your hands on either side of the spine. Do progressive techniques from the lower back to the collar zone.
4. In the opposite direction, knead the spine with circular movements of the fingers.
5. A thick layer of subcutaneous fat is located above the gluteal muscles, so it is massaged more actively.
6. The shoulders and collar area are also kneaded intensively. They make gentle tapping with the edge of the palm.
7. They make pressing movements with a fist over the entire surface of the back.
8. Finish the massage with stroking techniques.

A training video of a therapeutic back massage will help to carry out the procedure correctly:

How to give yourself a back massage

The effectiveness of back massage is achieved not only as a result of receiving it from a professional. Of course, you will not be able to do the right treatment yourself. But a relaxing hygienic massage after a long day at work can be done on your own. The ball and training video will help with this:

How often can a back massage be done

To balance the health benefits and harms of back massage, you shouldn't do it too often. Preventive procedures are recommended 1-2 times a week. The course is 12 to 15 sessions. You can repeat it after 6 months.

The frequency of massage therapy depends on the severity of the pain. If it bothers the patient greatly, but is not a contraindication to the procedure, it can be repeated every other day until the symptom subsides.

Back massage during pregnancy

Back massage for pregnant women has many useful properties. As the child grows, the woman's back is subjected to very great stress. They use light techniques - stroking, rubbing. During the procedure, in the early stages, the girl lies on her stomach, later - on her side.

Is it possible to do a back massage when coughing

When coughing, it is not only possible, but also necessary to do a therapeutic back massage. It was named drainage. A useful property is to cleanse the respiratory tract of mucus and phlegm. In order to massage correctly and not harm the baby, you should watch this video:

Potential harm from back massage

The most common complication of incorrectly performed massage is pain syndrome. Too active rough massaging, abrupt onset and interruption of the procedure, improper alternation of techniques - all these factors contribute to muscle tension and pain.

Other consequences of a non-professional procedure are possible:

• headache;
• deterioration in general health;
• fatigue;
• nausea;
• body aches.

Due to a long lying position, a person may lower blood pressure. And the oversaturation of blood with oxygen leads to dizziness, drowsiness.

Contraindications to the procedure

There are situations in which massaging your back will only do harm. These include:

• fever;
• purulent skin diseases (abscesses, phlegmon), bleeding wounds;
• allergic reactions;
• oncological diseases;
• increased excitability of the nervous system;
• acute inflammatory diseases or exacerbations of chronic;
• fractures and bruises of bones;
• the presence of blood clots;
• diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

The feasibility of back massage for fibroids is debatable. The size of the myomatous node plays an important role. For small and medium sizes, the procedure is permissible, but with great care. If the fibroid is large, massage will only harm the woman.

The back often hurts in women with mastopathy. Therefore, many patients wonder whether it is possible to do massage with such a diagnosis. The disease is not a direct contraindication to the procedure. Back massage with mastopathy is prohibited in the following cases:

• the presence of malignant neoplasms;
• increased body temperature;
• there is open damage to the mammary glands.

Conclusion

The benefits of back massage are highly variable. What has a positive effect on one person is harmful to another. Therefore, the procedure for medicinal purposes should be carried out only by a master of his craft.