The effect of massage on the central nervous system. The effect of massage on the nervous system. The effect of massage on peripheral nerves and trunks
The nervous system performs the most important function of the human body - regulatory. It is customary to distinguish three parts of the nervous system:
In turn, the autonomic nervous system is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.
The body's response to external stimulation through the nervous system is called a reflex. The reflex mechanism was carefully described in the works of the Russian physiologist I. P. Pavlov and his followers. They proved that higher nervous activity is based on temporary nerve connections that are formed in the cerebral cortex in response to various external stimuli.
Massage has an effect on the peripheral and central nervous system. When massaging the skin, the nervous system is the first to respond to mechanical irritation. At the same time, a whole stream of impulses is sent to the central nervous system from numerous nerve-end organs that perceive pressure, tactile and various temperature stimuli.
Under the influence of massage, impulses arise in the skin, muscles and joints, stimulating the motor cells of the cerebral cortex and stimulating the activity of the corresponding centers.
The positive effect of massage on the neuromuscular system depends on the type and nature of massage techniques (massage therapist’s hand pressure, duration of passage, etc.) and is expressed in an increase in the frequency of muscle contraction and relaxation and in musculocutaneous sensitivity.
We have already noted the fact that massage improves blood circulation. This, in turn, leads to improved blood supply to nerve centers and peripheral nerve formations.
The results of experimental studies have shown that a cut nerve recovers faster if you regularly massage the damaged tissue. Under the influence of massage, axonal growth accelerates, the formation of scar tissue slows down, and decay products are absorbed.
In addition, massage techniques help reduce pain sensitivity, improve nerve excitability and the conduction of nerve impulses along the nerve.
If massage is performed regularly over a long period of time, it can acquire the character of a conditioned reflex stimulus.
Among existing massage techniques, vibration (especially mechanical) has the most pronounced reflex effect.
The nervous system, with its rich receptor apparatus, is the first to perceive mechanical irritations applied during massage to the skin and underlying tissues. By changing the nature, strength and duration of the massage effect, you can change the functional state of the cerebral cortex, reduce or increase general nervous excitability, strengthen deep and revitalize lost reflexes, improve tissue trophism, as well as the activity of various internal organs and tissues. E. S. Borishpolsky (1897), exposing the head to vibrations for 10-15 minutes, discovered a decrease in the excitability of the cerebral cortex and nerve trunks (cited by E. Ts. Andreeva-Galanina, 1961). The appearance of drowsiness during a vibration massage, indicating an increase in the inhibition process, was noted by M. Ya. Brsitman (1908), R. Kerman (1940) and others. A. F. Lebedeva (1953), subjecting rats to prolonged vibration, observed deep a sleep that continued even when the animals were removed from the cage and transferred to another cage.
Of all massage techniques, vibration, especially mechanical, has the most pronounced reflex effect, which, in the words of M. Ya. Breitman (1908), “is capable of awakening to life what is still viable.”
A.E. Shcherbak (1903-1908), using mechanical vibration in the knee joint of a rabbit for 5 minutes, caused a long-term increase in the knee reflex, as well as direct and cross clonus of the patella. The author observed the same phenomena in humans. Having applied vibration to himself using a device in the area of the knee joint above the kneecap for 15-30 minutes, the author observed an increase in the knee reflex, which lasted for about a month. A.E. Shcherbak obtained the same results by using vibration in the area of the knee joint for 5 minutes in patients with tabes spinal cord and poliomyelitis. In these patients, it was possible to evoke knee and Achilles reflexes, which were previously absent. These tendon reflexes persisted for more than 2 months after cessation of massage.
As our observations have shown, in patients with polio, vibration can cause muscle contraction in cases where they do not respond to faradic current.
Under the influence of massage, the functional state of the pathways also improves, various reflex connections of the cerebral cortex with muscles, blood vessels and internal organs are strengthened.
The existing certain metameric relationships between the visceral organs and various layers of the body’s integument explain the possibility of the occurrence of metameric, segmental reactions in the body, in particular extracutaneous reflexes (Zakharyin-Ged zone), visceromotor reflexes (Mekenzie zone), etc.
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 vasomotor sensory and trophic disorders, the development of secondary changes in muscles and joints on the side of nerve damage.
Characterizing the physiological effect of massage on the peripheral nervous system, many authors still continue to rely on the old physiological law of Pfluger-Arndt, which states: “...weak stimulation stimulates the activity of the nerves, moderate stimulation enhances it, strong stimulation inhibits it.” and very strong - paralyzes their function.” Russian physiology has long proven that there is a complex relationship between the strength of the stimulus and the response of the stimulus, which does not always correspond to this law. So, for example, with gentle slow stroking, contrary to the mentioned law, the excitability of the massaged tissues decreases, and this has a calming effect on the nervous system, while with energetic and fast stroking, the irritability of the massaged tissues increases. The discrepancy between the strength of irritation and the body's response is most clearly manifested in the presence of pathological changes.
Of the early domestic dissertations devoted to the study of morphological changes in peripheral nerves under the influence of massage, it is necessary to point out the work of M. G. Ioffe (1911), who, based on experimental studies conducted on rabbits, established that the use of massage in the form of deep stroking and vibration causes distinct anatomical changes in the nerve (sciatic nerve). Of great interest are the recent experimental studies carried out on significant material (48 dogs and 12 rabbits) by P. B. Granovskaya (1958), who set herself the task of studying changes in the reactive properties of the terminal parts of the nervous system under the influence of massage. Experimental animals,
in which the right hind limb was massaged daily for 10 minutes, were divided into two groups: in one group of animals the massage was performed once, in the other - for 5-10-15 and 30 days. A study of microscopic preparations of the skin of experimental animals, carried out after 1.3, 7, 15 and 30 days, showed that massage causes various changes in skin receptors, ranging from irritation to destruction and decay, depending on the number of massage procedures. The main and most common signs of these changes are dyschromia of the axial cylinders, swelling of their neuroplasm, expansion of the incisions of the laptermia and perineural sheaths. Reactive changes in the nerve fibers of the skin reach their highest development after 10-15 massage procedures. Most of the reactive changes found in the nerve fibers of the skin begin to disappear 10-15 days after the last massage procedure. Thus, massage causes pronounced reactive changes in the terminal sections of the nervous system of the skin.
Another work of this author (1961), who studied the effect of massage on the regeneration of nerve trunks after neurotomy, also deserves great attention. The study was conducted on 40 dogs that had undergone sciatic nerve ligation. 6 days after surgery, 25 dogs received daily massage of the operated limb, the remaining 15 dogs served as controls. Animals were sacrificed 15-30 days after surgery. The cut sciatic nerve was subjected to histological examination. Microscopic examination of nerve fibers and their endings in the skin showed that a single massage caused changes in them, manifested mainly in the form of dyschromia and hydropic disturbances of the axial-cylindrical part of the fiber; to a lesser extent, changes were noted in its membranes (impregnation of Schwanpian syncytium , expansion of perineural sheaths, etc.).
An increase in the number of massage procedures gradually caused a quantitative and qualitative increase in these changes. Reactive shifts in the nerve fibers of the skin reached their highest development after 15 massage procedures. Subsequently, despite continued daily massage (up to 30 procedures), no new changes occurred.
Summarizing the research data, the author comes to the conclusion that massage has a significant effect on the regeneration of the nerve when it is cut, causing acceleration of axon growth, slowing down the maturation of scar tissue and more intense resorption of decay products.
The effect of massage on the nervous system is also shaped by the influence of environmental factors. The presence of negative external irritations - waiting in line, noise, excited conversation of staff in the massage room, etc. - can significantly reduce the therapeutic effect of massage.
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The nervous system performs the most important function of the human body - regulation. It is customary to distinguish three parts of the nervous system:
Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord);
Peripheral (nerve fibers connecting the brain and spinal cord with all organs);
Vegetative, which controls the processes occurring in internal organs that are not subject to conscious control and management.
In turn, the autonomic nervous system is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.
The body's response to external stimulation through the nervous system is called a reflex. The reflex mechanism was carefully described in the works of the Russian physiologist I. P. Pavlov and his followers. They proved that higher nervous activity is based on temporary nerve connections that are formed in the cerebral cortex in response to various external stimuli.
Massage has an effect on the peripheral and central nervous system. When massaging the skin, the nervous system is the first to respond to mechanical irritation. At the same time, a whole stream of impulses is sent to the central nervous system from numerous nerve-end organs that perceive pressure, tactile and various temperature stimuli.
Under the influence of massage, impulses arise in the skin, muscles and joints, stimulating the motor cells of the cerebral cortex and stimulating the activity of the corresponding centers.
The positive effect of massage on the neuromuscular system depends on the type and nature of massage techniques (massage therapist’s hand pressure, duration of passage, etc.) and is expressed in an increase in the frequency of muscle contraction and relaxation and in musculocutaneous sensitivity.
We have already noted the fact that massage improves blood circulation. This, in turn, leads to improved blood supply to nerve centers and peripheral nerve formations.
The results of experimental studies have shown that a cut nerve recovers faster if you regularly massage the damaged tissue. Under the influence of massage, axonal growth accelerates, the formation of scar tissue slows down, and decay products are absorbed.
In addition, massage techniques help reduce pain sensitivity, improve nerve excitability and the conduction of nerve impulses along the nerve.
If massage is performed regularly over a long period of time, it can acquire the character of a conditioned reflex stimulus.
Among existing massage techniques, vibration (especially mechanical) has the most pronounced reflex effect.
The effect of massage on the nervous system
Based on the work of the school of Sechenov and Pavlov on the formation and dynamics of conditioned reflexes carried out through the cerebral cortex, it is possible to imagine with sufficient clarity the importance of massage for the body and its influence on all organs and systems through a direct effect on the receptor apparatus and sensitive endings embedded in the skin autonomic nervous system.
The necessary effect of the massage is manifested by the principle of irradiation and repercussion (the spread of impulses from the nervous apparatus belonging to the diseased organ to the nervous apparatus corresponding to the healthy organ). This effect is also manifested by the type of reflex occurrence of sensory-vegetative, cutaneous-visceral reflexes on organs, systems and the entire body (charging the energy of nerve centers - the “Sechenov phenomenon”), as well as by the type of mechanism of segmental reflexes. Through the nervous system, massage as an irritant undoubtedly affects the endocrine system.
From physiology it is known that there are two types of interaction between the nervous and humoral systems: 1) under the influence of the nervous system, certain organs secrete hormones that enter the blood and have an effect on the entire body, and 2) under the influence of irritation of individual nerves, chemical agents of the same arise in individual organs order, causing specific effects.
Individual elements of massage have different effects on the autonomic nervous system and especially on its sympathetic section. It is therefore possible to assume a different influence on tissue cell metabolism, in which a significant role belongs to the sympathetic nervous system (Alpern).
According to E. Krasnushkin, the influence of the autonomic nervous system on the psyche can be realized: 1) by influencing metabolism, and therefore by organizing the internal environment of the whole organism, in particular the brain; 2) through a direct neurohumoral effect on the brain and 3) through the “sensitivity” of the autonomic nervous system.
Physiotherapeutic measures, including massage, can eliminate or reduce those phenomena of irritation of the sympathetic section of the autonomic nervous system, which are the cause of some emotional disorders. We talked about the mechanism of this action when analyzing the physiological essence of massage. It is only necessary to add that the effect of massage in the above case will be much weaker than with the action of other physiotherapeutic agents: electricity, light, water, etc.
Professor Shcherbak proved that by irritating the endings of nerves with a massage, one can reflexively influence the nerve centers. The Shcherbak school has developed a number of local, or regional, reflexes that appear under the influence of massage, for example, when massaging the back of the neck, upper back and shoulder area. Irritation of the skin in this area reflexively causes changes in the organs innervated by the cervical autonomic apparatus, as well as in the organs innervated by the higher autonomic centers located in the gray matter of the third ventricle. This guides the prescribing of massage for diseases of the nasopharyngeal region, since massage manipulations reflexively affect the redistribution of blood in the vessels located in the sinuses of the posterior part of the skull.
Chertok and Preysman, influencing the first and second lumbar vertebrae by vibration, noted hyperemia in the small pelvis. By massaging the lower thoracic and lumbar sacral areas, Verbov had a regulating effect on blood circulation and trophism of the lower extremities, on the large and small pelvic organs.
A huge number of scientific works are devoted to the influence of massage on the nervous system. Travelers, writers, and poets who have experienced the effects of massage in various cities of the East talk about this influence. Different massage techniques have different effects on the nervous system. Some of them irritate and excite her (tapping, chopping, shaking), while others calm her (stroking, rubbing). In sports massage, knowledge of how individual techniques affect the nervous system acquires great practical importance.
Using various massage techniques, we can differently influence the excitability of the entire nervous system, individual nerve nodes, individual nerves, and through them the function of the most important organs.
In addition to the vegetative-reflex effect of massage, its direct effect on reducing the conductivity of sensory and motor nerves is also observed. Verbov used vibration to cause muscle contraction in cases where it no longer responded to the faradic current. Massage can regulate the skin's sensitivity to painful irritations and soothe pain, which is so important in sports practice. With the direct effect of massage, small vessels dilate, but this does not exclude a reflex effect through the sympathetic section of the autonomic nervous system on the blood vessels of the massaged area.
Bykov in his outstanding work “Cerebral Cortex and Internal Organs” wrote: “It seemed to me that the study of the relationships between the central nervous system and, in particular, the cerebral cortex with the functional manifestations of internal organs and with intimate tissue processes opens up new opportunities for expanding the concepts of general physiology" * . Using the Pavlovian method of conditioned reflexes, he showed the presence of connections with the cerebral cortex of a number of internal organs (kidneys, liver, heart, blood vessels, respiratory apparatus, intestines) and devices that regulate tissue processes.
* (K. M. Bykov. Cerebral cortex and internal organs, Medgiz. 1947, p. 14.)
The cerebral cortex is an organ that controls all the behavior of the body in the world around it and, as Bykov says, at the same time affects the entire “internal economy” of the body. About 70 years ago, physiology received the first evidence of the connection between the activity of the motor apparatus and the cerebral cortex. Pavlov's teaching on analyzers (receptor, afferent pathways and the cerebral end of the analyzing apparatus) closely connected the chapter of physiology on the sense organs with the chapter on the higher part of the central nervous system - the cerebral cortex.
The teachings of Sechenov and especially Pavlov helped us to comprehend and understand the pattern of physiological effects of stimuli, and therefore massage, on all human systems and organs and the responsible role of the central nervous system and especially the cerebral cortex.
Kekcheev and his colleagues, based on Pavlov’s work, came to the following conclusions regarding the effect of various stimuli, including massage, on the brain:
1. Weak, or short-term, irritations in many cases improve the condition of the brain, increase its performance, and strong, or long-acting, on the contrary, worsen the condition of the brain, reduce its performance.
This circumstance explains the positive effect of morning exercises, rubdowns, and massage. Regarding the latter, Kekcheev says that massage increases the sensitivity of the senses both in the case when it is performed along the blood in the veins and lymph in the lymphatic vessels, i.e. towards the heart, and when the massage therapist’s hand makes movements in the opposite direction direction.
Kekcheev’s instructions coincide with our observations of athletes after tiring, intense performances. We have long excluded energetic techniques in restorative massage; we have replaced them with techniques of low intensity, quite sufficient to evoke the appropriate autonomic reflex and such a change in the adaptive-trophic influences of the autonomic nervous system on working tired muscles that increases their performance.
2. If a person is simultaneously exposed to two irritations that give opposite effects (one improves and the other worsens the state of the brain), then the direction of the shift will be determined by the irritation that gives a greater effect.
And this conclusion coincides with the practice of sports life. A tired runner and boxer after a competition resort to cold showers, cold rubdowns and massages, which should be irritants that give a greater effect. We have already discussed in detail the essence of the massage mechanism for these cases.
In connection with the above, it is clear that massage can take the form of calming, mild or strong stimulation and even exhaustion. The effect of massage on the psyche of both sick and healthy people is beyond doubt.
Massage is a mechanical stimulation of the human body, performed either by hand or using a special apparatus.
For many years it was believed that massage affects only the tissues being massaged, without having any effect on the general physiological state of a person. Such a simplified understanding of the anatomical and physiological properties of massage arose under the influence of the mechanistic theory of the German doctor Virchow.
Currently, thanks to the work of domestic physiologists I.M. Sechenov, I.A. Pavlov and others, a correct idea has been formed about the effect massage has on the human body.
There are three factors in the mechanism of action of massage: neuro-reflex, humoral and mechanical. As a rule, during the massage procedure, the nerve endings located in different layers of the skin are affected. Nerve impulses arise, which are transmitted through sensitive pathways to the central nervous system, reach the corresponding parts of the cerebral cortex, where they are synthesized into a general reaction and enter the corresponding tissues and organs with information about the necessary functional changes in the body. The response depends both on the nature, strength and duration of the mechanical impact, and on the state of the central nervous system and nerve endings.
The effect of the humoral factor is as follows: under the influence of massage techniques, biologically active substances formed in the skin (so-called tissue hormones - histamine, acetylcholine, etc.) enter the blood; they promote the transmission of nerve impulses, participate in vascular reactions, and also activate some other processes occurring in the human body.
The mechanical factor is no less important. Stretching, displacement, and pressure applied during a particular technique cause increased circulation of lymph, blood and interstitial fluid in the massaged area. Thanks to this, stagnation is eliminated, metabolism and skin respiration are activated.
Based on the above, we can conclude that the mechanism of the effect of massage on the human body is a complex physiological process in which neuro-reflex, humoral and mechanical factors are involved, with the leading role played by the first.
The effect of massage on the skin
The skin is the protective covering of the human body; its weight makes up about 20% of the total body weight. The layers of the skin contain various cells, fibers, smooth muscles, sweat and sebaceous glands, receptors, hair follicles, pigment grains, as well as blood and lymphatic vessels. Thus, in addition to the protective function, the skin performs a number of others: it perceives irritating signals coming from the outside, participates in respiratory and thermoregulatory processes, blood circulation, metabolism, cleansing the body of toxins, that is, it takes a direct and most active part in the life of the human body.
The skin consists of three layers: epidermis, dermis (the skin itself) and subcutaneous fat.
Epidermis- This is the outer layer of the skin through which the body directly contacts the environment. Its thickness may be uneven and vary from 0.8 to 4 mm.
The uppermost layer of the epidermis, called the stratum corneum, is distinguished by its elasticity and increased resistance to external irritants. It consists of nuclear-free, weakly interconnected cells, which, when subjected to mechanical action on certain areas of the body, peel off.
Under the stratum corneum there is a shiny layer, formed by 2-3 rows of flat cells and most noticeable on the palms and soles. Next are the granular layer, consisting of several layers of rhomboid cells, and the spinous layer, formed by cubic or rhomboid cells.
In the last, deepest layer of the epidermis, called the germinal, or basal, renewal of dying cells occurs. The pigment melanin is also produced here, which is responsible for the coloring of the outer skin: the less melanin, the lighter and more sensitive the skin. Regular massage promotes the formation of more of this pigment.
Dermis, or actual skin, occupies the space between the epidermis and subcutaneous fat, its thickness is 0.5-5 mm. The dermis is formed by smooth muscle and connective tissue collagen fibers, thanks to which the skin acquires elasticity and strength. In the skin itself there are numerous blood vessels, united into two networks - deep and superficial, with their help the epidermis is nourished.
Subcutaneous fat formed by connective tissue in which fat cells accumulate. The thickness of this layer of skin in different parts of the body can vary significantly: it is most developed on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, palms and soles of the feet; the least amount of it is found on the ears, the red border of the lips and the foreskin of the male penis. Subcutaneous fat protects the body from hypothermia and bruises.
The effect of massage on different layers of the skin is enormous: mechanical action using various techniques helps cleanse the skin and remove dead epidermal cells; this, in turn, leads to increased skin respiration, improved functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands, and nerve endings.
Massage causes dilation of blood vessels located in the skin layers, thereby activating the inflow of arterial and outflow of venous blood and increasing skin nutrition. The contractile function of muscle fibers improves, which improves the overall tone of the skin: it becomes elastic, firm, smooth, and acquires a healthy color. In addition, initially affecting the skin, various massage techniques through neuro-reflex, humoral and mechanical factors have a beneficial effect on the entire body as a whole.
The effect of massage on the nervous system
The nervous system is the main regulator and coordinator of the actions of all human organs and systems. It ensures the functional unity and integrity of the entire organism, its connection with the outside world; in addition, it controls the work of skeletal muscles, regulates physiological processes occurring in tissues and cells.
The main structural and functional unit of the nervous system is neuron, which is a cell with processes - a long axon and short dendrites. Neurons are connected to each other by synapses, forming neural chains that are activated reflexively: in response to irritation coming from the external or internal environment, excitation from the nerve endings is transmitted along centripetal fibers to the brain and spinal cord, from there impulses along centrifugal fibers enter various organs , and for motor ones - to the muscles.
The nervous system is divided into central and peripheral, as well as somatic and autonomic.
central nervous system(CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord, the peripheral - of numerous nerve cells and nerve fibers that serve to connect the parts of the central nervous system and transmit nerve impulses.
The brain, located in the cavity of the cranium and consisting of two hemispheres, is divided into 5 sections: medulla oblongata, hindbrain, midbrain, diencephalon and telencephalon. 12 pairs of cranial nerves depart from them, the functional indicators of which vary.
The spinal cord is located in the spinal canal between the upper edge of the first cervical and lower edge of the first lumbar vertebra. Through the intervertebral foramina along the entire length, 31 pairs of spinal nerves depart from the brain. A segment of the spinal cord is a section of gray matter corresponding to the position of each pair of spinal nerves responsible for sending signals to one or another part of the body. There are 7 cervical (CI-VII), 12 thoracic (Th(D)I-XII), 5 lumbar (LI-V), 5 sacral and 1 coccygeal segments (the last two are combined into the sacrococcygeal region (SI-V) (Fig. 3).
Rice. 3
The intercostal nerves, also called the anterior branches of the thoracic spinal nerves, connect the central nervous system with the intercostal and other muscles of the chest, the anterior and lateral surfaces of the chest, and the abdominal muscles (that is, they innervate these muscles).
Peripheral nervous system represented by nerves extending from the spinal cord and brain stem, and their branches, forming motor and sensory nerve endings in various tissues and organs. Each brain segment corresponds to a specific pair of peripheral nerves.
The spinal nerve branches connect into the cervical, brachial, lumbar and sacral plexuses, from which nerves arise that transmit signals from the central nervous system to the corresponding parts of the human body.
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior branches of the 4 upper cervical nerves, is located in the deep neck muscles. Through this plexus, nerve impulses enter the skin of the lateral part of the back of the head, the auricle, the front and side of the neck, the collarbone, as well as the deep muscles of the neck and the diaphragm.
The brachial plexus, formed by the anterior branches of the 4 lower cervical nerves and part of the anterior branch of the 1st thoracic nerve, is located in the lower part of the neck, behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
The supraclavicular and subclavian parts of the brachial plexus are distinguished. From the first, the nerves extend to the deep muscles of the neck, the muscles of the shoulder girdle and the muscles of the chest and back; from the second, consisting of the axillary nerve and long branches (musculocutaneous, median, ulnar, radial, medial cutaneous nerves of the shoulder and forearm) - to the deltoid muscle, brachial plexus capsule, skin of the lateral surface of the shoulder.
The lumbar plexus is formed by the branches of the XII thoracic and I-IV lumbar nerves, which send impulses to the muscles of the lower extremities, lower back, abdomen, iliacus muscle and nerve endings located in the skin layers.
The sacral plexus is formed by the V lumbar nerve and all connected sacral and coccygeal nerves. The branches emerging from this plexus (superior and inferior gluteal, genital, sciatic, tibial, peroneal nerves, posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh) send signals to the muscles of the pelvis, posterior surface of the thigh, legs, feet, as well as to the muscles and skin of the perineum and buttocks
Autonomic nervous system innervates internal organs and systems: digestive, respiratory, excretory, has a significant effect on metabolism in skeletal muscles, blood circulation and the functioning of the endocrine glands.
Somatic nervous system innervates bones, joints and muscles, skin and sensory organs. Thanks to it, the body communicates with the environment, ensuring human sensitivity and motor ability.
Massage has a significant effect on the nervous system: as a rule, it improves the condition of the central nervous system, helps restore the functions of the peripheral nervous system, and activates regeneration processes in tissues.
Depending on the methodology for carrying out this procedure and the initial state of the central nervous system, massage can have either a stimulating or a calming effect: the first is noted when using superficial and quick massage techniques, the second with a long, deep massage performed at a slow pace, as well as when performing this procedure in medium pace with medium impact.
The consequence of an incorrectly performed massage can be a deterioration in the patient’s general physical condition, increased pain, excessive increase in the excitability of the central nervous system, etc.
The effect of massage on the circulatory and lymphatic systems
The importance of the circulatory system for the functioning of the body can hardly be overestimated: it ensures constant circulation of blood and lymph through tissues and internal organs, thereby nourishing them and saturating them with oxygen, removing metabolic products and carbon dioxide.
Circulatory system form the heart and numerous blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), closed in the systemic and pulmonary circulation. In these circles there is a continuous movement of blood from the heart to the organs and in the opposite direction.
Heart- this is the main working mechanism of the human body, the rhythmic contractions and relaxations of which ensure the movement of blood through the vessels. It is a four-chambered hollow muscular organ with 2 ventricles and 2 atria; venous blood passes through the right ventricle and atrium, and arterial blood passes through the left half.
The heart works as follows: both atria contract, blood from them enters the ventricles, which relax; then the ventricles contract, blood flows from the left into the aorta, from the right into the pulmonary trunk, the atria relax and accept blood coming from the veins; relaxation of the heart muscle occurs, after which the whole process begins all over again.
As mentioned earlier, blood circulates in large and small circles. Systemic circulation begins with the aorta, which emerges from the left ventricle of the heart and carries arterial blood through its branches to all organs. When passing through the capillaries, this blood turns into venous and returns to the right atrium through the superior and inferior vena cava.
Lesser (pulmonary) circulation begins with the pulmonary trunk, emerging from the right ventricle and delivering venous blood through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs. When passing through the blood capillaries, venous blood turns into arterial blood, which reaches the left atrium through 4 pulmonary veins.
Arteries- These are the vessels through which blood moves from the heart to the organs. By diameter, all arteries are divided into large, small and medium, and by location - into extraorgan and intraorgan.
The largest arterial vessel is the aorta; three large branches depart from it - the brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery, which, in turn, also branch.
The system of arteries of the upper extremities begins with the axillary artery, which passes into the brachial artery, which, in turn, is divided into the ulnar and radial, and the latter into the superficial and deep palmar arches.
The thoracic aorta, whose branches supply the walls of the chest and the organs of the chest cavity (except the heart), passes through the opening of the diaphragm and passes into the abdominal aorta, which divides at the level of the IV-V lumbar vertebrae into the left and right iliac arteries, which also branch extensively.
The arterial system of the lower extremities is represented by numerous blood vessels, the largest of which are the femoral, popliteal, anterior and posterior tibial arteries, the medial and lateral plantar arteries, and the dorsal artery of the foot.
Small arteries called arterioles become capillaries- the smallest blood vessels through the walls of which exchange processes between tissues and blood occur. Capillaries connect the arterial and venous systems and form a branched network covering the tissues of all organs. Capillaries turn into venules - the smallest veins that form larger ones.
Vienna- These are the vessels through which blood moves from the organs to the heart. Since the blood flow in them is in the opposite direction (from small vessels to larger ones), the veins have special valves that prevent the outflow of blood to the capillaries and promote its forward movement to the heart. The muscular-fascial pump plays an important role in this process: during muscle contractions, the veins first expand (blood rushes in) and then narrow (blood is pushed towards the heart).
Massage helps to activate both local and general blood circulation: the outflow of venous blood from individual organs and tissues is accelerated, as well as the movement of blood through the veins and arteries. Massage techniques cause an increase in the number of platelets, leukocytes and red blood cells in the blood, and the hemoglobin content increases. The mechanical effect on the skin is of particular importance for the exchange occurring in the capillaries between the blood and lymphatic tissues: as a result, favorable conditions are created for the supply of more oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and organs, and the functioning of the heart improves.
Lymphatic system formed by a network of lymphatic vessels, nodes, lymphatic trunks and two lymphatic ducts. Being a kind of addition to the venous system, the lymphatic system is involved in removing excess fluid, colloidal solutions of proteins, emulsions of fatty substances, bacteria and foreign particles that cause inflammation from tissues.
Lymphatic vessels cover almost all tissues and organs, with the exception of the brain and spinal cord, cartilage, placenta and lens of the eye. By connecting, large lymphatic vessels form lymphatic trunks, which, in turn, unite into lymphatic ducts that flow into large veins in the neck area.
The lymph nodes, which are dense formations of lymphoid tissue, are located in groups in certain areas of the body: on the lower extremities - in the groin, femur and popliteal region; on the upper extremities - in the area of the armpit and elbow; on the chest - next to the trachea and bronchi; on the head - in the occipital and submandibular region; on the neck.
Lymph nodes perform protective and hematopoietic functions: lymphocytes multiply here, pathogens are absorbed and immune bodies are produced.
Lymph always moves in one direction - from tissues to the heart. Its retention in one or another area of the body leads to tissue swelling, and weakened lymph circulation becomes one of the causes of metabolic disorders in the body.
Massage activates the movement of lymph and promotes its outflow from tissues and organs. However, to achieve a positive effect, the massage therapist’s hands during the procedure must move towards the nearest lymph nodes (Fig. 4): when massaging the head and neck – to the subclavian; hands - to the elbows and armpits; chest - from the sternum to the axillary; upper and middle back - from the spine to the armpits; lumbar and sacral regions - to the inguinal; legs - to the popliteal and inguinal. It is necessary to influence the tissues with some force, using techniques such as kneading, squeezing, beating, etc.
Rice. 4 You cannot massage the lymph nodes. The fact is that pathogenic bacteria can accumulate in them (evidence of this is enlargement, swelling, pain in the lymph nodes), and activation of the lymph flow under the influence of mechanical irritation will cause the infection to spread throughout the body.
The effect of massage on the respiratory system
Massage, performed correctly, in accordance with all guidelines, has a positive effect on the respiratory system.
Vigorous chest massage using techniques such as effleurage, rubbing and chopping promotes a reflex deepening of breathing, an increase in minute volume of breathing and better ventilation of the lungs.
However, a similar effect is achieved not only by massaging the chest, but also by mechanical impact on other parts of the body - rubbing and kneading the muscles of the back, neck, intercostal muscles. These techniques also relieve fatigue of the smooth muscles of the lungs.
Relaxation of the respiratory muscles and active ventilation of the lower lobes of the lungs is facilitated by massage techniques on the area of the body where the diaphragm is attached to the ribs.
The effect of massage on internal organs and metabolism
Metabolism is a set of chemical reactions occurring in the human body: substances coming from outside are broken down under the influence of enzymes, resulting in the release of energy necessary for various body functions.
Under the influence of massage, all physiological processes are activated: gas exchange in tissues and organs, mineral and protein metabolism accelerates; Mineral salts of sodium chloride and inorganic phosphorus, nitrogenous substances of organic origin (urea, uric acid) are released from the body faster. As a result, internal organs begin to work better, and the vital activity of the whole organism increases.
A massage preceded by thermal procedures (hot, paraffin and mud baths) activates metabolic processes to a greater extent. This is explained by the fact that with mechanical irritation of softened skin, protein breakdown products are formed, which, when transported with the blood into the tissues and vessels of various internal organs, have a positive effect similar to the effect of protein therapy (treatment with protein substances).
As mentioned earlier, massage reflexively stimulates and activates the activity of not only internal organs, but also the physiological systems of the body: cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, digestive. Thus, under the influence of massage, the excretory function of the liver (bile formation) and the secretory activity of the gastrointestinal tract are normalized. The effect on the abdominal area accelerates the movement of food through the digestive organs, normalizes intestinal motility and stomach tone, reduces flatulence, increases the acidity of gastric juice; massage of the back, lumbar region and abdomen accelerates the recovery process for peptic ulcers of the duodenum and stomach.
The effect of massage on muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons
The skeletal muscles of an adult make up about 30-40% of his total body weight. Muscles, which are special organs of the human body, are attached to bones and fascia (the membranes covering organs, blood vessels and nerves) with the help of tendons– dense connective tissues. Depending on their location, muscles are divided into trunk (back - back and back of the head, front - neck, chest and abdomen), head and limb muscles.
The following muscles are located in front of the body:
– frontal (gathers the skin on the forehead into transverse folds);
– orbicularis oculi muscle (closes the eyes);
– orbicularis oris muscle (closes the mouth);
– chewing (participates in chewing movements);
– subcutaneous cervical (participates in the respiratory process);
– deltoid (located on the side, abducts the arm);
– biceps brachii (flexes the arm);
– shoulder;
– brachioradialis;
– ulna;
– flexor muscles of the fingers, hand and wrist;
– pectoralis major (moves the arm forward and down, raises the chest);
– serratus anterior (with a strong sigh, it raises the chest);
– straight abdominal (lowers the chest and tilts the torso forward);
– external oblique abdominal muscle (tilts the torso forward and turns to the sides);
– inguinal ligament;
– quadriceps femoris muscle and its tendon;
– sartorius muscle (bends the leg at the knee joint and turns the shin inward);
– tibialis anterior muscle (extends the ankle joint);
– long fibula;
– internal and external wide (extend the lower leg).
At the back of the body are:
– sternocleidomastoid muscle (it is used to tilt the head forward and to the sides);
– patch muscle (takes part in various head movements);
– extensor muscles of the forearm;
– triceps brachii muscle (moves the scapula forward and extends the arm at the elbow joint);
– trapezius muscle (retracts the scapula to the spine);
– latissimus dorsi muscle (pulls the arm back and turns it inward);
– rhomboid major muscle;
– gluteus medius muscle;
– gluteus maximus muscle (rotates the thigh outward);
– semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles (adductor of the thigh);
– biceps femoris muscle (bends the leg at the knee joint);
– gastrocnemius muscle (flexes the ankle joint, lowers the front and raises the back of the foot);
– calcaneal (Achilles) tendon. There are three types of muscles: striated, smooth and cardiac.
Striated muscles(skeletal), formed by bundles of multinuclear muscle fibers of red-brown color and loose connective tissue through which blood vessels and nerves pass, are located in all parts of the human body. These muscles play an important role in maintaining the body in a certain position, moving it in space, breathing, chewing, etc. Having the ability to shorten and stretch, striated muscles are in constant tone.
Smooth muscle consist of spindle-shaped mononuclear cells and do not have transverse striations. They line the walls of most internal organs and blood vessels, and are also present in the skin layers. Contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles occurs involuntarily.
Heart muscle(myocardium) is the muscle tissue of the heart, which has the ability to voluntarily contract under the influence of impulses arising in it.
Voluntary contractility is not the only feature of muscles. In addition, they are able to stretch and take their original shape after completion of the direct impact (elasticity property), but they return to their original position gradually (viscosity property).
Massage has a positive effect on the muscles: it improves blood circulation and redox processes occurring in the muscles, promotes the supply of more oxygen to them, and accelerates the release of metabolic products.
Mechanical action helps relieve swelling and stiffness of the muscles, as a result they become soft and elastic, the content of lactic and other organic acids in them decreases, and pain caused by excessive tension during physical activity disappears.
A properly performed massage can restore the functionality of tired muscles in just 10 minutes. This is explained by the fact that the substance acetylcholine released when exposed to muscles activates the transmission of nerve impulses along the nerve endings, which causes excitation of the muscle fiber. However, to achieve a greater effect, when massaging muscles, you should use techniques such as kneading, pressing, tapping, that is, those that require some application of force.
It is impossible not to note the effect of massage on the ligamentous-articular apparatus. Joints They are movable joints of bones, the ends of which are covered with cartilage tissue and enclosed in an articular capsule. Inside it there is synovial fluid, which reduces friction and nourishes the cartilage.
In the outer layer of the joint capsule or next to it are located ligaments- dense structures that connect skeletal bones or individual organs. Ligaments strengthen joints and limit or direct movement in them.
Muscles and joints are connected to each other through connective tissue located between the joint capsule and the muscle tendon.
Massage allows you to activate the blood supply to the joint and adjacent tissues, promotes the formation of more synovial fluid and its better circulation in the joint capsule, which increases joint mobility and prevents the development of pathological changes in bone joints.
As a result of regular use of massage techniques, the ligaments become more elastic, the ligamentous-articular apparatus and tendons are strengthened. As a therapeutic agent, this procedure is also necessary during the recovery period for injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
