Features of massage for lung diseases. Massage techniques for respiratory diseases. Massage of the anterior chest

Clinical and physiological rationale for massage and physical exercises for respiratory diseases Massage and physical exercises for respiratory diseases affect blood circulation and lymph flow in the integumentary tissues of the chest, in the tissues of the lungs and

Movement therapy for respiratory diseases The basic principles of physical rehabilitation for respiratory diseases are its early start and continuity, complexity and rationality of the combination of rehabilitation measures, taking into account clinical

Essential oils for respiratory diseases Many acute chronic respiratory diseases are characterized by seasonality. Such diseases include respiratory viral infections and exacerbation of chronic diseases of the respiratory system. Doctors successfully

Massage for diseases of the respiratory system In case of inflammation of the bronchi (bronchitis), the leading syndrome becomes a violation of the patency of the bronchi for the movement of air and secretions (sputum) due to a decrease in the lumen of the bronchi - obstruction (narrowing), transient (for example, with

Infusion of fennel with ginger for respiratory diseases You will need: Fennel seeds – 1 tsp. Ginger (powder) – a pinch. Honey – 1 tsp. Boiling water – 1 glass. What to do: Pour boiling water over fennel seeds and ginger. When the composition has cooled to 40 degrees, add honey and

Diseases of the respiratory system include bronchitis, pneumonia, laryngitis, tracheitis, pleurisy, etc. These diseases are widespread across all continents. Both adults and children suffer from them. For many respiratory diseases, massage is prescribed as one of the components of a comprehensive treatment method.

MASSAGE FOR PNEUMONIA (PULMONARY INFLAMMATION)

Pneumonia is an infectious disease caused by hypothermia, neuropsychic and physical overload and other factors that cause a decrease in the body's resistance. There is a high temperature (38-40 degrees), cough (dry, then with sputum), chills, pain in the chest, increasing with coughing and inhalation, rapid shallow breathing. Massage for pneumonia is prescribed at the final stage of treatment to eliminate residual effects of the disease. In this case, it improves the general condition of the patient, strengthens his respiratory muscles, and increases blood and lymph circulation in the lungs.

The massage is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Massage the anterior surface of the chest.

2. Back massage.

3. Neck massage.

4. Repeated massage of the anterior surface of the chest.

Massage of the anterior chest

1. Stroking (from bottom to top to the axillary lymph nodes).

2. Squeezing (excluding the mammary gland in women and the nipple area in men).

3. Kneading the pectoralis major muscle:

a) ordinary;

b) double ring;

c) phalanges of bent fingers;

d) circular beak-shaped.

4. Shaking.

5. Stroking.

6. Kneading the intercostal spaces:

a) straight with the pads of the fingers (alternately);

b) straight with the pads of four fingers;

d) straight with the pad of the thumb;

e) zigzag with the pad of the thumb.

7. Rubbing the sternum.

8. Rubbing the collarbone and its attachment points.

Back massage

1. Stroking the entire surface of the back.

2. Squeezing.

3. Kneading the long back muscles:

a) circular with the pad of the thumb;

b) circular with the pads of four fingers;

c) “pincer-shaped”;

d) circular with the pads of the thumbs. 4. Kneading the latissimus dorsi muscles:

a) ordinary;

b) double neck;

c) double ring;

d) circular phalanges of bent fingers.

5. Kneading the area between the spine, scapula, suprascapular region:

a) straight with the phalanges of bent fingers;

b) circular edge of the thumb;

c) a circular tubercle of the thumb.

Neck and trapezius muscle massage

1. Stroking.

2. Squeezing.

3. Kneading:

a) ordinary;

b) double ring;

c) circular with the pads of four fingers;

d) circular phalanges of bent fingers;

e) circular with the radial side of the hand.

Repeated massage of the anterior surface of the chest (see above).

The anterior surface of the chest is rich in sweat glands; the skin on it easily gathers into folds, which facilitates chest massage.

The muscular system of the anterior chest consists of muscles:

• large chest;
• pectoralis minor (under the pectoralis major muscle);
• anterior serrated (on the lateral surfaces);
• oblique abdominal muscles (below the serratus, near the edge of the costal arch);
• rectus abdominis muscles (below the costal arch).

The intercostal spaces are filled with outer and inner layers of muscles, between which nerves and blood vessels pass.

Chest massage is performed for various reasons. Let's take a closer look at massage for chronic nonspecific respiratory diseases and massage of the cervical-thoracic region for osteochondrosis.

Massage for respiratory diseases

Massage of the chest and intercostal spaces outside of exacerbation of diseases of the respiratory organs is carried out using classical techniques to enhance and accelerate the effect of drug therapy, hyperventilation of the vital capacity of the lungs. At the same time, massage manipulations reduce the hidden effect of bronchial dilators.

Chest massage helps to normalize the disturbed acid-base state and quickly penetrate bronchospasmolytic agents into the tissue, which provides a potentiating and accelerated effect of treatment with small doses of medications for bronchitis or pneumonia. Breast massage begins 1.5-2 hours before therapeutic exercises.

Massage technique

Depending on the purpose and area of ​​the chest, the chest is massaged with the patient lying on his back, on his side or sitting. If it is necessary to work on the chest from the back, the patient is placed on his stomach.

Begin massage for bronchitis and pneumonia (acute and chronic) in the area of ​​the nasolabial triangle and nose. The patient's eyes should be closed. Massage of the thoracic region is continued on the front wall of the patient's chest. Next, the massage therapist, with his palms, begins a stroking movement along the pectoralis major muscle from the sternum in an arched upward direction, working the lateral and lower surfaces of the chest towards the armpits to the lymph nodes.

After planar stroking, a separate effect is performed on the muscles: pectoralis major, serratus anterior, intercostal nerves. Along the pectoralis major muscle during bronchitis and pneumonia (acute and chronic), the palm of one hand moves from the collarbone to the armpits, and the palm of the other hand moves from the sternum towards the shoulder (towards the joint). Stroking and circular rubbing are performed.

They begin to massage the serratus anterior muscle from the lateral surface and end towards the shoulder blades. Stroking, simple rubbing and longitudinal kneading are performed. The patient's position is on his side, with his arms behind his back.

With the patient in a supine or sitting position, the muscles between the ribs are worked out. In a sitting position, the patient's arms are moved to the sides, the massage therapist is behind the patient's back. Apply finger massage to the intercostal muscles in the direction from the sternum to the spine.

The massage ends with planar and enveloping stroking. Next, massage your back while lying on your stomach. The head should be slightly lowered, for which a pillow should be placed under the stomach. The patient's arms are bent at the elbow joints and placed under the head.

The procedure lasts 15 minutes with a course of treatment of 10-12 procedures, daily or every other day, 1-1.5 hours after morning breakfast. In a hospital, massage is performed after 4-5 days of stay, in clinics - after the inflammatory process has subsided.

In the presence of a pathological process in acute and chronic diseases: bronchitis and pneumonia and the predominance of bronchopulmonary changes (pneumosclerosis), more rubbing techniques and stretches are introduced into the massage technique: linear, semicircular, circular rubbing, various sawing, stretching with one or two hands.

If the destructive process predominates in bronchitis and pneumonia with bronchiectasis, then increase the number of vibration techniques: continuous, labile, shaking, chopping, beating.

During breast massage:

• necessarily bypass the mammary glands;
• do not use intense movements at the attachment points of the ribs to the sternum (at sensitive points);
• at the same time massage the thoracic back;
• women have their chest massaged more slowly and not as intensely as men;

It is contraindicated to perform breast massage during exacerbation of the inflammatory process of chronic pneumonia, or with general contraindications. If streaks of blood are detected in the patient’s sputum when the process subsides, the massage is not canceled and is performed according to the above method.

Percussion massage

With excessive physical exertion in sports, surgical interventions and bronchopulmonary diseases, the respiratory system is heavily loaded. There are many different receptors in the upper respiratory tract: the respiratory muscles, chest and lungs, which play an important role in the feedback function between the ventilation apparatus and the respiratory center.

Sensitive nerve endings are also excited when the lung tissue stretches and collapses. The proprioceptors of the muscles between the ribs function to help regulate the force exerted by the respiratory muscles.

Massage of the respiratory muscles will cause increased impulses of the primary endings of the muscle spindles and will involve a large number of motor neurons. This will increase the contraction of the muscles between the ribs. To relieve fatigue from the breathing muscles, improve bronchopulmonary ventilation, blood circulation, sputum discharge and normalize breathing function, percussion massage is performed.

Methodology

The patient is in a lying or sitting position. The left or right palm of the hand is placed on the chest, which is rhythmically struck from above with a fist. Percussion massage begins on the chest in certain symmetrical places, then moves to the dorsal part of the chest.

On the chest in front, blows are applied to the area under the collarbone and costal arch below, on the back - in the area above the shoulder blades, between the shoulder blades and under the shoulder blades. Perform 2-3 hits in each zone. Then the cage is squeezed with both hands, placing them on the inferolateral part of the cage, closer to the diaphragm.

As the patient inhales, the massage therapist directs his hands in sliding movements along the muscles between the ribs to the spine. When exhaling, move towards the sternum, squeezing the chest towards the end of the exhalation. Then, to perform the same movements, the massage therapist moves his hands to the armpits.

Perform the movements for 2-3 minutes. To avoid the patient holding his breath, the massage therapist needs to give the command:

• “inhale”, sliding your hands along the muscles between the ribs to the spine;
• “exhale”, sliding your hands to the sternum and squeezing the cell at the end of the exhalation.

Percussion massage is performed after rubbing the back and chest. After percussion, the entire chest is also rubbed completely.

Percussion massage improves breathing by creating estrapulmonary conditions. As a result of mechanical irritations, breathing is stimulated and bronchial secretions (sputum) are expelled.

When the chest is compressed, the receptors of the alveoli, roots of the lung and pleura are irritated. This creates increased excitability of the breathing center for active inhalation. By influencing the respiratory muscles between the ribs (proprioceptors), the massage therapist reflexively influences the breathing center and stimulates the act of breathing.

Massage for cervicothoracic osteochondrosis

When prescribing a massage for osteochondrosis in the cervical and thoracic region, the patient takes a comfortable position in a chair to relax the back and neck, or lies on his stomach.

To work out gelotic connective tissue skin changes, begin a massage of the cervical-thoracic region in the subacute stage with intense but gentle superficial stroking and kneading. The movements are repeated 3-4 times and alternate with stroking.

Thoracic back< массируют поглаживающими, растирающими движениями, выжиманиями и разминаниями: щипцевидными, основанием ладонью, ординарными, двойными кольцевыми.

The area of ​​the shoulder blades is stroked from the lower corner, directing the hands to the neck on both sides.

The shoulder girdle is massaged by stroking, rubbing, squeezing and kneading on both sides. In a sitting position - by stroking, squeezing and kneading the pectoralis major muscles.

The trapezius muscle is massaged in the direction of the fibers and begins on the ascending part (near the 12th thoracic vertebra), continuing on the middle and descending part of the muscle. With the thumb, the massage therapist passes along the spinous processes to the 5th vertebra of the chest and then to the acromial process of the scapula.

The neck area is stroked from the scalp down to the back (up to 10 times). If there is no pain in the spine, perform push-ups on the two sides and the back of the neck.

The neck muscles are stroked, rubbed and kneaded using the edge of the palm and fingertips, alternating with squeezes.

The thoracic region of the back is stroked and squeezed with the fingertips next to the spine, including the upper fascicles on the shoulder girdles. The muscles are stroked, rubbed, kneaded, squeezed, and performed on a roller exercise. A Kipler fold is performed along the spine.

For various diseases of internal organs, massage is often used. This is due to the fact that it is an excellent tool for reducing pain, relieving muscle tension, raising the tone of the body and its general improvement. All these properties are very important in the treatment of various diseases - such as, for example, diseases of the nervous system (primarily neuroses, neuritis, neuralgia), circulatory system (including diseases of the hematopoietic organs), respiratory system, digestive tract, genitourinary system, as well as ligaments, tendons, and joints.

Massage is used primarily to influence nerve receptors that are located on the skin, muscles and tissues. Receptors conduct impulses associated with exposure to the external environment (cold and warm air, sunlight, water, any mechanical irritation). The impulses travel from the outer layers of the skin to the endings of the nerve fibers. It is through them that impulses enter the cerebral cortex, and a complex reaction occurs there, as a result of which impulses go to various internal organs and systems.

When massaging, the skin experiences mechanical impact from rubbing, kneading, pressing, etc., and nerve receptors located in different layers of the skin transmit these impulses to the central nervous system, to the cerebral hemispheres.

In addition, massage also improves the condition of the skin itself: it removes dead cells of the upper layer, enhances the action of the sebaceous and sweat glands, and helps remove decay products and toxins from the body.

As a result of massaging, the movement of blood, lymph, and interstitial fluid increases, congestion decreases or completely disappears, and metabolism increases. After a massage session, a person feels cheerful and rested. The result of such an effect on the body indicates the benefits of massaging.

But how long ago did people know about these properties of massage?

From the history of massage

Massage as a means of raising the overall tone of the body and restoring strength was known several thousand years ago. It was used in Ancient Egypt and Babylon, Assyria and Mesopotamia. There is various archaeological evidence of this: drawings on clay tablets, papyrus, wood and even stone. A whole complex of massage techniques carved on stone was discovered by archaeological scientists in the tomb of Pharaoh Ankamahor, who lived in the 3rd millennium BC. e. This tomb is called the Tomb of the Healer.

Not only Ankamahor, but also other pharaohs and rulers ordered that massage techniques be recorded so that they would become known to other people.

A study of the ruins of the ancient capital of Assyria showed that the Assyrians paid great attention to massaging for various injuries. This is evidenced by finds in ancient temples. Thus, already several thousand years ago, people knew about the beneficial effects of massage on the body. But it was not the ancient Egyptians or Assyrians who were the best experts in massage. The championship rightfully belongs to the Chinese.

In the 2nd millennium BC. e. The Chinese healer Zhu Tzu wrote a treatise that described in detail the benefits of massage and presented various massage techniques. This work became fundamental for a whole series of works in which the basics of classical massage were formulated. But the Chinese not only wrote down already known massage techniques, they constantly improved their techniques. There were more than 2,000 massage schools in Ancient China. The most famous of them were schools in the provinces of Shandong, Guanzhuan and Henan.

According to Chinese healers, massage is an art that requires special training and skill. After all, massage helps a person not only relax, but also achieve harmony between body and spirit. “After a massage, a renewed person looks at the world around him with new eyes” - this statement belongs to the famous healer Yi-Fui, who was the chief court physician of Emperor Lu-ji. I-Fui studied, researched and compared the methods of different schools for more than 40 years. He left behind more than two dozen treatises, in which he revealed the superiority of some schools over others. Yi-Fui himself was a supporter of “simple” massage and always emphasized its advantage over “complex” massage. And I-Fui earned special fame because he once saved a girl dancer from death with his art. The emperor not only forgave the girl for her offense, but also after that appointed Yi-Fui as the chief court physician.

The famous healer lived a long life, leaving behind many treatises on medicine and more than three dozen students. But none of them could surpass the famous teacher in their skill.

And although Yi Fui always emphasized the advantage of “simple” massage, that is, done with the hands, without any equipment, in Chinese massage special sticks of various lengths and thicknesses were often used to enhance the effect on the skin. They became the prototype of acupuncture and are still used in some Chinese massage schools that adhere to ancient techniques.

The Japanese developed their own massage techniques, but still adopted a lot from the Chinese. They became followers of Yi Fui and did not use other tools and devices for massaging except their own hands. In addition, the Japanese adhered to the postulate derived by a Chinese doctor. According to him, massage should be carried out only in a place “that pleases the eye and caresses the ear.” In the rooms where the massage was carried out, they opened sliding doors so that the person being massaged could see a beautiful landscape: flowering plants, evergreen trees. His ears were delighted by the singing of birds and the murmur of water flowing over the stones. It was not exquisite draperies, music and poetry that were supposed to create a special aura during massage, but the beauty and harmony of nature with which a person merged with his soul. When the body is relaxed, the beauty of the surrounding world is perceived in a special way.

Based on classic Japanese massage, shiatsu acupressure massage has been developed, which nowadays occupies a significant place among non-traditional methods of treating many diseases.

In addition, the Japanese combined massage with water treatments. First, a person immersed himself in a hot spring, and then, after leaving it, a massage session was carried out. The Japanese discovered the healing properties of thermal springs – onsens – a long time ago. There is evidence of this in written documents from the 8th century. There are nine types of onsens, depending on the predominance of certain mineral substances. Thus, in red onsens there is an excess of iron, in salt onsens there is especially a lot of various mineral salts, and in eel onsens there is alkali. After bathing in such a source, the skin becomes slippery, like an eel.

Depending on the temperature of the onsen, a person spent from 5 to 35 minutes in it. Then, leaving the source, he retired to a special gazebo, where the massage session was held. This custom dates back several centuries and is currently used before a massage session. But if at first this was a rare privilege of the monks of closed monasteries, then from the end of the 16th century the warrior caste became aware of the custom. It was in the 16th century that the noble feudal lord Takede Shingenu, after battles with samurai warriors, went to bathe in hot springs. Among his warriors there were always several doctors who were also excellent at massaging techniques. Take-de Shingenu noticed that after bathing in onsen and massage, sword wounds heal faster, fractures, cuts and bruises heal. These products helped relieve tension after a battle and perfectly restored strength before new battles.

The fame of the invincible and invulnerable warriors of Shingen spread throughout Japan. Many enemies of the feudal lord tried to find out the secret of the quick correction of his warriors. But it was discovered only in the 19th century. It was at this time that various massage techniques were closely studied in Europe, and Japanese massage did not go unnoticed.

Nowadays, all Japanese athletes, without exception, use these means when preparing for competitions. In the mid-twentieth century, Japanese doctors discovered that it was possible to combine not only bathing in a thermal spring, but also hand massage with massage performed by jets of water. The Japanese began to build small artificial waterfalls near onsens. Such methods are very helpful in maintaining health and longevity. And older people who resort to such means claim that it gives them strength and they feel rejuvenated. Currently, European and American scientists are again paying close attention to Japanese massage, which is combined with bathing in thermal springs. But they are not only interested in health and longevity. Just a few years ago, the French scientist Paul Gangois made the discovery that these remedies are excellent in treating many respiratory diseases. Today, several methods of treating these diseases are being developed based on the experiments of Paul Gangua.

There were many schools of massage in India, where massage was known several thousand years ago. Indian healers became famous for their numerous treatises, which described various methods and techniques of massage. Indians also used massage to treat many diseases. Their methods differed in many ways from those used by the Chinese and Japanese. In addition, they were the first to use wet rubbing before massage, and also developed massage in a steam bath. To do this, water was poured onto special hot iron plates, which turned into steam. In this room, light massage techniques were used; for more complex ones, other techniques were used.

Before performing massage techniques, Indians thoroughly cleaned the body, removing dust and sweat from it with clean water, and then washed it with aromatic water. After the massage techniques, water procedures were carried out: dousing the body with water or bathing in a spring. This, according to Indian healers, gave good results not only for improving the health of the body, but also for resisting aging.

Modern scientists have adopted ancient techniques. Having carefully studied them, they developed a whole massage complex to rejuvenate the body. These techniques are used not only in massage parlors in the East, but also in European and American beauty institutes.

Methods of healing and rejuvenating massage were developed not only in the countries of the Far East - such as China, Japan, etc., but also in the Middle East and Central Asia. For example, in Ancient Egypt there was a slightly different approach to massage, which was due to the peculiarities of the climate. The hot sun, dry air and dust made the skin dense and rough, and cracks often appeared on it. And in accordance with this, rough massage techniques were also used. Instead of gentle touches, special attention was paid to deep kneading, rubbing and percussive techniques.

Preparation for the massage included water procedures (bathtub) so that the person could wash away dirt and sweat. Instead of a bath, wiping with a damp cloth was sometimes used. Then rubbing with heated oils was carried out. They were rubbed not only with hands, but also with a special woolen cloth, so that the oil penetrated as deeply as possible into the skin, softened it, made it elastic and ready for massage techniques. Only after such preparation did the massage therapist begin the main massage.

The ancient Greeks also used water and oil for massage. They also had special schools in which slaves were taught the art of massage. Ancient doctors (Hippocrates, Galen) wrote many medical works about its benefits. The ancient Greeks paid special attention to the beneficial effects of massage in the treatment of various diseases. But they considered no less important the use of massage by healthy people in order to constantly keep the body in good physical shape. This was especially important, since the Greeks very often organized games and competitions dedicated to different gods and waged wars. A special commission selected healthy and strong people to participate in the war.

Along with the warriors, slaves also went to war, who trained the warriors before the start of the battle, and then, after the battle, performed massages to relieve stress, fatigue, and help with bruises and injuries. For every 10,000 soldiers who went to war, there were 3-4 thousand slaves specially trained in massage.

The Greeks were the first to distinguish between general massage, suitable for healthy people, and therapeutic massage, intended only for the sick. The Greek physician Gerodikos (484-425 BC) was the first to try to provide a scientific basis for therapeutic massage. The great Hippocrates (460 - about 370 BC) continued this work. He also clearly drew a line between general and therapeutic massages.

Massage was also used by the ancient Romans, who borrowed a lot from the Greeks. For example, the construction of public baths, which had special massage rooms. Rich citizens set up such premises in their own homes. Their guests could relax there, take a bath, and get a restorative massage. Such a commitment to massage was not a luxury, but a necessity, since the Romans, like the Greeks, paid great attention to body culture.

The Romans also improved massage techniques, as evidenced in the works of the famous scientist Celsus, who was a very big supporter of massage techniques. In addition to Celsus, Asclepiades, Galen, Manconius and Philius Glautus (1st-2nd centuries AD) left behind works on the benefits of massage. Many of their works, unfortunately, were destroyed during the barbarian invasion of Rome, and evidence was preserved only in fragmentary information from medieval doctors.

And the barbarians who destroyed Rome also destroyed its richest culture; the art of massage was also consigned to oblivion. The barbarian tribes used only the simplest and crudest techniques, which were very far from the true art of massaging of the ancient Romans. And for a very long time in Europe, massage did not develop and improve.

The main center for the development of the art of massage, without a doubt, was the East. In the Middle Ages, there was a kind of flourishing of massage there. Evidence of this is the many books on medicine by oriental doctors who praised massage as “a miraculous remedy for restoring strength and relieving fatigue.” The famous philosopher and physician Ibn Sina (Avicenna, 980-1037), who began treating people at the age of 16, emphasized in his “Medical Canon” the importance of using massage as an excellent therapeutic agent. In the “Canon” he indicated the following types of massage: strong, strengthening the body, and weak, softening, relaxing it; long lasting, promoting weight loss; moderate, equal to physical activity; restorative after exercise. This work contributed to the development of massage in Turkey, Persia and other countries.

Avicenna was not alone in his judgments and practical application of massage. He was supported by another famous doctor who lived in the 12th century, Hussein ibn Arabi, who left behind many medical treatises on various massage techniques. Ibn Arabi was the first to use massage in the treatment of various forms of nervous and mental diseases. He developed and put into practice his own massage techniques, which helped get rid of obsessions and unreasonable fears.

The techniques he used helped people recover from neuralgia, and he earned real fame for relieving people of migraines with the help of massage. For this, the doctor received an award from Emir Ashik Khan, who had suffered from this disease for a long time. He offered Ibn Arabi the position of chief physician at his court and a very high salary. But the doctor and philosopher refused this offer, preferring to stay in his hometown, and sent his best student to Ashik Khan. There was a correspondence between teacher and student for many years, in which the use of various massage techniques was discussed. Many of these letters have survived to this day and give an excellent idea of ​​the techniques and methods of medieval oriental massage.

Great interest in these techniques arose in the 14th century, during the Renaissance. It was at this time that massage began to be used again in Europe. Artists and sculptors constantly emphasized the beauty of the human body. More and more new ways were sought to achieve harmony between body and spirit. Massage techniques were studied in the works of ancient Greek and Roman doctors, and the books of oriental healers did not go unnoticed. Based on Greek, Roman and Oriental, a classical massage was developed, which has reached our time almost unchanged.

It should be noted that the works of such doctors as Pietro Egilat, Monde de Siucci and Bertuccio played a very significant role in the promotion of massage. They own many works in which they described various massage techniques in great detail. Its beneficial effects on the body were also mentioned. Therapeutic massage began to be used in practice: patients were given special sessions, and then the result of their effect on the body was studied.

The championship in the use of therapeutic massage belongs to the French military doctor Ambroise Paré. While treating the wounded, Pare began to try using therapeutic massage techniques and became convinced of how much faster the patients recovered after such sessions.

He developed his own therapeutic massage techniques, which he used for different types of wounds. In addition, the doctor constantly used various fragrant ointments when massaging and emphasized their importance. He himself composed several ointments based on honey, which had a good healing effect. The ointment, prepared according to the recipe of Ambroise Pare and based on honey, egg yolks and rose oil, was used by massage therapists until the 19th century. Currently, an improved recipe for this ointment serves as the basis for some cosmetic lotions and massage creams.

Following the example of Ambroise Paré, many doctors began to turn to therapeutic and general health massage as an excellent tool in the treatment of many diseases. This can be confirmed by the work of the famous German physician Hoffmann, “Radical instructions on how a person should act in order to avoid early death and all kinds of diseases.” The book contains many recommendations on how to use various massage techniques. Particular attention is paid to such a technique as rubbing, and its use in acute and chronic diseases.

In the 18th century, another work appeared - “Medical and Surgical Gymnastics”. Its author was the French doctor Joseph Tissot, who described the beneficial effects of rubbing on the human body, as well as the need for its constant use for medicinal purposes.

In the 19th century, the Swedish physician Per Henrik Ling presented the medical community with a fully substantiated complex of therapeutic massage. The results of his research were described in the book “General Fundamentals of Gymnastics.” He used massage to treat various injuries and was convinced of the effectiveness of his techniques. Disorders of the body's motor functions as a result of various injuries were previously considered incurable. The Swedish doctor was able to refute this statement and described in detail in his book the methods that led to recovery.

Ling developed massage techniques to treat internal organs. And he proposed treating joints and ligaments using new techniques such as movement and vibration. His techniques were included in medicine under the name “Swedish massage”.

The methods of Per Henrik Ling, described by him in “General Fundamentals of Gymnastics,” began to be widely used by many doctors. Some have used them as a basis for creating their own massage techniques. 10 years after the publication of Ling’s book, there were practically no clinics left in Europe that did not prescribe a course of therapeutic massage. And in the resort area it has become a mandatory remedy for the treatment of various diseases.

In addition to practical application, the theory of massage has also been widely studied. Many medical institutes have opened special departments for the study of massage techniques and their effects on the human body. Many different monographs appeared that confirmed the enormous effect of therapeutic massage.

In the twentieth century, much attention began to be paid to the specialized use of massage. Several types of massage have been described, including various techniques and differing in purpose. Thus, there are general health, therapeutic, preventive, sports, cosmetic, children's, erotic massages, as well as self-massage. The use of each of them is determined by a specific purpose and pursues certain tasks. Each of these types has its own implementation methods.

Some of them are based on the Swedish Ling system, others are developed on the basis of Japanese or Chinese massage. Nowadays, experts are trying to combine different techniques, resulting in a new type of massage - combined. This type is also called universal, since its elements can be used in various types of massage.

Combined massage has many supporters, since its use provides a deeper effect on all organs and systems of the body, which contributes to its normal functioning.

The use of massage for various diseases

Massage is prescribed for the treatment of many diseases. The attending physician always selects the most optimal massage option. This can be a general therapeutic massage or only segmental reflex massage of a certain area. The doctor can also give some recommendations to the massage therapist so that the patient’s condition does not worsen during massage.

Therapeutic massage is prescribed for hypertension, neurocirculatory dystonia (hypotension), and many nervous diseases. These are neuritis, including: ulnar nerve neuritis, brachial nerve neuritis, median nerve neuritis, sciatic nerve neuritis, femoral nerve neuritis, peroneal nerve neuritis, tibial nerve neuritis. In this case, a massage is performed on the limb affected by the disease. Massage is also used on other parts of the body, but when performing it, there is no emphasis on pain areas.

For neuropathy of the facial nerve, segmental reflex massage of the face and scalp is performed. For multiple sclerosis and polyneuropathies, general therapeutic massage is used. With syringomyelia, special attention is paid to areas lacking pain and temperature sensitivity.

In addition, therapeutic massage is an excellent way to relieve pain from occipital neuralgia. Massaging this area relieves tension and pain, dizziness and nausea disappear.

In addition to diseases of the nervous system, massage is used for various diseases of the spine, especially osteochondrosis and radiculitis. With radiculopathies (banal radiculitis), the emphasis is placed specifically on the area of ​​the disease - the cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral or pelvic region.

The same sections are also massaged for osteochondrosis. This is primarily due to the structure of the spine and disruption of the normal functioning of the spinal disc. In this case, massage relieves pain and helps relax tense nerves. After several sessions, a person can walk and turn normally, without fear of sudden shooting in pain areas.

Massaging is performed for diseases of the respiratory system. In this case, special attention is paid to those massage techniques that help ventilate the lungs and improve their functioning. One of the subtypes of therapeutic massage is percussion, which is used for bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchial asthma and emphysema. Most often, for such diseases, segmental reflex massage is prescribed. After the acute stage of the disease has passed, general therapeutic massage is applied.

It is also important for diseases of internal organs, such as the stomach and duodenum. Therapeutic massage is used for peptic ulcers of these organs, as well as for diseases of the liver and gall bladder. In this case, special techniques are used that improve the patient’s condition.

Massage is used for bruises, sprains, dislocations, and fractures. In this case, therapeutic massage is gradually replaced by preventive and general health massage. As you recover, the load and duration of the session increase.

Massage is a necessary treatment for arthrosis (dystrophic changes in articular cartilage), gout (impaired uric acid levels and salt deposition in joints), arthritis (inflammation of the joint), as well as various forms of scoliosis and flat feet.

Massage is extremely useful for diseases of the circulatory system and hematopoietic organs. Segmental reflex massage is prescribed for heart defects, myocardiostrophy, ischemia, and angina. But in this case, a gentle massage of the chest area is always used, which is stopped immediately if pain occurs in the heart area.

Similar requirements apply to massaging the abdominal area for peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, gastritis, gastroptosis, intestinal and kidney diseases. This also applies to the treatment of genitourinary organs. For acute diseases of the bladder (urethritis, cystitis), segmental reflex massage is used. In acute forms of the disease, massage is not performed. When the strong, cutting pain subsides, the massage is resumed.

Gentle massage of painful areas is carried out for diseases of the female and male genital area (various inflammations).

For obesity and diabetes, intensive therapeutic massage is used.

You should be aware of various contraindications to the use of massage techniques. Massage should not be used for severe spontaneous and cutting pain in various parts of the body, high temperature, acute inflammatory processes and fever. In addition, contraindications are blood diseases, bleeding and a tendency to it, as well as various purulent processes and all kinds of skin diseases, including wounds and skin lesions - such as cracks, abrasions, burns, frostbite.

Skin disease is a very important reason not to massage. This includes any inflammation and rashes on the surface of the skin, various types of fungus, warts, including flat warts, eczema, psoriasis, herpes, papillomas (in the stage of intensive growth), acne. All these skin diseases interfere with massage techniques, and as a result of massage, pathogenic microorganisms can spread from one small focus to a larger area. This is due to the fact that during massage techniques, the skin is primarily affected, and prolonged mechanical impact during the session can disrupt the integrity of the lesion and transfer the causative agent of the disease to a healthy area. In this regard, the patient’s condition after a massage session may worsen significantly. New lesions that have arisen will have to be treated.

Massage is completely excluded for diseases such as enlarged and painful lymph nodes, inflammation of the lymph nodes and blood vessels, a general serious condition in various diseases and injuries, benign and malignant tumors, active tuberculosis, diseases of the autonomic nervous system during exacerbation, allergic rashes on skin, varicose veins, acute inflammation of the veins, angitis, atherosclerosis of peripheral vessels, diseases of the abdominal organs with a tendency to bleeding, myocardial ischemia, hemorrhages under the skin, chronic osteomyelitis, acute respiratory diseases, as well as the period within 2-5 days after them ; acute period of hypertensive or hypotensive crisis, vomiting, causalgic syndrome after injury to peripheral nerves, cardiopulmonary failure, sclerosis of cerebral vessels with the likelihood of thrombosis and hemorrhage, nausea, Quincke's edema, trophic ulcers, thrombosis, thromboangiitis in combination with atherosclerosis, excessive physical and mental overwork, circulatory failure.

These are the main diseases that exclude any possibility of massage, but besides them, there are some other diseases for which the use of massage is not recommended.

It should also be noted that contraindications to massage may be temporary. As soon as the acute stage of the disease has passed, therapeutic massage is prescribed to restore normal functioning. After removal of tumors, warts, papillomas, when a hypotonic or hypertensive crisis subsides, after acute myocardial ischemia, a gentle massage is prescribed. It is required after drug treatment, especially if the drugs are potent or have been used for a long time.

Before starting massage techniques, you should consult your doctor. You should not resort to massage sessions on your own. Advice from a specialist will help you coordinate your treatment correctly. If permission for massage is given, then you need to find out which techniques are best suited for this disease.

Massage techniques

Before you begin massaging, you should prepare the room. It should be well ventilated, the optimal temperature for massage is 20-22° C. During the session, silence must be maintained, since loud voices or music, noise from operating electrical appliances will prevent the patient from relaxing. This also applies to bright light; lighting should be moderate. When conducting a massage session, it is better to exclude the presence of strangers; the patient should focus only on his sensations.

A special couch is best suited for massage techniques; if it is not available, then a bed with a hard or semi-hard mattress. In addition, you may need a cushion to place under your head. Small cushions can be placed, if necessary, under the back, lower back, or limbs.

It should be remembered that the patient must take the most comfortable position so that the muscles, joints, and ligaments can relax well. The body position is then considered comfortable when the patient can maintain it for a long time without making any attempts to turn. You will only have to change position when massaging the cervical, thoracic, lumbosacral, pelvic areas or limbs. The massage therapist will ask the patient to gradually change position in order to better massage the area. You should not change your body position often enough or unnecessarily.

The massage therapist's hands should be clean, warm and smooth so that the touch does not cause unpleasant sensations in the patient. If excessive sweating occurs, the patient’s skin should be sprinkled with talcum powder, and if it is too dry, lubricated with a special massage cream or ointment.

Before the session begins, the patient should take a warm shower or at least do a wet wipe. After completing the massage techniques, you should also use a shower or rubdown. With segmental reflex massage, when only certain areas are exposed, areas that are not massaged or have already been massaged can be covered with a sheet.

These are the general requirements for performing a massage session. Next, we will consider massage techniques.

With cervical radiculitis, the cervical spine and occipital region are massaged, with neuropathy of the facial nerve - the face and scalp, with neuritis of the peroneal nerve - the lower leg, ankle, foot, and with syringomyelia - the dorsal and thoracic regions, the abdominal area.

For respiratory diseases, massage the cervical region, chest and upper back. This is due to the fact that these areas are closest to the lungs, bronchi, and pleura.

It is best to start the massage from the upper back, then move to the chest area and end with massaging the cervical region.

When massaging the upper back, pain areas are first identified and then massaged. In this area they may be more intense than when massaging other areas. The thoracic region should be massaged with extreme caution, as sudden sharp pain in the lung area may occur; In addition, you need to remember about the close location of the heart. In this area, performing hard techniques, as well as performing techniques with weights, is excluded. Not all techniques are suitable for the cervical region, but here the massage should be deeper and more intense than in the chest area.

What are the insidious diseases of the respiratory system and what do you need to know about them?