Massage: what are its benefits, harms and are there any contraindications?

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

Benefits of massage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Harm of massage

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

Contraindications for massage

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

So, massage is absolutely contraindicated for:

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

Temporary contraindications are:

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

Local contraindications usually include the following places:

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

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

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

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

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

Types of massage

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

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

Besides these, there are at least 30 more varieties.

Massage treatment

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

How to do a massage correctly

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

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

How to massage a man

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

It doesn’t hurt to prepare what will be used for the massage. Take any base oil you like and add vanilla, lemon or lavender ether to it. You just need to be sure that the man, and you yourself, are not allergic to these components. Massage can be done not only with your hands. Touch your “client’s” body with feathers and pieces of natural soft fur - this is also pleasant and relaxing to a lesser extent.

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

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

How to do a back massage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to do a neck massage

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

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

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

How to massage your feet

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

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

Now about how you can massage your feet.

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

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

How to massage a newborn

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

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

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

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

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