Anatomical and physiological basis of massage

To perform a massage correctly, you need to know anatomical and physiological pathways, according to which one or another massage technique follows. During massage, the skin is directly exposed, and the energy of mechanical irritation applied massage techniques, are perceived primarily by cutaneous mechanoreceptors. In this regard, it should be remembered that different areas of the skin have unequal sensitivity. The smallest - along the middle straight line in the back, abdomen, chest; much more - along the back surface of the shoulder, the back surface of the foot, in the area of ​​the wrist joint and the highest - on the forehead.

The role of the skin during massage cannot be reduced only to the perception of irritation. As is known, skin, being an independent body, is in close dynamic connection not only with the surrounding external environment, but also with the main systems of the body. Along with barrier-protective and receptor functions, it plays an important role in thermoregulation, respiration, blood circulation, metabolism, immunity, and is involved in the secretion of a number of biologically active substances and cleansing the body of metabolic products. Therefore, the changes occurring in the skin largely determine the mechanism of action of the massage.

In addition to skin receptors, information about mechanical irritation is perceived by proprioceptors located in muscle tendons and joint capsules, interoreceptors of internal organs and blood vessels; they transmit it in the form of nerve impulses to the central nervous system. From there, along efferent (centrifugal) pathways, control signals spread to various organs and tissues, inhibiting or activating their activity.

Fundamentals of anatomical and physiological topography

Effective massage is impossible without knowledge topography, structure and function of muscles. Skeletal, or striated, muscles (there are more than 400 of them) make up about 40% of the body weight, and 80% of them are located on the limbs. The muscle basically has a spindle-shaped, stretched and elongated shape. In this case, one of its ends is called the head, and the second (which is long) is called the tail, the middle part is called the abdomen. Continuing into tough, fibrous connective tissue called “tendon,” both ends are most often attached to bone. According to function, muscle groups are divided into:

1. a) flexors and extensors,
2. b) abducens and adductors,
3. c) supinators and pronators.

Relying on anatomical and physiological basis of massage, it has been scientifically proven that muscle tissue contracts under the influence of nerve impulses, coming to them from the motto neurons of the spinal cord along the efferent motor pathways. The muscle is also innervated by afferent sensory nerves, the endings of which are proprioceptors. Depending on the functional state of muscle fibers (contraction, relaxation, stretching), the excitation of proprioceptors changes, which reflexively (the so-called motor-visceral reflex) affects all organs of the body and their systems. Muscle contraction is not only responsible for movement, but also promotes and promotes blood circulation And lymph circulation. Scientists have long proven that at rest, when the muscle is relaxed, the mass of capillaries that form an extensive branched network in its thickness practically does not function. On the other hand, as soon as the muscles begin to work, their blood supply can increase 30 times or even more!!!

Mastering the basics of massage involves studying lymphatic system, since in the vast majority of techniques the direction of massaging movements is determined by the topography of its constituent vessels and the nodes located along their course. Lymph is a liquid tissue of the body, formed as a result of the resorption of tissue fluid located in the lymphatic capillaries. It is like an intermediate substance between blood and tissues and its composition coincides with blood plasma. The lymphatic system begins with lymphatic capillaries, from which lymph flows into the lymphatic vessels. Lymph moves through the vessels very slowly, at a meager speed of 4-5 millimeters per second, and always in a single, stable direction - from the tissues to the heart. When a new amount of fresh lymph is formed, the latter mechanically displaces the one that previously filled the lymphatic vessels. The movement of lymph is ensured thanks to the existing pressure drop in the vessels of the lymphatic system, gradually increasing as it approaches the chest cavity and the so-called suction action of the chest. The movement of lymph is also facilitated by muscle contraction and the work of valves located on the inner surface of the walls of blood vessels. The nodes located along the path of lymph flow play the role of barriers and perform a phagocytic function in relation to microbes and toxins; Lymph nodes should not be massaged!