Connective Tissue Massage

Connective tissue massage

Research by many Russian and foreign scientists has shown that diseases of internal organs are often associated with dysfunction of connective tissue. As a rule, this disrupts the mobility of the skin and subcutaneous tissue in relation to the fascia; in addition, the relief of the skin over the foci of the disease is disrupted. When you touch these areas, pain occurs, they look compacted and swollen.

To restore the function of connective tissue, connective tissue massage should be performed, which helps normalize metabolism and improve blood circulation. Connective tissue massage is recommended for pathologies of the musculoskeletal system and diseases of some internal organs. Before starting it, you should inspect the segmental zones and palpate to identify areas with increased tension, compaction, and swelling. Such areas may be painful during massage; the skin in these places may turn red or pale during the massage procedure.

Connective tissue massage is more effective when combined with water procedures, when the patient’s muscles are as relaxed as possible. The water temperature should be 37 degrees C.

Connective tissue massage technique
When massaging, the tissue should move in relation to the muscles, tendons and bones. The main technique of connective tissue massage is tissue displacement. It is more convenient to grip the fabric with your thumb and forefinger. The duration of the massage is from 5 to 15 minutes.

Connective tissue massage should begin with healthy tissues and gradually approach painful points. At first, the movements should be superficial, but gradually (as tension and pain are relieved) the massage should become deep.

Movements are made along the edges of the tendons, along the location of muscle fibers, as well as the attachment points of muscles, fascia and joint capsules.

When massaging the back and chest area, movements should be directed towards the spine; when massaging the limbs, movements should be directed towards the proximal sections. The procedure must begin from the sacrum (paravertebral area of ​​the back) and gradually move upward to the cervical spine. After this, you need to massage the hips, legs and only then the patient’s shoulder girdle.

When massaging reflexogenic zones, in order not to cause sharp pain and deterioration of the patient’s general condition, the massage therapist’s movements should be directed along the border of these zones.

The order of the procedure and the areas of influence on connective tissues in certain diseases:

1. For headaches, treatment should be applied to the back of the head, the interscapular region, and the muscle area of ​​the forearm.

2. For diseases of the spine, you need to act paravertebrally on the lumbar region and smoothly move towards the cervical spine.

3. For lumbago, apply pressure to the lumbar region, sacrum and behind the ilium.

4. For sciatica, massage is performed on the lumbar region, intergluteal fold, popliteal fossa, back of the thigh and calf muscle.

5. In case of diseases of the shoulder joint and shoulder, the area located between the spinal column and the scapular region, the costal arches and the front part of the shoulder should be affected.

6. For diseases of the elbow joint, forearm and hand, it is necessary to influence the area located between the spine and scapula, the area of ​​the costal arches, the elbow bend, the inner surface of the forearm and the wrist joint.

7. For diseases of the hip joint and thigh, the areas of the buttock, along the gluteal fold, the groin area, as well as the area of ​​the hip joint should be treated.

8. For diseases of the knee joint and lower leg, massage is performed on the buttock area, along the gluteal fold, on the groin area, on the hip joint area and on the popliteal fossa.