How to do a back massage

At all times, massage has been famous for its healing effects on the body, having a positive effect on muscles, tissues, joints and all internal organs. If you remember a little about the history of massage, in ancient China, Rome, Greece, doctors and healers used massage for medicinal purposes, to treat various diseases. Back massage has occupied a special place in the art of “healing”, since everyone felt its healing effects. The art was passed on from generation to generation, improving the technique and methodology over time, but not forgetting the ancient secrets.

This type of massage has been known since ancient times.

Medicine does not stand still. Together with it, the art of massage develops harmoniously. Currently, the fashion for a healthy lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular. Wellness and therapeutic massage is also growing in popularity. Without any doubt, a full body massage will always win the position over the local one. Today we will look at one of the local massage techniques, which is used both in traditional medicine and at home.

Execution technique

Sometimes we don’t pay enough attention to the condition of our back, thinking that it can endure a lot. But we are deeply mistaken: we may not notice the first signs of back problems, but they can arise long before obvious symptoms appear. Muscle strain can occur due to stressful situations, a sedentary lifestyle, or any injuries or bruises.

The therapeutic effects of massage will help to greatly alleviate the deplorable condition, relieve tension and pain, thereby giving freedom of movement.

Our lives are often hectic and dynamic. The crazy pace of life does not always have the best effect on health, and in particular on our back. Thanks to massage, we can give freedom to our body, relieving it of painful tension.

Directions of basic movements in the back and lower back. neck and pelvis

Today there are a large number of back massage options. Medical practice has shown that the most effective technique is one that first uses a preliminary massage of the entire back, lasting 5-6 minutes, and then a detailed study of individual parts: massage of the collar area, lower thoracic region and lumbar region.

Direction of massage movements

Let's move on to the preliminary massage: the patient should lie on his stomach.

1. The figure shows 3-4 symmetrical lines along which you need to make massage movements. First, longitudinal strokes are performed for one minute. Then stroking across the back.
2. Next, squeezing techniques are performed. Their duration is 1-3 minutes. Squeezing is performed with more pressure, but less intensity than stroking. It should be noted that pressure on the spinous processes of the spine must be avoided, as in any other techniques.
3. After squeezing, you can perform several rubbing techniques with moderate pressure on the tissue. If the application is carried out correctly, the patient should feel a sensation of warmth.

After the preliminary massage, you should proceed to the main massage.

Lower thoracic massage

Massage of this area refers to the area from the seventh to the twelfth thoracic vertebrae. The figure shows the lines along which massage movements must be made.

Direction of massage movements of the lower thoracic region

1. First, strokes are performed along the indicated lines.
2. Stroking is followed by squeezing along the lines.
3. Next, rubbing is performed.
4. After rubbing it is necessary to perform kneading.
5. Let's move on to striking and concussive techniques. Their implementation should be used according to indications. It is advisable to consult a doctor.

In total, it is recommended to spend 4-5 minutes on massage of this area, and up to 15 minutes with the therapeutic method. It should be noted that the 11th and 12th ribs are located close to the kidneys. approximately 5 cm. Inadequate and too intense implementation of techniques can lead to pain.

Massage under the shoulder blade

Often, during diseases such as osteochondrosis, glenohumeral periortritis, so-called trigger points are formed under the scapula, which are characterized by increased pain. In this case, massage of these points contributes to faster rehabilitation.

The technique for this zone is as follows:

Massage of the scapular area

The patient lies on his stomach with his arms along his body. The massage therapist carefully places his palm under the patient’s shoulder and slowly lifts it a few centimeters. It is important to note that the patient must be completely relaxed at this point, otherwise the scapula will not rise. With the second hand, the massage therapist performs circular massage movements under the shoulder blade, as shown in the figure. On the second hand everything is similar.

Rubbing the scapular area

Then rubbing is performed at the angle of the shoulder blade. The thumb should be as far apart from the index finger as possible. Such rubbing is often carried out in sports massage, hygienic and preventive.

Neck massage

Neck massage

Neck massage is a massage at the level of the cervical and 1-6 thoracic vertebrae. In this case, the pressure on the tissue should be lower than when massaging the lower thoracic and lumbar regions. The patient can take a sitting or lying position. If there are no contraindications, it is better to perform it in a lying position. In this position, maximum muscle relaxation is achieved.

1. First, strokes are performed in the directions shown in the figure. Stroking is performed within 1 minute.
2. This is followed by squeezing along the same lines. Performed within 2-3 minutes.
3. Next is rubbing. It can be combined with kneading. The duration of kneading is 7-12 minutes.
4. These are followed by vibration techniques. Vibration is performed with the fingers, no higher than the 6th cervical vertebra.
5. Finish the massage of the collar area by shaking with your fingertips and lightly stroking.

In general, the entire massage of this area takes 10-15 minutes.

Lumbar massage

The massage is performed on the lumbar region, located from 1-5 lumbar vertebrae, as well as on the sacral region. The lines shown in the figure are directed laterally from the spine towards the inguinal lymph nodes.

Lumbar massage

The procedure is performed according to the following scheme:

1. First, strokes are performed.
2. They are followed by push-ups.
3. Next, rubbing is performed.
4. Then kneading.
5. Afterwards, shocking techniques are performed: vibration and shock techniques.

In the general structure, a massage of this area takes 5-6 minutes, in a therapeutic form - 20 minutes. The force of influence will vary: for example, along lines 4 and 5 you can use a more intense form of movement, and along lines 1 and 2 you need to dose the force of influence, since internal organs are located in this area.

Each type of occupation has its own subtleties and features. Let us reveal several important points that will help you understand the question: how to do a back massage.

1. The massage should start from the sacrum area, smoothly moving upward.
2. The massage therapist's hands should be relaxed and warm during the procedure.
3. The technique is to alternate stroking and rubbing movements.
4. The first session should take no more than 15 minutes.

Now let's move on to the massage techniques that are used to conduct a massage session.

Stroking

This technique is the right start to a massage. Warm your hands and begin rhythmically stroking the entire surface of your back. In the lumbar and neck areas, more gentle and gentle movements should be performed. Stroking is performed in an intense manner.

The massage procedure should begin with stroking

Trituration

This technique is performed in the same way as stroking, but a little more intensely and with the greatest pressure. As a rule, rubbing begins from the lower back, no more than 10 minutes.

Rubbing is a more intense technique

Kneading

The kneading technique is performed with a deeper effect on the tissue. If you need to increase pressure on the massaged area, place one hand on the other. These technical exercises should begin with the forearm area. It is recommended to perform no more than 10 minutes.

Kneading affects deeper areas

Vibration

Basically, vibration or light tapping should be used to complete the procedure. Vibration should be done with your fingertips over the entire surface of your back, with minimal contact.

The final stage of the massage

Many famous scientists have proven that massage procedures bring great benefits to our body as a whole. With the help of massage techniques on the body, normalization of blood circulation in the body, as well as muscle relaxation after physical activity, has been noticed. This also applies to emotional tension - after a high-quality session, emotional tension and stress disappear, and endorphins come in their place, the level of which also increases due to massage.

A professional, therapeutic back massage helps get rid of problems with incorrect posture and other spinal diseases. Therefore, you should not neglect the massage procedure, which has the power to “heal” all problems and diseases.