Methodology for Classical Massage and Self-massage in the Bath

The room in which the massage is performed (most often a soap compartment is used for this) should be draft-free. Before starting the massage, a number of preparatory measures should be carried out. It is necessary to prepare a bench on which the person being massaged will lie. The bench must be warm, for which it must be doused with hot water several times. The massage therapist's hands should be warm and move easily over the body - they should be lathered with soap.

During a massage session you need to relax as much as possible. And in case of difficulty, you should resort to self-hypnosis. You can also lie on your stomach and, taking a deep breath, tense all your muscles, and then, exhaling, relax them.

TECHNIQUES AND TECHNIQUES OF MASSAGE IN A BATH

The whole complex of bath massage and self-massage consists of several techniques: stroking, squeezing, kneading, shaking, moving the joints.

Stroking

The technique is performed with the palm of the hand. To cover a larger surface area of ​​the body, four fingers of the hand should be joined together, and the fifth, thumb, should be moved to the side. The palm should be pressed tightly against the body of the person being massaged, but without putting pressure on it. Movements should be slow, rhythmic and easy.

Squeezing

The squeezing technique has an effect on skin and muscle tissue. There are several ways to do it:

1. Squeezing using the edge of the palm, which is placed across the muscle being massaged; massaging movements are made towards the nearest lymph nodes.

2. Squeezing with a brush. The palm is placed across the muscle being massaged; the thumb of the hand doing the squeezing is pressed against the index finger.

3. Squeezing with a fist. Especially typical for bath massage. With one hand you need to grab the thumb of the other hand, and then clench both hands into a fist. This will prevent the fists from coming apart while performing the technique.

Kneading

It is the main technique of bath massage. Not only the upper, but also the lower layer of muscle tissue is warmed up. There is a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, the respiratory centers of the body, the functions of muscle tissues that have been subjected to heavy physical activity are restored, as well as their preparation for the subsequent performance of heavy physical labor.

Shaking

Can be used for any type of muscle. It affects both superficial and deep-lying muscles.

Trituration

Must be intense. Can be performed in different directions. Rubbing is used to massage joints, tendons and other areas.

Shaking

They usually complete the bath massage complex. The limbs are massaged by shaking.

METHOD OF CONDUCTING A MASSAGE SESSION

It starts with stroking the back (3-5 times). The next technique is deep squeezing of the back muscles located along the spinal column (5-8 times).

Then you should move on to kneading your back, neck, arms, pelvis, hips, knee joints, calf muscles, chest, front thigh, and abdomen.

Kneading alternates with squeezing and shaking.

For massage, techniques of rubbing, shaking, and moving the joints are also used.

When performing self-massage, you should adhere to the same rules and the same sequence of techniques as when performing a classic massage.

Hand movements should go in the direction of blood flow to the nearest lymph nodes. You cannot massage the lymph nodes.

The body should be relaxed as much as possible during the massage, so you need to choose a position to avoid unnecessary tension.

If self-massage serves therapeutic purposes, for example, for sprains, sprains, bruises, or lower back pain, then a preliminary consultation with a doctor is necessary.

You can perform self-massage in the steam room. Here the muscles become loose and