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Segmental massage can be called one of the most popular adaptations of classical massage. He is appreciated for the good results that make themselves felt from the first sessions. Therapeutic intervention of this kind is aimed at restoring the normal state of the body after a serious illness, surgery, attack, or as maintenance therapy for chronic ailments.
Depending on the specific localization of the problem, the subtype of manipulation will vary so that the doctor can achieve better results in a short time. Also, one of the pillars of the success of the course is its repetition on an irregular basis. Only then will the problem areas be able to function consistently well, without creating discomfort or provoking pain.
The essence of the technique
The therapeutic technique is a strategy for relaxing particularly stressed parts of the body.
It helps to cope with not only increased physical stress, but also emotional upheavals, as well as the consequences of excessively active mental activity.
Techniques are tried not only for treatment, but also as a preventive measure for a number of occupational diseases.
The spinal area deserves special attention, which often suffers from office workers, because they spend most of their time in an uncomfortable sitting position without warming up.
The reflex-segmental approach will especially appeal to those who do not tolerate general classical massage, because only a certain area is exposed to the effect, without affecting healthy areas. It is not for nothing that some doctors prefer the point-segmental option, which saves time and is a more effective solution for the unhealthy zone.
Patients themselves appreciate the selective procedure, since its cost is usually lower than what is required to pay for traditional manipulation.
The attending physician can refer you for an appointment, who will include massage in the complex treatment for the cervicothoracic region or any other area. But in most cases, people themselves understand that they need qualified support by contacting the massage parlor directly. In this scenario, a potential visitor should additionally undergo a small examination.
It will allow you to confirm concerns, make a diagnosis, and also level contraindications, if any.
Standard prohibitions on such a specific intervention include:
- acute infectious lesions;
- diseases that are sexually transmitted;
- various pathologies of the skin;
- edema;
- itching and redness;
- fever and elevated body temperature, meaning fever;
- malfunctions in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system;
- neoplasms.
The last point implies any localization, even if it is not included in the intended territory for massage. The reason lies in the high risk of accelerated tumor growth.
Execution algorithm
Regardless of whether the segmental-vegetative approach or some other approach is used, it is strictly forbidden to implement it on your own at home. With improper pressure, or it is impossible to control the force of pressure on a certain point, there is a possibility of injuring the skin and deep tissues. In the most successful scenario, bruises await the victim, and when trying to clumsily carry out a manual massage in dangerous proximity to the internal organs, this can disrupt their functionality.
Knowing how to do such a procedure does not yet mean the right to carry it out, experimenting on others. Only a qualified specialist with a specialized medical education, as well as a certificate confirming his skills, can engage in such activities.
Schematically, all types of such manipulations can be sorted according to the impact zone:
- shoulders with lower back;
- head in the area of hair growth;
- upper, lower limbs;
- stomach;
- both sides of the neck.
Even with a chest massage, a person will experience the characteristic sensations of relaxation and warmth spreading through the body. The exact amount of time required for the session will be announced by the doctor himself after studying the characteristics of his ward, assessing the future work front. At the same time, it is better to repeat the therapy so that previous efforts do not go down the drain, it is better every 3 months or even earlier if the state of health requires it.
Help for the cervicothoracic region
The segmental strategy implies the need not only to carry out movements intensively, but also with great effort, correctly distributing pressure. This is especially true, if necessary, to alleviate the symptoms of diseases with localization in the organs of the cervicothoracic region.
This type of intervention can be directed at diagnosing the following ailments in the victim:
- Chronical bronchitis;
- neurotic disorders associated with heart pain or heart muscle disease;
- after a recent myocardial infarction.
The technique also carries a preventive message, which is great for visitors who are prone to the listed diseases due to a genetic predisposition.
To achieve maximum relief for the muscles and tissues in the chest, the session should begin with the lower thoracic spine. Then the master rises higher to work out the places under the shoulder blades. If the patient came with cardiac diagnoses, then the emphasis for him will be on the left subscapularis. It all ends with rubbing the neck and the front of the sternum. Usually, about 25 minutes and a dozen visits to a specialist are enough to implement everything planned.
Recommendations at the end of the therapeutic cycle affect the repetition of visits after the period indicated by the doctor. You will also need to put into practice the basics of breathing exercises and special exercises in between doses. Only there will it be possible to eliminate reflex changes in the bud, achieving complete relief or at least a long-term remission in the chronic course of diseases.
Vertebral segment
The spine remains one of the most demanded segments for many years. He equally often suffers from children who do homework in the wrong position, and adults with great physical exertion or physical inactivity. To alleviate the suffering of scoliosis is obtained through massage with rhythmic movements without jerks. If you overdo it with intensity, then the patient will leave the office tired, knowing the whole range of painful sensations.
To knead the back for medicinal purposes, oil or any other concomitant means should not be used. In this case, do they reduce the sensitivity of soft tissues.
Instead, the specialist must build a gradual increase in intensity with pressure in order to penetrate into the deeper layers of the tissue.
For children, such pressure may seem especially painful, but redness and the appearance of heat in the worked area are indicators of a successful work. But cyanosis, the appearance of goosebumps, a strong pain syndrome – this is not included in the rules for conducting the correct procedure.
Massage is prescribed for the vertebrae in the following diseases:
- violations of the activity of the musculoskeletal system;
- scoliosis;
- myositis;
- sciatica;
- intervertebral hernia at the initial stage of development;
- osteochondrosis;
- radiculitis;
- spondyloarthrosis.
Intervention helps to solve some aesthetic problems when you need to get rid of small scars that have appeared for a long time. Muscular hypertonicity and hypotonicity are also a signal for making an appointment. Individual complexes are being carefully developed for those who have suffered a spinal injury, and have also become a victim of sprains or are suffering from back pain.
Impact on the lower back
To alleviate the condition of the lumbosacral region, experts prescribe a segmental massage of this area. It is designed to relieve muscle tension, as well as improve blood circulation, warm up muscles, muscles frozen in tension.
But for lumbar injuries, it is not recommended to use the technique, since careless movement can aggravate the clinical picture.
A proper lower back massage always begins with a slow warm-up, which involves zigzag, alternating movements. Kneading, stroking with vibration are designed to set the body in the right way.
Next, the specialist must determine the pain zone, using the tactics of longitudinal stroking. Also, kneading will affect the buttocks in order to qualitatively work out the reflexogenic points on the sacrum. Particular attention is paid to the alleged lesion, performing all actions with double caution.
Result and side effects
Only carrying out the procedure by a real pro will be able to bring the desired results without harm to health. Even people without significant pathologies noted the almost instantaneous anti-stress effect of segmental massage, which helps to relax the muscles that support the spine with adjacent bone structures.
If initially strong stimulation of a certain part of the body was positioned as a panacea for sports injuries, today ordinary people can use an almost miraculous strategy themselves. After completing the entire therapeutic course, they are expected to stabilize their autonomic function, activate the work of internal organs, and relieve acute pain.
An additional positive aspect here is the improvement in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. But all of the above can be achieved if the session was conducted by an experienced expert, and no shift of reflexes was noted at the end of the visit.
The latter include a number of side effects such as discomfort in the right hypochondrium, increased muscle tone in the upper chest when massaging the back.
Often, incorrect pressure on the sacrum leads to headaches in the back of the head, and when exposed to the lower back, the pain “wakes up” in the lower abdomen. Any non-standard manifestations should be immediately reported to the doctor in order to insure yourself against undesirable consequences.