Health benefits of massages. Medical aspects

Medical massage is a special method of helping our body to work better and feel better. This type of massage aims to help our body recover and keep it in good condition. Massage is done with hands and it helps to treat and alleviate various diseases.

This method began to be used in the 17th century, when scientists first realized how blood circulation works in our bodies. Since then, massage has become an important part of medicine. Now in many countries, such as Europe and China, massage is considered a full-fledged medical service and may even be covered by insurance.

Medical massage does a lot of good for our bodies:

• It helps you relax and relieves stress.
• Improves blood circulation and helps lymph to circulate better.
• Supports the functioning of the stomach and intestines.
• Helps to get rid of harmful substances in the body.
• It makes us calmer and more psychologically balanced.

Massage can help not only when we have some kind of illness, but also simply to prevent various health problems. It is important that massage focuses on muscles and joints, helping to relieve pain and improve overall well-being.

Only qualified professionals should do this massage. These are people who have studied medicine and know how to help the body properly. Your doctor may recommend such a massage if he or she sees that it will be beneficial to your health.

Medical massage on the advice of your doctor can help with a variety of conditions:

• Treats problems with bones and muscles, such as back pain, inflammation, arthritis, injuries, flat feet.
• Relieves joint pain and rheumatism.
• Helps to cope with edema due to lymphatic drainage.
• Supports the body after bruises and fractures, making tissues stronger and preparing them for recovery.
• It cares for the skin after surgery, making scars less noticeable.
• Prevents bedsores in those who lie down for a long time.
• It helps in case of respiratory diseases, such as bronchitis or asthma.
• In neurology, it helps in case of paralysis, improving movement.
• It is used in the treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system and other specific problems.

Before starting treatment, the physiotherapist carefully examines the patient's medical history and conducts an examination to choose the appropriate type of massage.

Massage is suitable for most people - from children to the elderly. It can soothe, energize, reduce stress, improve sleep, help with headaches, and improve blood circulation.

Benefits of medical massage:

• Few contraindications and side effects.
• Good efficiency and long-lasting results.
• The procedure is painless.

Massage helps to recover quickly from illnesses, saves time and money, returns to an active life and prevents chronic diseases by working with the root cause of the problem.

How does a therapeutic massage work?

Therapeutic massage can be done in different places: on a special massage table, on a futon lying on the floor, or in a comfortable chair. Usually, the masseur uses oil, gel, cream, or even talcum powder to make the massage more pleasant and effective. These products help to make the skin smooth and enhance the therapeutic effect. The session can last from 45 minutes to an hour and a half.

The massage begins with gentle strokes to warm up the muscles and improve the absorption of the massage product. Then you move on to more intense techniques, such as kneading and rubbing, and finish with light tapping on the skin.

Why therapeutic massage is useful

In recent years, therapeutic massage has become a real art with many proven health benefits:

• Improves blood circulation and lymph flow.
• Makes muscles stronger and more elastic, helps in case of weakness or spasms.
• Reduces muscle fatigue and helps to relax.
• Makes joints more mobile.
• Relieves back and muscle pain.
• Increases the flexibility of the body.
• Helps blood and nutrients reach organs and tissues better.
• Supports athletes by helping them recover from exercise.
• Increases energy and helps to focus.
• Reduces fatigue, stress and anxiety.
• It has a positive effect on digestion.
• Improves posture and coordination of movements.
• May help with high blood pressure.
• Improves the quality of sleep.
• Promotes rapid tissue recovery, reduces the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
• Causes the production of endorphins, which give a feeling of relaxation and happiness.
• It helps in case of back pain, abdominal pain, headache.
• Improves skin condition.

Massage really makes life better. It helps us sleep well, gives us strength and keeps us in good shape. It is not only pleasant, but also useful, because massage makes the body feel younger and more energetic. This is especially important for those who work out a lot - massage helps you recover faster after sports.

Nowadays, massages are so diverse that there is something suitable for you: whether you are pregnant, have a child, are sick, or just prefer to relax in a chair.

• Massage after childbirth. It helps mothers get back in shape faster after giving birth, relieving fatigue and pain.
• Massage for premature babies. Massage has been shown to help babies born prematurely gain weight and develop properly.
• Massage for calmness. If you're often nervous, a relaxing massage is what you need. It helps you calm down and cope with stress better.
• Abdominal massage. If you have digestive problems or constipation, abdominal massage can help relieve your condition and make digestion easier.
• Massage for ADHD: For those who are easily distracted and cannot sit still, massage can help you become more focused and calm.

Massages and their different types

Classical massage, also called Swedish massage, is the most famous type of massage that helps muscles and joints feel better. There are other types of massages, each with its own special task: there is a massage that focuses on specific parts of the body, another on the connection between muscles and skin, another on the bones under the skin, or helps to improve lymph flow, improves organ function, or even affects specific points on the body.

California massage is a special type that looks at the whole person, combining many approaches, including psychology and art, to help not only the body but also the soul.

Shiatsu is a Chinese massage that works by pressing on special points on the body to improve health and energy.

The classic massage is done to help muscles relax, joints become stronger, and generally improve well-being. It includes various strokes, such as stroking, rubbing, light vibration, and kneading, which help blood and lymph circulate better, remove toxins, and help the nervous system work properly.

Segmental reflexology massage is when you combine a regular massage with the impact on certain areas near the spine to better nourish the nerves associated with internal organs.

Connective tissue massage (or, as it is also called, myofascial release) is aimed at improving the condition of connective tissues. The masseur presses on special points to improve the movement and function of internal organs.

Bone massage focuses on the bones, especially where the bones meet the muscles and skin. The masseur presses on specific points, helping to relieve pain and tension in these areas.

Acupressure is an ancient massage technique that helps the energy in the body flow better. By pressing on specific points on the body, the massage makes sure that the energy reaches the right places, helping the organs to work better. This type of massage is often performed by specialists who know a lot about how our bodies work.

Lymphatic drainage massage helps to get rid of excess water in the body. It is especially good when the legs are tired and swollen, as well as in various diseases when a lot of fluid accumulates in the body. The massage is done gently to encourage the lymph to move faster.

Massage with the help of devices. There are several types: vacuum, vibration, special cans and rollers. Different machines use these methods to make the massage even better. They help muscles relax and improve blood flow, which makes the body healthier.

Can massage is a method that uses cans that create a vacuum to improve blood circulation and lymphatic function. This helps the body recover, improves the immune system, and helps with a variety of conditions, including lung problems and obesity.

Vacuum massage is similar to cupping massage, but it is faster and more gentle so as not to injure the skin.

Vibration massage is usually combined with roller massage for the best effect. Vibrations help muscles relax and improve blood flow, relieving fatigue and tension.

Different ways to do therapeutic massage

Therapeutic massage combines different actions on the body to improve health. These actions are aimed at working with muscles, ligaments, and other tissues, making them more flexible and relieving tension, as if a person were exercising.

Here are some key ways to do this:

• Stroking. This is the initial and final stage of the massage, which helps to relax. It is done gently and calmly, directed to the heart, to help the body relax and prepare for more intense activities. This method also helps to cleanse the skin.
• Kneading. This method requires more effort and consists of lifting and working the tissues in detail, using mainly the thumbs. This improves blood flow and helps muscles relax, and body tissues become softer and more elastic.
• Rubbing. This is an intensive part of the massage, where the main goal is to make the tissues softer and stretched. The masseur actively works with the tissues, not sliding on the skin, but moving and stretching it in different directions.
• Percussion (tapping). This technique improves muscle tone and blood circulation, and has an analgesic effect. It consists of rhythmic strokes on the body, which can speed up and slow down over time.
• Vibration. Gentle pressure on tissues with hands or fingers creates vibrations that affect nerve endings and body systems. Vibrations can be of different strengths, from weak to strong, affecting muscles in different ways.
• Shiatsu (pressure). A technique that alternates pressure and moments of relaxation on certain parts of the body using the thumbs. This method helps to improve energy circulation and ease tension.

Important things to know before a massage: how to avoid risks

Massage is usually safe for most people, but there are some things you should pay attention to. For example, in people with high blood pressure, massage can cause changes in heart function. Therefore, those who suffer from hypertension should approach massage with caution, choosing techniques that will not aggravate the condition.

If you have vascular problems, such as atherosclerosis or diabetes, veins that are inflamed, or varicose veins, it is best to consult a doctor first.

Here's what else you should remember to avoid harming yourself:

• Do not massage areas with infections, fresh wounds, or inflammation.
• Avoid massage in case of acute injuries, fresh fractures, nerve problems due to hernias, or in case of thrombosis.
• Be careful if you have scars that have not yet healed, very thin or sensitive skin, hardened tissue, skin grafts, cancerous tumors, or muscle inflammation.

You should be especially careful if you have had spinal injuries. Manual influence can aggravate the condition.

Massage can be dangerous if you have tumors in your back, metastases or other neoplasms. In these cases, massage can trigger the growth of tumors.

People with chronic pain or mental illnesses should also approach massage with caution.