Learn its basics is not so difficult, for this it is enough to know four basic techniques: stroking, rubbing, kneading and squeezing. By intensity of impact, they are divided into deep (kneading) and medium-deep (rubbing, stroking and squeezing). There are also such techniques as vibration and shock.
Stroking
Stroking with a massage of the thoracic spine is considered to be the most sparing of all massage techniques. For this reason, they usually start and end the session. In addition, stroking is used to relax the muscles after shock techniques. A good sign is the redness of the skin, as it indicates an increase in blood circulation. Due to this, more oxygen enters the muscle and skin cells, and harmful substances are withdrawn from there more quickly. Stroking also favorably affects the nerve endings, making the painful sensations more muted. Soothing effect is achieved only with superficial stroking. The deeper it is, the more exciting it is to the body. This can, on the contrary, intensify the pain in the back.
When performing stroking, the brush, like the whole arm, should be relaxed, four fingers are gathered together, and the big one is maximally set aside. The more skin you will be able to capture during the massage, the more effective the result will be. You should start with a slight stroking and gradually strengthen it, making it deeper. If the pain begins to increase, it means that you are trying too hard. The number of massage movements should be approximately 20-25 per minute. Try to make them smooth, gliding, so that the hands just touch the surface, not shifting the muscles. During massage the palm should adjoin densely to a skin. Stroking, which is flat and girth, in the direction of movement is divided into several varieties: rectilinear, combined, gable, transverse and ironing. In addition to these, some specialists also distinguish a circular, zigzag, concentric, spiral, grably, cruciform and comb-like stroking. The impact of these varieties of stroking on the body (including with back pain) has its own characteristics.
Planar stroking
This kind of massage is ideal for use on the back and thoracic spine, and other even areas. The position that hands should have when performing a planar stroking. In this case, the massaging can be carried out by either one or both hands, in the longitudinal and transverse direction, and also in a circle or along a spiral.
Bracing stroking
This technique is more suitable for convex areas (buttocks, upper and lower extremities, neck, etc.), to a lesser extent - with acute pain in the back, first of all - from the sides and at the waist. Embracing stroking is done by a relaxed brush with the thumb pointed aside. The movements performed during massage can be either continuous or intermittent. It is important only that the massaged area is densely covered with a brush. If you perform stroking at once with both hands, try to make sure that their movements are parallel and rhythmic. If on the back under the surface of the skin there is a significant layer of fat, it is recommended to perform a massage with a so-called burdened brush (with weights). This means that one hand is placed on top of the other to create additional pressure.
Straight stroking
With rectilinear stroking, an open palm is used, which is pressed firmly against the massaged surface. To do this, the brush should be relaxed, and fingers, on the contrary, are compressed, except for the large one, which is diverted to the side. When performing sliding movements, the index and ring fingers are used.
Combined stroking
This kind of massage got its name due to a combination of longitudinal, zigzag and spiral movements that are performed continuously and immediately in several directions.
Straight (longitudinal) stroking
When performing this type of massage, the thumb is removed as far as possible to the side, and the brush is positioned along the direction of future movements. For the massage, the fingertips are used. Straight stroking can be performed with one hand or two at a time (in the latter case, massage movements are done alternately).
Tongue-like stroking
Usually pierced stroking is used pointwise, when you need to massage a small group of muscles or a tendon separately. This technique is also effective for affecting the foci of pain. When performing a piercing stroking, the middle, index and thumbs are to be folded "with a pinch," and by grasping the desired part of the body with them, massage it with rectilinear movements.
Cross stroking
This type of massage is best suited for the lumbar region of the back, as well as the chest, abdomen and thighs. Transverse stroking can be performed both in a planar and girth fashion. Both hands are used, the movements of which go up and down alternately, and the brushes must be at right angles to the massaged muscle. The further aside the thumb, the greater the touch area, and hence the more effective the massage.
Ironing
This technique is considered among the most light and gentle. For this reason, it is recommended for a child's massage. Ironing is effective not only for the back: it is used for the massage of the most sensitive parts of the body, such as the face, neck, feet, etc., as well as internal organs (with weights). The fingers should be bent at an angle of 90 °. If a massage with weights is used, then the wrist is compressed into a fist and another hand is placed over it.
Zigzag stroking
In this case, the masseur makes a brush with zigzag movements, which should be fast and at the same time smooth. As a result, because of the flow of blood, there is a pleasant sensation of warmth, and pain is dulled by a soothing effect on the central nervous system. The pressure force with which zigzag stroking is performed can vary.
Spiral-like stroking
This kind of massage reminds the previous one in that light, sliding movements are performed without tension. The difference is that their trajectory should look like a spiral. Due to the fact that spiral stroking is accompanied by an exciting effect, it should be used with caution in case of acute pain in the back.
Circular stroking
This technique is ideal for small joints. Circular movements can be performed both clockwise (right hand) and against it (left hand), but necessarily - with the help of the palm base and towards the little finger.
Concentric stroking
This kind of stroking, used mainly for massaging large joints, in many ways resembles the one described above. The difference between them lies in the fact that the circular motions are performed at once with both brushes, located close to each other. In this case, the thumbs are affected by the outer surface of the joint, and the rest by the inner surface. The resultant movement is reminiscent of the figure eight. As for the pressure, at first it is strengthened, and towards the end it is gradually weakened. After the end of the cycle, you should return your palms to the starting point and repeat all over again.
Comb-like stroking
To perform the comb-like stroking, the protrusions formed when the fingers are bent in the phalanx are used. The main thing is that they do not press each other too tightly and are half-relaxed. This method is best suited for deep massaging of large muscles located in the region of the back and pelvis, especially if they are hidden under a layer of fat. In this case, a massage with weights is recommended.
Graceful stroking
This kind of massage is usually used in case you do not need to touch the damaged or especially painful parts of the spine. Grablyobraznoe stroking performed splayed and fully straightened fingers, which should be perpendicular to the massed surface. Carrying out the massage with both hands, pay attention to the fact that their movements are parallel and consistent.
Cross-stroking
This massage is used in most cases as one of the means of rehabilitation, as well as for the prevention of pressure sores. To do this, the brushes are connected to the lock and cover the massaged area of the thoracic spine.
Trituration
When carrying out a full massage after stroking, you should usually rub it, the effect of which on the tissue is deeper. This is due to the fact that when rubbing, they are displaced and stretched. Therefore, fingers and palms no longer glide over the surface: now they must penetrate deep into the interior, causing a rush of blood to the muscles and skin. As a result, not only improves the supply of tissues with oxygen and nutrients, but toxins are also removed faster, which leads to a reduction in painful sensations. In addition, rubbing has a calming effect on the nervous system. As an independent reception it is rarely used. Typically, grinding serves to prepare for kneading or combined with stroking, especially in those areas where there are external injuries or pathological formations (tumors, abscesses, etc.). Experts recommend to perform from 60 to 100 movements per minute, while trying not to linger for a long time on the same site (this can lead to increased pain).
It is customary to distinguish the following varieties of grinding:
- rubbing with the fingers, which can be rectilinear, circular and spiral:
- rubbing the palm of the hand (dashing, planing, sawing and crossing);
- rubbing the base of the brush.
In addition, separately isolated gum-like, comb-like and grape-like grinding.
Rubbing with the fingers
This type of grinding is versatile, because it is suitable for both point massage (face, intercostal spaces, individual joints and tendons), and for massaging the entire back. In this case, the pads of the fingers and the base of the palm are involved, and the thumb acts as a support. Another option involves the use of rubbing the small pads of the thumbs. In this case, the remaining fingers should be placed in the massaged area. The third option is to use for massage phalanx fingers with a grip. If you used both hands to massage, care should be taken to ensure that their movements occur in parallel. Also you can use burdening. The direction in which the grinding is performed depends primarily on the type of the surface being massed (its shape, the presence of scars, edema, various neoplasms, etc.). Specialists distinguish rectilinear (can be produced both in the longitudinal and transverse direction), as well as circular and spiraling grinding.
Straight-line grinding
It is best suited for massaging joints, as well as small muscles located on the face, hands and feet. When you perform it, you usually use the pads of one or more fingers.
Round grinding
In this case, use the back side of the half-bent fingers or their pads (in the latter case, the base of the palm or thumb is the support). It is the circular movements, performed alternately with the use of both hands, are best suited for back massage.
Spiral grinding
This technique is performed with a brush clenched into a fist, or with a palm base, one hand with weights or both at once. It is recommended for massaging the back and other flat surfaces (abdomen, chest, etc.).
Rubbing the edge of the palm
It is believed that the best way this massage is suitable for large joints such as the shoulder, hip or knee. However, it can be successfully applied to other parts of the body, including the back. It should only be borne in mind that in this case, the support part of the brush is used for grinding. As for the direction of movements, they can be rectilinear, circular and spiral.
Shading
The main task of this method is to increase the elasticity of tissues, and hence their mobility. First of all, it is used to influence scars of various origin, postoperative adhesions, etc. As a remedy for acute back pain, stroke is considered relatively ineffective, its positive effect is manifested only in a certain decrease in sensitivity, which gives an analgesic effect (and even then only at precisely calculated dosage of effort). When hatching, the pads of the middle and index fingers are used (sometimes large ones are added to them). The fingers should be straightened and be some distance from each other. The angle between them and the massaged surface is approximately 30 °.
Planing
Planing refers to the number of auxiliary techniques used to massage those skin areas that are affected by eczema or psoriasis, and also have large scars. Use planing for acute pain in the back is not recommended, because of the exciting effect it causes, discomfort can only increase. Straightened fingers are folded together, pressed with pads to the body and gradually displaced. You should pay extra attention to the fact that the brushes moved consistently, one by one.
Sawing
This type of massage is best suited for affecting large groups of muscles, including dorsal muscles. When cutting, use the elbow edge of the brush. The technique of sawing, produced by one or both hands, is somewhat different. In the first case, the movements occur in the forward-backward direction. In the second case, the brush is arranged so that the palms facing each other and located at a distance of several centimeters move in opposite directions.
Crossing
For back massage, such a technique as crossing is also often used. When it is performed, the main part is played by the ray part of the brush, and the thumb should be taken to the side as far as possible. Crossing can be done with one hand, or both. In the first case, it is enough to perform rhythmic movements from oneself to yourself, in the second one, they put it in the same way as sawing and produce them back and forth movements, why the massed tissues are displaced.
Tongue grinding
This method is best suited for massaging the ears, nose, tendons, small joints and the mouse. Grape-like grinding is usually used for massaging areas with varicose veins, scalp, intercostal spaces. With strong pain in the back, this technique is practically not used. Movement can be rectilinear, zigzag, circular or spiral.
Kneading
Professionals consider this massage method to be the main one, as it allows to work on deeply lying muscle layers. It is for this reason that kneading usually takes about half of the entire session. The more relaxed will be the massaged muscles, the better the final effect. It is achieved by capturing tissues and pressing them against the bones (to strengthen the therapeutic effect it is recommended to use burdening, placing one hand on the other). In this case, the thumbs, the pads of the others, and also the palm are used. Massaging is done by short, sliding movements. In general, they resemble a kind of "squeezing" the skin. To avoid the appearance of pain or not to strengthen them, experts advise starting with light movements and gradually increasing their intensity. The recommended number of massage movements is 50-60 per minute. Try to avoid sudden movements, in which the brushes slip off the body, and the massaged tissues are twisted. It should be smooth and continuous move your hands in the direction of the tendon and back, without letting go of the muscle. Like other massage techniques, kneading is divided into longitudinal and transverse. In addition, it has several more varieties, including the following:
- ordinary;
- gable-shaped;
- circular;
- double ordinary;
- double neck;
- double annular;
- double ring combined;
- double annular longitudinal;
- kneading with a roll.
Longitudinal kneading
Before embarking on this method, the hands should be properly positioned: the fingers are straightened, the large one is on the opposite side of the massaged area. Now lift the muscle and, pulling it, begin kneading movements that should be directed from the edge to the center. Take care that your fingers tightly grasp the muscle and do not let it out for a second. The pressure, going first to the side of the thumb, should gradually shift towards the others. Due to this, its uniformity is ensured. If you use both hands, you should pay attention to that they move alternately, one after the other. Another way is to mash with intermittent movements, in a leap. This allows you to bypass damaged skin areas or hot spots.
Transverse kneading
This technique has its name due to the fact that the hands at its implementation are at a right angle to the massaged muscle. The thumbs should be close to each other on the opposite side of the massaged area. Kneading can be performed either alternately or simultaneously. In the latter case, you should move the muscle in one or the other direction, using both hands at once. With alternate transverse kneading, the movements of one hand must occur in the direction toward themselves, and the other from themselves. These massage techniques described above will help you to always stay healthy, and your back will be strong and sturdy. Now we know what are the methods of massage of the thoracic spine.