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Face and neck massage

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
 
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History. Massage originated in ancient times as one of the means of folk medicine. The origin of the word itself is explained in different ways. Some philologists believe that the term comes from the French verb "masser" - to rub, which, in turn, is borrowed from the Arabic language: "mass" - to touch, to feel or "maschs" - to press gently. Others believe that the word "massage" has roots in Sanskrit ("makch" - to touch), Greek ("masso" - to squeeze with hands), Latin ("massae - to stick to fingers) and Old Russian ("mashasha" - to feel).

Massage was widespread in the countries of the Ancient East, in particular Ancient China. Literary sources indicate that massage was known there as early as the 25th century BC. Massage was known among the Arabs in the 12th-15th centuries BC. A huge contribution to the spread and development of massage was made by the physician and philosopher Ibn Sina (Avicenna). He created a classification of massage (strong, weak, preparatory, restorative). Then massage began to spread to neighboring countries - Persia, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia. The ancient Greeks used therapeutic, sports and hygienic massage, calling these types "apitherapy". Their first promoters were Herodikos and Hippocrates. Interest in massage revived in the 14th-15th centuries after the publication in Europe of works on human anatomy. The Italian scientist of the 16th century Mercurialis, in his multi-volume study “The Art of Gymnastics,” systematized the works of scientists of past centuries and described new massage techniques.

A major role in the development of therapeutic and health massage in the early 19th century was played by Peter Henry Ling, the founder of the Swedish system of massage and gymnastics. Since the mid-19th century, works on massage techniques have appeared in many European countries, in which the authors attempt to scientifically substantiate the effect of massage on various organs and systems of the body. Indications and contraindications for its use are developed, massage techniques are described. A significant role in rethinking the technique of massage, the classification of its techniques belongs to French doctors. Russian doctors also played a significant role in the development and scientific substantiation of the use of massage. At the end of the 19th century, centers for training specialists in therapeutic massage emerged in Russia. A school of massage was founded by E. I. Zalesova (in St. Petersburg), K. G. Solovyov (in Moscow). The introduction of massage into clinics, hospitals, and beauty salons was facilitated by the works of N. V. Sletov.

The greatest merit in the development of the theory and practice of massage at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries belongs to the Russian scientist I. V. Zabludovsky. I consider him the founder of domestic hygienic massage. The mechanism of action of therapeutic massage for oily skin and plastic massage was explained in his works by Professor A. I. Pospelov. At present, a significant role in the development of practical massage is played by N. A. Belaya, V. I. Dubrovsky, A. A. Biryukov, V. I. Vasichkin, V. N. Fokin and others.

Massage is a set of special techniques that provide a measured mechanical and reflex effect on human tissues and organs, performed by the hands of a massage therapist or special devices and carried out for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

All types of manual massage are based on mechanical movements. The irritations they cause through nerve endings are transmitted to the brain and reflexively cause changes in various tissues and organs of the human body.

The effect of massage on the body is varied. The effect of massage on the skin is that horny scales are removed from the skin, the inflow of arterial blood to the massaged area and the area closest to it increases, due to which the local temperature increases, the blood supply to the tissues improves, and enzymatic processes are enhanced. Under the influence of massage, the flow of venous blood and lymph increases, which in turn helps to reduce edema and congestion not only in the area of the massaged area, but also on the periphery. The basis for the activation of microcirculation is the mechanical effect on the skin, mainly due to the capture of the fold (pinch mechanism). It is the mechanical work that allows not only to increase the outflow of the lymphatic component, but also to activate the inflow of arterial blood. Improved skin respiration, increased secretion of the skin glands help to remove metabolic products from the body. Under the influence of massage, the release of histamine and acetylcholine increases, which creates favorable conditions for muscle activity, accelerating the transmission of nervous excitation from one element to another.

By affecting numerous skin receptors, massage causes a response from the body, which can be different (from calming to excitement, from inhibition to toning) depending on the techniques used, the strength, duration and pace of their impact.

The skin is the first to perceive the irritation produced by various massage techniques. In addition to the skin flap, depending on the depth and strength of the impact, massage has a direct effect on the lymphatic system, venous, nervous system, muscular system, as well as internal organs and tissues.

Classification

There are several schools of massage.

European. Includes those massage practices where, with the help of knowledge of anatomy and physiology, through palpation, it is possible to influence various systems and organs. This is work with what is visible and understandable, how and in what way it functions.

In the domestic school of massage, there are 3 main massage techniques - classical (hygienic), therapeutic and plastic massage. There are several lymphatic drainage techniques that were initially widespread in France, Spain and are currently used in Russia. Also, Spanish massage techniques have recently become widespread - chiromassage and neurosedative massage.

Eastern. Eastern techniques are based on knowledge of energy points, biologically active points, chakras. According to them, the human body is permeated with certain energy channels that conduct different types of energy through themselves, responsible for the proper functioning of each organ. Types of Eastern techniques - Ayurvedic massage, shiatsu, Thai massage, Tibetan massage, reflex foot massage. The main types of cosmetic facial massage:

  • classic (hygienic),
  • plastic,
  • medicinal,
  • lymphatic drainage,
  • chiromassage,
  • neurosedative,
  • segmental-reflex,
  • self-massage.

Massage methods:

  • manual,
  • hardware,
  • combined.

Classic (hygienic) massage of the face, neck, and décolleté is performed using a special massage product (oil or cream) containing various active substances.

Indications for the procedure:

  1. Aging skin of the face and neck.
  2. Weakened facial muscle tone.
  3. Dysfunction of the sebaceous glands (decreased sebum secretion activity).
  4. Pastosity and swelling of the soft tissues of the face.
  5. Fine-wrinkle type of aging
  6. Deformational type of aging.
  7. Photoaging

Massage is used for facial nerve paresis, neurasthenic conditions in women, hypertension stage I-II, vegetative-vascular dystonia with a tendency to increase blood pressure in cerebrovertebral insufficiency, spondyloarthrosis and osteochondrosis of the cervical and thoracic spine.

Contraindications

General:

  • Cardiovascular diseases:
    • acute inflammatory diseases of the myocardium and membranes of the heart;
    • rheumatism in the active phase;
    • heart valve defects in the stage of decompensation and aortic defects with a predominance of aortic stenosis;
    • circulatory failure grade II-III;
    • coronary insufficiency;
    • arrhythmia;
    • hypertension stage III;
    • late stages of atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels with symptoms of chronic cerebral circulatory insufficiency stage III;
    • vasculitis;
    • thrombolytic diseases of peripheral arteries.
  • Inflammation of the lymph nodes and vessels.
  • Blood diseases.
  • Diseases of the autonomic nervous system during exacerbation.
  • Tuberculosis, active form.
  • Acute febrile conditions, high body temperature.
  • Acute inflammatory processes
  • Thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism) during decompensation
  • Oncological diseases before their surgical treatment.
  • Excessive mental or physical fatigue.
  • General severe conditions associated with various diseases and injuries.

Local:

  • Neuritis of the facial nerves in the acute stage.
  • Causalgic syndrome after peripheral nerve injury.
  • Violation of the integrity of the skin.
  • Pyoderma of any localization.
  • Fungal diseases of the skin and scalp in the acute stage.
  • Viral dermatoses in the acute stage (herpes, molluscum contagiosum, etc.).
  • Diseases of the facial skin in the acute stage:
    • acne;
    • rosacea;
    • psoriasis;
    • atopic dermatitis;
    • perioral dermatitis.
  • Hypertrichosis

The massage duration is 30-40 minutes (at least 15 minutes for patients with a tendency to lower blood pressure).

Purpose of massage

The procedures are carried out every other day or twice a week. Depending on the patient's age, the number of procedures during the course and the number of courses per year varies. Preventive massage is prescribed from 23-25 years. Up to 30-35 years, it is recommended to carry out 2 courses of massage per year with 10-15 procedures each, after the course - maintenance procedures once every 15-30 days. Starting from 35 years, it is recommended to carry out 2-3 courses per year with 15-20 procedures.

Basic massage techniques used in classical massage

When performing massage, five basic techniques are used:

  1. stroking;
  2. trituration;
  3. kneading;
  4. beating;
  5. vibration.

All movements are performed rhythmically, counting to 4 or 8.

Stroking is one of the most frequently used movements. It is used to begin and end a massage. Stroking is a rhythmic movement in which the hand slides over the surface of the skin with varying degrees of pressure, without displacing the skin and underlying tissues relative to each other. Depending on the force of pressure, stroking can have a calming or stimulating effect on the nervous system. For example, superficial soft stroking calms, while deep pressing excites. All types of stroking should be done slowly and rhythmically, with the palmar surface in one direction. Possible mistakes should be avoided when performing stroking:

  • strong pressure that causes painful, unpleasant sensations in the patient;
  • a sudden movement performed at a fast pace, which results in either loose contact of the hands with the skin or displacement of the skin and underlying tissues instead of sliding over it.

Rubbing is a technique in which the hand does not slide over the skin, but shifts it, shifting and stretching it in different directions. Rubbing is performed more intensively than stroking. It is performed with the palmar surface of the fingertips or the back of the middle 1st phalanges of the 2nd-5th fingers, bent into a fist. Rubbing has a deep effect on the tissues and is a preparation for kneading. The rubbing technique can be different - circular movements, zigzag movements, "sawing". "Sawing" is most often used in the presence of fatty deposits under the chin, as well as when working in the cervical region, back, while the movement is performed simultaneously with both hands with the elbow edge of the hands, located at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other. It is illiterate to rub with sliding over the skin instead of shifting it; At the same time, painful unpleasant sensations should be avoided and care should be taken to ensure that rubbing is carried out with fingers bent at the interphalangeal joints, and not straight, which can be painful for the patient.

Kneading is one of the main techniques in massage, which involves fixation, capture of the massaged muscle, its compression and deep working. Kneading acts more deeply. To achieve the best effect, this technique should be performed slowly.

Tapping is a massage technique that consists of a series of abrupt blows with the terminal phalanges of the fingers. Tapping is performed by continuously moving fingers of both hands simultaneously, while the hands, having touched the massaged area, immediately move away from it. When performing this movement, it is important to ensure that the hand is relaxed, the movement of the hand is performed in the wrist joint. A variation of tapping is staccato, in which the fingers do not work simultaneously, but sequentially, one after the other.

A more energetic type of tapping is tapping with all fingers at the same time, which is used on obese people with fatty deposits.

Vibration is a massage technique in which the palmar surfaces of the hands make quick oscillatory movements either on a limited area or gradually moving over the entire surface being treated. Vibration is produced by the palmar surface of the hands or the fingertips, straining the muscles of the forearm and shoulder, while the hand should remain relaxed.

The main movements during massage are combined and performed in a clearly defined sequence. To achieve the best effect, it is necessary to follow certain rules for performing massage:

  1. Massage movements should be directed from the bottom up and from the center to the periphery.
  2. The massage should begin with soft and gentle movements, their intensity (speed and pressure) should be increased gradually, and reduced towards the end of the session.
  3. The movements of the hands should be smooth and rhythmic to a certain count (4, 8). All movements are repeated 3 times.
  4. Massage movements should not shift or stretch the skin, the movements should be sliding, slightly pressing.
  5. At the end of each exercise, it is necessary to perform a light fixation, which creates a feeling of calm and relaxation.
  6. During the massage, it is not recommended to take your hands off the skin of your face and neck, or make abrupt transitions from the forehead to the chin.
  7. The strength and intensity of the massage should be done taking into account the facial lines, age, condition of the skin and facial muscles of the patient.
  8. Facial massage should only cause pleasant sensations in the patient.
  9. During the facial massage, the patient should not talk, the facial muscles should be relaxed.
  10. Immediately after a massage, it is not recommended to go outside during the cold season.

Massage technique

Classic cosmetic massage consists of several mandatory stages.

  1. massage of the back of the neck and shoulder girdle;
  2. actually classical massage:
    1. facial massage;
    2. massage of the front surface of the neck.

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