Massage of the back of the neck

Massage of the back of the neck is a mandatory step in classical massage. It helps to normalize the outflow of venous blood and lymph and arterial pressure. The effect of the massage is enhanced if the patient makes uniform, deep, but not forced breathing movements. It is performed either on talc or on a massage product (cream, oil). The duration of the massage is 5-7 minutes. The patient is either in a sitting position, head slightly lowered, shoulders relaxed; or the patient's position is semi-sitting, with a slightly tilted back head resting on the headrest of the couch for the best relaxation of the neck muscles.

Massage technique

1. Stroking the sides of the neck.

Initial position - I fingers are located under the mastoid processes; the rest are adjacent to the corners of the lower jaw. Half-bent palms embrace the neck and smoothly fall on the shoulders, back, connecting at the corners of the shoulder blades. Count to 4.

The movement is repeated 3-4 times.

2. Kneading the muscles of the neck from behind. Performed with the palmar surfaces of the first fingers of both hands, starting at the level of the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, the second and third fingers are fixed in the area of the middle of the clavicles.

The movement begins from the 7th cervical vertebra along the spinal column (at a distance of 2 cm from the spinal column) with kneading circular movements upward to the base of the skull. Count to 8.

You can perform the movement alternately with the palmar surfaces of the second fingers.

In the area where the greater occipital nerve exits, perform kneading circular movements with fingers II-V. Count to 4.

Then, with less force, knead the area of the mastoid process. Count to 4.

Repeat the movement 3 times.

3. Stroking the lateral surfaces of the neck. After kneading, repeat 3 times (1st movement).
4. Circular kneading of the neck muscles from behind

The movement is performed with the bent middle interphalangeal surfaces of the II-V fingers in the same direction as movement 2. Count to 8.

In the area of the exit of the greater occipital nerve and the mastoid process, kneading is performed with the bent middle phalanges of the II-III fingers. Count to 4.

Next, from the mammillary processes, the palms of the hands embrace the neck and with stroking movements go down to the shoulders along the jugular vein. Count to 4.

5. Stroking the lateral surfaces of the neck. Repeat 3 times and move on to the next movement.
6. Stretching the muscles of the shoulder girdle.

Circular kneading movements are performed with the back of the fingers bent into a fist along the trapezius muscle, starting from the shoulder joints, moving upward along the lateral surfaces of the neck to the mammillary processes. Downward - stroking movement. Count to 8.

Repeat 3 times.

The kneading of the neck muscles should be more gentle than that of the shoulder girdle.

7. Stroking the lateral surfaces of the neck. Repeat 3 times.
8. "Sawing" the muscles of the shoulder girdle.

Using the ribs of the left and right arms, parallel to each other, "sawing" the muscles, starting from the right shoulder joint, reaching the mammillary processes, and returning back. Count to 8.

Then move along the back to the left shoulder. Count to 8.

From the left shoulder joint, repeat the "sawing" movement as on the right side. Count to 8.

Then return along the back to the right shoulder and repeat everything 3 times.

9. Stroking the sides of the neck.

The movement is repeated 3 times.

10. "Chopping" the muscles of the shoulder girdle.

Carry out the strokes with the side surfaces of the hands in the same directions as the "sawing". Count to 8.

The movement is repeated 3 times.

The hands should be as relaxed as possible, the hand moves in the wrist joint. If the hand is tense, the patient may experience lateral sensations.

11. Stroking the side of the neck.

Repeat 3 times.

Facial massage technique

Facial massage is performed sequentially, in the direction of the massage lines on the face.

Massage lines of the face:

1. Along the front surface of the neck - from bottom to top, along the sides - from top to bottom.
2. From the middle of the chin to the earlobes.
3. From the corners of the mouth to the middle of the ears (tragus).
4. From the wings of the nose to the temporal cavities.
5. From the inner corner of the eye to the outer along the upper eyelid and in the opposite direction along the lower eyelid.
6. From the middle of the forehead to the temporal hollows.
7. Movements that increase venous outflow.

Initial position - the palmar surfaces of the II-V fingers of the hands are fixed under the lower jaw. The first fingers are located on both sides of the bridge of the nose.

• A. At the same time, fingers I go down, and fingers II-V go up to the corner of the lower jaw, where they join in a "pinch". Then move your hands to the earlobe (in a "pinch"). Count to 4.
• B. Stroking with the palmar surfaces of the II-V fingers down the lateral surfaces of the neck to the middle of the collarbone, the décolleté area, then to the starting position to the earlobe. Finish the movement with a light fixation. Count to 4.

The movement is repeated 3 times.

NB! It is important to ensure that the movement of the first fingers takes place taking into account the anatomical course of the venous vessels, i.e. next to the nasolabial fold at a distance of approximately 0.5 cm, but not along it.

2. Stroking the front surface of the chest and neck.

Starting position: II-V fingers at the earlobe.

• A. The palmar surfaces of the II-V fingers are moved towards each other under the lower jaw to the middle of the chin, then they grab it and fix it with light pressure, while the II fingers are located under the lower lip, and the III-V - under the chin ("fork"), after which they again return to the earlobe. Count to 4.
• B. Stroking with the palmar surfaces of the II-V fingers down the lateral surfaces of the neck, to the middle of the collarbone, the décolleté area, then to the starting position to the earlobe. At the end of the movement - light fixation. Count to 4.

The exercise is repeated 3 times.

3. Stroking the chin ("double fork"). Continuation of the previous exercise.

Starting position: II-V fingers at the earlobe.

The palmar surfaces of the II-V fingers move towards each other under the lower jaw, grasp the chin and upper lip in such a way that the II fingers are located on the upper lip, the III - in the mental fossa, the IV and V - under the chin with light fixation ("double fork"), then the hands return to the middle of the auricles (to the tragus). Count to 4.

Repeat the exercise 3 times.

NB! Do not bend the hand into a “house” shape; stroking is performed with the entire palm surface.

4. Stroking the orbicularis oris muscle.

Starting position: II-V fingers at the middle of the auricle (tragus). Alternately make movements around the mouth with the right and left hand. In this case, the II finger strokes the skin above the upper lip, and the III finger - under the lower lip, then connecting at the corners of the mouth. Count to 4.

Repeat the exercise 3 times.

NB! Stroking is done with the entire palm surface, not with the fingertips.

After this, from the corners of the mouth, the hands are simultaneously directed again towards the tragus of the auricles.

5. Stroking the suborbital area.

Starting position: the pads of the third and fourth fingers are at the bridge of the nose.

Light stroking movements are performed with the 3rd and 4th fingers from the bridge of the nose under the zygomatic arch to the temporal cavities, where the fingers are also added and light pressure is applied - fixation.

The movement is done easily, without pressure. Count to 4.

Repeat the exercise 3 times.

6. Stroking the upper and lower eyelids.

Initial position: the pads of the fourth fingers are in the area of the temporal cavities.

• A. Stroking movements are performed simultaneously with both hands, from the temples along the lower eyelid to the inner corner of the eye and then along the upper eyelid to the outer corner of the eye. The movement is continuous. Count to 4. Repeat 3 times.
• B. "Eight". Alternately stroke the eyelids in the shape of an "eight" with the pads of the fourth fingers of the right and left hands. Count to 8.

Repeat the movement 3 times.

7. Stroking the orbicularis oculi muscles.

This movement is performed with the pads of the fourth fingers simultaneously with both hands.

From the temporal cavity, the fingers move along the lower eyelid to the inner corner of the eye, then a light pressure is applied under the eyebrow at the exit point of the orbital branch of the trigeminal nerve, after which the third finger is attached, which is located above the eyebrow, and the hands again return to the temporal cavity.

Finish the movement by lightly fixing the III and IV fingers in the temporal region. Count to 4.

The exercise is repeated 3 times.

NB! It is necessary to avoid putting pressure on the skin with the third finger, so as not to shift the brow ridge downwards.

8. Wave-like stroking of the orbicularis oculi muscle. The movement is performed similarly to the previous one, but instead of pressing at the beginning of the eyebrow, wave-like stroking is performed in the direction of the temporal fossa without stopping or fixing. Count to 4. The exercise is repeated 3 times.

9. Stroking the frontal and temporal muscles. The movement begins with the right palm from the middle of the forehead to the right side to the temporal region and back to the left. Then from the temporal region the hands move to the bridge of the nose, meeting in the interbrow region, from where the palms of the hands alternately perform a light stroking of the forehead to the hairline. Then the hands move apart to the temporal hollows.

In the area of the corners of the eyes, where wrinkles form, alternately stroke with the pads of the fourth fingers. Count to 4.

Repeat the movement 3 times.

10. Wave-like transverse stroking of the forehead muscles.

Using the palmar surface of the semi-bent II-V fingers, stroke alternately with the left and then the right hand from the left temporal region to the right and vice versa. The free hand is fixed on the opposite temple.

After the third time, the hands move away to the temples. The movement ends with fixation in the area of the temporal cavities. Count to 4. Repeat the movement 3 times.

NB! It is necessary to ensure that the palm completely covers the forehead, and not just the fingertips.

11. Wave-like stroking movements along massage lines. Performed with the palmar surfaces of the hands (both hands at the same time):
    • from the middle of the forehead to the temporal hollows,
    • from the bridge of the nose to the temples,
    • from the corners of the mouth to the tragus of the auricles,
    • from the middle of the chin to the earlobes,
    • From the earlobes, the palms go down the sides of the neck to the décolleté. Count to 4.

The movement is performed once.

12. Rubbing the chest and lateral muscles of the neck.

It starts at the lower edge of the sternum. With spiral movements, the II-V fingers are directed to the middle of the collarbone (4 loops), along the lateral surfaces of the neck to the earlobes (4 loops), then the fingers go down under the lower jaw to the middle of the chin (4 loops) and along the edge of the lower jaw with smaller loops return to the earlobes (8 loops).

Repeat the movement 3 times.

13. Rubbing the chin and orbicularis oris muscle.

It is performed with the pads of the III and IV fingers. From under the chin, small circular spiral-shaped rubbings are made from the center under the chin along the line of the corners of the mouth to the chin fossa. Then from the corners of the mouth to the middle of the upper lip, moving to the wings of the nose. From the wings of the nose, with sliding movements of the III and IV fingers of the hand, they are directed to the temporal cavity. Count to 4 (4 loops on each section).

Repeat the movement 3 times.

14. Rubbing the muscles of the nose.

Initial position - the II-V fingers of both hands grasp and fix the chin. The pads of the I fingers are located on the wings of the nose.

Make circular movements with your fingers first on the wings of the nose (4 loops), then on the middle of the bridge of the nose (4 loops) and at the root of the nose (4 loops).

The movement is done once.

Then, using sliding movements, move to the forehead in the area of the bridge of the nose (along the nasolabial fold).

15. Rubbing the forehead muscles.

Using the palmar surface of the II-V fingers, from the middle of the forehead, make spiral rubbing movements from the eyebrows to the hairline and to the side to the temporal areas (4 loops). Massage the temporal hollows (4 loops), descend to the middle of the auricle (4 loops), from there, with sliding movements, rise to the middle of the forehead to repeat the movement. Count to 4.

NB! When the arms go down the movement is lighter, when they go up it is stronger.

16. Facial beating ("staccato").

With the pads of the bent II-V fingers, perform a spiral tapping from the middle of the forehead to the temporal cavities, from them - around the eyes and again to the temporal cavities, then - to the wings of the nose - the tragus of the auricles - to the corners of the mouth - the lobes of the auricles - to the chin - around and under the chin. Then the hands return in the opposite direction to the middle of the forehead. All movements are made in 4 loops on the count of 4.

Executed once.

17. Rubbing the forehead and cheek muscles.

The movement is performed with the II-IV fingers from the middle of the forehead in a spiral upwards to the hairline to the temporal hollows (4 loops), where 4 loops are also performed. From here, in the opposite direction (the hands move towards you - counterclockwise), the pads of the IV fingers perform spiral movements to the wings of the nose (8 small loops). On the wings of the nose, attaching the III fingers, 4 loop-like movements are performed, then the fingers move to the upper lip (4 loops). After which, attaching the II fingers, more vigorous movements are performed in the direction of the middle of the lower jaw clockwise. From the middle of the lower jaw, the II-IV fingers (4 loops) rise along the lateral part of the cheek to the temporal hollows (4 loops).

Repeat the movement 3 times.

18. Vibratory stroking of cheeks.

The movement is performed simultaneously by the palmar surfaces of both hands. The II fingers are located above the upper lip, the III - under the lower lip, the IV and V - under the lower jaw. The hands are first directed to the temporal regions, then to the tragus of the auricles. The movements end at the earlobes. Soft fixation is done at all end points.

The movement is repeated once on the count of 4.

19. Wave-like stroking of the chin and cheeks.

From the lobe of the left auricle, with the half-bent palm of the right hand, tightly grasp the left cheek, with wave-like movements go down under the chin, grab it as well and go up the right cheek to the right earlobe; do the same alternately with the left hand. From the middle of the chin, the hands diverge to the lobes of the auricles. Count to 4.

The movement is performed 2 times.

20. Wave-like kneading of the chin.

Starting position: fingers I of the hands are located under the lower lip. fingers II and V grasp the chin from below.

At the same time, the I and II-V fingers seem to turn out the soft tissues of the chin, with the II-V fingers directed upward and the I fingers directed downward alternately.

The movement is repeated 2-3 times.

Finish with a wave-like movement of the palm along the edge of the lower jaw to the earlobe.

21. Kneading the muscles of the chin and cheeks (“sculpting”).

The movement is performed along massage lines, starting from the middle of the chin. The fingers of the left hand grab the skin and underlying tissues and "pass" to the right, then the left hand grabs the next area, heading towards the earlobe. Then the left hand is moved to the left corner of the mouth, repeating the movements towards the tragus of the ear, then the movement starts from the wings of the nose and ends at the middle of the auricle.

After this, the same movements are done on the right side.

Count all lines to 8, repeat movements 3 times on each line.

NB! The movements are similar to those used when making dumplings, without pinching or stretching the skin, more pressing. In this case, the tissues are as if passed from one hand to the other.

22. Circular kneading of the chin muscles.

Starting position: fingers bent; with the back of the bent fingers, make continuous circular movements:

• under the chin (4 loops), in one place;
• then from the middle of the chin along the lower edge of the lower jaw to the earlobe (8 kneadings).

After this, the fists "come together" under the chin. Repeat the movement 2 more times.

23. Pinching the mouse's chin and cheeks ("polishing"). The movements are performed with the straightened first finger and bent second (the opal fingers are bent into a fist), simultaneously with both hands:

1. Along three massage lines.
2. In three vertical directions:
   • from under the edge of the lower jaw to the corner of the mouth;
   • from under the angle of the lower jaw to the middle of the cheek;
   • from under the angle of the lower jaw to the middle of the lateral surface of the cheek.

On each line the movement is repeated 3 times, counting to 4 and 8.

3. "Snail". Circular pinching movements are performed on the cheek area towards the corners of the mouth, gradually narrowing the circle, in the form of a snail - 16 pinches. The movement is done 1 time.

NB! The starting position of the fingers does not change during the entire exercise.

24. Circular rubbing of the skin and muscles of the area of the outer corners of the eyes, temples, forehead and mouth (“fork”).

Starting position: the II and III fingers of the left hand form a “fork”, slightly straighten and fix the skin in the area of the right outer corner of the eye, while the II finger is located at the level of the end of the eyebrow, and the III - at the outer lower edge of the eye socket.

Using the pad of the fourth finger of the right hand, lightly rub the skin between the second and third fingers of the left hand in a circular motion (count to 8).

Without lifting the skin, move the II and III fingers of the left hand to the forehead. On the forehead, use the II finger to fix the skin to the hairline, and the III finger to the eyebrow level, and use the pad of the IV finger of the right hand to perform light circular rubbing (count to 8). Next:

• fixation and rubbing of the area between the eyebrows (count to 8);
• forehead (8 rubs);
• "fork" fixes the skin of the left outer corner of the eye (8 rubs);
• left corner of the mouth.

In all areas along the movement of the "fork" with the II and III fingers of the left hand, perform circular rubbing with the pad of the IV finger of the right hand to the count of 8. After this, the right hand easily slides under the chin to the right corner of the mouth, and the "fork" is transferred there. At all points between the "fork" perform 8 circular movements.

The movement is repeated 2 times.

25. Transverse pinching of the nasolabial folds (wrinkles), bridge of the nose, forehead and outer corners of the eyes (epidermal pinching "bird").

The movement is made with the pads of the first and second fingers, the other fingers are bent into a fist. Straight fingers I and II are located at the bottom of the nasolabial fold and are lifted upward with small pinches, transversely grasping the nasolabial fold (the second finger lifts the skin, and the first presses it to the second finger).

The movement is repeated 3 times to the count of 8.

Next, using sliding movements, the fingers rise along the lateral surfaces of the nose to the bridge of the nose and perform transverse pinching of the folds of the bridge of the nose (count to 4).

Then the fingers slide to the middle of the forehead to the hairline. From here the second fingers, with the nails turned inward, pinch the forehead folds in three lines: upper, middle and lower.

The next direction is from the center of the forehead to the temples, movements are done 1 time per count of 8.

Having reached the temples, the same pinching is carried out on the folds of the circumferential corners of the eyes along three lines: down, to the sides and up.

Repeat the movement 3 times to the count of 4.

26. Pressing the skin and muscles of the face at the exit points of the branches of the trigeminal nerve.

A. The movement is performed with both hands. With the pads of the II-V fingers from under the chin up along three lines, deep pressure is applied at the following points:

• First line:
  • at the exit point of the mental branch of the trigeminal nerve (slightly below the corners of the mouth);
  • then pressure is applied above and slightly outward from the wings of the nose (second infraorbital branch);
  • the next pressure is applied to the first third of the eyebrow (frontal branch of the trigeminal nerve);
  • then the arms are raised to the hairline.

The movement is repeated 2 times to the count of 4 (16 presses in total)

• The second line - the same pressure is applied from under the chin diagonally to the temples. The pressure is applied:
  • below the corners of the mouth,
  • in the center of the cheek (under the cheekbone),
  • on the temporal cavities
• Third line - pressure is also applied from under the chin below the corners of the mouth to the earlobe.

The movement is repeated 2 times to the count of 4.

B. Smoothing out the pressure - light stroking from the bottom up along the pressure lines with the palmar surfaces of the II-V fingers. Count to 4, repeat 2 times.

27. Pressing jerky movements. Perform deep pressing with the palmar surfaces of the II-V fingers of both hands simultaneously:

• Pressing on the chin - the II fingers are placed under the lower lip, the III-V - under the chin. Press 4 times. Then lift the hands and press again on the massaged area.
• Pressing on the orbicularis oris muscle - the II fingers are placed on the upper lip, the III fingers are placed under the lower lip, the IV and V fingers are placed under the chin and make the same movements (4 presses).
• Pressure along the third massage line is performed in such a way that the IV and V fingers are under the zygomatic arch, the rest are above (4 small pressures, bypassing the bony protrusions).
• Pressure on the temporal fossa - with the palmar surfaces of the II-IV fingers (4 pressures).

The movement is performed once.

28. Facial beating ("staccato").

Produced with straightened fingers:

• from the temporal hollows to the center of the forehead and back to the temples,
• from the temples along the upper edge of the zygomatic arch to the wings of the nose, then to the middle of the auricle,
• from the middle of the auricle to the corners of the mouth,
• from the corners of the mouth to the earlobe,
• from the earlobe to the center of the chin and back.

All movements are repeated along the same lines from bottom to top and end in the center of the forehead. Performed 1 time. Count to 4.

29. Stroking the face ("butterfly").

Performed with the lateral surfaces of the II-V fingers. The hands are slightly turned with the back surface towards each other, the I fingers lie under the other four fingers of the hand. Starting from the center of the forehead, perform stroking along all massage lines.

All movements are performed to the count of 8, done 1 time.

Neck massage from the front

The facial massage ends with a front neck massage.

Massage of the front surface of the neck includes the following steps:

1. Stroking the neck and chin (see movement No. 2 of the facial massage)
2. Rubbing the muscles of the chest and neck (see movement No. 13 of the facial massage).
3. Transverse neck pinches.

The movements begin at the base of the neck from the midline to the back. The movements are performed with straightened 1st fingers and nail phalanges of the fingers. The remaining fingers are bent into a fist.

The movements are carried out by:

A. Along three horizontal lines (at the base of the neck, the middle part of the neck and the top) - 4 pinches along each line

B. Along three vertical lines: on the front surface of the neck, along the middle lateral and back lateral lines. Four pinches per line. Repeat the exercise 3 times.

4. Circular kneading of the neck muscles. The movement is performed with the back of the bent fingers. Start from the lower edge of the sternum (4 kneadings), the fingers are directed to the middle of the collarbone and rise along the lateral surface of the neck (4 kneadings). Next - from the earlobe to the chin and from the chin - to the angle of the lower jaw (4 kneadings each).

Repeat the movement 3 times.

5. Rubbing the chin. The movement is performed with the lateral surfaces of the straightened fingers of both hands in the form of sawing under the chin in both directions (on the count of 4). The movement begins from the middle of the chin, continues to the right, then to the middle of the chin, to the left and ends in the middle of the chin (on the count of 4).
6. Tapping the chin.

Make jerky movements with relaxed fingers from the middle of the chin to the left and right sides. Repeat 3-4 times to the count of 4.

NB! The hand is relaxed and slightly rounded, the movement is in the wrist joint.

7. Tapping the chin area ("staccato"). Using the pads of straightened fingers, perform abrupt tapping of the chin area from right to left. Repeat 3-4 times to a count of 4.
8. Pressing movements of the chin.

Performed with half-bent palms (one above the other). The palms tightly grasp the chin and press on it. In the center of the chin, the hands move apart (count 4) and rise with pressure to the corners of the mouth. Repeat the movement from the middle of the chin to the middle of the lower jaw (count 4), and from the middle of the chin, the hands move apart to the earlobes (count 8). The movement ends with stroking the chin with both palms.

9. A light, whipping motion under the chin.

Performed with the II, III and IV fingers of both hands alternately with each hand. Starting from the left corner to the right corner of the lower jaw. The movement is repeated 2 times and finished at the left corner of the lower jaw (count 4).

10. Stroking movements of the chin and neck.

Using the palms of both hands, alternately from the base of the neck, make stroking movements towards the lower jaw (from right to left); having reached the middle of the chin, the palms move apart towards the earlobes and down the lateral surfaces of the neck to the collarbones. The movement is repeated 2-3 times.