Connective tissue massage for osteochondrosis of the spine

Connective tissue massage for osteochondrosis of the spine involves performing several types of massage:

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Massage of paravertebral tissues

• The massage is performed with short movements from the medial edge of the muscle that straightens the spine, in the direction of the cranial sections;
• massage is performed using subcutaneous or fascial techniques at the lateral edge of the muscle;
• The masseur's hands are positioned at the lateral edge of the muscle that straightens the spine. The tissue is displaced and stretched in a cranial direction; the stretching is done by lightly rotating the hand. Stimulation by stretching continues above the muscle and ends somewhat cranially at the spinous processes. Thus, a somewhat tortuous line is created. If connective tissue zones are encountered, it is necessary to stop the stimulation by stretching, as it is not advisable. In case of increased
  tissue tension, a preliminary massage should be performed.

Neck Muscle Massage

It is carried out with the patient in the initial lying position, only after preliminary work on the muscles of the trunk:

• in the area of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, short massage movements are performed using the fascial technique - the fingers are placed at the lateral edge of the muscle, tension is applied without force at the edge of the muscle;
• short massage movements lead from the muscle that tenses the neck to the edge of the lower jaw. Longitudinal massage movements are possible;
• short massage movements in the occipital bone area using subcutaneous and fascial techniques - the massage is performed from the middle of the back of the head, tightly moving one around the other at the border of hair growth in the lateral direction.

Massage of the muscles of the shoulder girdle and upper limbs

It is carried out with the patient in the initial position lying on his back and sitting:

• short massage movements in the armpit:
  • short massage movements with the opposite hand in the area of the dorsal wall of the axillary fossa from the proximal to the distal areas. Tension is applied in the direction from the medial sections;
  • short massage movements with the same hand on the ventral wall of the axillary fossa are performed from the proximal sections to the distal ones. Tension is performed from the medial to the ventral sections;
  • both massage movements are performed with both hands;
  • longitudinal massage movements on the ventral and dorsal walls of the axillary fossa are performed from proximal to distal areas, but never with two hands;
• massage of the posterior edge of the deltoid muscle using a subcutaneous or fascial technique. The fingers of the opposite hand are placed near the shoulder joint at the dorsal edge of the muscle; the tissue is displaced and stretched in the direction of the muscle edge. Short massage movements can be performed using a subcutaneous or fascial technique, longitudinal movements from proximal to distal areas only using a subcutaneous technique. The stretch ends at the muscle attachment;
• massage at the medial edge of the biceps brachii. Short massage movements at the medial edge of the muscle are performed with the same hand from the proximal to the distal areas;
• The massage of the triceps brachii muscle is carried out in the same way as described above. The massage can be carried out with both hands;
• massage of the elbow joint area.

Massage with short movements using subcutaneous or fascial techniques with the arm slightly bent at the elbow joint is performed at the lateral and medial tendons of the biceps muscle. Massage can also be performed in the direction from the forearm to the elbow joint. Longitudinal massage begins in the lower third of the muscle belly (at the lateral or medial edge) and ends at the elbow joint;

• short massage movements in the area of the radius and ulna using subcutaneous or fascial techniques. Direction of movement - from proximal to distal areas;
• short massage movements on the dorsal or palmar surface of the wrist joint; therapeutic tension is achieved through passive movement in the joint (flexion-extension, abduction-adduction);
• short massage movements at the ulnar and radial side of the wrist joint. The middle finger of the masseur's opposite hand is placed on the patient's forearm at the distal end of the ulna or radius (the hand should be slightly abducted), the hand of the same name fixes the patient's hand. Tension is achieved by ulnar or radial abduction;
• short massage movements on the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the fingers of the hand (wrist); tension is achieved by means of movement of the hand (fingers) - flexion - extension.

Methodological instructions

1. When massaging the skin, techniques are performed from the caudal to the cranial zones (along the skin folds), which on the body run in the transverse direction, and on the limbs - in the longitudinal direction.
2. When massaging the skin, you should work in two phases:
   • the position of the fingertips between the skin and subcutaneous tissues;
   • The therapeutic tension along the folds causes a slight cutting sensation.

ATTENTION! The more pronounced the connective tissue zone, the stronger the cutting sensation (the sensation depends on the degree of tissue tension).

3. Position of the massage therapist's fingers:
   • the steeper the fingers are placed, the deeper they penetrate into the tissue, the stronger the cutting sensation;
   • The smaller the angle at which the fingers are placed, the more superficially they act on the tissue.
4. With the correct dosage, the patient should feel warmth (hyperemia), reduced pain, and improved overall well-being.

The massage is performed mainly over the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae. It can be performed in all segments.

5. When applying pressure with a finger, you need to feel the resistance of the bone. The finger movement is circular, with a circle diameter of up to 5 mm.

CAUTION! Small circular movements should not have a drilling character.

6. The cycle of increasing and decreasing pressure lasts 4-6 seconds and is repeated in the same places for 2-4 minutes.
7. The direction of massage techniques is from distal to proximal sections.
8. For chronic pathological processes, 2-3 procedures per week are sufficient.
9. Clinical signs of intolerance to massage intensity are considered to be, first of all, unpleasant sensations of pain and the onset of strong vegetative reactions, especially of the vasomotor type.