Massage therapist

A massage therapist is a person who professionally kneads, squeezes, and rubs the body. A competent massage therapist knows that each client needs a specific technique and method, in accordance with the diagnosis. In addition, the massage should have the right dose, only in this case the body feels pleasant warmth, relaxation, well-being noticeably improves and tone increases.

Incorrect massage can result in weakness and a feeling of exhaustion after the session. If such a reaction is observed in relatively healthy people, then in a person weakened by illness or a child, whose nervous system is much more sensitive, the consequences can be much worse.

When choosing a massage therapist, many people rely on the advice of friends, but in addition to good recommendations, the qualifications of the massage therapist to whom we trust our health are very important. Such an indicator as the qualifications of a massage therapist is a fairly important criterion, since assigning a certain qualification to a specialist occurs strictly according to regulatory medical documents, after passing certain exams.

A category III massage therapist has completed an educational institution or courses in the specialty of "massage therapist", he knows how to use some massage techniques, performs basic or hygienic massage of the whole body or one part.

Category II massage therapist – has perfect mastery of massage techniques, is able to perform massage according to a specific method (for fractures, hypertension, etc.). In addition, he is able to notice the patient’s body reaction to massage techniques and adjust his actions in time.

Category 1 specialist, in addition to the previous advantages, is the ability to independently determine the necessary method, also a category 1 massage therapist can make a diagnosis, create a treatment method and, as a result, take a successful course for recovery.

A specialist of the highest category. In this case, a person already has his own developments in the field of massage, he can publish books, have his own school.

When should you see a massage therapist?

A professional massage therapist can sometimes work miracles. The healing effect of massage under certain circumstances has a greater effect than medication. A good doctor, if possible, simply cannot help but recommend his patient to undergo a course of massage as an alternative to drug treatment. But, unfortunately, now most doctors prefer not to shy away from traditional means, and massage is recommended as an additional means.

If you have decided that you need a course of massage procedures, then you should find a good massage therapist, a professional in his field. If the massage therapist is mediocre, then the massage will not bring a really good result, both physically and morally. When looking for a massage therapist, do not rely only on advertising, in this matter it is better to listen to reviews about the specialist. Now massage is quite popular, so you can ask friends, acquaintances, etc.

In a massage room, pay attention to the equipment, first of all, to the massage table, which every good specialist should have. Currently, both stationary and portable massage tables are widely used. The latter option is convenient because, if possible, taking into account the patient's condition or financial capabilities, the massage therapist can go to the house.

In what cases is massage simply necessary? As a health procedure, massage is recommended for any disorders of the nervous system. Massage can be relaxing or, conversely, tonic. Relaxing is recommended for insomnia, nervous overexcitement, etc., and tonic is necessary for drowsiness, apathy.

A periodic course of massage is necessary for those whose work is connected with monotonous activity, requiring constant tension of some parts of the body (working at the computer). In this case, problems with the back, caused by a violation of posture (scoliosis, kyphosis, etc.), quite often begin.

Nowadays, every fifth person over 30 suffers from osteochondrosis (severe damage to the spine). Therefore, 2 courses of massage per year will relieve severe symptoms of this disease and help to lead an active lifestyle.

Massage is recommended for respiratory diseases: frequent colds, chronic bronchitis, etc. In this case, it is ideal to do a honey massage, as well as use various herbal preparations.

Massage perfectly restores the functions of many systems of our body, especially immunity is increased, it is recommended to do it after long illnesses, as well as with frequent headaches, excess weight.

Massage has a certain psychological effect on a person. A feeling of pleasure accompanies each massage procedure, a person distances himself from problems, worries, work. Massage copes well with depressive states (an excellent alternative to antidepressants). Special techniques of anti-stress massage will help get rid of chronic fatigue, strengthen the immune system, normalize sleep. 99% of residents of large cities need anti-stress massage. Fatigue, irritability, bad mood, low performance - all this will disappear after one procedure, and a full course of massage will return vitality and help in the future to overcome stressful situations with the least risk to your nervous system. This effect of relaxing massage is achieved by activating the processes of natural self-regulation in the body. The relaxing effect of massage not only calms, improves mental and physical condition, but also brings our body to a state of "combat readiness" before an important meeting, exam, surgery (if there are no contraindications), etc.

In general, massage is recommended not only for certain diseases of the musculoskeletal system, it will be useful for everyone who is associated with heavy, intense work, exposed to nervous strain and stressful situations. In addition to the therapeutic and health-improving effect, massage is used as an excellent cosmetic product. Skin aging, cellulite, muscle flabbiness and other similar problems are eliminated by special massage techniques and procedures.

What tests should you take when visiting a massage therapist?

When visiting a massage therapist, in fact, you do not need to take any special tests. But there are a number of contraindications to massage techniques, so it would be better to take tests and exclude possible contraindications so as not to harm your own body.

Massage is not recommended if you have:

• fever and acute inflammatory processes. In this case, it is necessary to take a general blood test, which will show active inflammatory processes in the body.
• bleeding and a tendency to it. Massage can be started only after consultation with a gynecologist.
• tuberculosis. To rule out the disease, you need to do an X-ray examination of the lungs.
• syphilis. To exclude the diagnosis, blood is taken for analysis.
• oncological diseases (before surgical treatment).
• varicose veins, trophic ulcers.
• vascular aneurysm.

Before undergoing a massage course, it is best to consult a doctor about possible consequences. In addition, before massage procedures, it is necessary to warn the massage therapist about concomitant diseases so that he can adjust his technique and not harm you.

What diagnostic methods does a massage therapist use?

Massage is primarily necessary for healthy people for preventive purposes. In this case, no additional diagnostics are required.

In case of illness, the massage therapist relies on the data obtained during the diagnosis of the disease for which the therapeutic massage is prescribed.

Massage is most often prescribed for back pain. Common causes of back pain are osteochondrosis, and there may also be a violation of posture. To diagnose back diseases, an X-ray examination of the diseased part of the back is performed, this can be the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral sections. X-rays are also taken for various injuries (bruises, sprains, fractures). In this case, a restorative massage is prescribed, the purpose of which is to restore the normal functioning of the damaged parts of the body.

X-ray examination is prescribed in most cases of problems with the musculoskeletal system. If massage is indicated for diseases of other organs, the massage therapist often uses ready-made research results and, taking into account the patient's condition and disease, develops a massage technique.

Almost always, the massage therapist diagnoses the painful part by palpation. He carefully probes the place, determining the most painful zones.

What does a massage therapist do?

Massage has long been known as a therapeutic and preventive procedure, it can be done by almost everyone without exception: both children and adults, both healthy and sick. Today, more than a hundred types of massage are known, all of them were formed over the centuries in different countries, therefore, each massage technique has a characteristic imprint of the traditions of the people, characteristic of a particular culture. But, no matter in which country the massage technique appeared and no matter how different they are from each other, they all have one common quality - undoubted benefit for the body.

Today, the following massage techniques are widely used:

1. Classic massage contains various techniques of influence on the body: stroking, rubbing, kneading, tapping, vibration, etc. The choice of massage technique in each case is individual, taking into account the disease. Classic massage helps to restore the functions of organs or systems. It significantly relieves pain, relaxes, relieves nervous tension. As a rule, classical massage is prescribed, as a rule, together with medications, due to which the recovery process is faster.
2. Preventive massage. The purpose of such massage is to prevent the development of various diseases (cardiovascular, atherosclerosis, gynecological, etc.). A periodic course of preventive massage improves blood circulation, metabolism, and increases the body's defenses.
3. Therapeutic massage is widely used in various medical fields: neurology, cosmetology, dentistry, gynecology, orthopedics, etc. Therapeutic massage restores health and is part of a rehabilitation complex, the purpose of which is to restore the functions of the body, impaired for various reasons. It is used for injuries or pathological conditions.
4. Sports massage improves the general condition and prevents diseases of the musculoskeletal system. There are two types of sports massage: preparatory, in which the muscles are toned, strengthened, usually carried out before physical activity (performances, training) and restorative, which is used after sports to restore strength and relax the muscles.
5. Hygienic massage. Special massage techniques (rubbing, squeezing, kneading, vibration, etc.) help to strengthen health, as well as to maintain body functions. High efficiency is observed with daily procedures, in the morning or evening.
6. Cosmetic massage. In this case, it is better to trust a professional massage therapist, since the specialist is familiar with the process of physiological processes in tissues, so the risk of disruption of these processes during professional massage is reduced to zero. This type of massage is local in nature, necessary as a means of skin care, to prevent aging, and also for skin tone. Cosmetic massage can be hygienic, preventive, therapeutic.
7. Anti-cellulite massage shows a good effect with systematic long-term use. The result of special massage actions is the destruction of fat deposits, increased elasticity and flexibility of the skin. Anti-cellulite massage uses rubbing, kneading, shifting techniques, as well as chopping, manual vibration, circular kneading, etc. After a massage session, short-term inflammation may appear at the massage site in the form of painful sensations, redness, swelling, etc.
8. Relaxation massage is a good method of recovery and strengthening of the body. The technique is aimed at muscle relaxation. Relaxation massage with the correct technique allows you to achieve a state very close to mediation. There are several types of relaxation massages, most of which originated in eastern countries. Probably for this reason, during relaxation massage, it is important to create a certain atmosphere, for example, the aroma of massage oils.
9. Baby massage is useful for every child, without exception. Massage regulates the nervous system, strengthens muscles, helps in forming correct posture. Massage techniques help prevent the development of diseases associated with the musculoskeletal system. Baby massage is recommended for both children with existing diseases and completely healthy children, as a preventive measure and for general health improvement of the body.
10. Thai massage. This technique is traditional for Eastern countries. The massage is aimed at restoring the correct energy flow in the body. A characteristic feature of this technique is that the patient and the massage therapist must come to complete unity, both physical and spiritual. For physical contact, a special massage technique is used, namely, the transfer of the massage therapist's body to a certain area of the patient's body. To achieve spiritual rapprochement, a calming atmosphere, aromas, etc. are used.

What diseases does a massage therapist treat?

Therapeutic massage is indicated for many diseases. With certain types of massage actions, a positive result is achieved in the treatment of a specific disease.

In case of hypotrophy (chronic eating disorder), a special type of therapeutic massage is prescribed, as a result of which the tone is increased, the metabolism is normalized, and the body's defenses are activated. The massage is performed using smooth, gentle movements so as not to provoke inflammatory processes. In case of moderate severity of the disease, stroking methods are used.

Dysplasia (abnormal development of organs, tissues, body parts) is treated with massage procedures, which include stroking, rubbing techniques, and gentle kneading of the gluteal area. Point massage of the gluteal muscles will not be superfluous here. The vibration method is also actively used for dysplasia.

In case of congenital clubfoot, the massage therapist uses special techniques for massaging the feet and shins.

Congenital muscular torticollis (develops as a result of birth trauma). Acupressure is very effective. In case of congenital torticollis, the area where the muscles connect to the collarbone is massaged with acupressure, in particular the mastoid process, which is located behind the ear, and, as is known, a large number of points are located in the ear area. Knowledge of acupressure techniques allows you to treat almost any disease.

Massage for the muscle group on the feet, fingers, and shins is important. Three massage techniques are used for the outer muscles of the shins and feet – stroking, rubbing, vibration.

Quite often massage techniques are used in the treatment of diseases of internal organs, for example, the liver - in this case, two types of massage are possible: direct and indirect massage of the liver tissue. Indirect massage involves rubbing, shaking, stroking, but this type is used quite rarely. Indirect massage is preferable, which is carried out by pressing the diaphragm on the liver during a deep breath and the pressure of the abdominal press during exhalation.

To treat sinusitis, massage techniques for the facial sinuses are used. Usually, the massage procedure lasts about a minute, and pressure, rubbing, and point techniques are used in the process.

A special technique of massage actions for the treatment of inflammation of the prostate has been developed. Massage actions occur by means of action (stroking, pressing) on the inflamed area in the rectum.

In case of diseases of the digestive organs, massage procedures are also used in complex treatment. Usually, massage is used in the area of the back, abdomen, and lateral areas. In this case, all movements should be smooth, soft, without sharp jolts. Much attention should be paid to stroking and rubbing, after which significant relief of the pain syndrome is possible. After the pain subsides a little, kneading and percussion techniques can be used.

Chronic inflammation of the uterus and other gynecological diseases are treated with the help of gynecological massage effects. Such massage significantly improves the patient's condition, especially with severe pain in the coccyx and uterus.

Massage helps well with ankle arthrosis. The procedure consists of three actions: rubbing, stroking, comb-like techniques.

With the help of massage techniques, you can increase or decrease pressure by affecting certain points in the upper back. If you need to decrease pressure, do not use shock techniques, otherwise you can achieve the opposite result.

Massage can be used for many diseases, but it is not the only treatment. Usually, massage techniques are used as a pain reliever and an adjunct in the treatment of diseases. Massage procedures are recommended to be combined with other types of treatment.

Advice from a massage therapist

In nervous, irritable states, you need to relax first of all. Pleasant music, a warm bath will calm you down a little, relieve muscle tension. If there is a loved one nearby, they can massage your shoulders a little, with soft, stroking movements. With nervous tension, it is the shoulders and upper back that hurt. If there is no one nearby, you can do a self-massage, which is quite difficult to do on your own in this area. You can use various massagers, for example wooden ones.

Massage is not only a method of treatment, but also a prevention of various diseases, and children's massage is an excellent means of influencing a small organism. Naturally, therapeutic gymnastics and massage are suitable for any age, but for small children, massage is the most important procedure.

Health massage improves not only the physical condition of the child, but also the mental one. Massage copes well with such childhood ailments as intestinal colic, hypertonia, hypotonia, dysplasia, etc. Massage develops the baby's skills and abilities, promotes weight gain, healthy and sound sleep, and increases immune strength. Timely massage will help prevent flat feet, clubfoot, and torticollis. It is not recommended to use creams or lotions with a strong odor for baby massage, as allergic reactions are possible; it is best to use regular baby cream. It is best to do the massage in a well-ventilated room, hands should be clean and warm, it is better to remove rings and bracelets, as they can injure delicate baby skin. To ensure optimal sliding over the baby's body, it is enough to simply lubricate your own hands with cream; do not lubricate the baby's skin abundantly, as this can clog the pores, and this is not very good. The massage should be performed on a hard surface, for example, on a table covered with a diaper or blanket. The movements should be soft, gentle, stroking. In this case, sharp, pressing techniques should be avoided.

Like any medical treatment, massage should be "used" in doses. For therapeutic and preventive purposes, a course of massage is recommended to be taken twice a year, 10-15 sessions, depending on the clinical picture.

Massage therapists have recently become very popular, people turn to them not only for therapeutic massage, but also for relaxing, cosmetic, etc. Today, a large number of massage techniques are widespread, with the help of which maximum relaxation of the body is achieved, which is important in our modern life, full of stress. Constant nervous tension leads not only to fatigue, depression, irritability, insomnia, but can also provoke various diseases, even oncological ones. Therefore, massage, in the modern conditions of our life, plays an important role not only in the treatment, but also in the prevention of many diseases, not only of the body, but also of the soul.