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Therapeutic massage
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Massage is one of the oldest methods of physical influence on the body.
Local reactions that occur under the influence of direct mechanical action on tissues, to a certain extent reflect the reflex generalized reaction of the body. Of certain importance is the appearance in the humoral environment of biologically active substances (histamine, acetylcholine, etc.), playing an active role in stimulating the adaptive-trophic function of the autonomic nervous system. Massage improves trophic processes in the skin, promotes the resorption of infiltrates, activates metabolism, increases gas exchange in organs and tissues. Under the influence of massage, blood flow and lymph circulation improve, the tone of blood and lymphatic vessels is normalized. An increase in muscle tone and elasticity, an improvement in their contractile function are observed, as a result of which muscle performance increases.
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Manual and hardware therapeutic massage is used
There are two types of manual massage - classical and segmental-reflex. For the same disease (depending on clinical features, phase of the disease and other factors), classical massage is effective in some cases, and segmental massage is effective in others.
Classical therapeutic massage is usually used in daily medical practice. The main techniques of classical massage are stroking, rubbing, kneading and vibration.
Superficial stroking has a calming effect on the nervous system, causing muscle relaxation. Deep stroking promotes the evacuation of metabolic products from tissues, eliminating congestion. Rubbing intensifies excitation processes in the nervous system, increases contractility and elasticity of muscles. Kneading has a particularly beneficial effect on tired muscles by releasing them from accumulated metabolites. Vibration has a deep and varied effect on the nervous system, in some cases restoring faded deep reflexes. Depending on the frequency, amplitude and intensity of vibration, opposite results can be obtained (increased excitation or inhibition, vasodilation or vasoconstriction). Long-term vibration leads to pain relief.
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