Connective tissue massage for osteochondrosis of the spine

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

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Massage of paravertebral tissues

• massage is performed by short movements from the medial edge of the muscle, straightening the spine, towards the cranial areas;
• massage is performed using subcutaneous or fascial technique at the lateral margin of the muscle;
• The hands of the masseur are located at the lateral edge of the muscle, straightening the spine. The displacement and tension of the tissues is carried out in the cranial direction; tension is carried out by light rotation of the brush. Tension exertion continues over the muscle and ends somewhat more cranial in the spinous processes. Thus, a somewhat sinuous line appears. If there are connective tissue zones, it is necessary to stop the stimulation by tension, since it is not advisable. With increased tension of the
  tissues, a preliminary massage should be performed.

Massage of the neck muscles

Carried out in the starting position of the patient lying down, only after preliminary study of the muscles of the trunk:

• in the region of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, short massage movements are performed using fascial technique - the fingers are placed at the lateral margin of the muscle, tension is exerted without effort at the edge of the muscle;
• short massage movements lead from the muscle, straining the neck, to the edge of the lower jaw. Longitudinal massage movements are possible;
• short massage movements in the occipital region with the use of subcutaneous and fascial techniques - massage is performed from the middle of the nape, tightly conducting movements one near the other near the border of hair growth in the lateral direction.

Massage of the muscles of the shoulder girdle and upper limbs

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

• short massage movements in the armpit:
  • short massaging movements of the opposite arm in the area of the dorsal wall of the axillary fossa from the proximal to the distal areas. The tension is carried out in the direction from the medial parts;
  • short massaging movements with the same hand at the ventral wall of the axillary fossa are performed from the proximal parts to the distal ones. Tension is carried out from the medial to the ventral areas;
  • Both massage movements are performed with both hands;
  • longitudinal massage movements at the ventral and dorsal walls of the axillary fossa are performed from the proximal to the distal areas, but they never work with both hands;
• massage the posterior edge of the deltoid muscle with the use of subcutaneous or fascial technique. The fingers of the opposite arm are placed near the shoulder joint at the dorsal margin of the muscle; The displacement and tension of the tissues is carried out towards the edge of the muscle. Short massage movements can be performed using subcutaneous or fascial techniques, longitudinal movements from proximal to distal areas only with the use of subcutaneous techniques. The tension ends when the muscle is attached;
• massage at the medial margin of the biceps arm muscle. Short massage movements at the medial edge of the muscle are carried out with the same hand from proximal to distal areas;
• massage of the triceps arm muscle is carried out in a similar manner to the above. Massage can be done with both hands;
• massage of the elbow joint area.

Massage with short movements with the use of subcutaneous or fascial technique with a slightly bent at the elbow joint is carried out by the lateral and medial tendons of the biceps muscle. Massage can also be carried out in the direction from the forearm to the elbow joint. Longitudinal massage begins in the lower third of the abdomen of the muscle (at the lateral or medial edge) and ends at the elbow joint;

• short massage movements in the region of the radial and ulnar bones with the use of subcutaneous or fascial technique. Direction of movement - from proximal to distal areas;
• short massage movements at the back or palmar surface of the ray-wrist joint region; therapeutic tension is carried out through passive movement in the joint (flexion-extension, withdrawal-reduction);
• short massage movements at the ulnar and radial side of the wrist joint. The middle finger of the opposite hand of the masseur is placed on the forearm of the patient at the distal end of the ulna or radius bone (the hand should be slightly removed), the same hand fixes the patient's brush. The tension is carried out due to the elbow or beam lead;
• short massage movements on the palmar and back surfaces of the fingers of the hand (brush); tension is carried out by moving the hand (fingers) - flexion - extension.

Methodical instructions

1. When massage the skin receptions are performed from the caudal to the cranial zones (along the skin folds), which on the trunk pass in the transverse direction, and on the limbs - in the longitudinal.
2. When massage the skin should work in two phases:
   • the arrangement of the pads of the fingers between the skin and subcutaneous tissues;
   • The therapeutic tension along the folds causes a weak cutting sensation.

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

3. Setting the fingers of the massage therapist:
   • the steeper the fingers, the deeper they penetrate into the tissues, the stronger the cutting sensation;
   • The smaller the angle of the setting of the fingers, the more superficial they act on the fabric.
4. With the right dosage, the patient should feel heat (hyperemia), reduce pain; improvement of general well-being.

Massage is carried out mainly over the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae. It can be performed in all segments.

5. When performing pressure with your finger, you need to feel the resistance of the bone. Movement with a finger - circular, with a circle diameter of up to 5 mm.

ATTENTION! Small circular motions should not have a drilling character.

6. The cycle of pressure increase and its decrease lasts 4-6 s and is repeated at the same places for 2-4 min.
7. The direction of massage techniques - from the distal to the proximal.
8. In chronic pathological processes, 2-3 procedures per week are sufficient.
9. Clinical signs of intolerance to the intensity of massage are, above all, unpleasant sensations of pain and the onset of strong vegetative reactions, especially the vasomotor type.