Most of the time you do it quite instinctively: if a part of your body hurts, you gently rub it to relieve the discomfort. Therefore, massage has been used as a healing method for thousands of years. Even Julius Caesar regularly had a massage because of his headaches.
The word massage has different origins such as Arabic (massah = rub), Greek (massein = knead) or Hebrew (massa = touch). It comprehensively describes the mechanical influence of skin, connective tissue and muscles by pressure, stretching or pulling stimuli in general.
Whether with aromatic oils, peels or hot stones, on the joints, neck and back, or even the whole body. For many years, many different massage techniques have developed in the world.
Although classical health massages are primarily for relaxation purposes, they should be performed by trained people to prevent injuries and unleash their full effects. Medical massages are prescribed by a doctor and can only be performed by professionally trained masseurs and physiotherapists.
A massage is prescribed by the doctor when necessary due to certain medical conditions such as spinal congestion. “We are seeing more and more patients who have to sit a lot because of their work and whose back and neck muscles are underdeveloped or tense as a result,” explains a state-approved physiotherapist and a physiotherapy center employee.
When you have neck tension at your desk, you often instinctively massage your neck for short-term relief, but does that really help? “Not really,” say the staff of the physiotherapy center. “You’re sitting upright, the environment at work rarely has a really feel-good factor, and it just doesn’t really allow you to relax your muscles. Instead, by alternately pulling your shoulders up and down, you can relieve the unpleasant tension for a short time”.
Trained physiotherapists and chiropractors usually start with stroking movements to get an overview of the muscles and possible complaints and then be able to react more gently or forcefully. You can penetrate deeper layers of tissue by rubbing and kneading as well as tapping. If you have a fever or thrombosis, you should avoid massaging. If in doubt, talk to your doctor first.
The warmth of the hands, various stimuli and stretching massage strokes stimulate the receptors in the muscles and separate the muscle spindles from each other. This stimulates blood circulation, the tension in the muscles is reduced and they relax. Metabolic processes in the muscles can now occur normally and possible hyperacidity can be balanced.
Relaxing muscles also has an impact on mental health, as the researchers explain: “When people are not in a good mental mood, their bodies are often tense as well. Conversely, if a massage relieves muscle tension, you automatically feel more relaxed and your mood brightens.”
However, a better mood after massage also has a hormonal origin, as several studies have confirmed that less stress hormones are released through massage. Instead, more and more happiness hormones are produced, such as the so-called hug hormone oxytocin. So massages can be a real mood booster.
A special relaxation massage should be done in a calm and warm environment. Even if oils are not strictly necessary, they can support the effect of the massage as the skin becomes more supple, which is often much more pleasant for the person being massaged. In addition, the aromas in oils can have a calming and relaxing effect, as we explained in another post.
Be careful not to massage the bone and especially the spine. In addition, pressure on the skin and muscles should always remain pleasant, according to the motto: as strong as necessary, as gentle as possible. That’s why nothing should stand in the way of a relaxing massage.
From the surface of the skin to the deep organ attachments: only a few forms of therapy have a similar broad spectrum of action as massage. The right movements not only relax the muscles and increase blood circulation. Congestion in the cell tissue and lymphatic region can also be removed. Even adhesions, as with scar tissue, can dissolve better. The knowledge gained in the field of fascia research worldwide in recent years also shows the importance of soft tissue structures for the musculoskeletal system and movement functions.
A positive effect of massage is its pain-relieving effect – and not just for acute complaints.
“Even patients who suffer from persistent pain often experience a break in their perception of sustained pain as a result of treatment, which makes more movement therapies possible in the first place,” says Ortmann, physiotherapist and national president of the Physical Therapy Association. Therapy. Skin contact, metabolic stimulation and relaxation also have a positive effect on mental state. For example, in the case of depression or anxiety disorders, massage is therefore suitable as a therapeutic supplement when it comes to improving body awareness. “Furthermore, an indirect effect on organs is possible through nerve reflex pathways, as we know through massage, among other things,” says Ortmann.
In its medical practice, massage concentrates on the body area where the complaints occur. Treatment usually begins with light strokes. “Here the therapist receives initial feedback from the tissue and can adjust the intensity of their grip accordingly – as strong as needed and as weak as possible,” the physiotherapist experts explain. By stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping and vibrating, the masseur eventually penetrates deeper tissue layers. In addition, communication with the patient with a medical massage is also important: It should include a complete medical history, as well as additional movement exercises and lifestyle advice, for example, work or sports-related, for better prevention. possible false stress in the future.
A massage can alleviate the symptoms or support therapy for a whole range of diseases, for example:
Important: Some ailments speak against a massage – for example a thrombosis or acute feverish infections. If in doubt, ask your doctor whether a treatment is suitable for you!
Massage Therapy is not the treatment of choice for all muscle complaints. Usually, it should only be used as a support. “A massage is often prescribed early, although treatment with consistent physiotherapy is appropriate, especially in the case of neck and back pain,” warn physiotherapists and experts. Unlike massage, physiotherapy requires the active cooperation of the patient and regulates the tension of the muscles by moving the involved joints. In this way, painful tension in the muscles can be eliminated and prevented in the future. The national care guide for low back pain explicitly recommends the use of movement therapy to reduce pain and improve physical function.
In most cases, muscle complaints are caused by a functional disorder in a joint or part of the spine. As a result, those affected often adopt a relaxing posture to avoid pain. This creates an increased imbalance that increases muscle tension. Therefore, always remember that massage treats the symptoms, but does not eliminate the cause. “If therapy ignores the cause for too long, the initial symptoms threaten to become chronic. In the worst case, those affected are dependent on painkillers for life,” says the expert.
Massage, on the other hand, is a tried and tested way to prepare for physiotherapy. Because it can relax the tissue hardening in advance and then promote blood circulation in the muscles used during physiotherapy.
Massage, especially RMT massage, has many benefits on the body. These massages, which have an immediate effect, are generally preferred in tired times and painful times. Massages, which were preferred as healing in the past, are applied in a much more scientific way today. Those who apply this are RMT massage technicians.
It is possible to protect and get rid of diseases by having a massage. After a regular massage, there is an increase in the number of lymphocyte blood cells in the body. With it, you are protected from diseases and your body’s immune system is strengthened. In this way, you will protect yourself against diseases during the winter months.
After the massage, serotonin and dopamine hormones secreted by the body are also secreted in excess. In this way, you will feel much happier and more peaceful. For this reason, whenever you are upset or depressed, you can come for a massage. You will be happy in a short time and you will feel much better thanks to the hormones secreted.
Massage by massage therapists can relieve neck and back pain, as well as nourish your soul. Such massages have a positive effect on your soul. You will feel relaxed by reaching a peace of mind. Whenever you get bored with life, you can immediately go to a massage therapist and find your peace.
Do not forget to contact us in the areas of RMT Richmond and massage therapy Surrey. We offer you the best treatment at the best prices. You can consult us for many of your diseases. We are always at your service.
