Introduction
The connective tissue massage belongs to the reflex zone massages and is also called subcutaneous reflex therapy. It is a manual stimulation therapy that starts at the back and is based on a stroke and pull technique. The idea behind the massage is that the treatment not only has a local effect, but can also have an effect on certain nerve irritations, especially on internal organs, the locomotor system and vessels.
How does a connective tissue massage work?
The connective tissue massage ideally leads to a relaxation of the massaged connective tissue as well as to a relaxation of the internal organs, muscles and vessels. On the surface of the body or on the skin there are different zones, the so-called Head‘s zones. Each of these zones is in a nervous connection to an inner organ, as they are supplied by the same nerve cord.
By massaging the corresponding skin segment, these organs should be positively influenced. Blood circulation and metabolism of the organ are stimulated, which improves the supply of nutrients to the organ. Because of these events, the practitioner should have a good knowledge of the reflex arches and the nervous system.
Therapists assume that tension in the muscles and connective tissue is often caused by diseases of internal organs, whereby the skin is more tightly connected to the subcutis, so that the subcutaneous connective tissue appears swollen or retracted. By removing these tensions, an attempt is made to improve the situation of the affected organ and the adhesion of the connective tissue between the subcutaneous fatty tissue and the muscle fascia can be loosened. The treatment leads to a relaxation of the smooth musculature of the peripheral blood vessels, which makes the vessels wider and improves blood circulation.
This increase in blood circulation (hyperemia) is the first and most important reaction to the connective tissue massage. In addition to dilating the vessels, the reflex arc normalizes and improves organ functions such as secretion and movement. In functional pain syndromes, a pain-relieving effect can be achieved by the treatment.
Furthermore, the connective tissue massage can, under certain circumstances, also have an effect on the peripheral nervous system, so that the patient begins to sweat, for example. It is typical for the connective tissue massage that the patient feels a clear cutting sensation in the treated area during the treatment, as if the therapist was performing the treatment with his fingernails instead of with the fingertips. Accordingly, the treatment is perceived by the patients as rather unpleasant.
This cutting sensation is stronger the higher the tissue tension is. The treatment also causes a temporary wheal formation (small red elevations of the skin), which is a reaction to the increase in blood circulation. Particularly in patients with weak connective tissue, the treatment can result in blue, non-painful spots.
In some cases, patients may experience fatigue about one to two hours after the massage. The connective tissue massage was developed for the treatment of various complaints and clinical pictures. These are mainly rheumatic diseases, complaints of the spine and locomotor system or the nervous system (neuralgia).
A connective tissue massage can also be successful in treating cellulite. However, since the connective tissue massage can be painful and unpleasant according to its thickness and is actually intended for pathological processes, one should rather fall back on a better tailored massage technique for cellulite. This includes, for example, plucking massage or lymph drainage.