Massages have been used for therapeutic purposes in many cultures for thousands of years. In the meantime, there is an almost unmanageable range of different massage techniques – starting from the classic massage to the Thai and the foot reflexology to the exotic Lomi-Lomi massage. Massages today are used both to treat physical ailments and as a means of relaxation.
Effect of massages
Depending on the type of massage, the effects of a massage on our body can be quite different. However, what most massages have in common is that the skin, muscles and connective tissue are mechanically influenced. This influence takes place through pressure, stretching or pulling stimuli. The blood circulation of the skin and the musculature is promoted by the different massage grips. In addition, cell metabolism in the tissues is stimulated and blood pressure and pulse rate decrease. In addition, massaging the skin and muscles has a relaxing effect on them. Hardening in the musculature can be loosened as well as adhesions. Thus, a massage can also have a pain-relieving effect. However, a massage should not only have a positive effect on the directly treated area, but also on the entire organism. Through so-called reflex arcs, it should also have a beneficial effect on the internal organs. However, not only the body, but also the psyche feels a massage as relaxing: through the gentle touches, existing stress can be reduced.
When is a massage recommended?
A massage can have a positive effect especially on one or more of the following complaints:
- Back pain and hardening and tension in the back (If you suffer from severe back pain, you should first be examined by a doctor and then only be treated by a trained physiotherapist)!
- Poor circulation
- Psychological stress
By the way, a massage is particularly effective if the body is warmed up a bit beforehand. This can be done, for example, by a warm bath, a fango pack, a sauna session or a red light treatment.
When should massage be avoided?
As a general rule, massages should not be performed during acute inflammation. Typical symptoms of inflammation include pain, fever, swelling, redness of the affected area, and a change in the leukocyte count. If an acute inflammation is present, the body is already severely stressed by the inflammation. A massage represents an additional strain for the weakened body and can thus aggravate the clinical picture. One should also be careful with massages in case of a skin disease. This is because touching the skin or the massage oil can cause the disease to worsen. During pregnancy, it should be clarified in advance with a doctor whether and which forms of massage are permitted. Finally, massage should also be avoided for traumatic injuries and open wounds. Such traumatic injuries include, for example, bruises or broken bones. Since massage exerts pressure on the tissue, massage is counterproductive to the healing process. In the case of bruising, massage is not allowed again until there is no longer a risk of secondary bleeding.
Tips for a relaxing massage:
In order to enjoy a massage, it is important to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere. Choose a suitable place for the massage, turn on calm, relaxing music or light a candle. In such a feel-good atmosphere, it is particularly easy to switch off during the massage. In addition, you should still follow the following tips for a relaxing massage:
- Cover the body parts that are not currently massaged with a blanket or towel, so that they do not cool down.
- Warm the oil a little in your hands before the massage, so the contact with the oil is not perceived as unpleasant.
- Always massage towards the heart – for the legs, for example, from the feet to the hips and not vice versa.
Different massage techniques
Thai massage, foot reflexology or hot stone massage: nowadays there are a variety of different massage techniques.In general, a distinction is made between massages that have a direct effect on the painful area and those that have a reflex effect. While the former directly massages the area where a relaxing and pain-relieving effect is to occur, the latter has an indirect effect. Massages with a direct effect include classical massage and sports massage. The best known massage with a reflexive effect is the foot reflexology. Some massages, such as Thai massage, can have both a direct and an indirect effect on our body. On the next page you can get an overview of the most popular types of massage and their respective characteristics.
