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:: Massage Therapy
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An excellent form of passive exercise is massage Therapy. Massage
Therapy involves the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues
of the body, which if done correctly, can be highly stimulating
and invigorating. Massages have been used from the ancient times,
as old as 400 B.C and yet been used as a mode of treatment for
many ailments, since it has restored many a sufferer to health and
vigour.
The general massage, dealing with all parts of the body, is highly
beneficial in many ways. It tones up the nervous system,
influences respiration and quickens the elimination of poisons and
waste material from the body through the various eliminative
organs and also boosts |
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blood circulation and metabolic processes. A massage removes
facial wrinkles, helps to fill out hollow cheeks and neck and
eases stiffness, sore muscles and numbness. Cottonseed oil is most
commonly used for massaging, but butter is used for filling out
cheeks and the neck and also for breast enlargement. If the
patient is averse to oil, talcum powder may be used. Persons with
excessive body hair should not use oil. General body massage may
be done for 40 to 45 minutes and local body massage for 10 to 15
minutes. The oil should be washed off completely after massage.
Different body parts can be massaged in distinctive ways for
better healing process. These are described as follows: |
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1. Massage of the Joints: In these cases, affected parts
should first be bathed with hot water for 15 to 30 minutes and
then the massage should be done for a few minutes. Gentle stroking
and kneading is recommended on and around the injured tissues.
This thus provides additional nourishment to feed the muscular
tissues, helping them to grow strong. Massage is employed for
eliminating muscle contraction and of breaking of adhesions. A
little moderate kneading, and percussion cause muscles to contract
and become stronger. Deep circular kneading and vibration loosens
the muscles. Kneading under and round the muscles breaks up
adhesions. |
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2. Massage of the Abdomen: Abdominal massage should not be
done after a heavy meal, but after two hours or so. The bladder
should be emptied before the massage. The patient is made to lie
on his back with his knees drawn up. This enables the abdomen wall
to relax. The masseur should stand at the right side of the
patient and use his finger tips for friction round the umbilical
region from right to left. He should likewise alternatively knead
the walls and roll with both hands, making deep and firm pressure.
He should knead with the hand and finger tips and keep clear of
any wound or tender places. He should later take up massaging the
larger intestines.
The manipulation of the large intestine should begin on the
right side. Keep it going upwards and across the transverse colon
and move right down on the left side to the sigmoid flexure and
rectum. Circular kneading should be done with the help of the
three middle fingers. At the same time press into the contents of
the abdomen, following the course of the larger colon with a
crawling motion. Keep kneading by means of a few circular
movements in one spot with the help of fingertips. Keep moving the
fingers a little further along. Knead repeatedly. Use ruckles of
the hand to make deep pressures along the large colon, moving the
hands along after each pressure. Once the kneading of the abdomen
is over, follow up by massaging with both hands cupped or use the
knuckles of the hand. The patient could also be asked to do some
gymnastic exercises for strengthening the walls of the abdomen.
Since blood pressure increases during abdominal manipulation,
patients with hypertension should avoid abdominal massage. Massage
should also be avoided in cases where there has been recent
bleeding in the lungs, the stomach or the brain. |
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3. Nerves Massage: Nerve compression is recommended for
soothing nerves. Grasp the limb with both hands, and create firm
pressure around and down the arm. Start with the shoulder and
proceed down to the wrist. As you leave the grip, bring the hands
down a little and make another pressure. As a result, blood
circulation will increase. Spinal nerve compression is extremely
beneficial. The palm of the hand does it and the vibration of the
fingers stimulates it.
4. Chest Massage: Chest massage is helpful in many ways.
The patient is made to lie on the back with the arms at the sides.
The masseur starts manipulating the chest by means of strokes with
both hands on each side of the breastbone. The movement made up
and down, moving |
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down the chest, forms a circular motion. Next the muscle kneading
is done by picking up the skin and muscles with both hands.
Treatment is given to both sides of the chest likewise. Circular
kneading is next done by placing one hand on each side of the
breastbone and making the circular motions outward towards the
sides. |
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5. Back Massage: The patient is made to lie down with arms
at the sides. The masseur effleurages the back from the shoulders
downwards using both hands on each side of the spine. Stroking is
done from the sacrum upward. Friction follows with each hand at
the sides of the spine going down slowly. Next, kneading by muscle
picking is done with squeezing. Alternate rapid pushing and
pulling movement of the hands sliding down the spine. Circular
kneading should also be done. The treatment should end by
slapping, hacking and cupping on each side of the spine. Gentle
stroking and light kneading of the back is relieving and soothing.
Percussion and vibration result into stimulating experience. |
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6. Massage of the Throat: The patient is made to throw his
head back. The masseur places palms of both hands on sides of neck
with thumbs under the chin, and fingers under the ears. A downward
stroke is next made towards the chest over the jugular veins. Do
not exert heavily on the jugular veins. Repeat several times. |
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Naturopathy treatments are offered at
Sunrise Health Resort. Highly motivated and committed team of
doctors and practitioners ensure the highest levels in the quality
of treatment and medicinal preparations. The special health and
beauty care packages are specifically designed to treat modern day
maladies.
For more details and cost of the Naturopathy Treatments
please send us your
Query or
e-mail !
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Visit also
▪
Ayurveda
▪
Naturopathy
▪
Alternative Therapies
▪
Holistic
Spa |
