This is when the skin, connective tissue and muscles are mechanically affected by stretching, pulling or pressure stimuli are exerted. In the broadest sense, massage is one of the oldest remedies of humanity. As early as around 2600 BC, massage techniques combined with gymnastic exercises were used as part of health education and healing arts. Only much later, already in the 16th century, did the different massage techniques comeback to use and sat down over time more and more. The massage handles became more and more special and the application areas far more extensive.
How do Massages work?
The effect of the massage is completely different, affecting not only the touched parts of the body and muscles, but also the entire organism and the psyche. The effects range from the improvement of blood circulation on relaxation of the muscles to relieving pain. Even stress is solved by massages or can be reduced by a few targeted actions.
With regard to the type of massage one differentiates between different forms:
• Direct Massage
• Reflex Massage
Regardless of which form is used, it is attempted in two different ways to relieve the discomfort of the affected person by treating the joints and muscles. Traditional massage is often referred to as Swedish massage. It is based on the world over decades grip technology and is considered the most famous massage form. It is used for muscle tensing, hardening or disorders of the musculoskeletal system, spinal syndromes or post-traumatic changes and is used for example in problems of the musculature in the neck or shoulder. In the form of a manual therapy massaging ensures a mechanical influence on tissues and organs under the skin.
It also distinguishes between the local and the general effect in terms of the effect of the massage. While the local effects are more likely to affect the skin surface, the general effects occur through the autonomic nervous system, which enhances overall well-being by affecting all functional circuits and systems of the body. If the treatment is limited to one part of the body, this is called partial body massage. In contrast, the whole body massage massages several parts of the body.
Of particular importance is the foot reflexology massage. The treatment of certain organs or body parts by the massage of the foot reflex zones, as individual body parts are assigned to different zones on the sole of the foot or footrest. The treatment is carried out by hand or pedal massage.
Somewhat different from the classic massage is the Thai massage. Through the combination of yoga and massaging movements, this form of full-body massage is designed to work through ten selected energy lines through stretching, stretching, joint mobilization and pressure point massage. These are processed by gentle stretching and with the rhythmic pressure of hand, thumb, knee, elbow and foot with increasing intensity.
Who is doing the Massage?
The massage not only offers a high relaxation and wellbeing factor, but is also used for therapeutic purposes due to its effect. While the classic relaxation massage serves the physical well-being of the person being treated, the medical massage is always used in conjunction with therapy and may only be performed by trained masseurs. This usually requires several massage sessions, which are prescribed on doctor's orders. In Vienna alone, dozens of institutes offer medical massages.
A classic massage consists of five massage strokes that are performed in a specific order. For massages to lead to the desired success, it is important that the massage therapist masters these massage techniques. The stroking over certain parts of the body such as the neck or shoulder is called the Effleurage, the gentlest massage grip. A little further under the skin is the treatment with the Petrissage. During the massage, the treated parts of the body are kneaded and worked so that subcutaneous tissue and muscles are reached. From above, pressure is exerted on the body parts to be treated. Another massage grip is the friction. For this purpose, the skin surface and underlying body parts are rubbed with circular movements. Hacking or Cupping count to the massage grip Tapotement.
If massages are carried out professionally, they have a positive effect on body and mind. Through the trained hand movements and massage grips creates a heat, through which relax tension, etc. This also has an effect on the receptors, as a result of which the tensions in the muscle decrease, the blood circulation is promoted and thus more oxygen is available in the body. Metabolism and lymph flow are stimulated by the massage. The effect of psychic relaxation after a massage is achieved through the endorphins that are expelled through the various massage strokes. Oils, aromatic oils and fragrance oils increase the positive effect of massages on the treated person.