Question to the expert: Is it worth going to a massage "just like that"
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Massage is one of the oldest medical and aesthetic practices in human history, and today there is a huge amount of its techniques and appointments: from highly specialized doctor's prescription to "relaxing" or "modeling", which can be done in a beauty salon between eyebrows and epilation. Meanwhile, about the features, indications and contraindications, you should always first consult with a medical specialist to eliminate the risk of complications - even if the type of massage you like looks completely innocent. If, after examinations, the doctor does not see obstacles, then this is what you need to know before you go for a massage in order to “stretch your muscles,” “improve your tone,” and “just like that.”
Galina Lekovich
Specialist of the beauty salon "OblakaStudio" University, masseuse 1st category with 25 years of experience
Massage stimulates blood circulation, metabolism, provides oxygen to organs and tissues, tones muscles. Due to this, it activates the work of internal organs and the lymphatic system, accelerates metabolic processes, helps in the restoration of the body, promotes psychological relaxation. Thus, massage ensures the proper functioning of the body and may be necessary at any age.
So, in Russia it is customary to recommend general massage to babies to strengthen muscles - it helps them learn to roll and sit. Massage heels baby strengthens the muscles of the foot - perhaps he will avoid flat feet in the future. At school age, a sedentary lifestyle and bags that are worn on one shoulder often lead to deformation of the posture. Therefore, I recommend paying special attention to the massage of the spine and the neck and collar. As we grow older, we are faced with the problem of weakness in the tone of the muscles that "hold" our skeleton. The consequence of this - against the background of stress or due to mechanical damage - can be a muscular clamp.
Clamping occurs when the radicular nerves are pinched, which spasm into the muscle. In this place the blood flow is disturbed: the vertebral disc is dehydrated, its elasticity decreases. Massage in this situation helps to restore blood flow, nutrition of the disc, soften and relax the muscle. Otherwise, under the influence of other factors, the problems listed can become more severe forms - hernia, osteochondrosis, protrusion. Older people are shown massage to activate metabolic processes that slow down during life. Thanks to the nutrition of organs and tissues with oxygen in humans, their well-being is greatly improved.
The task of any massage is to launch processes that will help the body work better.
As I have already noted, massage plays a very important role not only for normalizing blood circulation and metabolism, but also for strengthening muscles. Massage is a kind of "gymnastics for the lazy" and is good for those who do not play sports. Those who have physical exertion, it is recommended to do a massage to tone and relax the muscles, which accumulate lactic acid.
As for the aesthetic side of the issue, of course, it goes hand in hand with health. It is better to regularly take preventive courses of general massage, and then combine it with other procedures. For example, after childbirth, girls are faced with swelling - in this case, you can combine therapeutic massage with drainage. There are specific techniques for massaging internal organs (visceral massage), which are necessarily preceded by a general massage. Thus, the task of any massage is to launch processes that will help the body work better. Do not forget that massage is also useful for psychological relaxation. During the session, receptors are stimulated on the surface of the skin, which has a positive effect on the work of the nervous system and, of course, of the whole body.
I recommend taking massage courses at least twice a year: during periods of exacerbation of diseases (if any) and changing seasons - in early spring and early autumn. The course is 7-12 procedures twice a week, but may increase if aesthetic orientation is added to the massage. Supporting courses can be held in winter and summer. Do not forget to take breaks between courses and add physical exertion so that the muscles do not stop working without external influence.
Photo: malvine_99 - stock.adobe.com, aopsan - stock.adobe.com