Even in ancient times, massage was used to get rid of all sorts of ailments. This procedure gave a good effect in the fight against high blood pressure. In the modern world, a large number of massage techniques are known that have a beneficial effect on the body. The use of massage for hypertension can eliminate unpleasant symptoms, significantly reduce the amount of drug use.
The effect of massage treatments
Massage appeared a very long time ago, in ancient Egypt it was used as a body care product. For the Roman people, this process has several types - dry or with oils, intense or weak, fleeting or long. For the Slavs, massage was associated with a steam room and was performed with brooms made of oak or birch leaves.
The purpose of massage (as well as physical exercises) is to intensify the work of vital organs. Massage is a dynamic way of influencing certain parts of the body through dosed mechanical pressures. The process is carried out in compliance with special techniques and techniques or with the use of special devices. But according to the degree of influence, as well as the very effect on the human body, massage differs significantly from other physiological methods of therapy.
Under the influence of massage techniques, the flow of impulses begins to flow into the central nervous system from the skin, tendons, internal organs, ligaments, blood vessels and muscles. They are taken by the cerebral cortex and awaken the body's reaction. This manifests itself in the form of various changes in tissues and organs. Through course massage techniques, you can affect the excitability of the nervous system, and through it - on the work of all other organs. In addition, in the process of mechanical action on the skin, the movement of blood and lymph changes, as well as stretching and movement of tissues.
Thus, with the help of massage, a physiological reaction from the nervous system is awakened, but at the same time, the patient is not required to display activity and volitional tension. Under the influence of massage, the regulation of redox processes, hemodynamics and lymph flow improves, that is, in general, material metabolism is activated.
Indications and limitations
Many are interested in whether it is possible to do massage with hypertension. The answer is definitely positive. For preventive purposes, you should choose a wellness massage. The main indication for massage with hypertension is a hereditary tendency to increase pressure. In this case, doctors recommend at least twice a year to undergo a course of hygienic massage.
Limitations for massage for hypertension are:
- Hypertensive attack.
- Hypertension in the last stage with severe complications in the form of renal, heart failure and breathing problems.
- Fever and inflammatory processes.
- Bleeding and addiction to them.
- Skin diseases.
- Thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, inflammation and lymphangitis.
- Conditions accompanied by psychomotor agitation.
In addition, it is very important that all mechanical influences (like therapy itself) are carried out by a qualified doctor. He must have the necessary level of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
How to prepare for a massage
Massage is not just stroking the skin and kneading various parts of the body. This is a specially designed mechanism of action on the body as a whole. Improper preparation for the process can significantly reduce the effect.
To achieve a positive result, the patient must do the following:
- To relax. It is best to come to the procedure in advance so that there is an opportunity to rebuild.
- Do not eat much. It is recommended to take food no later than two hours before the session, the food should be light. In addition, strong tea and coffee are not allowed.
- Before the massage, you must take all the medications prescribed by your doctor.
- Do not smoke 3 hours before and after the procedure.
Violation of these rules will greatly reduce the effect. Drinking coffee can cause high blood pressure in some patients.
Massage Techniques
Specialists recommend using two massage techniques:
- The classic scheme.
- Acupressure for hypertension.
Massage Features
This technique is used by specialists in most treatment centers specializing in the treatment of hypertension. The main attention in the treatment of hypertension is given to areas associated with nerve endings. So, the main areas of massage for hypertension:
- Head.
- Neck.
- Collar part.
- In rare cases, a massage is performed on the entire back and buttocks.
Features of massage for hypertension are kneading the lower parts of the body with a smooth transition to the collar zone, and then to the head. This technique allows you to stimulate vascular receptors to redistribute blood flow and stabilize blood pressure.
The following applies to the process:
- Stroking. Stroking movements help relax muscles and prepare the body for a deeper effect.
- Rubbing. Produce a similar effect.
- Kneading Specialist kneads muscle groups with your fingertips. These movements lead to relaxation of spasmodic zones and normalization of blood flow.
- Pressure. This method is used when the previous one is impossible.
Alternating stroking with kneading and pressing gives a noticeable result. The duration of the massage session should not be longer than 20 minutes. To consolidate the result, you need to undergo a full treatment course, consisting of 12-16 sessions. Improvement in the patient will begin after the fifth procedure.
Classic massage
In medicine, there are a huge number of types of massage. In hypertension, it is customary to use the classical technique, but it is not recommended to use the back zone above the lower back. An exception may be isolated cases.
Technological scheme of massage for hypertension:
- The loin, limbs and abdomen are treated superficially, without the use of deep kneading techniques and copious grinding.
- Next, the collar is massaged in a sitting position.
- After that, a neck and head massage is performed.
These are exactly the parts with which to work if the diagnosis of "hypertension" is established.
Cervical and collar
Before starting the process, you should determine the patient’s posture. It is permissible to perform a massage both in a sitting position and in a supine position. But most often the patient sits down, and the masseur takes a position from behind or from the side. The massage technique for hypertension consists of certain types of exposure:
- Stroking. As a rule, this is the first step to warm up the cervical spine. In the direction from top to bottom, smooth stroking movements are performed, then to the sides (from the middle to the edges). It is necessary to perform movements with alternation - grasping, comb-shaped planar and forceps. This helps to relax muscles and relieve tension.
- Trituration. At this stage, the movements become more assertive. They are performed with the help of a fist and bent fingers or palms in the directions from top to bottom and from the middle to the edges. This technique has a deeper and more effective effect on the muscles. Hemodynamics improves. In addition, you can use circular grinding (the thumb and forefinger “draw” a semicircle near the neck), which gives a very good effect.
- Kneading. With the help of the thumb, index and middle fingers, the trapezius muscle is worked out. The action is performed by pressing movements in a circle. This area is most often the cause of headaches, since blood stasis forms in it. If pain occurs during kneading, it is recommended to continue, but reduce the degree of intensity.
- Tapping. This step gives a good effect if the patient has stagnation of body fat. Movements are made with the fingertips. They must be fast and strong. As a result, the tension goes away, and the nervous system comes in tone.
- Squeezing. Reception is used for therapeutic and sports massage. This method perfectly helps to cope with edema and helps to improve the outflow of lymph. The so-called squeezes are carried out by pressure on the site. The hand is placed at the side of the back of the spine on the back of the head, and movements begin down to the second thoracic vertebra to the shoulder and deltoid muscle.
- Slip. This is the final stage of the massage. Stroking movements are performed with the fingertips from top to bottom and back.
To massage with hypertension gave the maximum effect, it is necessary to break the points into groups. Work out some areas on even days, others on odd days. This will streamline the process and get a quick result. A procedure lasting 30-60 seconds is enough to reduce stress. The described method is universal, it can be applied even at low pressure.
Tummy massage
A feature of reflex massage of the abdomen with hypertension is that it is prescribed only to patients with a flaccid and flabby abdominal wall, as well as in case of weak abdominal muscles, with enteroptosis, persistent constipation, flatulence. Massage the abdomen eliminates all of these problems and restore cardiac activity. Movement when working with the abdominal cavity should not be energetic, everything is done smoothly and calmly. Kneading movements and all kinds of intermittent vibrations (patting, striking, etc.) are excluded from standard techniques of classical massage. If the patient has congestion in a large circle of blood circulation, then he is prescribed a lower limb massage.
Abdominal massage is recommended to be combined with physical activity. They must be correctly selected and dosed. The duration of one procedure is no more than 15 minutes, you need to take the course daily for 20-25 days.
Acupressure for hypertension
With hypertension, doctors recommend using a point technique. Improvement of the patient's condition in this case is observed after the third session. To normalize blood pressure, it is recommended to undergo massage manipulation courses. Most often, the course includes from 16 to 25 sessions. To get the maximum result, you should visit a specialist 2 times a day.
Acupressure for hypertension should be done regularly. The main thing is that the patient breathes evenly through the nose and is relaxed. With hypertension stage 1 and 2, acupressure can be performed. It is allowed even with coronary heart disease, but not during an attack.
Execution technique
During the procedure, the specialist points the index finger to the desired point and begins to massage it. The intensity of stroking at the beginning and at the end of the procedure is very light, in the middle the force effects increase. So, the acupressure technique for hypertension is as follows:
- First of all, work is performed with points located at the edge of the knee joint and slightly lower, that is, next to the central part. This is done for five minutes.
- The following exposure points are located on the fourth finger and below the patella. Also worked out for five minutes at a time.
- The third points are between the metatarsal bones. Massage for five minutes.
- Fourth - located there, only this time a portion of the second and third bone is taken. Study five minutes.
- Fifth - on the fourth finger and above the ankle on the inside.
- Sixth - the area of the subcutaneous muscle on the neck, where there is a connection with the occipital tubercle. The duration is the same.
- Seventh - at the intersection of the head line with the auricles. Massage for 3 minutes.
- The eighth is the dimple behind the ear (next to the lower jaw). Work out 3 minutes.
Self-massage with hypertension
In patients, the question often arises: can I do massage for hypertension on my own? With this disease, this option is allowed. In this case, it is necessary to follow the same rules as for specialist treatment. Before the procedure, the patient must take drugs that lower blood pressure. And you can also lower this indicator by performing special exercises. Self-massage is recommended in the morning.
To perform the actions, you should take the most comfortable position in which you can completely relax. For this, the patient needs to lie down or stay in a standing position. In the treatment of hypertension at home, it is necessary to perform superficial stroking, rubbing and kneading. In the process of carrying out manipulations, you need to take small breaks.
There are patients who note that after performing the massage their blood pressure rises. This is a normal occurrence. It is possible to independently perform massage for the collar zone, back, neck and abdomen with hypertension. It is recommended to massage the back in a sitting position. This is done with rubbing massage movements. The abdomen should be massaged in a sitting position, making circular movements around the navel. The concepts of hypertension and massage are inextricably linked. It is for this reason that this technique is used to stabilize the patient's condition.
Conclusion
Massage and self-massage are very effective in combating high blood pressure. These manipulations will help to improve well-being, prevent hypertensive crises and reduce the dose of medications. To achieve higher efficiency, it is recommended to combine massage and exercise therapy (physical therapy complex) for hypertension.
Of course, it is better to seek help from professionals who are well aware of the anatomy of the body and can have an effect on reflex zones, effectively reducing vascular tone. But if this is not possible, then self-massage will also help to significantly improve the condition. It is only necessary to consult a doctor in advance.