Massage

Massage: Is define as systematic manipulations of the soft tissue of the body


Indications:

1. Chronic Injury - more than 48 hours
2. Analgesic -decrease pain
3. Relaxation
4. Decrease Adhesion
5. Increase circulation
6. Sedation


Contraindication:
1. If done over malignancies
2. If done over open wounds
3. Circulatory Problems
4. If done over infected tissues
5. Inappropriate application
6. Skin disease
7. Recent unhealed scars
8. Adjacent to recent fracture sites
9. Acutely inflamed tissue
10 Fever
11. After eating
12. Abdominal hernia
13. Pregnancy
14. Psychologically unstable patients
15. Hypertensive patients
16. If done for no reason at all

Limitations:
1. Can not increase strength
2. Not a substitute to active exercise
3. Tends to develop addiction


Basic Principles of Massage Treatment:
1. Patient must be in a relaxed and comfortable position(properly position and drape the patient)
2. Caregiver must be able to complete the technique without shifting position
3. Caregiver must have clean hands, short nails and no areas of broken skin .It is also necessary to remove jewelries (rings and bracelets).
4. The use of lubricants may facilitate ease of techniques (except for friction massage)
5. Skill of the practitioner is related more to his ability to distribute even pressure throughout the hands rather the strength alone.

Components of Massage

1. Direction of motion - usually centripetal or towards the heart
2. Pressure applied - light to relax, deep stimulate blood flow.
3. Rhythm of movement
4. Media
a. Powder ex.
b. Oil ex.
c. Water based lotion ex. Lanolin
d. Soap and water
5. Position of the patient and caregiver - observe proper body mechanics and positioning
6. Duration and frequency of movement- total treatment time should not exceeed 50 minutes. Above 50 minutes will produce tissue damage.