Foot as a base
The foot bears the entire load of the body, and its condition is reflected higher up the chain - on the knees, pelvis and lower back. With flat feet and plantar fasciitis, the calf muscles are under constant tension, and the plantar fascia loses its elasticity, which causes the characteristic morning pain in the heel. The massage relaxes the calf muscles and stretches the fascia, reducing pain. The procedure is especially in demand among people in standing professions, runners and patients with diabetes - in the latter case, the technique is gentle, with a mandatory examination of the skin of the feet before the session.
Why massage is counted by zones
The cost and duration of the session are determined by the area of the treated surface and the number of muscle groups. Working on the collar area takes 15–20 minutes, on the back – twice as long, and a general massage of the whole body – about an hour.
This approach is also convenient clinically: the doctor prescribes an effect specifically on the problem area, and not “massage in general.” For lower back pain, there is no point in paying for arm work, and for tension headaches, the key area will be the neck and shoulder girdle.
How does massage therapy work?
Mechanical action improves blood circulation and lymphatic drainage in tissues, relieves muscle spasms, reduces pain and increases mobility. For chronic back and neck pain, massage is included in standard treatment regimens along with physical therapy.
The effect is cumulative: after one session, temporary relaxation occurs, a stable result appears by the end of the course of 8–10 procedures.
Contraindications
Massage is not performed in acute inflammatory processes and high temperature, purulent skin diseases, vein thrombosis, bleeding, in the acute period of injury and in case of malignant neoplasms without the consent of the oncologist. For hypertension, pregnancy and after operations, the technique and zones are selected separately.