How to massage a bedridden patient: features, techniques, contraindications

Self-massage before bed

Self-massage before bed - its task is to relieve tension, calm the body, preparing it for sleep.

The massage is carried out easily, without tension, rhythmically. The following techniques are used: stroking, shaking, rubbing, light kneading and stroking again. The last technique is best done in bed with complete relaxation on the chest, stomach, face (mainly on the forehead). Self-massage before bed is especially useful for mental workers, as well as those working in production with high noise levels. This self-massage session takes no more than 5-8 minutes.

In recent years, many people have been doing physical exercise 1-1.5 hours before bedtime: gymnastics, running, etc. After this, they take a cold shower. This is not entirely correct. Cold water, as a rule, excites the nervous system and can worsen the process of falling asleep (make it take longer and make sleep more restless). Therefore, it is best to take a shower and wash your face with warm water before going to bed. Take a cold shower at least two hours before bedtime.

Here I would like to talk about acupressure. It is advisable to carry it out in bed immediately before bedtime. Massage asymmetrical points with the fingers of your right hand, and symmetrical points with the fingers of your right and left hands in turn.

It is better if acupressure is given to you by one of your family members. But self-massage is also quite effective.

Massage the points in the following sequence (Fig. 78):

• 1st point (asymmetrical) between the eyebrows. Massage with your index finger, press lightly, intermittently for three minutes.
• 2nd point (symmetrical) on the hand at the end of the fold formed when the arm is bent at the elbow, on the side of the thumb. Massage with your thumb, press sensitively, intermittently for 5 minutes.
• 3rd point (symmetrical) on the back of the hand, between the thumb and forefinger (if you spread your fingers, then one centimeter from the skin fold in the center). Massage with your thumb, press lightly, intermittently for 3 minutes.
• 4th point (symmetrical) on the foot under the inner ankle, on the border of the dorsal and plantar surfaces. Massage with your thumb, press lightly, making rotational movements, for 3 minutes.
• 5th point (symmetrical) in the center of the sole, between the second and third metatarsal bones. Massage with your index finger, kneading strongly, i.e. intermittently pressing on the point and the area around it, for 3 minutes.
• 6th point (symmetrical) under the outer malleolus, at the level of the protrusion of the heel bone. Massage with your thumb, press sensitively, making rotational movements, for 3 minutes.
• 7th point (symmetrical) between the first metatarsal bone and the main phalanx of the big toe, on the border of the dorsal and plantar surfaces. Massage with your index finger, press lightly, intermittently for 5 minutes.
• 8th point (symmetrical) on the outer surface of the lower leg, between the tibialis muscle and the long extensor of the toes. Massage with your index finger, apply light pressure, making rotational movements, for 3 minutes.

If this complex does not lead to falling asleep, try acupressure self-massage using this technique. Start at the point where the eyebrows meet (the space between the eyebrows), just above the bridge of the nose. It can be pressed with any hand (more convenient with the middle finger) or massaged for 1.5-2 minutes; if this is done while sitting, the head is lowered to the chest and the eyes are slightly closed.

The 2nd point is located on the left side of the head, above the auricle by the length of the index finger, it will correspond to the parietal fossa. Massage for 2-3 minutes.

The 3rd point is located under the xiphoid process (under the stomach). Self-massage is performed with the tips of the third and fourth fingers of the right or left hand for 1.5-2 minutes. It is possible that the first sessions of self-massage will not be as effective as you would like, but be patient: after a while you will see that you begin to fall asleep faster.

The effect of massage of the cervical-collar area

Massage of the cervical-collar area as a whole has a healing effect on the body, increases vitality and has many other positive effects.

Massage normalizes blood circulation, improves metabolic processes, and removes congestion.

With its help, you can quickly relieve accumulated fatigue and tension in the muscles of the shoulder girdle and neck, increase their elasticity and normalize tone. The massage effect is noted to be an increase in efficiency, the return of full sleep, and it is also an excellent prevention of many diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

However, despite the simple technique of performing massage of the cervical-collar area, the positive effect of the impact directly depends on the accuracy and professionalism of the massage therapist. Therefore, when performing self-massage, you should be very careful and if you experience the slightest discomfort, you should stop working on this area yourself and consult a doctor.

The therapeutic option of massage is prescribed not only to adults, but also to children. Thanks to massage, the child’s attention and memory improves, muscles relax and excess stress is removed from the growing body.

Also, the effects of massage of the cervical-collar area include the following factors:

• stimulation of muscle work in the cervical-collar area;
• posture correction;
• normalization of breathing and blood microcirculation;
• elimination of congestion in this area of ​​the body;
• eliminating pain from lactic acid after sports training;
• general relaxing effect;
• improving the functioning of internal organs.

In general, after a massage, there is an increase in a person’s overall ability to work, since reflexogenic points are located in the cervical-collar area.

Vision also improves in the same way, since the nerve endings associated with the organs of vision are located in the cervical region.

Massage of the cervical-collar area, according to indications, can be performed using mechanical and electromechanical devices

In addition, the cosmetic benefits of the procedure are important for women. As a result of targeted impact on the skin, its elasticity increases and the thickness of the fat layer decreases. Most often, massage is done manually; it can be performed at home. To do this, you only need a flat, soft surface, a sofa or bed.

The benefits of massage for insomnia

Most causes of insomnia (synonymous with insomnia) are associated with psychosomatics, when a person’s normal functioning of the body is disrupted due to experiences, stress or pathological conditions. This could be pressure surges, rapid heartbeat, some kind of fear or poor health. All this does not allow you to fall asleep calmly and quickly.

And massage is very effective for all these conditions. It has a physiological effect, but the acceleration of blood and lymph leads to the normalization of the functioning of systems and organs, in particular the brain. The person calms down and relaxes; his breathing and pulse are restored, muscle spasms subside. And massage is a very pleasant procedure, so an element of pampering and bliss is also present. This applies to all people: men, women, children and the elderly.

Massage for insomnia in pregnant women and newborns

These two categories of people are always considered together. Because both pregnant women and infants need a more gentle approach.

During pregnancy, massage will help not only cope with insomnia, but also disperse the blood and lymph of an inactive expectant mother. After all, even if she tries to walk more, it is still impossible to use all muscle groups. And it is precisely because of their stagnation that pregnant women often suffer from insomnia. Therefore, massage can and should be done. Although it wouldn't hurt to consult a doctor.

Massage during pregnancy should be as gentle as possible. You should especially avoid applying strong pressure to the abdominal area.

Breasts will also benefit from this procedure. Babies often sleep restlessly because of muscle spasms, so massaging the arms, legs and back will help relieve this tension and put the child to sleep. A gentle tummy massage will additionally help prevent colic.

Indications for prescribing massage procedures

The doctor should choose the treatment technique based on the clinical picture. Typically its use is prescribed for:

• Scoliosis when the symmetry of muscle tissue is disturbed (on one side there is strong muscle tension, on the other - weak). Massage fixes stretched back muscles, normalizes tone, and relieves pain.
• Curvatures of the spinal column. Massaging helps strengthen the muscle corset, relieve pain, relieve spasm and tension.

The use of appropriate techniques in combination with physiotherapeutic manipulations accelerates the processes of regeneration of joint functions and normalizes blood circulation in case of spinal injuries.

Atmosphere for massage

If insomnia has taken you by surprise and you need to urgently take action, then there will be no time for atmosphere. The person will begin to remember acupressure techniques and massage his fingers, neck or area behind the ears. If this is a full-fledged daily ritual aimed at relieving long-present muscle spasms and symptoms of anxiety, then you should prepare for it.

Music

If everyone has their own musical preferences, then for a massage against insomnia you need relaxing tracks in ethno style, sounds of nature, Russian or Chinese motifs. There are ready-made compositions on the Internet that are called “music for massage.” Loud, exciting tracks such as rock and roll or techno are not recommended. Otherwise, there is a risk that after such songs insomnia will begin after the massage.

Aromatherapy

Ideally combined with massage for insomnia. You just need to choose the right aromas that will not awaken vigor, but will calm the nervous system. This is for example:

• lavender;
• chamomile;
• incense;
• geranium;
• patchouli;
• cedar.

These can be incense sticks or essential oils. Mixing scents is not recommended because they can give off an unpleasant odor that will be irritating. It’s better to focus on one thing that evokes positive emotions. The oil can be poured into an aroma lamp or simply applied to a paper napkin and placed next to you.

Over time, it may turn out that massage for insomnia is no longer needed. Aromatherapy alone is enough: a person will smell the smell, reflexively remember a pleasant pastime, and fall asleep to it.

Where and how to massage

It is optimal to do this in your own bedroom, so that such a pleasant and relaxing event is associated with rest and sleep. You can sit or lie down on the bed, turn on the music, turn off the lights, light the aroma lamp and throw all thoughts out of your head. Try to tune in to relaxation or focus on massaging one or another point on the body for insomnia.

If a massage for insomnia is performed by a stranger, then conversations will be unnecessary. The massage therapist can tell you something monotonously, but you don’t need to answer him. This is a popular method, proven more than once in practice, when students fall asleep while the teacher is speaking, employees fall asleep during meetings, etc.

What to think about

Massage is always a relaxing procedure. And when it is carried out with the aim of getting rid of insomnia - even more so. And during the massage you need to try to relax as much as possible not only the body, but also the thoughts. If you can’t not think about anything, you need to remember something pleasant. You can also try to count, slowly and measuredly: 1, 2, 3... And it is not at all necessary to imagine sheep. It's enough just to get into the rhythm.

Not only systematic insomnia is dangerous to health, but also one-time cases. Lack of sleep can seriously affect a person's physiological and psychological health. And it’s not a fact that the next night you’ll be able to get enough sleep for the previous one. Insomnia can very easily become chronic, because the factors that provoke it are superimposed on one another. Lack of sleep, fatigue, nervousness, problems at work or in the family, lack of sleep - it turns out to be a vicious circle, from which you can get out with the help of massage.

Causes of insomnia

The causes of sleep disturbances are usually nervous tension, mental or physical fatigue, and stress. But sometimes, regular sleep problems can serve as a signal from the body for certain diseases. Lack of sleep depletes the body's energy reserves, causing fatigue and the body becoming more vulnerable to various types of infections.

But despite the unpleasant consequences, the fight against sleep disorders should begin not with taking medications, but with normalizing the rest and work regime.

To restore sleep patterns, it is recommended to take walks in the fresh air, listen to relaxing music, take warm baths, do not drink alcoholic beverages or eat fatty foods immediately before bed. But all the recommendations boil down to one thing - to improve sleep you need maximum relaxation. And the best way to relax is massage.

Types of massage for insomnia

Massage can help both at one time and as a course event. That is, if a person goes to bed, but cannot fall asleep, it is recommended to massage certain points, after which sleep will gradually come. If you have systematic insomnia, you should regularly visit a massage therapist (or do self-massage) so that the effect accumulates and the impact is more powerful.

Before prescribing a massage for yourself, it would be useful to consult a doctor. He will not only recommend certain techniques, but will also assess the presence/absence of contraindications for them.

There are many types and techniques of massage for insomnia. The choice of one method or another depends on one’s own capabilities, preferences and desires, as well as on medical prescriptions.

Massage room

In this case, you don’t need to invent anything. The patient simply undergoes an examination; The doctor determines the causes of insomnia and prescribes massage as a physiotherapeutic treatment method. What kind of technique it will be and what area it is aimed at will be determined by a specialist.

If a person chooses a private massage therapist without first seeing a doctor, then it is better to focus on a general relaxing massage. Although it wouldn’t be a bad idea to consult with a massage therapist, because often a person in this profession has a medical education.

Home massagers

Having such a device at home is useful, but you need to use it only according to the instructions. Usually the annotation specifies which area needs to be treated with a specific massager in order to get rid of insomnia or simply relieve general tension. Practice shows that most often this is the area of ​​the cervical collar.

With your own hands

If you don’t have a massager, you can try to do it yourself. A person cannot massage all parts of the body on his own, and the force of pressure will not be the same as if a specialist did it. Therefore, all you can do on your own is massage your neck and head. If this is enough, great. If not, you need to choose another method.

Hydromassage

Those who like to spend a long time in the shower receive hydromassage every day, because the sharp jets perfectly massage problem areas. This also helps with insomnia, because the water calms you down, and staying in the shower gives you the opportunity to be alone with yourself and your thoughts, and temporarily forget about worries.

At night, it is useful to take a warm or hot shower, which will steam the body and relieve muscle tension. The pressure must be significant so that, in addition to heat, a mechanical effect is felt. And you need to stand under such a shower for at least 15 minutes, otherwise there will be no effect. Additionally, you can use soothing body products, such as lavender soap.