Types of Physiotherapy

Massage is one of the oldest of the Health sciences and has been used for curative purposes since time immemorial. Massage treatment uses "TOUCH" to apply pressure to the body's skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments.

The Idea of Massage is to ease disorders by;

1. relieving tension
2. promoting blood flow
3. calming nerves
4. loosening muscle

Modes of Therapeutic Massage

1. Stroking
2. Effleurage
3. Kneading
4. Friction
5. Wringing
6. Picking up
7. Hacking
8. Clapping
9. Shaking & Vibration

Stroking - Stroking is performed with the whole hand or fingers. It comprises the usage of relaxed hand over the patient's skin with a rhythm and pressure that produce a relaxing effect.

Effleurage - Effleurage is performed by spreading and moving the hands with pressure and speed, to gain relaxation and lymph drainage.

Kneading - Kneading involves alternate compression and release of the part to be manipulated.

Picking up - Picking up involves lifting up of tissue from underlying bone, releasing it after squeezing it.

Wringing -Wringing technique lifts up the tissue and applies a twist to enhance stretching effect.

Friction - Friction is a small movement applied with thumb or finger where pressure is applied from superficial to depth of the tissue.

Hacking - Hacking is performed with extended forearm and striking the skin using the side of the hand .

Clapping -Clapping is done by striking the skin with cupped hands.

Shaking and Vibration -Shaking and vibration involves gentle strokes of shakes and vibrations respectively

Advantages

1. Relief of pain
2. Muscle tightness is relieved
3. General relaxation
4. Induce sleep in insomnia (sleepless nights)
5. Relieves tension
6. Skin is toned
7. Drainage of oedema or swelling
8. Loosens secretion in the Lungs

Where not to Massage?

If the treatment area has:

1. Large open wounds
2. Burns
3. Skin Ulcers
4. Gross Oedema (severe swelling)
5. Extremely Hairy areas
6. Sensitive skin
7. Bacterial infections
8. Skin disease
9. Malignancies like cancer

Traction - Traction is a device used for reducing the fractures and dislocations of a bone. Types:

Continuous - applied over period of few days or weeks

Intermittent - repeated application for a short duration