Manual abdominal massage

Authors:

Sergey Kapralov, Ph.D. f. V. p., head of the department of classical and ethnic massage, bath and spa rehabilitation technologies of the Association of Specialists in Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy of Ukraine, author of more than 300 scientific and journal publications, member of the Professional Association of Visceral Therapists of Russia (Ukraine)

Inna Belyakova, winner of the II Open Championship of the Republic of Bashkortostan in medical massage, member of the Professional Association of Visceral Therapists of Russia, head of the direction of Body Correction in Spa and Rehabilitation at the Kapralov Center LLC and in the Kapralov section of the Association of Sports Medicine and Medical Specialists physical education of Ukraine (Ukraine)

Source: KOSMETIK international journal, No. 1 (55) / 2014, pp. 82-86

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Since ancient times, folk medicine has used the practice of pressing - influencing the internal organs of a person through the front wall of the abdomen. It is known that the abdominal organs perform the functions of the digestive, endocrine and excretory systems. Therefore, when performing a procedure to correct the abdomen, it is necessary to take into account factors influencing the initial result. When working with the abdomen, there is a beneficial effect on metabolic processes, lymph stagnation is reduced, the functioning of the cardiovascular and immune systems, the functioning of internal organs is improved, the psychological and emotional state is restored, a muscle corset appears that corrects posture, subcutaneous fatty tissue and abdominal volume are reduced. in women as well as men.

This article will introduce you to the abdominal compression technique. As practice shows, the technique is currently widely used in figure correction procedures, rehabilitation, and strengthening the general condition of the body. The use of this technique at a professional level requires special qualified training, which includes the study of various branches of medicine, rehabilitation, physiology, biochemistry, psychotherapy, etc.

The stomach is an important area of the body

As mentioned above, the abdominal organs perform the functions of the digestive, endocrine and excretory systems. The pancreas produces insulin. In the spleen, peritoneum and colon, lymphoid tissue ensures the maturation of lymphocytes, which perform the protective function of the immune system in the human body. The liver disinfects the blood and synthesizes blood protein, performing the function of detoxification. The excretory system includes the liver, gall bladder and kidneys. If the coordinated work of internal organs is disrupted, the whole body suffers.

The ancient art of manual therapy, or visceral chiropractic

In India and Tibet, in China and Thailand, and, of course, in the territory of Ancient Rus', healers saved their patients with the help of “stomach correction.” Naturally, something was lost over time, then rediscovered in a more perfect form.

One of the trends in the history of the revival of the technique of Old Slavic abdominal massage was the results of direct communication with traditional healers during numerous trips around Russia by professor of traditional medicine Alexander Timofeevich Ogulov, president of the Association of Visceral Therapists. Nowadays, the practice of compression is better known as visceral chiropractic, or abdominal manual therapy.
Visceral chiropractic (viscera - “abdominal organs”, hiro - “hand”) is a technique of deep impact on the internal organs with the hands through the front wall of the abdomen. This massage is aimed at restoring the functioning of the abdominal organs. For a healthy person this is the prevention of a number of diseases, for a patient it is one of the ways to solve health problems. Thanks to targeted effects (in this case we are not talking about serious diseases), it is possible to help solve a number of pressing problems related to human health. In sports practice, these techniques can be used to relieve pain and increase physical performance, which contributes to improved sports results, since pressing on reflex zones helps normalize blood circulation in the spine.

You need to know this!

In some cases, abdominal massage can cause a slight increase in blood pressure and hemoglobin, an increase in the number of platelets, leukocytes, and red blood cells. After the procedure, after a short period of time, the blood composition returns to normal, and blood pressure normalizes. Taking into account many factors, it should be noted that this technique is one of the complex professional procedures. Only a specialist who has excellent knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of all organs and systems related to the abdominal area and who has the appropriate education can work in this direction.

Possessing knowledge and various techniques, a professional massage therapist will so accurately and competently select all the necessary techniques and effects on the abdomen that the result will not be long in coming. But it should be remembered that each person is individual, therefore, it is necessary in each specific case to take into account the characteristics of the state of health and psycho-emotional factors that influence the result of working with the abdomen.

The features of abdominal massage are techniques, depth, force of influence, pace, sequence, direction of movements and much more. And of course, in order to perform a massage, you need to know the goals and progress of the procedure. It is important not to cause harm!

Indications and contraindications

One of the areas of visceral chiropractic is the Old Slavonic Don abdominal massage, which was passed down from generation to generation in the Voronezh region.

Indications for the use of Old Slavonic Don manual abdominal massage are:

• gastrointestinal disorders: constipation, chronic gastritis with high and low acidity, chronic enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine), chronic colitis (inflammation of the large intestine), chronic hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), chronic cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), diabetes mellitus (non-insulin-dependent ), peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum in remission, chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas);
• diseases of the genitourinary system: renal disorders (pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, bladder disease, urinary incontinence), including prostatitis and impotence;
• prolapse (splanchnoptosis) of internal organs;
• chronic respiratory diseases, including bronchial asthma;
• consequences of myocardial infarction and stroke;
• rehabilitation of patients with musculoskeletal disorders;
• spinal osteochondrosis with various manifestations;
• allergy;
• weight loss and figure correction.

General contraindications for manual therapy of internal organs are:

• all forms of oncology;
• myelopathy;
• acute tuberculosis;
• acute infectious diseases accompanied by high fever;
• acute stage of gastrointestinal diseases with bleeding;
• bleeding from organs, fresh mechanical injuries;
• postoperative period, postpartum and post-abortion (period of at least two months);
• pregnancy;
• gangrene;
• collagenoses;
• thrombophlebitis;
• mental illness;
• venereal diseases;
• drug states.

In addition, the absence of pain when pressing on certain areas of the internal organs indicates contraindications for manual therapy of the internal organs. Massage is not performed if the lymph nodes are swollen and painful, as this can lead to the spread of infection in the body.

Abdominal massage is carried out within the following boundaries: bottom - pelvic bones, pubic bone; above – right and left hypochondrium, diaphragm, xiphoid process of the sternum; in front - along the rectus abdominis muscle, linea alba; on the side – the oblique abdominal muscles.

Massage of the abdominal organs is carried out through the anterior wall of the abdomen through stroking, pressing, kneading movements until complete anesthesia or functional restoration. Performed on an empty stomach. Two hours before the start of the procedure, it is advisable for the client to take 2-4 tablets of activated carbon. At the end of the procedure, it is necessary to fix the abdomen.

Massage technique

During the procedure, all movements are performed in strict sequence.

Initial position (IP): the client lies on his back, his head is slightly raised and is on a roll made of a towel, or on a small pillow filled with herbs with a calming and restorative effect (lavender, chamomile, thyme, etc.). In order to relax the abdominal muscles, you need to place a cushion under your knees.

1. I. p.: the specialist stands on the right side, facing the client, feet shoulder-width apart, left hand touching the client. With a slight spiral movement of the right hand, he begins stroking with the pads of his fingers, moving to palm stroking - clockwise, from the navel along the intestines. The technique is repeated 3 times .

2. I. p.: the same. The right hand lies in the epigastric region (central lymph nodes). The brush rests on this area as much as possible and performs a soft wave-like movement that starts from the fingertips (as you inhale) to the base of the palm (as you exhale), focusing on the center of the hand. Repeat 4 times.

3. I. p.: the same. Light spiral stroking clockwise from the navel along the intestines. Repeat 3 times.

4. I. p.: the same. Slow squeezing in the liver area (right hypochondrium). The palm is under the rib, the index finger is on the 10th false rib. Repeat 4 times.

5. I. p.: the same. Light spiral stroking clockwise from the navel along the intestines.

Repeat techniques 2–4 2–3 times.

6. I. p.: the same. The specialist pours a thin stream of warm oil onto the client's navel area. Then he performs light spiral stroking in a clockwise direction, spreading the oil over the abdomen. Movement - from the navel, progressively, along the intestines. Repeat 3 times.

7. I. p.: the specialist stands parallel to the client. Using the edge of the right hand, performs the “squeezing” technique (imitation of scooping up water). The movement comes from the right anterior superior spine of the iliac pelvic bone along the projection of the large intestine (U-shaped movement). If necessary, perform a weighted squeeze-up: with your left hand, place emphasis on the back of your right hand.

8. I. p.: the same. Slow deep kneading from the xiphoid process along the rectus abdominis muscle to the symphysis pubis. The direction of massage movements is both upward and downward. The reception is performed within 40–60 seconds.

9. I. p.: the same. Deep, slow kneading of the side of the abdomen (oblique abdominal muscles) with a large grip from the back. Kneading begins on the left side, then moves to the right.

10. I. p.: the same. Light spiral stroking in a clockwise direction. Movement - from the navel, progressively, along the intestines. Repeat 3 times.

11. I. p.: the specialist stands perpendicular to the massage table. Visually divides the area of the body in the area of the rectus abdominis muscle (along the white line) from the xiphoid process to the navel into three equal segments. Both points are located on the middle segment: the first is closer to the navel, the second is closer to the xiphoid process. As you exhale, in the area of the first point, apply light but deep pressure with vibration with the phalanges of three fingers at an angle of 45° (without displacing the skin) for 40–60 seconds. While inhaling, moves the hand to the initial position without moving away from the place of vibration. Calm inhalation and exhalation. Repeats the movement 3 times with a deeper step effect. Moves to the second point, closer to the xiphoid process. He removes his hand slowly, without jerking.

Repeat points 1–13 2–3 times.

12. I. p: the same. The specialist gently but confidently presses the points around the painful area. To soften the impact, pressure should be performed with light vibration, which will help quickly relieve spasm and hypertonicity in the abdominal tissues. Massage of the internal organs of the abdomen is performed with soft, deep point pressure. Therefore, during work, the specialist must be in a comfortable position - so that through the hand involved in the work (the hand in relation to the client’s body is at an angle of 45°, the elbow is bent, with a clear fixation), using the gravity of one’s own body in combination with breathing .

13. I. p.: the same. Light spiral stroking clockwise from the navel along the intestines.

14. I. p.: the specialist turns his face towards the client’s legs. Using the edge of the palms of both hands, a sliding movement leads along the crests of the iliac bones to the projection of the bladder. Then, with an exciting movement in the form of a ladle scooping up water, with a slow sliding movement he brings his hands to the projection of the navel.

The technique is performed in three stages: the client takes a deep breath, while exhaling, the specialist performs a “bucket-shaped” grip and a pulling movement towards the navel until the skin feels slipping. Then the client repeats a deep breath, and as he exhales, the specialist, without moving his hands, performs the second stage of the “bucket” grip, moving towards the center of the abdomen. Pause. The third grip goes with the movement until the stomach is completely pulled up to the navel with the hands fixed on the navel - the hands are closed in a ring without covering the navel (imitation of a “well”), hold for 40–50 seconds.

At the end of the procedure, the specialist slowly removes his hands from the abdomen, inquires about the general condition of the client and, without squeezing the internal organs, tightens the abdomen with a fixing bandage (a belt, a wide towel or a sheet; as an option, you can use cellophane film for wrapping). The bandage (belt) should not be on the client’s body for more than two hours. If for any reason the bandage is displaced or twisted, it must be removed immediately, as this impedes the functioning of internal organs and can lead to a deterioration in the client’s health.

The technique described above is the first stage and is used as a kind of first aid. The complete implementation of the Old Slavonic Don abdominal massage procedure requires professional training and requires deep knowledge regarding the correct placement of hands, depth of influence, and breathing.

Photo: Sergey Kapralov