Massage of the head and the collar zone is necessary periodically for every person, because most people lead a passive lifestyle, spending most of their time sitting at the computer or at the documentation at work. If you do not take preventive measures, then after 5-6 years, chronic puffiness, pinching of the vertebrae, deposition of salts in the cervical collar zone can occur, which ultimately leads to a violation of blood circulation and constant headaches.
With all the apparent ease, this massage is almost impossible for a layman to do, but if you first become acquainted with the technique, then it is not difficult to massage the collar zone correctly (and therefore effectively).
Indications for massage of the collar zone
Since such a massage is a curative and preventive measure, it means that it has a number of indications and contraindications.
If after a long sitting at the computer or driving a car there are uncomfortable sensations in this zone (pressing or aching pain), then it means that you need to hold several sessions of such a massage. Also, the indications are: headache, hypertension, neurasthenia, osteochondrosis, vegetative-vascular dystonia, etc.
Contraindications to massage of the collar zone
This kind of massage has a beneficial effect on many body systems, and therefore contraindications to its use are few:
- high pressure in the stage of exacerbation;
- any diseases in the stage of decompensation;
- high body temperature;
- open wounds and menstruation.
Technique of massage of the collar zone
Before you do massage the collar zone, you need to properly place the massaged. To do this, place the stool next to the table on which you want to put the pillow. The person who is doing the massage should sit down and put his hands on the pillow, slightly bending them in the elbows.
You do not need to achieve an even posture: the body should be relaxed, as far as possible in the sitting position.
Also before you massage the collar zone, you need to prepare a massage oil (in which you can add a few drops of aromatic), then you should begin the procedure.
The massage begins with light strokes that will prepare the tensed muscles for relaxation. The movements are directed down along the neck to the shoulders and to the spine. After giving the initial stage of massage a few minutes, you can go to the second, where the motions have the same trajectory, but the pressure force changes and the tempo becomes accelerated.
To further strengthen the pressure, the massage therapist can squeeze the palm into the fist and drive along the collar zone with proximal phalanges of the fingers.
Then, when the muscles are slightly relaxed, they need to be stretched. This is done with the help of the large, index and middle fingers of both hands, which with circular indentations should knead the trapezius muscle, in the area of which stagnation occurs most often. With painful feelings, you need to reduce the force of pressure a little.
When the trapezius muscle is relaxed, you can go to the shoulder joint warm-up: first you need to grind and then knead.
The massage ends with smooth sliding movements along the massaged
The self-massage of the collar zone is slightly more difficult. Dividing the right and left massaged zone, you need to use a hand opposite to one or the other side: for example, the right hand massages the left side of the muscle, and the left hand muscle. This must be done in turn.
You can start massage with stroking movements with both hands simultaneously, but this can interfere with relaxation.
The main rule in this self-massage is the absence of sudden movements, so as not to cause even greater discomfort.