- Contralateral massage: course
- Contralateral massage: action
- Contralateral massage: indications
- Contralateral massage: contraindications
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The contralateral massage is one of the medical treatments, and the way it is performed and how it works are exceptional. The masseur works on a he althy limb to help a sick woman, on whom, due to various injuries, diseases or immobilization, no treatment can be performed. The effect of the use of contralateral massage is the acceleration of the treatment process of selected places. Read about the cases in which contralateral massage is performed, how often it should be used and how it affects the functioning of the body.
The contralateral massage , performed on a he althy limb, also works - approximately 15-25 percent - on the diseased limb. Thanks to this, you can help her, even if there is plaster on it, there are wounds, also after burns, as well as in the case of inflammation and dermatological diseases. When access to the damaged area is impossible, the patient cannot move his leg / arm, which makes his joints weaker and wounds heal more slowly. That is why in such cases the benefits of contralateral massage are often used.
Contralateral massage: course
You don't need to prepare yourself for contralateral massage. The patient undergoing it remains in a position that allows the easiest access to the massaged area - usually lying down.
The contralateral massage should be performed 1-2 times a day, 6 times a week, for about 8-12 minutes.
Does not have to wear a special outfit - it is important that the massaged points are exposed. During this therapeutic treatment, the masseur uses techniques known from classic massage. Before starting the treatment, selected areas are lubricated with a lubricant, e.g. olive oil, so that the masseur can make movements more easily and efficiently. So, first of all, it kneads, grinds and hits selected places on a he althy limb, using great force. The contralateral massage is not a relaxing massage - it is almost painful to cover the diseased arm / leg as effectively as possible. Of course, the intensity of the treatment is adjusted to the patient's endurance. Circular movements performed by the physiotherapist during contralateral massage run from bottom to top along the muscles.
Contralateral massage: action
How is it that contralateral massage, performed on a he althy limb, helps in healing wounds and increasing muscle strength in a diseased - immobilized - leg or arm? All thanks to the vascular-motor intersection of physiological reflexes. The contralateral massage is intense, as mentioned - on the verge of pain - which stimulates, by means of natural compensation, the movement organs also in the affected limb. Blood and lymph flow are also activated, as well as nerve stimuli in the immobilized place. The muscles become stronger and they do not lose weight, and the ossification process is accelerated by about 2 weeks.
It is assumed that contralateral massage, combined with contralateral exercises, is the most effective way to help injured limbs. Therefore, in such cases, it is often used as the main element of rehabilitation.
ImportantCounter-lateral massage is often accompanied by contralateral exercises - performed on an arm or leg that is fit, i.e. not remaining in a cast. The action of these two factors - massage and the patient's physical activity - has an even better effect on the process of restoring the functionality of the immobilized limb. Thanks to the exercises, the physiological functions of the he althy limb muscle group are transferred to the same muscle groups in the affected limb. The contralateral exercises are synergistic, that is, they use movement radiation. This phenomenon consists in the interaction of muscles, thanks to the selection by the physiotherapist of appropriate exercises with a certain resistance and in specific positions.
Contralateral massage: indications
The indications for contralateral massage are injuries: fractures, sprains - cases where there is a cast, splint or orthosis on the limb. The contralateral massage is used in the case of incomplete union of the limbs and when it is impossible to perform any actions in the area after the injury due to immobilization. This treatment is also performed in the case of burn wounds and dermatological changes: eczema, ulceration, rash.
Contralateral massage: contraindications
There are no contraindications specific only to counter-lateral massage. They are the same as with other therapeutic massages, as well as relaxing massages. Therefore, contralateral massage is not performed in people with inflammatory and allergic skin conditions: mycosis, ulcers or boils. Another contraindication is neoplastic disease, a condition after a heart attack and advanced coronary atherosclerosis.
Worth knowingIn rehabilitation, apart from contralateral massage, ipsilateral massage is also performed. What's the differencebetween them? During ipsilateral massage, the same limb as the wound is massaged, but not the affected area itself - as this is not possible due to its damage - and the tissues surrounding the wound. Ipsilateral massage is used when the damage / immobilization of a limb is not so extensive as to prevent surgery on the affected part of the body. If the wound covers an area that makes it impossible to perform the procedure, contralateral massage is applied on the other - he althy limb.