Many people have heard of or have even gone to a beauty salon for massage therapy, including slimming and joint disease treatment. Massage therapy can indeed benefit our physical health. However, it is important to note that if the massage techniques are not correct, it can actually have a negative impact on our health.
Before Massage Therapy, Precautionary Measures Should be Taken
Many people believe that back pain is a symptom of cervical spondylosis and can be relieved through massage therapy. Office workers who spend long hours sitting are prone to muscle fatigue, cervical instability, and joint misalignment. Many people seek massage therapy for treatment, which can be effective at times. However, before receiving massage therapy, it is crucial to rule out diseases such as spinal tumors, tuberculosis, fractures, dislocations, rheumatism, and gout. These diseases are considered contraindications for massage therapy. It is also best to combine the examination with X-rays to make a diagnosis and avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment.
Four Steps for Massage Therapy
Many people go for massage therapy whenever they have free time, thinking that the masseuse just needs to manipulate their body. Correct massage therapy involves four steps. Initially, the muscles need to be relaxed. This can be achieved by massaging the tender points, kneading, rubbing, and pinching the muscles to fully relax them. Then, the patient's cervical spine should be adjusted to the optimal position for joint alignment. The cervical spine can also be rotated to "correct" it. Correcting the alignment is a process of "seeking correctness through movement." If one is too impatient, there may be misjudgment and accidents, making the condition worse.
Do Not Blindly Pursue Joint Sounds
Many people think that joints need to make a "cracking" sound during massage therapy for it to be effective. However, not all joint realignments produce this sound. It is important not to blindly pursue this sound. Younger patients can achieve realignment through gentle movements. For adolescents and elderly individuals, the realignment movements need to be repeated 2-3 times. Slow realignment may not produce any sound from the joints.
Massage Therapy Only Takes Three to Five Minutes
Most massage parlors charge based on the massage duration. Many masseuses immediately start manipulating the body of the customer, giving the impression that their technique is unique. Orthopedic specialists from major hospitals believe that just like swimming requires warm-up exercises, proper massage therapy cannot immediately involve realignment techniques. Realignment during massage therapy should be done in four steps. Initially, the relaxation of the muscles should be considered. Only when the muscles are relaxed can the massage therapy be effective.
Back Pain Indicates Cervical Spondylosis, Seek a Masseur for Massage Therapy
White-collar workers who spend long hours working with their heads down are particularly prone to muscle fatigue, cervical instability, and subsequent joint misalignment, leading to symptoms such as back pain, numbness in the arms, and dizziness. In such cases, most people would go to leisure facilities to have a masseur relieve their pain and discomfort through massage therapy.
Massage experts say that orthopedic massage therapy can treat cervical spondylosis, especially effective for joint misalignment, mild vertebral osteophyte growth, and intervertebral instability. However, before receiving massage therapy, it is essential to rule out diseases such as spinal tumors, tuberculosis, fractures, dislocations, rheumatism, and gout. These diseases should not be treated with massage therapy and are considered "contraindications" for massage therapy.
Although cervical spondylosis is very common, as a rehabilitation doctor, careful analysis of the condition is necessary. Typically, after an initial inquiry and physical examination, X-rays (and if necessary, CT or MR scans) should be performed to make a precise diagnosis. This can largely prevent misdiagnosis and mistreatment.
Massage Therapy Should be Combined with Other Treatments
Massage therapy alone is not sufficient for the treatment of cervical spondylosis. When cervical spondylosis occurs, patients often experience symptoms such as dizziness, numbness in the limbs, and shoulder and back pain. Orthopedic massage therapy can only realign the joints and cannot completely resolve the problems with the vertebral joints. Therefore, it is necessary to combine massage therapy with other methods for treatment. Comprehensive treatment, which addresses both bone and soft tissue, is required to achieve complete recovery.
Precautions
It is essential to avoid falling into the above misconceptions about massage therapy. Otherwise, the consequences can be unimaginable. When receiving massage therapy, it is crucial to choose professional hospitals, clinics, and masseurs.
