Instructions for performing a massage in a bathhouse. Review of oils and brooms for bath massage.
Relaxation in the bathhouse is considered one of the most favorite for Russian residents. After all, it has long been customary in our country to visit the bathhouse on certain days of the week. It was associated with purification as well as cleanliness. We recommend that you combine business with pleasure, go to the bathhouse, have a massage. In this article we will tell you how to carry out massage in a bathhouse, we will consider several types and techniques.
Body position during massage
The visitor to the steam room lies on his stomach and must wear a bath headdress on his head. Firstly, in a supine position the muscles are completely relaxed and the load on the cardiovascular system is minimal. Secondly, the entire body is affected by one temperature. Thirdly, the bath attendant has access to all parts of the body of the person being massaged. After a massage from the back, the person turns over and the techniques are repeated on the stomach, front of the thighs and lower legs. Only the load should be lighter. It is advisable to soak a washcloth or broom in cold water and place it on the heart area.
Some recommendations
Considering that bath procedures place a significant burden on the human body, self-massage should be carried out in a gentle manner. Movements should be significantly less energetic than under normal conditions. Its duration should not exceed fifteen minutes. Each person needs to approach it wisely and massage only those parts of the body that really require it. It is not necessary to use all the techniques described above, but use the most appropriate ones for a specific area of the body. Here are a few more wishes:
- An important condition is to choose a warm bath room (dressing room, relaxation room, massage room, etc.).
- Avoid hypothermia of the body.
- After the massage, you must rest for at least 20-30 minutes and only then leave the bathhouse.
Go to the main article-content: Massage in the bathhouse and its secrets
P.S. A clear introduction to self-massage of the back.
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Stroking
Any massage begins with this technique. Work with two brooms at the same time. The massage therapist begins with light, gentle stroking of the feet, then slowly, gradually moves to the buttocks, along the legs and arms, which are extended along the body, then along the back. Having reached the beginning of the neck, he returns back. The client lowers his hands down, opening his sides, and the massage therapist continues moving back along the sides of the body to the pelvis. When the bath attendant reaches the lower back, the person being massaged should lift it for a few seconds.
Whiplash
The bathhouse attendant treats the back with light whippings in all directions, gradually descending along it to the buttocks, thighs, calf muscles, and feet. This technique lasts approximately 1 minute and ends with a quick stroke.
They do the same in front. The massage therapist again begins the movements from top to bottom, lightly whipping the chest, arms, stomach, front of the thighs, legs, feet. If the client becomes very hot, he must definitely say so. In this case, the bathhouse attendant dips brooms in cool water for a few seconds to remove excess heat and cool the person.
It is not recommended to massage with brooms if the skin is damaged (there are irritations, scratches, abrasions), as well as for those who have sensitive skin. In this case, it is better to do a classic massage with your hands.
The stretch is performed as follows: brooms are placed on the lower back and moved in opposite directions - one to the head, the other to the legs. This is repeated 3-4 times. After the stretching technique, strokes are done 2-3 times. This method helps with lumbar pain and radiculitis.
Broom compress
This procedure is alternated with whippings and begins, like all massage actions, from the back. Capturing hot steam and air with brooms smoothly raised upward, make 2-3 weak whips, then press the brooms flat against your back for 3-4 seconds.
Compresses are also made on the feet, legs, thighs, buttocks, and lower back. The knee fossa should not be touched, as the skin there is very delicate and sensitive. To warm up the knee joint, proceed as follows: place a broom on it and springily bend the leg at the knee several times.
After the manipulation is done on the back, the person being massaged turns over. The same is done on the chest, abdomen, front of the thighs and lower legs. But the load should be less. It is recommended to place a broom or washcloth, which has been previously soaked in cold water, on the heart area. First, rub the feet with a broom, and then the hips, stomach and chest. The heart area is not affected. This technique is especially useful to do where muscle pain occurs, for example, at the site of injury, with radiculitis.
Pressing
This technique is similar to poultices and compresses, with the difference that the broom is not lifted up for a portion of hot air.
The soap broom is held in the left hand, and with the right hand it is pressed forcefully to the lower back. Then pressing is carried out higher, up to the neck of the person being massaged.
Periodically, the broom needs to be moistened in soapy water. The next technique of soap massage is kneading.
The benefits of a broom in the bath
What is the role of a broom in a bathhouse? At high temperatures, skin pores expand and intense sweating occurs. All harmful substances leave the body. And a broom, like a vacuum cleaner, pumps out steam and helps draw out sweat, thereby not only cleansing the skin, but also the entire body.
The steamer is a kind of conductor of bath heat and steam. If the temperature on the shelf has dropped slightly, the movements are similar to percussion, like drumming. Just don’t hit him as hard as you can, you just need to apply the broom more energetically to the body and gently rub the client with its leaves. If the heat is sufficient, then lightly touch the body with a broom. The value of such a bath procedure, in addition to the effect and benefits of massage, is also this: a wet broom at high temperature releases phytoncidal essential substances that destroy bacteria, cleanse the lungs, activate the work of all organs and generally rejuvenate the skin.
Rules for self-massage in the steam room
The main requirement for the technique of self-massage in a bathhouse is compliance with the recommendations relating to passive massage techniques. That is, the direction of hand movements should always follow the direction of blood flow, no matter what part of the body is being treated.
In addition, in no case should you exert a strong mechanical impact on the areas where the lymph nodes are concentrated - ideally, it is better not to touch them at all. If the purpose of the massage is to relieve pain in the joints, relieve pain from sprains or bruises of soft tissues, before doing the massage yourself, you should definitely consult a doctor.
It is important to take the most comfortable position before performing self-massage. The muscles in the area that will be processed at the moment must be completely relaxed. To facilitate the sliding of fingers and palms over the skin, it is recommended to use special creams and mixtures for massage, essential oils, and honey. If none of the above is at hand, you can use regular soap. It is better if it is baby soap with a neutral composition.
You can start the procedure directly in the steam room. First of all, you should massage both arms in turn, starting with the hands and moving up to the forearms and shoulders. Then you can move on to the lower extremities: start with the calf muscles, massage the knee joints and thigh muscles well. Under no circumstances should you rush or try to massage all parts of the body in a few minutes. The main factor in this procedure is the quality of the massage.
To enhance the impact on soft tissues, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the massage, the legs, thighs and abdomen can be treated simultaneously with both hands. It’s a good idea to use special objects for weights.
The greatest benefit from self-massage in a bathhouse can be obtained if you repeat it after leaving the steam room. At this time, the muscle tissues are as relaxed as possible, and the body is well warmed up, thanks to which even deep-lying muscles can be properly worked out.
Rules for using a broom
The broom must be constantly dipped in water. This bath attribute should be soft and moist, but you need to know when to stop. If you keep it in warm water, it will become sticky and, most importantly, useless. The fact is that all the beneficial substances will simply be washed away. Because of this, the risk of scratching increases several times. The beneficial properties of a bath broom are endless; the main thing is to choose the right type of material for yourself in order to get one hundred percent pleasure and benefit from your visit.
The bathhouse attendant's movements should be neat, smooth, soft and light. If you make sharp strokes, you can burn with hot steam, which is pumped in with quick movements. There is even a danger of getting burned.
Aromatherapy and massage oils for bath massage with brooms
You can diversify the procedure with the help of aromatherapy. It is carried out using essential oils or herbal decoctions. There are several options for oils. Special, ready-made mixtures of essential oils are sold in supermarkets. Special bath oils usually include fir, chamomile, and eucalyptus oils. They help improve breathing, and also heal wounds on the body, improve health, and add energy.
Herbal decoctions are often used for the procedure. To do this, fairly concentrated solutions are prepared, which are then diluted with water and poured directly onto the hot stones. The result is steam with medicinal impurities, which can improve the health of the respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems.
Bath massage
Under no circumstances should you drip aroma oil onto the stones in the bathhouse. Because it is fraught with fire. It is better to purchase a special aroma lamp or dilute the oil in water and shake well before pouring it onto the stones. It is worth understanding that essential oils are quite concentrated and therefore can produce dense and heavy vapor with a strong odor. Which will be hard to inhale. Do not overdo it, just 1-2 drops are enough for the period of your stay in the bath.
Aroma oils can be used for massage. Usually carried out using special jars, as well as bamboo sticks. It is not recommended to combine massage with brooms and oils. Because the leaves of linden, oak, and birch contain many tannins and phytoncides, which also saturate the skin with useful substances. Before using a specific essential oil, it is diluted with a base oil. This could be olive or coconut oil. Only after this is massaged using cups, brushes or goat mittens.
Massage in the bath
A massage in a bathhouse is a very pleasant and useful experience. Be patient, learn a few techniques, and don't overdo it.
Massage rules
There are certain rules of massage that should be followed strictly:
- massage should not cause pain;
- The mammary glands in women and the nipple area in men are not massaged;
- lymph nodes are not massaged;
- the hands are massaged from the fingers to the elbows and from the elbows to the armpits (the lymph node in the armpit is not massaged);
- the legs are massaged from the toes to the knees, from the knees to the groin (the lymph node in the popliteal cavity and groin is not massaged);
- chest - from the center to the sides;
- back - from the spine to the sides;
- lower back and sacrum - towards the inguinal folds;
- neck - from the hairline to the back;
- head - in the direction of hair growth;
- the area of moles and birthmarks should not be touched;
- do not massage the stomach if there is a hernia;
- you need to alternate strong techniques with light ones, each action is carried out 5-8 times.
It’s good to take a steam bath, and with a broom - what could be better for restoring strength and good mood. This is a wonderful relaxation and great benefits for the whole body. We are sure that once you get acquainted with a Russian bathhouse, you will become its regular visitor.
With light steam and the good heat of the Russian bath!
