Massage after pneumonia

Massage of patients after suffering from pneumonia is one of the effective methods that contribute to the speedy rehabilitation and recovery. The technique is mainly aimed at eliminating residual effects in the lungs, preventing tissue fibrosis, improving the blood supply to the lungs and reducing the duration of the patient's cough. Carrying out a chest massage after pneumonia is especially necessary in the chronic course of the disease, as well as in children and elderly patients.

Types of massage

During the rehabilitation period, several types of therapeutic massage are used:

• Vacuum,
• segmental,
• dot,
• honey,
• drainage,
• Children's.

Vacuum massage technique

When performing this type of chest massage, it is necessary to lay the patient on his back and start with light strokes and kneading. Further, 3-4 cans are installed on the area of ​​​​the pectoralis major muscle, the sternum itself, when exposed to which a vacuum is created on the subcutaneous layer. After 1-2 minutes, you can switch from static to dynamic exposure by performing circular movements with banks. As a result, blood microcirculation in the lungs increases, toxins are removed. The total duration of the session takes 5-12 minutes. In total, it is necessary to carry out 5-7 sessions of this procedure.

Segmental massage

This type of manipulation gives a significant effect in patients with chronic pneumonia, residual effects after it, and other diseases of the respiratory system. The main tasks of segmental massage are:

• Improving blood circulation of the lung tissue,
• Increasing its elasticity
• Increased mobility of the chest.

The procedure must be carried out from the bottom up: starting from the exit points of the nerve roots of the lower spine.

Acupressure

This type of massage after pneumonia in adults and children is recommended to receive only from a specialist. The session lasts no more than 10-12 minutes, the physiotherapist activates and irritates 12 points on the patient's skin. At the end of the session, you can carry out a general rubbing of the back and chest of the patient with warming ointments.

Application of honey massage

This physical procedure is very effective for restoring lymphatic drainage in tissues and general strengthening of the patient's immunity after an illness. Honey applications have a warming effect, and also help the penetration of the active elements of honey through the patient's skin.

To do this, you must use only natural honey, preferably a liquid consistency. Honey must be heated in a water bath, if desired, you can add essential oils - 2-3 drops of oil per 1 teaspoon of honey.

Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that there are no allergic reactions to honey and take a shower using a body scrub.

It is recommended to slightly stretch the patient with general massage techniques and then, you need to apply honey on the upper body. As soon as the honey is slightly absorbed, the specialist, pressing his palms tightly against the body of the person being massaged, sharply pulls them away, gradually increasing the speed of movements. A white-gray foam will begin to appear on the patient's skin - toxins that the honey has absorbed.

At the end of the session, you need to take a shower and apply a moisturizer to the still warm skin and relax.

The course of treatment is 10-12 sessions.

Drainage massage for children and adults

Drainage massage of the chest of patients after pneumonia is prescribed strictly by a specialist. This technique is aimed at strengthening and restoring the respiratory muscles of patients with a tendency to diseases of the respiratory system. It is better to conduct a session in the morning, 1.5 hours after a meal, when the humidity in the room is more than 60%.

In addition to positive factors, this technique has its own contraindications: manipulations are not recommended for third-degree pulmonary heart failure, purulent and allergic skin diseases, severe febrile conditions of the patient, and tuberculosis.

Massage to a child after pneumonia

The doctor should instruct parents how to do drainage massage for a child weighing up to 5 kg at home. It is necessary to keep a distance and retreat a few centimeters from the spinal column in order to avoid injuries. At elevated temperature, laryngotracheitis and dry cough, drainage massage is prohibited. Also, it is necessary to stop the session if the child cries. The duration of the session should be no more than 10 minutes.

Massage and paraffin

To obtain an additional effect from massage procedures and in the absence of contraindications, patients after pneumonia are prescribed paraffin applications. Nevertheless, the decision on whether it is possible to use paraffin during massage after pneumonia, the specialist makes only after an individual examination of the patient.

Paraffin is a heat-intensive material with low thermal conductivity. With the help of paraffin applications, deep tissue heating is achieved, their oxygen supply improves, and toxins are removed.

To perform this technique, a special purified paraffin is used. The first procedure for applying paraffin applications takes no more than 15 minutes, then the duration can be increased to half an hour. The temperature of paraffin application is checked on the back of the wrist: the application should not be scalding.

The benefits of massage

The main task of massage is restoration and healing, therefore it is an integral part of the rehabilitation process in patients who have had pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. In this case, there is a direct effect on tissues, muscles, skin, while the central nervous, cardiovascular systems are normalized, enhanced ventilation of the lungs occurs, which improves their functionality. The specialist will help to correctly select a specific technique according to the individual indications of the patient.