MASSAGE 



Synonym: Mechanotherapy. 



Nature and Forms. — Massage is the application of pressure 

 upon the skin and the parts beneath it. It has been used for a 

 long time in veterinary medicine, intentionally in the form of 

 rubbing and unintentionally in the application of ointments. It is 

 also one of the oldest methods of healing used in the treatment 

 of man (Chinese, Greeks, Romans, primitive people). After being 

 forgotten for a long time (during the entire middle ages up to 

 modem times), the method was to a certain extent rediscovered 

 in Sweden by Per Hendrick Ling (Swedish medical gymnastics). 

 Zander displaced the masseur by mechanical apparatus (mechano- 

 therapy). Mezger, Mosengeil, Zabludowski and others have 

 recently built up the method practically and scientifically. The 

 following varieties of massage are distinguished: 



1. Stroking (Effleurage). — This consists in passing the 

 finger tips or the flat of the hand superficially and gently over the 

 skin. 



2. Rubbing (Massage a Friction). — In this variety of mas- 

 sage, the skin is rubbed under strong pressure. 



3. Kneading (Petrissage). — The part of the body concerned 

 is pressed with the finger tips or fist as dough is kneaded. 



4. Tapping (Tapotement). — The diseased member is tapped 

 or struck at short intervals (edge of the hand, fist, stick). Tapping 

 is employed in paralyses of muscles and nerves and as preliminary 

 massage in the neighborhood of articulations. 



In addition, compression (constant pressure), vibration (inter- 

 mittent pressure by special apparatuses) and active and passive 

 movement (mechanotherapy in the restricted sense, Swedish 

 medical gymnastics) may be considered as forms of massage. 



Action. — As in the case of cutaneous irritation and hydro- 

 therapy, the effect of massage upon the body is very extensive. 

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