Acupressure is used during an upper back massage. Acupressure is a technique performed on trigger points and muscular knots using the fingertips or thumbs. When pressure is placed on muscular knots, blood flow to this area becomes restricted. Muscular knots are broken down and softened as the pressure is applied. The breakdown of muscular knots results in a decrease in pain. When pressure is released from trigger points and muscular knots, the body's natural healing process is activated as it senses damage in the body. An increase in blood flow is delivered to the muscles so they are supplied with more healthy nutrients and oxygen.
Frictions are commonly used during an upper back massage. Frictions are performed using the fingertips or thumbs and involve applying a specific pressure across muscle fibres. Frictions help increase blood flow around the body by increasing the temperature of the muscles. Frictions help soften and break down collagen fibres built up in muscles that can cause the muscle to become restrictive. Frictions also increase the temperature of the muscles. An increase in temperature improves muscle elasticity and reduces muscle restriction created by collagen fibres.
An effective technique used during an upper back massage is myofascial release. Myofascial release is performed using flat hands and fingers. Hands are placed on the back and pressure is slowly added. Hands move slowly around the back, spreading out the fascia. Fascia is a layer of thin and tough connective tissue below the skin. Myofascial release relaxes and loosens tight muscles as it increases the temperature of soft tissues and improves tissue elasticity and flexibility. Myofascial release also improves the blood circulation and the lymphatic circulation.
Effleurage is used during an upper back massage. Using flat hands and fingers, the pressure ranges from light to firm on the upper back. Effleurage increases the temperature of muscles, increasing muscle elasticity. Increasing muscle elasticity reduces muscle tightness and stress and therefore reducing pain. Effleurage is also used to prepare the muscles for more intense techniques that involve more pressure. Preparing the muscles reduces the chance of injuries worsening or new injuries from occurring.
Stress in the upper back area is commonly treated using an upper back massage. Too much stress can cause the body to suffer mentally and physically. An upper back massage helps relieve the tension and stress that is built up within the muscles. During an upper back massage, a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol occurs. A decrease in cortisol enables the body to mentally relax and become unstressed.
Physically, the body is relieved of stress as tension is reduced from within the muscles. Tension is reduced as the temperature of the muscle increases and improves muscle elasticity. An improvement of muscle elasticity reduces muscle tension and relieves any pain therefore enabling the body to relax.
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