Massage Of The Chest And The Back
III. MASSAGE OF THE CHEST.
Position. - The patient is lying flat on the back, without
head-rest, and the arms placed at the sides.
1. Stroking with both hands, one on each
side of the sternum. The manipulation should be performed upward and outward, making a
somewhat circular motion (see Fig. 2).
2. Friction with thumb over pectorales major and
minor, with repeated strokings. Always from the origin (sternum) toward the insertion (the
arm).
3. Kneading with the thumb and fingers (pinching) if the muscles of the one side
be paralyzed.
4. Hacking or clapping over the chest may also be used, according to
circumstances. Punctation in circles around the heart has also been recommended, but if
used, great care should be taken.
As a rule, all percussions applied to the thorax should be used with discretion. In
massage of the breast place the hands at the outer circumference and by alternate
frictions proceed upwards to the nipple. In cases of caked breasts it is often necessary
to use frictions with the tips of the fingers over hard places to relieve distended ducts.
Always finish the treatment with the so-called " fulling" consisting of gentle pressure
from the base of the breast upward with both hands alternately. Massage with camphorated
oil is a great relief in over-distended breasts. The operator should always be careful not
to bruise the glands in any way, as tumors are liable to develop in after years and cause
no end of trouble. Massage and exercise are the only means by which the bust can be
properly developed. The patient should be taught how to breath properly and for the quick
development of the mammary glands use in the massage as above described the following
preparation, recommended by Dr. W. J. Haynes: - Lanoline, 2 ounces.
- Cocoa
Butter, 2 ounces.
- Oil Cajeput, 1 ounce.
- Oil Sassafras, 2
ounce.
- Extract Saw Palmetto, 2 ounces.
This preparation has not a fine
odor, but produces a pleasant sensation in the. skin. It is a valuable compound wherever
we wish to develop a part, but should not be used on the face.
IV. MASSAGE OF THE BACK.
Position. - The patient is lying on his face, without the
head-rest; the arms should be kept at the sides.
1. Stroking with both hands, one on
each side of the spinal column, from the base of the skull down to the sacrum. If on a
large person, the operator had better divide the back into three parts, in such a manner
as to first work next to the spinal column, then over the center of the back, and finally
over the sides, remembering that by the last manipulation he may conveniently reach the
liver or spleen, if desirable in certain cases. In the case of an infant, and especially
in infantile paralysis, we often use in the stroking only the index and the middle
fingers, one on each side of the spinal column.
2. Friction with the hand or with the
last two phalanges of the one hand, from the upper part of the trapezius down to the
glutei, one side at a time.
3. Stroking as previously described.
4. Kneading with
the two thumbs, one on each side of the spine, so as to act upon the spinal nerves. The
hands should be spread over the back, supporting the sides if possible (see Fig. 15).
FIG. 15.
Kneading of the Back.
5. Pinching on the sides so as to act upon the sympathetic ganglia.
6. Hacking with one
hand on each side of the spine, up and down, from the sacrum to the neck.
7. Clapping
on both sides, lengthwise, one at the time.
8. Stroking repeated; performed very
quickly if we wish to stimulate; very slowly and firmly if we wish the manipulation to
have a soothing effect.
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