Use of massage in asthma
A) Characteristic sign and symptoms of asthma:
1. Periodic attacks of severe breathlessness, especially at night time and increases with cold.
2. Bronchospasm or blockage of airways due to mucous is the root cause of disease.
3. Associated with dry cough and very little expectoration of mucous in sputum after prolonged coughing.
4. Discharge of mucous in sputum provides prompt relief in attack and more the amount of mucous discharged in sputum; more is the relief patient experiences.
5. Breathlessness worsens on sleeping, while sitting in a forward bending position provides relief.
B) Aims of massage:
1. To increase the sense of warmth through friction, as attack increases during cold responsible for bronchospasm.
2. To reduce dryness in airways also responsible for bronchospasm and dry cough.
3. To increase the discharge of mucous in sputum, there by relieving blockage of airways resulting in reduced breathlessness.
The unctuous and hot nature of oil applied during massage is useful to fulfill the aims mentioned above.
C) Process of massage:
1. Body area to be massaged:
Entire front area of chest including both sides of chest wall should be massaged. Also it is very important to massage back of chest, from neck up to lower end of rib cage.
2. Direction of massage movements:
* Massage movements over chest should usually be directed from above downwards.
* Also massage movements should be directed along the direction of ribs while giving massage over both sides of chest wall. Ribs are directed downwards over front of chest and upwards in back, in a circular fashion. Therefore massage movements should start from centre of body towards periphery.
* Each intercostals space (space between two adjoining ribs) should also be massaged separately in similar way. It can be easily felt in between two adjoining ribs with help of finger.
3. Useful massage tips:
* Oil used for massage should be sufficiently warm at the time of giving massage.
* Little amount of rock salt should be added to oil. It helps tp liquefy dry cough, and increase the discharge of mucous in sputum.
* Use of friction should be more than pressure during massage. This liquefies dry mucous due to increased warmth and thus free airway from blockage.
* Massage over intercostals area should be given with help of fingers like thumb or index finger.
* Duration, as also effect of massage should be decided upon amount of relief patient experience in breathlessness. Reduced breathlessness is a good indication of proper massage. For chronic cases, regular massage for longer periods is indicated.
* Daily massage followed by local herbal steam-bath is useful in preventing further attacks. It should be preferably given in early morning.
* Place of massage should be warm and cozy. Post massage patient should avoid contact with cold air or contact with direct air while traveling etc.
D) Use of different oils for massage:
1. As compared to other drugs like ghee, butter etc, oil being unctuous and hot in nature, is the choice of drug for massage in asthma which worsens in dry and cold climate.
2. Oil hot in nature like sesame oil, mustard oil etc are useful for massage.
The potency of oil can be increased by addition of medicinal drugs also hot in nature like garlic, asafoetida etc during preparation of medicinal oil.
Questions and Answers
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