Massage and its applications : a concluding lecture delivered to nurses and masseuses, at the School of Electricity and Massage in connection with the West-End Hospital for Diseases of the Nervous System, Paralysis, and Epilepsy, 73, Welbeck Street, London, W. / by Herbert Tibbits.

  • Tibbits, Herbert, 1838-1907.
Date:
[1887]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Massage and its applications : a concluding lecture delivered to nurses and masseuses, at the School of Electricity and Massage in connection with the West-End Hospital for Diseases of the Nervous System, Paralysis, and Epilepsy, 73, Welbeck Street, London, W. / by Herbert Tibbits. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    of the large muscular masses, whicli for tbis purpose are put in a position of the utmost relaxation. The grasp of the muscles should be firm, and for the large muscles of the calf and thigh both hands should act together, the masses of muscle being as it were twisted around the bone, while the hands alternately contract on them. In treating the firm muscles in front of the leg, the fingers or the two thumbs are made to roll the muscle under the cushions of the finger tips. At brief intervals the manipulator seizes the limb in both hands and lightly runs the grasp upwards, and then returns to kneading the muscles. The same process is carried on in every part of the body, and especial care is given to the muscles of the loins and spine, while usually the face is not touched. The abdomen is first treated by pinching the skin, then by deeply grasping and rolling the muscular walls in the hands, and at last the entire belly is kneaded with the heel of the hand in a succession of rapid, deep movements, passing round in the direction of the colon, while somewhat later the whole belly relaxed by position, may be shaken by a rapid motion of the grasping hands. Pinching or squeezing of the skin is very valuable in certain s]3inal troubles accompanied with lessened sensation, and in some other cases, if the surface and extremities be very cold : but the best Masseuses often omit it, and rely solely upon the deeper grip and rolHng of the muscles. The process should not be painful or more at first than merely fatiguing : but after a time the muscles may be handled with a good deal of strength without causing other than agreeable results, If the grip be allowed to move much or roughly over the skin the pull upon the hairs may cause boils. A little cocoa-oil or vaseline may therefore be used if necessary. Too much care cannot be used to cover with stockings and warm wraps the parts after in turn they have been subjected to Massage. As to time: at first the Massage should last half an hour, but should be increased in a week to a full hour. Sometimes I use it twice a day, but commonly one hour sufiices. Women who have a sensitive abdominal surface, have of course to be handled with care, but in a few days a practised rubber will by degrees intrude on the tender regions, and will end by kneading them with all desirable force. The same remarks apply to the spine when it is hurt by a touch: and it is very rare indeed to find persons whose irritable spots can not at last be rubbed and kneaded to their permanent profit. The daily Massage is kept