Massage for runny nose in adults

A runny nose is one of the most common pathologies in the structure of respiratory diseases. It can occur in patients belonging to different age groups - in this case, the unifying factor is mainly the degree of discomfort caused by nasal congestion. Although rhinitis - as doctors call a runny nose - is rarely perceived as a serious pathology, patients experience significant discomfort, complain of dizziness, headache, and sleep disturbances. The reasons why a runny nose develops are quite numerous. Sometimes it's an infection, sometimes it's a respiratory or food allergen. In this case, can a nose massage make breathing easier and how to do it correctly?

Massage types

Massage is a widely available way to improve the patient's condition, which is used for a wide variety of diseases. Massage stimulates metabolic processes and blood circulation, helps to fight swelling and pain. Various techniques allow you to achieve a relaxing or, conversely, a tonic effect. Massage techniques are used all over the world, and each culture brings its own specificity to the tactics and sequencing of the techniques. Massaging the nose for a runny nose is one option for relieving nasal breathing.

What can be a massage against a cold? There are several main types of techniques that are used to eliminate nasal congestion:

Classic massage.
Acupressure.
Impact on the nose when massaging the face.

There are also techniques that are useful for certain types of damage to the nasal mucosa - in particular, with atrophic rhinitis.

Algorithm of conducting

Classic massage for nasal congestion includes the following techniques:

stroking the bridge of the nose;
rubbing the bony part of the nose with the thumb and forefinger;
rubbing the cartilaginous part of the nose with the thumb and forefinger.

First, a rubbing effect is performed on one half of the nasal structures, then on the other. Rubbing, which should be vigorous enough, but very gentle, is preceded by stroking the area of the bridge of the nose - they are subsequently completed the procedure.

Classic massage requires caution.

It should not be carried out with considerable effort, since there is a risk of damage to the skin and osteochondral structures.

Point manipulation techniques, also called acupressure, are numerous. The bottom line is mechanical pressure of varying intensity on the desired areas of the skin. One of the most popular combinations of techniques is alternately pressing on the glabellar point located above the bridge of the nose, points in the corners of the eyes from the outside, at the entrance to the nostrils and above the earlobes. Each set of movements should be repeated at least 3 times, gradually increasing the force of pressure, but without provoking painful sensations.

To perform acupressure for a cold, you can also use the isolated Bi Tun point, or Clean nose. It is located in the upper part of the nasolabial cavity. Moderate pressure is applied, combined with frequent vibration, and movements are performed quickly with the tip of the index finger.

What other manipulations can be done with a cold in adults? Facial massage helps to eliminate congestion, relieve muscle tension, and general relaxation. A second person is needed to conduct it. The patient lies on his back with his head comfortably resting on the pillow. The therapist sits in the back - usually sitting on the floor with the knees apart, or standing if the patient is on the massage table. Actions are carried out:

Massaging with circular movements of the face and neck. This manipulation is performed slowly, with the fingers of both hands in symmetrical areas.
Stroking the forehead towards the temples. The thumbs are placed in the middle of the forehead and gently, without pressure, stroke the skin.
Pinching of the lower jaw. To do this, clasp the chin with your thumb and forefinger and begin to gently tingle without painful collection of the skin in a thin fold. Do not pull on the skin too much.

Finish the massage with slow, repeated stroking.

Separately, it is worth considering the issue of the duration of the massage effect. A nasal massage usually takes 2 to 7 minutes. The duration increases with each repeated procedure.

Rules and principles

To effectively fight a runny nose, it should be understood that massage manipulations must be carried out in accordance with certain requirements and rules, they have not only indications, but also contraindications.

The impact on the nasal area with a runny nose can be carried out anywhere, however in a warm room, so that the patient can relax and calm down. The procedure does not require medicines, aromatic oils (if this is not provided for by a special version of massage technique). You should know which areas are suitable for the implementation of massage techniques. The masseur (regardless of whether the massage is performed by a stranger or by the patient himself) needs to perform the effect with clean, warm hands with short-cut nails without sharp edges. Do not wear rings, bracelets or other jewelry that could damage the patient's skin. In general, these are the main recommendations, the observance of which is necessary in order to carry out a high-quality massage of the nose with congestion. The simplicity and affordability of the procedure determines its wide popularity, although massage cannot be considered as the only means of therapy.

Cold massage is not a substitute for other treatments.

The basic principles to be followed are:

safety;
painlessness;
efficiency.

Since a nose massage for a runny nose is intended to eliminate swelling and improve nasal breathing, it should not be unpleasant and painful. This does not allow the patient to relax, negates all the efforts of the massage therapist. The procedure should be abandoned if there are contraindications. Efficiency is determined by the patient's feelings after the completion of the manipulation. If the result is successful, the patient not only feels a relief of the condition, but is also attuned to a similar effect after the second procedure.

Contraindications

Massage for the nose with congestion is a simple procedure, which nevertheless requires preliminary acquaintance with the list of contraindications:

Inflammation in the area of the planned massage effect.
Irritation, scratches and wounds on the skin of the nose and paranasal region.
Neoplasms (including birthmarks) in the nose.
Increase in body temperature, significant deterioration in general condition.

Do not massage the nose with severe fever.

If the patient complains of a sharp deterioration in health, a severe headache, names other signs accompanying a significant increase in body temperature, it is better to refuse the procedure. Also, it should not be carried out if there is a violation of the integrity of the skin, neoplasms and inflammatory changes (rash, boil) in the nose and nearby structures.

Breathing exercises

Sometimes in the treatment are used exercises for the common cold. In this case, massage is a complementary method. Respiratory gymnastics proposed by A.N. Strelnikova and uses it not only for diseases of the ENT organs.There are a large number of exercises included in the method. It is advisable to describe such as:

"Cat".

The patient stands straight, placing the feet shoulder-width apart and not lifting them off the floor during the period of gymnastics. The back should be straight, only the waist is involved in the movement. A shallow squat is performed with a turn of the body to the right and left in turn. At the same time, inhalation is made through the nose, which should be short and noisy. With each squat and turn, the breath is repeated. At the same time, the hands are squeezed in a grasping movement.

"Ears".

The patient is asked to stand up straight, while the legs are at a distance slightly less than shoulder width. Inhales through the nose are carried out simultaneously with turning the head to the right and left, they are short and noisy. After the turns, the head is swayed from side to side. During the exercise, you need to look straight ahead.

You should complete up to 12 cycles of exercises in both directions.

Strelnikova breathing exercises include many exercises that can be used to combat the common cold. However, care should be taken in the intensity of the movements. It is better to refrain from gymnastics with severe fever, severe dizziness.

Atrophic rhinitis

With a disease such as atrophic rhinitis, vibration massage is used, which is performed using a special device. At the same time, the masseur must be trained to work with the device and the technique of exposure.