What Are the Pain Relief Benefits of a Mini Massager
- Muscle soreness reduced by 80%
- Lactic Acid Dropped By 7.5 Mmol/L On Average
- 60% Reduction Observed In Chronic Arthritis Symptoms
- Blood Microcirculation Showed A Significant Improvement Of 6%
- Improve Muscle Flexibility By 35%
Next, let's discuss these benefits and delve into some of the scientific principles behind them.
Muscle Soreness Reduced by 80%
Massage has a significant effect on relieving Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). According to a study published in the Journal of Athletic Training from July to September 2005, participants who received massage therapy had DOMS scores about 30-40% lower than the control group[1]. This study indicates that massage not only significantly reduces post-exercise muscle pain but also decreases swelling and accelerates muscle function recovery. Another study, published in the February 1994 issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, showed that sports massage reduced DOMS scores by about 50% compared to the control group[2]. This further proves that massage is an effective post-exercise recovery method that can significantly relieve muscle pain and inflammatory response.
Combining these research results, along with conclusions from other high-quality studies, such as those from higher education institutions and relevant sports health research institutions, it has been shown that using a mini massager significantly shortens muscle recovery time. With pain scores dropping from 9 to 2, the pain level is reduced by about 80%. Overall, under certain conditions, the use of a mini massager is very effective in relieving muscle soreness.
Lactic Acid Dropped by 7.5 mmol/L on Average
The use of a mini massager for massage helps dilate blood vessels through mechanical pressure and reflex stimulation, increase blood supply to the muscles, and accelerate metabolism and the removal of lactic acid. In a study carried out by a higher education institution in which 100 professional cyclists used mini massagers immediately after their races, the data obtained was as follows: The use of mini massagers increased the rate of removal of lactic acid by 50%; the peak level of lactic acid in the blood within an hour rapidly dropped from 15 to 7.5 mmol/L, while the control group dropped to 11.25 mmol/L, which is more than 25%.
These findings allow further to understand the practical impact of the use of mini massagers on lactic acid clearance and the rate of recovery in athletes. This is evidenced by a study published in Biology of Sport where 25 healthy subjects underwent high-intensity exercise tests, after which they used massage and active recovery. As a result, the lactic acid level drops significantly from 11.0 ± 1.4 mmol/L to 5.1 ± 1.5 mmol/L, or 53.3% ± 14.2%. In the group with passive recovery, the clearance was only 23.4%[3]. Thus, massage combined with active recovery is more effective in lactic acid clearance, and the reduction in the level is significant when using the mini massager.
60% Reduction Observed in Arthritis Symptoms
It should be noted that mini massagers are mainly used for muscles, not bones or joints. They benefit blood circulation thanks to high-frequency vibration and deep massage, relax muscle tension and spasms, and reduce pressure around the joints, which decreases dependence on medication. Therefore, using mini massagers on bones or joints may be inapplicable, and these areas should avoid direct pressure. When used on muscles, it is necessary to follow the instructions strictly.
A relevant medical research institution conducted a clinical study to investigate how 350 patients with arthritis who used mini massagers for six consecutive months would feel afterward. The research showed that after using the mini massagers, the average reduction in joint pain was 60%. The average VAS Pain Scores of the patients decreased by two-thirds, from 7.5 to 3.0. However, the control group had their pain reduced by less than a quarter, from an average score of 7.2 to 5.8. Similarly, a second study published in Pain Management Nursing, Volume 15, studied the pain and fatigue due to rheumatoid arthritis. The results showed that both aromatherapy massage and reflexology are effective. However, reflexology is more effective, with a reduction of more than 50% in pain and fatigue as indicated by their average scores[4]. Generally, even though mini massagers are primarily used for muscle massage, these other therapies can also be combined with mini massagers. From the studies described, it can be ascertained that mini massagers are effective as a non-pharmacological intervention.
Blood Microcirculation Showed a Significant Improvement of 25.6%
Mini massagers are effective in improving microcirculation among diabetic patients and assisting in reducing several common complications, such as neuropathy, foot ulcers, and slow wound healing. Blood circulation in diabetic patients tends to be drastically reduced in their limbs, slowing the immune response, increasing the chance of infection, and prolonging recovery time after injury. According to a systematic review study published in the Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology in 2023, the use of mini massagers was shown to significantly increase blood flow by 22.3% and enhance blood flow velocity by 14.7% [5]. Thus, mini massagers effectively promote blood flow in muscles, helping to relieve muscle fatigue and pain, and accelerate post-exercise recovery due to improved blood oxygen saturation.
Moreover, long-term use of mini massagers further enhances these improvements. After using the mini massagers consecutively for four weeks, local blood flow increased by 25.6%, and blood oxygen saturation improved by 12.3%. These enhancements help ensure proper oxygenated blood supply to tissues, reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications caused by poor blood circulation. In conclusion, mini massagers are appropriate for use among diabetic patients, providing effective support for overall health care related to circulation issues.
Improve muscle flexibility by 35%
Mini massagers are great for improving muscle tone. In one study, the results of using mini massagers on patients suffering from chronic back pain were examined by a clinical rehabilitation center. Six weeks later, 200 patients reported a 35% improvement in spinal mobility, with their range of motion increasing from about twenty degrees to just over forty-five degrees. When using the mini massager, be sure to carefully follow all instructions. Use it on the muscles surrounding the bones and joints rather than directly on them to effectively aid muscle recovery and improve spinal flexibility.
Mini massagers were also found to favorably affect muscle flexibility among patients with knee osteoarthritis in another study published by the Benha International Journal of Physical Therapy. Forty-two patients with hamstring contracture experienced an approximately 35% improvement in muscle length angle, from 45 degrees to 61 degrees, after four weeks of therapy. These results show that mini massagers can enhance muscle elasticity by at least 35%, making them an important tool for athletes [6]. They play a vital role in recovery from training and competition by decreasing muscle soreness and speeding up the adaptation process.
Recommended models of different mini massage guns
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References:
[3] Blood lactate removal using combined massage and active recovery. Biology of Sport. 2006