Does a Therapy Massager Help with Inflammation
Therapy massagers can have a positive impact on reducing inflammation, especially for chronic conditions or post-exercise acute recovery. The massager has functions such as vibration, heat therapy, and pressure adjustment, which promote blood circulation and accelerate the discharge of lactic acid. When therapy massagers are combined with other therapies, they can lead to greater relief from inflammation.
Effects on Chronic Inflammation
When the soft tissue is inflamed, such as in muscles, tendons, or arthritis are involved then therapy massagers can be quite effective at eliminating that chronic inflammation. In a 2019 trial, regular use of professional massagers was able to improve inflammation markers known as C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α).
Specific Manifestations:
- After 8 weeks of using the therapeutic massager for just 15 minutes a day, CRP levels decreased by an average of 25%, and the pain score was reduced by about 20%.
- In chronic tendinitis patients, the use of a therapeutic massager in conjunction with physical therapy resulted in a 30% increase in tendon strength and a 40% decrease in pain intensity after only six weeks.
- In those with rheumatoid arthritis, using the massager three times a week, joint swelling decreased by 18%.
Relieve Acute Inflammation
Acute inflammation, post-exercise, is often seen as muscle strain due to the accumulation of lactic acid. Massagers are also very effective at promoting the excretion of lactic acid, reducing the discomfort of pain and swelling.
Using a therapeutic massager within an hour following exercise removes lactic acid more quickly, and the 35% drop in discomfort after just 12 hours helps promote recovery 25% faster than in participants who didn't use the massaging tool.
In a study covering 100 athletes, those who used therapeutic massagers recovered 20% faster. In combination with the hot and cold compress function, massagers can expedite the elimination of inflammatory factors to prevent soreness from muscle swelling.
Different Options for Relieving Inflammation
Different Modes
Different types of massagers help more with inflammation comparatively, but their effectiveness varies somewhat. Here are the specific performances of different massage modes in reducing inflammatory responses:
|
Massage Mode |
Main Benefits | Inflammation Reduction Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vibration Mode | Stimulates muscles, improves local blood circulation | 50% |
| Pressure Mode | Increases deep tissue pressure, reduces inflammatory fluid buildup | 40% |
| Heat Therapy Mode | Increases tissue flexibility, promotes blood flow | 60% |
|
Vibration + Heat Therapy Mode |
Combines vibration and heat to maximize the reduction of inflammatory factors | 75% |
A study on chronic tendinitis showed that the simultaneous application of vibration and heat (V+H) by a therapeutic massager resulted in a 40% decrease in pain scores within three months among subjects with chronic tendinitis, as well as decreased induration at inflamed sites.
Combining with Other Treatments
In addition to therapeutic massagers, using them along with other therapies can significantly increase their effectiveness in reducing inflamed areas.
| Combination Therapy | Swelling Reduction Rate | Pain Score Decrease | Inflammatory Marker Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapy + Massager | 25% | 35% | 20% |
| Medication + Massager | 20% | 30% | 30% |
| Exercise Rehabilitation + Massager | 15% | 20% | 15% |
In a clinical trial, it was verified that patients utilizing physical therapy alongside pro massager recovered faster from symptoms related to inflammation compared to those receiving just one kind of therapy.
The combined therapy can act in different ways on the same inflamed area, resulting in an enhanced treatment effect, especially when it involves long-term management of chronic inflammation.
Precautions for Use
While therapeutic massagers are a great solution for reducing inflammation in the body, there can be limitations in using them, especially in more specialized cases.
For people with heart disease, it is best not to exceed 10 minutes per use of the therapeutic massager in order to avoid overburdening the circulation due to excessive movement.
When inflammation is accompanied by redness, swelling, and other related symptoms, it is recommended to use the massager during the subsidence of inflammation or during recovery for maximum results.
Avoid using the heat and cold massager on patients with blood circulation disorders, as it could cause the movement of clots and abnormal changes in blood vessels.
