Anyone who has been massaged by a competent masseur will tell you it’s a wonderful way to take the edge off the aches, pains, and stiffness that go with the rough-and-tumble of everyday life. A good massage relaxes muscles, increases blood flow, and reduces muscle pain—not to mention being incredibly relaxing.
But it’s not always convenient to visit a masseur or a physical therapist who offers massage therapy. Massage machines—a category that includes massage guns, wearable massagers, and massage beds and chairs—are an excellent alternative. Massage machines can’t replicate the masseur experience, but they can relax your muscles, increase blood flow, and soothe away soreness.
What is a Therapeutic Massage Machine?
A massage machine is a device that vibrates, heats, and applies pressure to your muscles. The simplest massage machines use only heat, replacing the old-fashioned hot water bottle or the electric hot compress familiar to athletes. Heat massage machines are popular and effective, but most people think of vibrating massagers when they talk about massage machines.
As the name suggests, vibration massagers generate pulses of force that work on your muscles like a masseur’s fingers. They operate in much the same way as the vibration motor in your smartphone, but they produce much stronger vibrations and can be programmed with different vibration patterns. Vibrating massage machines vary from simple “wands” to powerful massage guns to furniture such as massage chairs and home hospital beds with built-in massage features.
What Is the Difference Between a Therapeutic Massage and a Deep Tissue Massage?
It’s helpful to divide massage into three types: relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, and therapeutic massage. There is some overlap, but understanding the difference can help you to choose the right machine:
- Relaxation massage is a gentle massage for reducing stress. It involves a light touch and is rarely painful. Relaxation massages help with general bodily stress and muscle tension.
- Deep tissue massage aims to release tension deeper into the tissue than relaxation massage. It uses firmer pressure, and it can be uncomfortable or even painful. People who experience it may feel sore immediately afterward, but only deep tissue massage can release painful chronic muscle tension.
- Therapeutic massage is not a massage technique but any type of massage that aims to relieve pain, reduce stress, or solve a specific medical issue. That may involve deep tissue massage, but not always—mental health professionals often advise relaxation massage for people with anxiety, for example.
The Benefits of Therapeutic Massage Machines
With a therapeutic massage machine, you get the benefits of a massage in the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to make an appointment, visit a masseur’s office, or pay for an expensive in-home visit. The massage machine is there for you when you need it—you can have a massage every day if you want. They’re great for tackling everyday aches and helping you to relax after sports or a hard day at work.
However, there are some downsides to massage machines. They don’t replace the ministrations of an experienced masseur, and a massage machine is not the best option if you suffer from deep tissue adhesions.
How To Choose a Therapeutic Massage Machine
If you’ve decided to buy a therapeutic massage machine, you have many options to choose from. Let’s take a look at the most common types on the market.
Manual vs. Electric Massagers
A manual massager is an unpowered device that uses rollers or a shaped surface to apply pressure to muscles and pressure points. Rollers are often used after sports and by people who value simplicity and portability. They come in many different sizes, including small manual massagers for your face.
Electric massagers are powered by batteries or a wall socket. As we mentioned earlier, there are many varieties to choose from. They include heat massagers, vibrating massagers, and massagers with heat and vibration functionality. Electric massagers are also categorized by the part of the body they target, including neck massagers, shoulder massagers, back massagers, leg and foot massagers, and more.
Handheld vs. Wearable Massagers
In all likelihood, you’re looking for an electric massager with vibration and possibly heat functionality. Excluding furniture and devices such as massage pillows, you can choose from hand-held or wearable massagers.
Handheld massagers are wand or gun-shaped devices. They are held in one hand and applied to the relevant part of your body. That’s great if it’s an easily reached area, but trying to massage your own back is no fun. For that, you’ll need a wearable massager. The most popular wearable massager is the massage belt, a broad belt worn around the waist, often with vibration and heating capabilities.
As you research massage devices, you may also come across massage guns. These are handheld massagers that apply rapid pulses of force to muscles, which is why they’re often called percussive massage therapy devices. They are a variation on vibration massage, but they produce more force than standard handheld devices. Massage guns are intended for post-sport muscle relaxation, but they can be used in other circumstances too.
Massage Beds
Finally, we come to massage beds and other furniture. These integrate electric motors that vibrate the bed or chair’s surface, massaging your muscles. More advanced massage chairs may also feature rollers, compressed air pads, and percussive massage devices to provide a deeper massage than vibration alone.
Advanced massage beds, such as our Supernal 5 home hospital bed, include remote-controlled massage features alongside powered height, head, foot, and tilt adjustments. We also offer bariatric beds with massage functionality suitable for heavier customers. Massage beds can massage parts of your body that you would not be able to reach on your own. Additionally, they don’t require any physical exertion, making them ideal for older people with mobility and strength issues or anyone who just wants to lie down and enjoy a relaxing massage.
To learn more about home hospital bed’s massage features, contact an adjustable bed expert today.
