It’s quite difficult to find a back massager that can actually work for your specific pain or back areas. Upon choosing a massager, you are not 100% sure that its benefits will turn out as you have expected. Sometimes, the results are less than 50% reliable, which means that the chosen massager is incapable of working as per expectations.
So, how can you get massage for back pain? What are those elements that can help you to find the right massager? Below is everything you should be concerned about:
Section1: Are Back Massagers Good for Back Pain?
Before you make your mind to find a good back massager, it is important to know about back pain.
Most of the people complain about back pain when they have soft tissue injuries. Whether it’s their connective tissues, muscles, skin, ligaments and tendons, they usually suffer from back pain. Also, you might experience a sprain or strain due to fall, sports injuries, improper lighting or long period of poor posture. Sprains are usually the outcome of ligaments that overstretch or rip.
There is only one solution to get rid of the entire problem. All you need to do is to find a good back massager that can help to provide the following benefits:
- Increase in Blood Flow: A neck and back massager works on the back muscles by increasing blood flow to the entire area, from upper to the lower portion. It promotes healing and reduces soreness by treating soft tissue injury or physical activity.
- Release Endorphins: They are the chemicals that improve well-being and happiness in the brain. They combat anxiety and pain. Some massage techniques like myotherapy and acupressure are capable of stimulating endorphins level, thereby healing the body faster.
- Overcome Tension: The best part of getting an electric back massager is that it reduces muscle tension and helps the body to overcome restricted pain and movement, especially around the lower back or neck.
Section2: How do Back Massagers Work?
Start by warming up your body and prepare it for a session to relax the muscles from tension and stress and improve blood flow. Make your body straight and place the back massager on the painful area. Before starting the massager, you have to apply a gentle force on that area followed by letting the electric massager to apply pressure with the help of nodes.
Keep your body still and take long breathe and rest for around 5 seconds to stimulate blood circulation in the muscles. Do this for 10 to 20 minutes every day and see how your body will feel better over time.
Section3: Types & Techniques of Back Massager
Techniques
There are numerous techniques used by massager to combat back pain. All you need to do is to choose one according to your body’s requirements so that it can reap all the benefits:
- Trigger point myotherapy: Also referred to as neuromuscular therapy, this massage technique is aimed at soft tissue injury and lower back pain. It works with concentrated pressure on muscle spasm to get rid of tension and tension.
- Swedish massage: It is a famous physical therapy that relieves all types of pain and promotes general relaxation. It applies gentle force on the affected areas of the back and releases tension to let the body get rid of physical and mental stress.
- Deep tissue massage: It is also a sports massage that uses Swedish massage technique. It releases tightness from scar tissue and knotted muscles that, if not treated, lead to chronic back pain. It has proven effects on stiffness of back and neck muscles.
- Therapeutic massage: This type of massage for back pain is only done by a massage therapist. It allows him/her to examine the body for neck pain, spasms in the lower back or tightness in shoulders. Once he/she has enough information, it will help to create a plan for massage accordingly.
Types
- Massage Ball Roller: They are like tennis balls whose outer surface has tiny spikes to exert pressure. When used to massage for back pain, just move your back forward and backward on the spikes and see the effect on your arms, calves and thigh.
- Body Back Buddy: Designed on the alphabet Shape S, this massager just needs to roll on the back’s muscles as that they can get the required amount of pressure to get rid of the pain. Pressure is created through the knobs present on the back buddy.
- Acupressure Mat: This type of back massager focuses on 6,210 acupressure points! All you need to do is to lay down on the mat and let it massage according to your body weight.
- Shiatsu Back Massager: This multi-functional massage chair is ideal for the neck, lower and upper back. It can cure lower back pain and feel like a finger pressure that aid in muscle loosening.
Section4: What Are Important to Consider When Buying Back Massager?
When it comes to exploring the important factors to choose a good electric back massager, below are the details you should never miss:
- Kneading massager feature: One of the critical elements in your decision making should be kneading as it is responsible to provide a certain type of massage. You have to consider whether you want a massage from the center of the spine or just target particular areas. This kneading feature gives the same feeling as that of two hands on your back. Other than that, you will get the following benefits:
- Relaxation in muscles
- Increase in flexibility
- Reduction in muscle swelling
- Reduction in muscle tightness
- Aid in muscle growth
- Better nervous system
- Rolling massager feature: The next worth considering element in rollers that are associated with electric shiatsu massagers. You can get all benefits of rolling movement upward, sideways, downward and over the spine. Credit goes to the rolling feature, muscles can get relaxed, stretched and soothed.
- Tapping massager feature: It is necessary for percussive massage when your body needs to feel amazing with better blood circulation.
- Heating massager feature: You will see professional masseurs with heating stones to soothe the muscles. Apart from treating stiffness, the body will have better blood circulation and relaxation.
- Portability: This feature is necessary as you cannot always keep the back massager at one place. Remember that your choose version should have wheels or an arrangement for portability so that you don’t face a hard time in moving it.
- Car Adapter: It makes a lot of difference to have a car adapter in the massager. It makes your movement to another location easy and smooth.
- Remote Control: With the help of a remote, it’s quite easy to control your massaging experience. Although they are not wireless, it’s still easy to keep control on the back massager and if needed, you can adjust their setting.
- Safety feature: An electric back massager needs to have an overheating safety to avoid any mishap during massage. Some massagers are capable of turning off on their own, just be careful about the model.
Section5: Back Massager FAQ
How should I choose a massager for back pain?
Start by identifying your needs and then choose the right massager. If you have a medical problem, don’t forget to consult with your doctor and evaluate the features to come up with an appropriate type.
Can a massager be used in pregnancy?
Always take permission from your doctor and find out which electric back massager can work for you. A handheld, non-electric mini massager can do the job. Just read the instructions, remember precautions and warnings to avoid getting into any trouble.
What is the cost of an electric back massager?
Practically, these electric massagers can cost from a few dollars to thousands of dollars. You have to specify your range and proceed with finding an appropriate one within it.
For how long a massager can work?
For manual massagers, you can easily use them for 30 minutes continuously. Read and guidance manual for prolonged massaging because most of the manufacturers don’t allow users to operate it for more than 30 minutes. It usually causes bruising in the muscles.
Is it ok to sleep on an electric back massager?
As mentioned in the previous question, it is not advisable to overuse an electric massager.
Section6: Wrap Up
With the entire information at one place, it would be a lot easier for you to make the decision of purchasing a back massager. You can go deeper in the research by following specific guidelines, which your doctor has given in case of any medical problem.