From head to toe: Massages help here

Ayurveda from India, Nuat Phaen Boran, known to us as the classic Thai massage or Swedish massages, there are hundreds of massage techniques, some of which have been developed for centuries or even millennia in various regions of the world and are still used today. In this article we want to cover the wide spectrum in the field of massages holistically. 

Massages are used for relaxation, to relieve pain, to promote regeneration in athletes and simply to help us forget the stress of everyday life. And they can be used from head to toe, i.e. in all areas of the body.

In this article, we shed light on the different types of massage and areas of application, the situations in which massages may be suitable for you, how you can combat or even prevent pain after a massage and when the right massage chair can be a good alternative to a traditional masseur. You can also expect:

• Different types of massage for individual goals
• The areas of application of massages
• Working in a home office - the positive effect of breaks and massages
• The role of massage in the home office
• How do performance and relaxation go together - massages in sports
• Pain-free at last - massages for pain Pain relief through massages for osteoarthritis and joint pain
• Magnetic field therapy and massage - two effective ways to relieve pain
• Pain after massages - how they occur and how to avoid them
• It can be done better - massage chair as a painless alternative
• What should you look for when buying a massage chair?
• Speaking of technology - how does such a massage chair actually work?
• 2D and 3D massage technology - what does it mean?
• Massages: a broad spectrum from health totechnology to relaxation

Different types of massage for individual goals

You know the feeling of tension or pain in the body, be it in the back, neck, shoulders or legs? Sometimes it pulls here, then it tightens there and sometimes you feel severe pain that burdens your everyday life. 

Have you noticed that it is an instinctive reaction by nature to massage, rub and knead the aching and pulling areas? This is not by chance, because this targeted touch or spontaneous massage can often bring immediate relief.

The Swedish massage technique, for example, helps with many types of pain. Other massage techniques, such asThai massage , are better suited to other areas of application. You can find detailed information on the different types of massage in our blog.

A closer look at the different types of massages helps us understand how they work and why they relieve so much pain. However, the concept of massages covers a wide spectrum and includes a variety of different areas, from wellness massages aimed at relaxation to medical massages designed to treat ailments and diseases. Massages can be roughly divided into the following categories:

• Sport & Regeneration
• Preventive in terms of movement and posture
• Therapeutic for pain relief
• Wellness for relaxation and stress reduction

Massages can not only have an effect on physical well-being. Anyone who has ever treated themselves to a massage from an expert knows that they also have a positive effect on mental well-being. They can therefore have positive effects on the nervous system.

Reading Tip: In our post: "Are massage chairs medically useful?"we do a short check if and when massage chairs can help.

The areas of application of massages

On the subject of massages, it is important to understand that they have a holistic effect. They relax the muscles, promote blood circulation, support wound healing and can even help with sleep problems. Their mode of action covers a wide spectrum and in many cases massages can be a soothing and relaxing option for your body.

It should always be emphasized that although massages can have positive effects, they should not be regarded as a panacea. It is important to leave room for critical questions and to pursue them. In our article "Humbug or promise of a cure? Massage and its effect on the body and mind." we also listen to critical voices and summarize what massages can really do and what not.

In principle, massages should always be seen as a complementary therapy and should only be used for certain health problems, such as acute inflammation, open wounds, spinal complaints, for example due to scoliosis, a slipped disc, osteoporosis, pain due to rheumatism, intestinal complaints or existing scars, after consultation with a doctor. Massages can also alleviate discomfort and increase well-being during particularly physically demanding phases such as pregnancy, but also during the menopause or after an illness with the coronavirus.

Massages should always be used in such a way that they specifically combat the problem. If nothing speaks against such a treatment from a medical point of view, nothing stands in the way of regular massages as part of personal relaxation and self-care.

Reading tip: In our articles on manual therapy options, you can find out more about the gentle technique of lymphatic drainage or the holistic approach of Shiatsu massages.

Working in a home office - the positive effect of breaks and massages  

Massages can do much more than wellness and healing. Whoever understands the mode of action of massages can use them to accompany a healthy lifestyle. 

Physically and mentally, we are exposed to a wide variety of stresses and strains in the current era. We sit more than ever in human history, whether in the office, in the car, on the train or at home on the couch. We engage in sports to compensate, to keep fit. We have mental stress that can have physical effects over longer periods of time. Massages can improve our everyday life and have a preventive effect where our body is confronted with stresses that we cannot always escape.

One area of life where we feel these physical effects quite often is the professional world. The home office in particular has its own challenges in terms of productivity and concentration. While the spread of working from home has brought some flexibility to everyday working life in recent years, it has also revealed the downsides of practicing one's profession within one's own four walls: a lack of exercise, one's own ability to concentrate, and a lack of breaks suddenly play an increased role.

For effective breaks, legal guidelines should be followed and short rest periods included to avoid stress and physical illness. In the home office, it is often difficult to separate work from leisure, so careful planning is required.

The role of massage in the home office

Massages are an effective way to relax during working hours. They reduce stress and increase the ability to concentrate. In addition, the improved blood circulation facilitates the supply of oxygen to the body. So if you combine breaks in the home office with massages, you not only experience a relaxing moment in between, but also actively work on improving your performance and health.

Massages are also an excellent way to relieve stress and release tension. They promote relaxation and can clear the mind for work. The regular use of massage chairs in the home office is therefore becoming increasingly popular. The chairs offer physical and mental relaxation with time flexibility, all without leaving the house. Find out how to incorporate massage chairs into your daily work routine at home in our article: "Be effective in your home office with proper breaks and massages."

Massages can also be used effectively to promote mobility and prevent posture-related pain and diseases. Lack of exercise or monotonous posture, which can also be occupational, can lead to tension, which gradually but surely damage your posture. 

As a further consequence, joints can be affected by uneven or increased wear and tear. Massages, along with sufficient exercise and a balanced diet, can make a significant contribution to a healthy body feeling - sport also plays an important role here.

How do performance and relaxation go together?

We are all familiar with the images of professional sportsmen and women being regularly treated by masseurs from television. But why do we get massages in sports? The reason is obvious, because muscles are put under a lot of strain in sports. To compensate, they must be kept loose and supple in order to avoid tension, hardening and shortening. A second reason can be found in the circulation-promoting effect of massages. This leads to a better supply of nutrients, oxygen and a faster removal of harmful substances from the tissue. 

Reading Tip: In our post: "Massages and sports - before or after? The crucial question". you will learn in detail why massages have a positive effect on the performance of athletes.

Massages can thus heal minor injuries to the muscle (muscle soreness) faster as well as accelerate their build-up and development. The resulting shortened regeneration time leads to the fact that training can be done more often and thus to an increase in performance.  

If you want to learn more about the proper use and effect of massage in sports, also read our interview: "Massage chair in sports - Fencing Club Würth Künzelsau."

Finally free of pain - massages for pain

We often encounter the negative consequences of our lack of mindfulness and health-related self-care in the form of well-known pain patterns and illnesses: Sciatica, osteoarthritis, migraines caused by neck tension and back pain due to underdeveloped muscles, hardening of the muscles and the resulting poor posture. If sufferers show symptoms for the first time, massages often provide relief, as pain therapist Simon Gilljohann reveals in an interview reveals.

Pain relief through massage for osteoarthritis and joint pain

Osteoarthritis is a widespread condition, the cause of which is often found in poor movement in everyday life. It is a form of joint pain caused by excessive wear and tear of the joints, which can be treated with massages. In our article "Cause of joint pain and how sufferers can find relief."you will learn what you need to know about osteoarthritis and joint pain as well as their causes and how the everyday life of those affected can possibly be made pain-free.

Reading tip: Joint pain is not necessarily concentrated in a single area of the body, but can also migrate. Read our article to find out more about what is behind mig rating joint pain and what you can do about it.

Magnetic field therapy and massage - two effective ways to relieve pain

An exciting approach to pain relief is the combination of magnetic field therapy and massages. It is based on pulsating magnetic fields that can penetrate deeper into the tissue and stimulate regenerative processes there. As part of massage chairs, PEMF magnetic field therapy becomes a method of pain relief in your own four walls.

Here, too, you should consult your doctor in advance to rule out any contraindications. Pre-existing conditions or diseases that are negatively affected by such a treatment must always be excluded in advance. 

Reading tip: It hurts everywhere and you don't know which massage could help you? In our article on muscle pain all over the body, we explain the possible causes and what can help.

Pain after massages - How they occur and how to avoid them

So far, we have come to know massages as a pleasure for body and mind or even as a remedy. Nevertheless, they can occasionally also cause discomfort. The reasons for pain after massages are manifold. They can be due to initial aggravation, stimulation of the tissues, artificially induced inflammation and compensatory tension. In some rare cases, there may even be medical contraindications causing pain after massage. But as a rule, they are even quite normal.

And if it does get you, there are a few steps you can take yourself that will lead to massage pain relief. These include:

• Drinking enough water
• Warm baths, 
• Rest and sleep, 
• Gentle stretching exercises
• The use of creams that promote blood circulation. 

If your symptoms persist, seek medical advice as a precaution. Normally, however, it is a normal reaction to an unusual stimulus for your muscles. Nevertheless, the question is justified: Can the risk of these side effects be minimized? 

It can be done better - massage chair as a painless alternative

For those who want to enjoy massages without pain, massage chairs can be a great solution. The chairs offer consistent pressure and individual intensity settings, which can help prevent and relieve pain after massages. This way, you can fully enjoy the relaxing benefits of this therapy without having to deal with its drawbacks. 

Before you dive into the world of massage chairs, however, there are some important considerations that you should take into account. Because choosing the right massage chair can have a significant impact on your well-being and long-term satisfaction.

What should you look for when buying a massage chair?

If you want to buy a massage chair, ask yourself about your personal goal. First of all, it is crucial to determine your motives for purchasing a massage chair. Are you interested in pain relief, relaxation or regeneration? Massage chairs, as mentioned above, are divided into different areas of application. 

Massages not only have a physical effect, but also influence your nervous system. Therefore, consider individual factors such as your size, age and possible physical pain to choose the right massage chair for your needs. 

Reading tip: In our blog, we have summarized in detail for you which seven points you should consider before buying a massage chair.

Consultation and service are also an important factor when purchasing a massage chair. This is partly due to the fact that massage chairs have undergone an incredible development and are already technically very mature. An individual adjustment to your personal goals and needs as well as preferences is therefore indispensable and ultimately determines your satisfaction with the massage chair. 

We also offer companies the option of renting massage chairs for employees. This naturally brings a whole host of benefits and employee satisfaction, as we explain in our article on renting massage chairs for companies.

 

Speaking of technology - how does such a massage chair actually work?

The world of massage chairs is constantly evolving, offering more and more diverse techniques for relaxation and pain relief. The comfortable chairs have thus long since arrived in the broad society and form a legitimate alternative to conventional massage. Their diversity offers solutions for the most diverse target groups and thus, very specifically addresses your individual needs.

Massage techniques range from kneading to pressure by means of air bags and vibration. Away from the theory, however, in technical implementation there are two important techniques used in modern massage chairs. 

2D and 3D massage technology - What does it mean?

Quite obvious, yet often in need of explanation, the terms 2D and 3D massage technology are about the movement possibilities of the massage heads in the massage chair. 

The 2D technique offers movements in two dimensions and simulates classic massages, where pressure and movement are applied to the skin surface. They are effective for relaxation and stress relief.

In contrast, the 3D technique works deeper in the tissues and allows the massage to be customized. The massage rollers can move into the depth of the muscles and thus release tension in the deeper muscle layers.

The arrangement of the massage rollers, whether in the I-Track, S-Track or SL-Track, also plays a decisive role in the quality of the massage. These systems enable different movement patterns and cover different areas of the body. Find out more in our article "Massage chair technology: 2D or3D?" all the important details about the technical implementation and its specific advantages.

Massages a wide range from health through technology to recreation

Massages and massage chairs play an important role in improving health and well-being in everyday life. Whether for relieving joint pain, for pain relief through magnetic field therapy, for support in the home office, for increasing performance in sports or for a soothing time-out in between. Massages offer a variety of ways to relax and revitalize body and mind.

Massages are, in short, one of the most natural methods to achieve the multiple personal goals of your own well-being. The wide range of application of massages and massage chairs supports you to fulfill your individual needs - fFor your body, for your mind, for your well-being.