Modern women actively use facial massagers at home. However, not everyone knows that improper use of this technique can cause significant harm to health. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to purchase only high-quality and certified products, as well as massage correctly. Only then will the procedures be effective and help restore beauty, health, youth, and radiant skin.
The purpose of massage for cervical osteochondrosis
Cervical osteochondrosis is popularly called a disease of office workers. It is difficult to fight the disease, because it affects the spine and has a negative effect on muscle tone. The pain syndrome causes significant discomfort; a person cannot fully perform his work duties, sleeps poorly, and experiences nervous tension.
Massage helps eliminate annoying symptoms and returns a person to normal life.
However, not every patient can afford an expensive session with a massage therapist. Buying an electric massager allows you to solve all these problems without much hassle. The main thing is to choose the right device.
Types of massagers
Specialists in the field of medical technology have developed several types of hand massagers for the neck and shoulders, the list of which includes:
- Infrared models are devices that affect muscle tissue with infrared radiation. The procedure is carried out using circular movements in the spine until the skin becomes red. Additionally, after exposure to the device, you need to stretch the muscles in the area of the procedure.
- An electric massager for osteochondrosis affects the muscles of the neck and shoulders using vibration. Available in two versions: roller with handle and patch collar. Excellent for relieving muscle stiffness.
- The battery-powered device is specially designed for those who, due to their duties, spend a lot of time on the road or outside the home. The device is compact and autonomous, charging is enough for several sessions.
- The massage pillow for cervical osteochondrosis works on the same principle as the electric model. Convenient for use when traveling by car and in the office. Easily attaches to the back of the chair.
- The “butterfly” is fixed with Velcro directly on the neck. They have a relaxing effect and increase blood supply to muscle tissue.
Infrared models
Electric massager for osteochondrosis
Massager pillow for osteochondrosis “Butterfly”
For ease of use, most models are battery operated. A home option is an electric massager for cervical osteochondrosis in the form of a collar. The device has several modes and a timer.
Electric neck massagers
Prices for massagers
A massage of the neck and shoulder girdle will help get rid of joint and muscle pain in this area, headaches, tension and discomfort.
Massage will help relieve tension and relieve headaches
The condition of the cervical vertebrae and muscles is closely related to the functioning of the entire spine, but the functioning of the brain and organs located in the head also depends on it. When the neck is exposed to excessive stress, cerebral blood flow deteriorates, oxygen is not supplied to the brain in the required amount, hearing, vision, sensitivity, speech and other functions suffer.
By the way. Electric massagers, unlike mechanical and manual ones, operate pulsed. They quickly normalize blood circulation, tone the muscles, tone the skin, relieve pain and heaviness in the cervical and collar areas, as well as in the upper back area.
Table. Types of cervical electric massagers.
| View | Description |
| The massager for the back of the neck (collar area) and shoulders can be made in the form of a collar or scarf of various sizes. It is worn as a cape and works in different modes, from tapping to vibration. Equipped with a control panel, works from the network or power supply. You can use the device at home, at work, or on vacation. |
| This, of course, is not a massage chair, but it is a budget and quite effective option. The cape most often combines massagers for all zones - from the neck to the sacrum, but there are also separate capes for each zone. It can even be used on the seat of a car (just not while driving). |
| Called an electric handheld or portable massager. It differs in that when performing a massage, you need to hold it by the handle and work with your hands. Mainly vibration, powered by mains or batteries, you can choose the vibration mode and intensity. |
| It can also be attached to a chair or to the neck, or not attached, but simply laid on the surface so that the patient lies on it with the neck-collar area. There are many types of neck massage pillows, in different price categories. |
Collar massager
Most of all, this device looks like a collar, which is put on the back of the neck and covers the neck, upper back, and back of the shoulders. It can be narrow, like a scarf, and massage only the neck, or it can even cover the area of the shoulder blades. There are wide collars that are used to massage the cervicothoracic area, for example, for cervicothoracic rheumatism, but mainly a massage pillow is used for these purposes.
Massage collar
Advice! When purchasing a collar massager, even a narrow one, pay attention to the fact that it massages the occipital protuberances. In this place there are arteries that communicate with the brain, so preventive massage is periodically required.
How to use an electric massager correctly
Massage cape
Using a special chair cover, you can perform a massage without leaving your home or (if convenient) office or car. The cape can be either full (for the entire surface with which the body comes into contact while sitting in a chair, including the buttocks), or only for the back and neck, or only for the neck.
Chair cover
Massage chairs
A roller cape is preferable to a vibrating one. Total vibration, especially for the whole body, is not always absolutely beneficial.
If you want to know in more detail what types of back massage rollers there are, as well as find out when and how to use them, you can read an article about this on our portal.
Handheld electric massager
Perhaps the most controversial device, since in order to perform a massage, you need to make an effort. Even professional massage therapists do not do self-massage, because it is impossible to work on one area, for example, the neck, when another (arms) is tense. The same is true with a hand massager: relaxing the neck muscles, a person tenses the muscles of the arm, shoulder, and forearm if he does the procedure himself.
When using a handheld portable massager, it is best to ask someone close to you to do the massage.
Handheld electric massager
Massage pillow
These products are presented very widely. Moreover, you can use a neck massage pillow for other parts of the body, including the lower back. If desired, a body cover can also be placed on the lumbar region, but this is not very convenient, therefore, if multifunctionality is needed, preference should be given to a pillow.
This device can be roller and vibration. The first is preferable, since this massage is more effective. You just need to pay attention to the position of the rollers - they should be located on the sides of the trapezius muscles.
Infrared heating as an additional function of a pillow or collar will be needed if you have rheumatism of the cervicothoracic area.
Massage pillow
Important! Many electric massagers do not list pregnancy as a contraindication; however, obstetricians-gynecologists strongly do not recommend using any massage performed using devices during pregnancy. As a last resort, a hardware massage of the neck is acceptable (according to medical indications), but in no case should you massage the back and especially the lower back.
Massage pillow for neck and shoulders
Frequency of use of the massager
Your doctor will help you decide how often to use the drug. It is necessary to know exactly what stage the disease is in and what the patient’s general well-being is. If the indications are positive, the neck massager can be used every day.
To enhance the therapeutic effect, doctors recommend combining electromassage sessions with therapeutic exercises designed for cervical osteochondrosis.
It is important to monitor your posture and monitor your well-being after using the device.
How to use an anti-cellulite massager
You need to use a cellulite massager at home correctly.
The recommended procedure is as follows:
- Warm up the skin using a special cream, oil or rubbing with your hands.
- Lie on your back, “pass” your stomach, moving to your waist. It is permissible to knead this area for no longer than five minutes.
- Massage legs, thighs, buttocks for 10 minutes each area.
- To work on your back and arms, it is better to seek help from relatives. These sections should be affected for no longer than three minutes per session.
- Lightly clap your body to relax your muscles.
- Take a shower at a comfortable temperature.
- Apply anti-cellulite cream.
Compliance with the basic rules of the procedure will prevent pain, the formation of hematomas, and will help restore the skin to a healthy, attractive appearance. You should massage your body no more than 2-3 times a week for a month, then take a thirty-day break, and then resume sessions.
How to choose the right device?
Does the variety of massager models confuse buyers and make it difficult for them to choose the best option? Some useful tips will help you make the right choice:
- The device must be made of quality materials. Hygienic parameters are especially important. If you use a collar massager, make sure the fabric is easy to clean and flexible.
- Ask the seller to demonstrate the device in operation. Look how comfortably it lies on the collar area, how many operating modes it has.
- Avoid buying low priced models. It’s better to spend money once, but buy a really useful and high-quality device. Beware of cheap imitations that fall apart after a few uses.
- Read reviews, find out more about the manufacturer. Check with your doctor.
A really good massager should perform several strokes. For example, the popular massage cape from BRADEX provides 16 types of massage. It provides switching intensity mode (9 levels). Techniques useful for osteochondrosis include:
- Tapping;
- Effleurage;
- Vibration;
- Deep massage;
- Drum technique;
- Impact on individual points.
Operating options of the electric massager
When the neck and shoulder massager works, a therapeutic effect occurs on the entire collar area. To select a mode, a quality device should have three options:
- Pressure force. Adjusting the pressure force allows you to do superficial, medium and deep types of massage.
- Intensity. The procedure can be performed in slow, medium or high mode. If relaxation is needed, choose a slow rhythm; to relieve muscle spasm, set a medium or high rhythm.
- Procedure time. An option that affects the state of the nervous system: a short session leads to stimulation of the central nervous system, a long session calms and reduces nervous tension.
Indications and contraindications
An electric massager is not a toy, it is a medical instrument, like medications and other procedures, it has indications and contraindications.
Let's consider in what cases you should use the device:
- In the subacute stage of cervical radiculitis;
- With cervical osteochondrosis, which is in remission;
- If there is a pain syndrome that occurs against the background of muscle spasm;
- For spastic headaches.
Indications must be determined by a doctor. Do not diagnose yourself, undergo a proper examination, and only after that use the device.
The effect of the massager on the back
The effect of using such a device is similar to the effect of the hands of a massage therapist. It will help you:
- relieve muscle spasms and relax muscles, reducing pain after exercise;
- warm up the muscles, improving blood flow in the affected area, thereby relieving minor inflammation and reducing pain;
- improve blood circulation in the spine, activate metabolic processes;
- tone the whole body, give you vigor.
Contraindications
There are a number of contraindications for self-massage that every patient should know. Such contraindications also apply to the use of electric massagers. The device cannot be used if:
- At the time of the massage you have a cold or the flu;
- You have been diagnosed with other infectious diseases;
- You have recently suffered a myocardial infarction;
- Osteochondrosis is in the acute stage;
- The patient has a general serious condition;
- There are pimples, pustules, warts, and birthmarks (nevi) on the neck and shoulders.
Special contraindications
voiced by a doctor observing the course of the patient’s disease.
The specialist takes into account individual characteristics, the presence of various diseases, and correctly assesses the need for massage.
General conclusions
According to neurologists, the use of an electric massager in the prevention and treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is an effective auxiliary procedure that can be part of an overall plan to combat the disease. The device irritates problem areas of the spine affected by osteochondrosis and relieves muscle spasms. The patient's condition improves, he falls asleep calmly, and the range of head movements increases.
By purchasing a massager, you get a skilled and durable home healer. The electric massager does not take up much space, it can be used at a time convenient for you, and does not require special care. The reasonable price and obvious benefits say “yes” to the use of an electric massager for osteochondrosis.
Rules for using an electric massager
Despite the above limitations, you can get great benefits from electric massagers. These devices not only improve general well-being and help relaxation, but also serve as preventative agents that prevent the development of a number of pathologies. However, to get the maximum benefit from the use of electric massagers, you need to know and follow the most important principles of their operation, which are given below:
- The duration of massage procedures should not be excessive. You should not use an electric massager for several hours in a row, no matter how pleasant the sensations it may cause. Exposure to this device for too long can cause harm, so massage must be dosed.
- When using a hand-held electric massager with a variety of attachments designed for different areas of the body, the first step is to treat large areas. After this, you need to smoothly move to smaller areas, for example, from the shoulder towards the hand or from the thigh towards the foot.
- The sensations experienced from a massage should be enjoyable - this is the basic rule when using any electric massager. If pain or other uncomfortable sensations appear during the massage, you should not endure them in the hope that they will soon disappear. It is necessary to reduce the power of the electric massager, and if this does not help, postpone its use for a while. In some cases, the problem can only be solved by replacing the device with another model.
- If there are attachments on the massager, you need to find out using the instructions for which zone they are intended. A specific attachment can only be used to influence the area of the body for which it is designed.
- To get the maximum benefit from using an electric massager, you need to completely relax the areas of the body that it affects. To do this, at the beginning of the procedure you need to take a comfortable position, it is advisable to turn on calm music.
