Be Cautious When Purchasing Electronic Massage Devices

A massage feels good, is soothing, calming, and has many health benefits for sore, knotted, overworked and stressed muscles. Nothing feels as good as a massage that can lull you to sleep for healing.  A certified massage therapist is skilled in all the muscle names, groups, and how they interact, and which ones are hurting you!  Our ancient ancestors had techniques for massage that are being used today.  You can purchase massagers to simulate those fingers, knuckles, and hands of the experts in the days past and the wonderful massage therapists of today.  They are available as electric powered, and battery powered, in every shape with all sorts of features for your health.  Some are portable to take with you anywhere anytime.

Massage chairs with their fluffy puffy cushions and leg and foot rests, some with integrated music and cup holders, sooth you with its electronic fingers striking some sore spots on your body.  You can have Shiatsu, rolling massage, vibration massage, percussion massage, Swedish massage, acupressure points, massage with or without heat all in the comfort of your home.  There are electronic kneaders, vibrating back cushions, and a plethora of handheld devices.  You can buy electronic head massagers and those with magnetic therapy.  Why not one of each?

Pain due to Pain

With all of these wonderful devices, cushions, and chairs for a heavenly back massage with vibration and some with heat are fantastic.  If you use them incorrectly or to an excess your pain can become worse and cause injury.  When you continue pressure or vibration at the same spot it can cause muscle damage and extreme soreness.  Always read the instruction manual that came with your device and have safe relaxing experiences.  Be careful and be safe.

• Read the warnings and contraindications.
• Never use if pregnant without consulting with your doctor.
• Never use on children, the elderly, or with any physical condition contraindicated in the literature with your unit. Consult your healthcare provider first.
• Do not use for longer times than stated in the instructions.
• Do not use on your head, face, or chest.
• You may not want magnets around your head. There is no scientific support showing this benefits anyone.
• Do not go to bed to sleep with a massager on your body.

Hair, clothing, scarves, or jewelry can become entangled in some massagers and can cause serious injury or even death from strangulation.

Electronic massagers do provide therapeutic effects when used correctly.  They are wonderful gifts for those you love and care about.

Massage therapy is a proven, mainstream, medically based, noninvasive way to physically reduce harmful levels of stress hormones in the body while increasing levels of endorphins.  They are wonderful for pain relief and sore tense muscles.

Massage therapy including the reduction of general muscle tension and pain might give you massage therapy as your treatment of choice in dealing with everyday stress.

Tips and Warnings

• Never use blankets to cover up with when using a heated massager because the heat can cause the motors to overheat and possibly cause a fire. Be safe and read the instruction manual carefully.
• Never plug a 110/120 USA power supply into a 220/240-Volt outlet in other countries outside of the USA. Secure an adapter if you need to use it for 220/240-Volts.
• Always turn the unit off and unplug when not in use in the house and especially the car. The car battery can be drained of its energy when left plugged in.
• Diabetics should not use compression type massagers.
• People with pacemakers or metal implants should not be exposed to the magnets in any massager using magnets in its design. Pregnant women should consult with their healthcare provider.
• If you have phlebitis, thrombosis, or are at an increased risk of developing blood clots due to recent surgery, consult your physician before using a massaging device designed for home use.

Some units should not be used with implanted medical devices, metal, broken skin or wounds, persons with epilepsy, on the top or side of the head or face, front of the neck, eyes, mouth, heart or throat, pregnant women, cancer patients or while driving.