Traditional Swedish massage is performed with the hands, but a series of tools have been developed to supplement hand work. The tools help the massage therapist access deeper layers of muscle tissue, so that they can treat painful or spasming muscles. You may encounter these during a traditional massage session, or you can acquire them for home use.
Vibrating Tools
An electric vibrator can stimulate the nervous system and relax the underlying tissue. Vibrating tools supplement traditional massage therapy techniques like tapotement and vibration. Bodybuilding.com points out that vigorous vibration is usually performed at the end of the session. This gives the client a little jolt and decreases the grogginess that they feel after the massage. Vibrators can also relax muscle cramps.
Heat Pads
Your massage therapist may use an electric heat pad to warm the tissue before working it with their hands. The Merck Manuals point out that heat increases the blood flow and increases the flexibility of the area. This allows the therapist to access deeper areas and stretch the muscles father than they would normally go. Heat also helps reduce pain and inflammation, so heat pads can be used in a targeted way to treat conditions like spasms and sprains during the massage.
Kneading Machines
Kneading machines can work deeper into the tissue than vibrators. These machines typically employ rollers to work areas like the neck and shoulders. The rollers move in circular motions, which dig into the skin when pressure is applied. Your massage therapist may use a kneading machine to work large swaths of tense muscles, but these are also frequently employed for self massage.
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