In today's world, relaxation and rejuvenation are vital for maintaining overall well-being. Massage equipment like roller massage beds and chiropractic roller tables can play a significant role in achieving this. This article explores the benefits of massage beds with rollers, including intersegmental tables and jade roller massage beds, and how they can be used to enhance health and relaxation.
Intersegmental Roller Tables
What Is an Intersegmental Table?
An intersegmental table, also known as a chiropractic roller table, is a tool used to gently mobilize the spinal joints, thereby improving flexibility and reducing stiffness. Often recommended by chiropractors before or after an adjustment, these tables manipulate the spine to help restore proper range of motion by stretching muscles and ligaments while initiating motion in the spinal column.
How Intersegmental Roller Tables Work
During treatment, the patient lies face up on the table in a supine position. The table has three rotating rollers that lift and separate each segment of the spine, creating motion and stretching the muscles and ligaments. These rollers move gently up and down the patient’s back, using passive motion to improve the alignment of the vertebrae.
Benefits of Intersegmental Roller Tables
The benefits of using a chiropractic roller table include:
- Reduced tension and pain
- Improved range of motion and flexibility
- Increased circulation
- Enhanced relaxation
Intersegmental tables can stimulate additional healing in the spine by increasing blood and oxygen circulation to the muscles, ligaments, and discs. The rollers are painless, safe, and effective.
Read also: Summit Chiropractic: Holistic wellness solutions.
Jade Roller Massage Beds
Materials and Construction
Jade roller massage beds are designed to promote relaxation and offer health benefits. Jade, a natural stone, is renowned for its cooling properties and healing potential. Unlike synthetic materials, jade emits far-infrared rays that penetrate the skin and boost circulation. High-quality fabrics are used for the mattress coverings, while durable metal or wooden frames ensure longevity and support. The rollers are made from polished jade stones, which are smooth and sturdy, maximizing comfort during use. Some models also include infrared heating elements.
How to Use a Jade Roller Massage Bed
To get the most out of a jade roller massage bed:
- Clean Skin: Ensure your skin is clean before use.
- Adjust Temperature: If your bed includes an infrared heating feature, start with a lower temperature and gradually increase it.
- Consistent Sessions: Aim for regular, short sessions (15-20 minutes daily).
- Combine with Relaxation Techniques: Pair your massage with deep breathing, soft music, or aromatherapy.
- Proper Positioning: Position yourself correctly to ensure the jade rollers make full contact with the targeted muscle groups.
- Monitor Pressure: Be aware of the pressure applied by the rollers to avoid discomfort or bruising.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water before and after your massage session.
- Consult with Healthcare Professionals: If you suffer from any medical conditions or are pregnant, consult with a healthcare provider before use.
Benefits of Jade Roller Massage Beds
The benefits of using a jade roller massage bed include:
- Improved Circulation: Stimulates blood flow, leading to healthier skin and improved muscle recovery.
- Detoxification: Aids in detoxifying the body through improved lymphatic drainage.
- Pain Relief: Provides relief from chronic pain conditions such as arthritis or muscle soreness.
- Stress Reduction: Promotes a calm and restful state of mind.
Q&A
- How often should I use a jade roller massage bed? Aim for short, consistent sessions daily, about 15-20 minutes per use.
- Can anyone use a jade roller massage bed? Generally, yes, but individuals with specific medical conditions or pregnant women should consult a healthcare professional before use.
- Are jade roller massage beds suitable for all skin types? Yes, jade roller massage beds are suitable for all skin types.
Massage Beds vs. Massage Chairs
When choosing between a massage bed and a massage chair, consider the differences in technique, space, and noise level.
Massage Technique and Comfort
Massage chairs use hard plastic and rubber rollers that move in different patterns along your back and legs. The rollers push and knead your muscles through the chair’s padding, which can become uncomfortable over time for some users. Massage beds typically use a combination of vibration motors and mechanical rollers, allowing for better weight distribution and a more natural massage experience.
Read also: Benefits of Foot Massage in Pleasanton
Space and Practicality
Massage chairs are bulky and require significant space, often becoming a permanent fixture in a room. Adjustable beds with massage features offer superior space efficiency since they occupy the same footprint as your existing bed frame. These beds typically include adjustable height settings, customizable massage zones, and programmable positions.
Noise Level
Massage chairs typically make noticeable mechanical sounds while they work, which might distract you from fully relaxing. Massage beds generally operate more quietly, typically at 40-55 decibels. Premium massage beds often incorporate sound-dampening technology and noise-reduction materials.
Sharing and Versatility
Massage chairs can only serve one person at a time, while massage beds often come in larger sizes that can accommodate two people. Massage beds can be adjusted to various heights and positions, making them ideal for different therapeutic purposes such as at-home physical therapy or general relaxation.
Longevity and Maintenance
A massage chair usually lasts 5-8 years with regular use, while massage beds typically last 4-7 years, depending on usage and quality. Regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of both options.
Safety and Precautions
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new massage routine. Start with gentle settings and short sessions to see how your body responds, and immediately stop if you experience any increased pain or discomfort.
Read also: Sports Massage for Two
Operational Costs and Features
The monthly electricity cost for a massage chair typically ranges from $5-15, while massage beds usually cost slightly less to operate, around $4-12 per month. Modern massage beds often come with energy-efficient motors and auto-shutoff features.
Additional Tips
- Use deep-pocket sheets on massage adjustable beds to accommodate the mattress thickness and movement.
- Falling asleep during a massage session is generally safe due to auto-shutoff features.
- If a massage chair’s features stop working, the chair can still function as a regular recliner.
Roller Massage (RM)
Clinical Standards for Roller Massage
Roller massage (RM), often referred to as self-myofascial release (SMR), has become a popular intervention for rehabilitation professionals and active individuals. Despite its growing popularity, there is a lack of consensus on clinical standards such as describing the intervention, indications, precautions, contraindications, and assessment.
Describing Roller Massage
To classify rolling as an “SMR” intervention may not represent what is physiologically occurring during or after the intervention. The term “release” may be contrary to the current body of knowledge that suggests that the direct roller pressure may produce mechanical and global neurophysiological responses that influence tissue relaxation and pain through afferent central nervous system (CNS) pathways.
The direct roller pressure may change the viscoelastic properties of the local myofascia by mechanisms such as thixotropy (reduced viscosity), reducing myofascial restriction, fluid changes, and cellular responses. Researchers have found that rolling reduces local arterial stiffness, increases arterial tissue perfusion, and improves vascular endothelial function.
For the neurophysiological effect, the direct roller pressure may induce a greater myofascial relaxation or “stretch tolerance” through CNS afferent input from the Golgi tendon reflex and mechanoreceptors. Researchers have postulated that roller pressure may modulate pain through stimulation of cutaneous receptors, mechanoreceptors, afferent central nociceptive pathways (gate theory of pain), and descending anti-nociceptive pathways.
Changing the terms “self-myofascial release or SMR” to “roller massage or RM” provides a more general classification. A proposed description for RM may include the following: “roller massage is a type of self or assisted massage that uses a device to manipulate the skin, myofascia, muscles, and tendons by direct compression”.
Indications for Roller Massage
The research supports the use of RM as a pre-exercise warm-up since it has been shown to produce no negative effects on performance. Researchers have also found that rolling at 10 minute intervals following a warm-up preserved the range of motion (ROM) increases for 30 minutes after the warm-up to a greater degree than no additional rolling.
The current research supports the use of RM for post-exercise recovery and suggests that RM may increase joint ROM. There is some evidence that suggests RM may have a positive impact on pain, joint ROM, and quality of life for individuals with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.
Precautions and Contraindications
No clear evidence-based safety guidelines have been reported for RM. Suggested precautions may include but are not limited to: hypertension, osteopenia, pregnancy, diabetes, varicose veins, bony prominences or regions, abnormal sensations, sensitivity to pressure, recent injury or surgery, inability to position body or perform RM, young children, older individuals, scoliosis or spinal deformity, and medications that may alter a client's sensation.
Suggested contraindications include neurologic conditions resulting in loss or altered sensation, systemic conditions, chronic pain conditions, direct pressure over bony prominences or regions, and acute injuries.
Assessment
Trends in the use of clinical outcomes to measure the effects of RM by rehabilitation professionals has not been discussed in the literature. The majority of professionals reported using PROs, and assessments for determination of effects of RM including joint ROM, movement-based testing.