Lumbar and cervical massage pillow

In the past, the main cause of joint diseases such as cervical spondylosis and lumbar spondylosis was age factors, a bone disease caused by increasing age. However, in recent years, the age of patients suffering from lumbar and cervical diseases has become younger, and many businesses have seen this business opportunity and launched many types of massage pillows to attract patients to buy. So for patients with lumbar and cervical vertebrae, is it really effective to use a massage pillow?

Use massager with caution for lumbar and cervical pain

As people get older, they will experience a certain degree of neck pain, back pain, and joint pain after exercise. Therefore, many elderly people like to go to medical institutions for massage, while others just buy massagers home and use them as a magic tool to treat pain. However, there are many examples where things go against one's wishes. Using massagers indiscriminately without asking the cause of the disease may cause far more harm than benefit to the elderly.

The massager has limited imitation techniques

Currently, there are two main categories of massagers on the market. One type is a simple massager operated by hand, such as a massage stick, massage hammer, etc., which are divided into electric and electromagnetic, and most of them rely on alternating current for vibration massage; the other type is a fully automatic massage chair, massage bed, etc. that does not require manual operation, and is also driven by alternating current.

The massage techniques used by regular masseurs include six major types of skills: swinging, friction, vibration, squeezing, tapping, and moving joints. Massagers can only imitate 1 to 2 of them, which is relatively simple and very limited.

In addition, simple massagers either use vibration and pressing techniques or tapping and kneading techniques; massage chairs and massage beds mainly use squeezing techniques, and some are combined with vibration techniques. As for the reduction techniques for cervical and lumbar joint dislocations, traction techniques for large and small joints, and certain friction techniques with the addition of massage media, massagers cannot imitate them.

Regardless of the cause, the harm is great

Massagers do provide temporary relief and can sometimes relieve pain. However, patients often only see the symptoms of the disease, thinking that joint pain is joint disease, and use massagers to solve the pain problem, which will cause other side effects.

Taking knee pain as an example, if there is redness, swelling, and heat, there may be a bacterial infectious disease such as arthritis, osteomyelitis, etc. Massaging the area with a massager will not only fail to relieve pain, but will also cause the inflammation to spread and aggravate the pain. If it is an acute joint sprain, cold compresses and cold therapy are needed to stop the internal bleeding. However, if a massager is used to stimulate it, the internal bleeding will be further aggravated and the affected area will become more swollen. If a massager is used for excessive stimulation during the acute attack of aseptic inflammation, it will also aggravate the condition.

Patients with thin bodies should be more careful because they cannot withstand the force. Using a massager may not only fail to solve the original problem, but may also cause new soft tissue injuries.

Five points to pay special attention to

Failure to properly control the intensity and duration of massage may lead to excessive use of the massager and harm your health. So, how to use the massager more safely and appropriately?

◎ Patients with acute sprains, bruises, and associated symptoms such as subcutaneous congestion and swelling should not be given massage stimulation within 24 hours.

◎ If the painful area is accompanied by redness, swelling, heat and other symptoms, it is not suitable for massage stimulation.

◎Try not to apply strong massage stimulation to areas close to the periosteum, that is, areas with less subcutaneous fat and bone protrusions.

◎Joints and muscles with adhesions, strains, or areas with thicker muscles, such as the waist, thighs, and back of the calves, are more suitable for massage with a massager. However, it is best to go to a regular hospital and ask a doctor for diagnosis first, especially if you have symptoms such as pain and numbness. You should find out the cause of the disease and consult a doctor whether you are suitable for treatment with a home massager.

◎Use the massager gradually. At the beginning, the stimulation time should not be too long and the intensity should not be too high. If the symptoms do not worsen on the second day, you can increase the dosage appropriately; if you feel uncomfortable or the symptoms worsen on the second day, especially if the local pain worsens, it means excessive stimulation and you should reduce the dosage or stop using it. Generally speaking, symptoms will resolve on their own within 3 to 5 days. If the symptoms do not improve, you need to go to the hospital for treatment.