Wondering what to do about those aching muscles? Not feeling like the traditional massager device is going to do the job? Try adding another tried and true muscle ache reliever to the mix: heat.
Along with the standard vibrating massagers on the market, there are now thermal massage units. Like their predecessors, many of them are hand-held units, essentially large wands.
The concept is that by using heat, the soothing and pain-relieving properties already associated with massage will be enhanced and penetrate deeper into the muscles, tissues and joints. In addition to reportedly giving you a better massage, the theory also holds that such relief lasts longer. The technology that produces that heat is infrared rays rather than a blazing heat like your iron or toaster, so burning yourself is exceedingly unlikely unless you have super-sensitive skin.
Generally speaking, thermal massagers are good at doing what you'd expect them to be good for: stress reduction, relief of modest aches and pains and the like. That doesn't mean all thermal massage manufacturers are content to stop there. You may notice that they are all too happy to report other benefits as well.
Some units, for example, boast muscle stimulation properties that supposedly help muscle tone. A few even claim benefits that are equal to vigorous exercise. But don't count on any thermal massagers to give you a better-looking shape. That's what real exercise is for. And if a company promises you that their thermal massager will provide significant relief from arthritis, fibromyalgia, asthma or any other serious medical condition, take the claims with a grain of salt.
Thermal massage units often come with multiple operational modes: heat with vibration, heat only or vibration only. Settings for different vibration speeds and temperature levels might also be available. So, if you shop smart, you might not even need to keep the old massage unit around anymore.
With some units, the head will pivot and rotate so that you can direct the heat and massage where you need it most. In addition, many of the high-end massagers will include a number of attachments so that you can use the device on various parts of the body more effectively. For example, a unit might have an attachment for the face, for the scalp, and for body muscles in addition to the standard built-in head. Some add even more attachments for specific spots such as the breasts, knees and elbows. Others are more stripped-down and don't include extra attachments at all, just a couple of surfaces with varying textures on the built-in head.
Although the thermal massage devices on the market are generally hand-held units, some of those models can easily be draped over the back of a chair to allow for more hands-free operation.
There are even large thermal massagers, including bed-like units that combine rollers and sometimes even water jets along with the infrared heat. But bear in mind that such units can be very costly and bulky, and their manufacturers sometimes make therapeutic claims that would make most physicians cringe.
