In today’s society, time is becoming an increasingly precious commodity. Even with the advent of the “working from home” revolution, people are finding themselves chained to their desks and/or devices, resulting in less active movement, mobility and exercise.
The common result of a more sedentary lifestyle is increased muscle pain, tension and discomfort. These symptoms can impact your overall well-being and quality of life.
But it’s a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break out of.
Our time poor schedules make it difficult to remedy these problems. Solutions such as physiotherapy or remedial massages, while effective, can be inconvenient to arrange, not to mention expensive.
However, advances in vibrative technology have made alleviating symptoms of muscle pain and tension possible within the comfort of your own home.
In this article, we explore the benefits of vibrative massage and highlight how devices like our Vibit Roll can play a role in your daily wellness routine.
The science behind (vibrative) massage
Have you ever noticed whenever you experience an ache or pain, that it’s instinctual to apply pressure to that area of your body?
That application of pressure is effectively what massage is.
Massage helps reduce pain by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and by improving blood circulation. This increased flow of blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells and facilitates early recovery, and provides pain relief from muscular injuries.1
Additionally, massage can decrease inflammation and facilitate the removal of waste products, such as lactic acid, from muscle tissues. These combined effects not only alleviate pain but also enhance the body's overall healing process.
Percussive Therapy, also known as vibrative massage, operates on a similar principle to massage by applying rhythmic vibrations to the body's muscles and soft tissues.
The mechanical vibrations also help to relax muscle tissues, reduce stiffness, and break down knots, leading to immediate relief from discomfort and improved flexibility.
Vibrative massage compared to traditional massage
Vibrative massage offers targeted, deep tissue stimulation with consistent pressure and frequency, which can be more precise than traditional hand massage.
Additionally, vibrative massage devices can maintain optimal pressure and vibration settings that might be difficult to achieve consistently by hand, ensuring a uniform therapeutic experience.
This method can access deeper muscle layers and provide a broader range of therapeutic benefits, from muscle relaxation to reduced soreness, with less physical exertion required from the practitioner.
Benefits of vibrative massage
Percussive therapy (PT) was developed in the 1950’s by Robert Fulford through the introduction of the percussion vibrator which was applied to local areas of the body for deep tissue osteopathic treatment for musculoskeletal pain.
Since 2008, after the first commercial gun was invented, people have discovered the benefits for personal and professional therapeutic use, especially for:-
Pain Reduction
A 2017 study2 conducted at the University of Catania found that vibrative therapy significantly reduces muscle soreness post-exercise. Participants who used vibrative massage devices reported a noticeable decrease in pain levels, suggesting its effectiveness for not just athletes but anyone experiencing muscle discomfort.
Enhanced Muscle Recovery
Athletes and gym-goers are well aware of the effects of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). After a strenuous workout, muscle soreness typically requires proper rest before engaging in physical activity again.
However, research in the "International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance3" demonstrated how vibrative massage saw vastly improved recovery times, attributing to the therapy's ability to enhance blood flow and reduce lactic acid buildup.
Flexibility and Range of Motion
Pain reduction and muscle recovery isn’t the only benefit from vibrative massage. Flexibility and range of motion has been shown to be another benefit gained from such therapy.
In another systematic review by the IJSPP4, it was concluded that vibrative massage contributes to greater flexibility and range of motion. The applied vibrations help to elongate muscle fibers, promoting greater mobility and reducing the risk of injuries.
Who can benefit?
Vibrative massage is not only beneficial for those in pain but also serves as a preventive measure and recovery tool for active individuals.
Whether you're dealing with chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or an athlete looking to enhance performance and recovery, vibrative massage offers a non-invasive solution to improve physical well-being.
The Vibit Roll: The portable vibrative massage solution
Integrating the benefits of vibrative massage into daily life, the Vibit Roll has been specifically designed to be a portable, user-friendly device that offers targeted, deep muscle therapy.
Its compact design and ease of use make it an ideal companion for anyone seeking to relieve pain, enhance muscle recovery, and improve overall mobility. With the ability to adjust vibration intensity, users can tailor the therapy to their specific needs, ensuring an effective and comfortable experience.
Sources:
1 Investigating the Mechanisms of Massage Efficacy: The Role of Mechanical Immunomodulation - National Center for Biotechnology Information - 2014
2 Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy - 2017
3 Analysis of Recovery Methods’ Efficacy Applied up to 72 Hours Postmatch in Professional Football: A Systematic Review With Graded Recommendations - International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 2022
4 The Effect Of Percussive Therapy On Musculoskeletal Performance And Experiences Of Pain: A Systematic Literature Review - International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 2023