In this summary I will share with you how vibration massage has been used in trials to remove cm of cellulite off hips buttocks and thighs. This is something that gives a genuine long term reduction in size rather than the typical temporarily improved appearance. It is something patients can easily emulate using our massager.
How it works
For full details and references please check out our guide: The practical guide to massage for cellulite . However, in summary cellulite forms in tissues where reduced circulation impairs the reabsorption of fat, causing excess to accumulate. Vibration massage is excellent at increasing circulation, allowing the excess fat to be reabsorbed. To show the sort of results achieved I’ve pasted below a table from one of the trials.
The practical application
Massages only cause an increase in circulation for a limited time. This is not long enough to allow significant reabsorption. This requires repeated applications over time. The trials used protocols such as daily massages for a month or more. This would be cost prohibitive if just using professional services, but would be practical and affordable if including self applied vibration massage.
Suggested protocols
What the trials used
The trials used massage chairs and those vibration platforms you stand on to apply the vibration. These were convenient for the researchers to use, but as I’ll discuss next are not optimised to increase circulation (eg.wrong vibration frequency).
The optimum protocol
Equipment to use
As discussed in our guide The scientifically proven effects of vibration massage- with clinical applications , the increase in circulation depends on the frequency of the vibrations, measured in Hz (cycles per second). As a guide:
- around 50Hz gives an excellent increase that lasts for about 30 minutes after the vibration stops
- around 30Hz gives a moderate short lived increase
- below 30Hz the increase continues to lessen. The massage chairs and platforms deliver vibration less than 30 Hz. Also massage guns drive their heads in like jackhammers which is uncomfortable and potentially harmful at higher frequencies, so usually operate at less than 30Hz.
Genuine vibration massagers such as our General Purpose Massager and Quad Head Massager are designed to give 50Hz therapeutic vibration safely and comfortably. Both can be easily used at home by patients. The quad is an excellent choice because it can massage a large area at once, meaning the required tissues can be covered in a shorter time.
How long and how often
In the trials the researchers used long duration applications such as one hour. This is a very long time to be spending each day. Fortunately if one uses therapeutic vibration at around 50Hz a few minute application will give a 30 minute residual increase. Rather than a hour on the massage chair one could get 30 an hour of increased circulation using two applications of the 50Hz vibrations for a few minutes each.
Summary
For good results we recommend:
- Applying the vibration at 50Hz using a proper therapeutic vibration massager such as our Quad Head Massager or our General Purpose Massager.
- Using several daily application of a few minutes each.
