When your back is hurting or feels very stiff at the end of the day, there is only one thing that you probably crave: a massage to relieve all of those pressure knots in your back. Not all of us have access to a professional massager that will take away all our pain, though. But we do have access to technology.
Still, how long should we use a back massager for? How long is it considered safe and therapeutic, and how long is it considered to be “too much”? When should you stop massaging? Well, this article should tell you how to properly massage your back and for how long.
What Are Back Massagers?
Back massagers are portable and easy to use massage tools that you may use on yourself to get rid of the back pain. They offer you the perfect massage into the depth of your muscles, releasing any knots that you may have in your back and taking away the pain from you. That being said, if you wish to reap benefits, you will have to use them properly – or like the manufacturer advises you to.
Generally speaking, back massagers spread into two categories: electric massagers and your good old manual back massager. The traditional type with no bells and whistles will only have you pressing the massager over the right knots, whereas the electric kind will send vibrations and pulsing through your muscles. This has the purpose of relaxing your muscles and taking away the tension from them.
In the end, electric back massagers are useful for a variety of reasons. Aside from the fact that they make you feel like you just came back to life, they also have the following advantages:
- Relieving your back pain
- Improving your sleep
- Elevating your mood
- Improving your blood circulation
Back massagers are quite efficient to have around, but for them to function properly, you need to know how to use them. You must know where to press, how long to press, and how long the overall massage should be. This way, you will end up feeling rejuvenated.
How Long Should You Use a Back Massager For?
In most circumstances, you may use a back massager for just as long as you need it – or until the pain goes away. On average, a full body massage lasts between 30 and 90 minutes – with the masseuse stopping about 20 minutes on each separate area.
That amount of time will change depending on the unit that you are using. For example, if you use a non-electric massager for 20 minutes, that time gets halved up if you are using an electric unit. Since electric devices use vibrations and pulsing, every strike is like two strikes on a traditional model. Therefore, if a regular back massage takes about 20 minutes, an electric model with a massage cushion, for example, should take no longer than 10-15 minutes.
Can You Massage Your Back for Too Long?
There is a reason why you should not go under or exceed the timeframe. For one, if you use it for a period that is too short, then you will not be reaping the health benefits that back massagers have. On the other hand, going too long at it is not recommended either. Why, you may ask?
That is because if you go over the recommended time, you might just end up relaxing your body for a tad too much. If that happens, you will feel the opposite of refreshed: you will feel cranky and groggy for the rest of the day unwilling to do anything productive.
This is pretty much the reason why spa centers have something called the “spa hour,” where the full-body massage takes no longer than 60 minutes. This time is sectioned for each different body part – with your back receiving about 10-20 minutes of their entire attention.
How to Use a Back Massager
If this is your very first time having a massage with a back massager, then you might not be quite down with the technique on how to use it. In that regard, you should follow these steps so that you may reap the benefits:
- Begin by sitting straight. You need to keep your bodily equilibrium so that no dysfunction appears over time.
- Place the massager on the problem area, either by holding it over your shoulder or beneath the elbow.
- Exert some force that feels tolerable to you (if you use a non-electric massager) or turn the unit on if you are using an electric model. Press on that area for 30 seconds.
- Take a short 5-second break and breathe. Breathing is very good for your muscles, as it oxygenates them. Once you have done that, repeat for at least 5 times.
The more you massage, the more you should begin increasing the pressure. Move the massager in circular motions, and simply press for a couple of minutes before you release it. This action will improve the blood flow and decrease the knots – taking away your back pain.
Remember that breathing is very important during this massaging process. Breathe as you are exerting pressure, and your muscles will be oxygenated enough for your pain to go away. The more you use the massager, the more pressure you should apply – because, at this point, your body will have gotten used to it.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, back massagers, are used for about 10-20 minutes if you wish to reap all the benefits. Pressing for about 5 seconds on each knot, it might feel like time passes very slowly – but at the same time, you will be able to feel the changes. If it’s done correctly, by the end of the massage, you should feel rejuvenated and pain-free.
