Wood Therapy

WOOD THERAPY

 

Wood Therapy, also called Maderotherapy or maderoterapia, is a form of a holistic massage that uses various hand-held wooden tools utilizing vigorous, repetitive movements.

Wood Therapy is an effortless and efficient way of contouring the body without harming the skin or tissue. It will reduce, breakdown and eliminate stored fat and fibrous cellulite, so that it can be eliminated naturally with other toxins through lymphatic system. This technique can be used to the entire body or to specific, targeted areas for different reasons. It employs repetitive movements using anatomically sculpted wooden tools that allow highly targeted pressure to be applied and manipulate certain areas of muscles, fat, and cellulite, and stimulating the lymphatic drainage system to remove unnecessary water, fat, and toxins from the body.

It has been claimed that the wooden therapy has benefits, such as breaking down fat and cellulite, promoting blood circulation, smoothing skin, facilitating weight loss, as well as it has many holistic benefits such as balancing energy, reducing stress and increasing lymphatic circulation.

 

Possible benefits of wood therapy

  • 100% natural and non-invasive
  • Activates and stimulates lymphatic system
  • Reactivates the nervous system, helps with stress and anxiety, and strengthens the immune system
  • Promotes relaxation and sleep
  • Reduces/fights/combats water retention and removes toxins from the body, promotes body cleansing
  • Speeds up metabolism and improves blood circulation
  • Breaks down, helps fight and eliminate cellulite
  • Promotes the elimination and reduction of localized fats, reduces size of targeted areas, such as ‘’muffin tops’’, ‘’love handles’’, ‘’saddlebags’’, etc.
  • Defines arms and legs, thighs and buttocks, firms and tones muscles
  • Tones and tightens skin, as well as improves the production of elastin, vitamins, and collagen
  • Adjuvant of skin preparation for pre- and post-surgical
  • Helps to loosen tight, restricted muscles, and with tension overload. Relieves muscles and osteoarticular pains
  • Reshaping the body
  • Stimulating blood circulation

These claims are not yet backed by research evidence.

 

Reduce Cellulite

Wood therapy is purported to help break down fat and cellulite, which the practitioner then moves to where it can be eliminated through the lymphatic system with other waste products.

While there is no scientific evidence to support this effect from wood therapy specifically, there is an established history of using specialized massage techniques to address cellulite, including the use of tools similar to those used in wood therapy. These techniques typically “knead” the skin using vacuum suction or a roller.

The reported smoothing effect from this technique is temporary and likely due to mild inflammation in the area.

 

Increase Lymphatic Circulation

The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It consists of a network of vessels, nodes, and organs that carry lymph fluid throughout the body. Lymph fluid contains white blood cells that fight infection. It also helps rid the body of waste and excess fluid.

Manual lymphatic drainage is a specific type of massage used to encourage the natural movement of lymph fluid.

Wood therapy is different than manual lymphatic drainage massage. While it has not been tested with scientific studies, one claim for wood therapy is that it stimulates the lymph system.

 

Alleviate Stress

Massage therapy administered by a licensed massage therapist has been shown to help with stress relief. Likewise, practitioners of wood therapy claim it also provides stress relief.

 

 

Is Wood Therapy Effective?

Wood therapy has not been scientifically studied, so it is impossible to properly determine its effectiveness. Reports of positive effects are largely anecdotal rather than backed by scientific evidence. However, the wood therapy has had a positive feedback from patients/clients while incorporated into their treatment plan.

It is possible wood therapy could create positive effects in a similar way to other massage techniques that are backed by science. However, studies are needed to determine if this is the case.

As an umbrella term, “massage therapy” describes various techniques that vary in how touch, pressure, and treatment intensity are applied.

 

Research on massage therapy shows it may help:
  • Reduce muscle tension
  • Increase blood circulation
  • Stimulate the lymphatic system and increase lymph circulation
  • Help remove waste products
  • Reduce stress hormones such as cortisol
  • Activate the relaxation response
  • Improved skin tone
  • Boost mood by increasing the production of the hormone serotonin
  • Relax soft tissue

 

 

What to Expect at a Wood Therapy Session

During a wood therapy session, specialized wooden tools are used with repetitive motions on certain areas of the body, such as the face, torso, arms, and legs. Deep, continuous, direct pressure is placed on “problem areas.” The tools are sanitized between uses.

The first few sessions may cause discomfort as you work with your practitioner to figure out the right amount of pressure for you. Sessions may become more comfortable over time.2

Wood therapy may cause bruising for some people. Check with your healthcare provider before starting wood therapy.

A series of 10-12 treatments is necessary to achieve the desired results.

 

 

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