Can Massage Help Reduce the Appearance of Cellulite?

Not only does a professional massage help relieve tense muscles, it can also improve lymphatic drainage and blood circulation throughout the body. By eliminating toxins and increasing blood flow, massage can help temporarily improve the appearance of the skin and make cellulite less noticeable. Regardless of the massage technique applied, the main purpose of anti-cellulite massage is to disperse fat deposits. It also helps stimulate the tissues that surround cellulite formations, stimulating blood circulation and lymphatic functions. A cellulite massage is a specialized massage that is described as a natural way to eliminate cellulite.

Anti-cellulite massages put great pressure on areas of the skin affected by cellulite. This pressure is said to break down toxins and fat and, at the same time, improve blood circulation in the area. The general theory is that it is possible to manipulate the skin by physically distributing the pockets of fat cells evenly under the skin. As you can imagine, it would take a great deal of pressure to redistribute the fat beneath the skin. Because of this, many women find that anti-cellulite massages are quite painful.

Dry brushing is a simple way to perform lymphatic drainage and increase circulation, temporarily filling everything in and improving skin texture, making cellulite appear less obvious. Some quick online searches reveal that many women discuss how a simple massage has softened their cellulite. A real cellulite massage can also reduce fibrosis, low-grade chronic inflammation and, to some extent, also help increase skin firmness. In general, a course of good pressotherapy treatments may offer some help in reducing cellulite, but not as good as specific cellulite massage, deep tissue radiofrequency, or high-power ultrasonic cavitation. Instead of using your hands, this popular massage uses a special brush that stimulates blood circulation in areas affected by cellulite. The general rule when performing anti-cellulite massages is its centripetal direction, that is, the movements are made towards the heart, from the bottom up.

Yes, the cellulite layer will be affected a little and yes, part of the circulation will increase, as with all massages. The American Council on Exercise (opens in new tab) debunks the myth that foam rollers can eliminate cellulite and recommends exercising as a better way to improve your appearance. According to Arnold Kelly, a licensed massage therapist, massage improves skin tone, which can also work to stretch cellulite dimples. Learn how to do an anti-cellulite massage that will firm your skin and help eliminate unnecessary fat stores. Aromatherapy massage seems like a good idea to reduce cellulite if done with force instead of the usual meek aromatherapy massages. You specifically massage your “fat” (subcutaneous adipose tissue), but that is not what cellulite (hypodermic adipose tissue) is.

And both point pressures and stretches would increase circulation to a small extent, but not to a large extent, and not specifically to affect cellulite. OK, stop massaging against cellulite that is too deep (deep tissue), too superficial (body brushing) or totally useless (Swedish, Thai).

Mark Szymonik
Mark Szymonik

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