How To Use Theragun For Cellulite

There may be a way to treat cellulite without taking desperate measures or spending a ton of money on creams, according to a new study.

The study, published in the medical journal Cogent Medicine, looked specifically at the effects of fascia manipulation on cellulite in adult women. Fascial manipulation is a blazon of manual massage handling typically employed for hurting relief, according to Northern Edge Physical Therapy. In sure cases, the vigorous nature of fascia manipulation can crusade bruising and injury, and FasciaBlaster has faced lawsuits as a result.

n the study, the subjects used a specific fascial massage tool called the FasciaBlaster; it features rounded plastic massage claws placed in a line along a rod that you rub over the areas you want to treat. Like products on the marketplace likewise claim to treat fascia and aid with the appearance of cellulite.

Fascia "are vertical bands of connective tissue that attach to the underside of the skin," Dr. Manish Shah, a Denver-based plastic surgeon, told HuffPost. The facia bands encase pockets of fatty and as the bands stretch, you're left with the bumpy appearance of cellulite on the surface of the skin, Shah said.

The study concluded that regular use of a personal fascial manipulation massage tool, which is a depression-cost alternative to invasive surgeries and luxury creams, tin be effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite. But do the effects last? HuffPost spoke to doctors to become some answers.

First, a piffling primer on cellulite.

Countless articles have been written on cellulite and whether in that location's anything out there that can actually erase it. Every bit we've noted in the by, it's believed that between lxxx% to 90% percent of women have cellulite, which is the dimpled advent of the pare that often appears on the thighs, barrel and hips. Men can take cellulite as well, though it'south non well-nigh equally common because the construction of their connective tissue is different from women's.

Cellulite "is caused by bulging of fatty pockets through the fascial connections nether the skin. Information technology leads to a cobblestone or cottage cheese appearance on the skin," Shah said.

"There are a number of hormonal, genetic and lifestyle factors that contribute to the development of cellulite," he added. "Lower estrogen and tissue blood supply with aging cause decreases in collagen in the connective tissue fibers. They weaken and the bulging worsens. The peel besides thins, making the fatty pockets more visible. A diet rich in fats, carbs and table salt also leads to more than cellulite formation."

Other factors that tin contribute to cellulite include the way women shop fat in their bodies ― in columns, versus in a lattice, like in men's bodies ― and hormone levels. Poor circulation is as well thought to exist a contributor.

To put it plainly, there isn't really a "magic cure" for cellulite, Dr. Anne Chapas told HuffPost in 2018.

That brings us to this new study.

40-three adult women participated in the recent study, which took place over 12 weeks. Thirty-3 of them were shown how to properly apply fascia manipulation techniques using devices in the FasciaBlaster family and instructed to use the tools five days a week throughout the written report period. The other 10 did not exercise whatever fascial manipulation.

When you lot use the tool with the "appropriate amount of pressure and oil lubrication," it essentially grips the peel and stretches and pulls on the fascia beneath the pare, releasing the adhesions or scar tissue under the skin that can pb to the appearance of cellulite, said Dr. Swet Chaudhari, a plastic surgeon and 1 of the study'due south authors. When you release that scar tissue or let information technology to remodel, he added, "you're finer improving the appearance of cellulite."

Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York, noted that massage techniques have long been used every bit a treatment for cellulite. She referred to the 1950s "fat jiggling" machines people used as an example.

"The massage cistron is meant to accost lymphatic and claret circulation," Nazarian said. "At that place were some studies done a while ago that peradventure showed there was an element of hypoxia or low oxygen in those areas of tissue, which was triggering some of the changes we were seeing in the tissue as a response to poor claret circulation."

The lymphatic system is also thought to have a office when information technology comes to the germination of cellulite, Nazarian said, adding, "when you're doing massage, you're effectively addressing both." She also said that applying manual pressure over the pare can help stimulate collagen production, which is a benefit.

It should be noted that the study looked at the furnishings of one specific make of personal massaging tools and the test group was quite small. Still, as Nazarian explained, "The study potentially may open the door for a slightly increased understanding about some of the other minutia behind what's happening when you lot have cellulite."

According to the study's findings, fascia manipulation techniques proved to be successful in decreasing the "subcutaneous adipose tissue" and reducing the appearance of cellulite over the 12-week period. The written report also constitute that the subjects who used the massage device saw an increase in their metabolism.

There's a flake of a catch, though.

While the doctors we spoke to agreed that certain massaging techniques and tools, including items similar the FasciaBlaster, can help reduce the await of cellulite, they don't believe they're a permanent solution for curing information technology. One time you finish using the tool, your connective tissue will tighten back up, enhancing the appearance of cellulite.

"Cure is a strong word, because it implies that once you exercise it, it's over and it'south gone and information technology's done," Chaudhari said. With the fascia manipulation, he said, "You lot accept to continue to practice it" to encounter connected results. In terms of the FasciaBlaster tool, Chaudhari said, "Its effects are express to the time you're using it."

Shah said he recommends some of his patients utilize the FasciaBlaster after undergoing non-invasive fat reduction treatments.

"I do believe that deep tissue restructuring with a tool like the FasciaBlaster helps to reduce the advent of cellulite, but I don't believe it reduces cellulite," he said.

For what it'southward worth, Nazarian said the study'south results weren't totally surprising, especially given that massage techniques accept been used for cellulite treatment before. She said that fifty-fifty a adept massage or a technique like dry out-brushing or cream rolling could as well provide some benefits in treating cellulite, "but that doesn't mean it helps long term."

At present, Nazarian said that laser treatments that actually go in and snip the gristly bands that contribute to the dimpling associated with cellulite are most effective. (One such treatment is called Cellulaze.)

Only as Shah cautioned: "The trouble of cellulite is one that doctors have been trying to set up for a very long time. It is clear that more than inquiry needs to be done in developing better treatments for cellulite."

This story has been updated to address lawsuits brought to FasciaBlaster.