Can Massage Help Reduce Cellulite?
Already have the buttocks on the right side of the photo above? Lucky you. The rest of this article is probably irrelevant for you at the moment but why not check out how chocolate and massage can pair up for pure indulgence instead.
The rest of us may recognise the dimpled skin on the left side as closer to home. By the time we approach our mid-twenties, many of us have started the process of beginning to look more like the left than the right side of the photo above. The good news is that you can halt and even reverse this process and start to look more right again. Yes, massage can help you look better!
Discover how massage for cellulite can help progress your cellulite reduction goals alongside other complimentary treatments.
The bumps and creases you can see on the body on the left are caused by the formation of collections of concentrated fat cells just below the top layer of the skin, otherwise known as cellulite. These collective fat cells pull on your skin’s connective tissue thus creating that somewhat unsightly appearance. Cellulite is most commonly found on thighs and buttocks but can also occur in other areas, like around the upper arm.
We called cellulite "collections of concentrated fat cells". Think about it, even before you know what it is, you know it's not going to be nice. Let's see what can be done and how a series of home visit mobile massages in London could help.
Is cellulite common?
Cellulite can affect both men and women, but is much more common in women. In fact, around 90% of women aged over 20 will suffer from cellulite at some stage in their lives. Natural hormonal changes, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle are the primary contributing factors.
Can cellulite be reduced?
If hormones, bad diet and an inactive lifestyle are the key reasons why you are seeing increasing amounts of cellulite around your buttocks and thighs, then the good news is that you have control over two out of three of those. Great news too is that cellulite in itself is not dangerous and that you can reverse its ugly effects. Note however that whilst cellulite itself is not dangerous, seeing increasing areas of it may be an indicator of general lifestyle issues which can seriously adversely affect your health and wellbeing.
With the proper approach, cellulite can not only be reduced but even completely removed over time. To achieve this your body needs an overall reduction in fat cells together with effective rehydration and strengthening of connective tissue to improve your skin's elasticity. Whilst you may not improve as much as the photo above indicates, you will certainly head in that direction if you follow the tips below and stick with it.
How does slimming massage help?
Our slimming massage works best over an extended course of treatments. Like diet and exercise, these treatments cannot be expected to have instant results but rather gradually improve your condition over a period of time, when taken alongside other improvement measures. Slimming (or cellulite) massage helps by restoring and improving your blood circulation. This stimulates the flow of good nutrients to the problem areas and makes the removal of toxins more efficient. Some people combine a course of slimming massages with lymphatic drainage treatments as the two can work side by side to accelerate beneficial effects.
What lifestyle changes can help reduce cellulite?
Slimming massage on its own is not likely to completely remove excess cellulite, especially when it is in advanced stages. However in conjunction with some simple lifestyle changes and patience, you can expect to look back at your photos from a year ago and see very clear improvements.
Improve your diet by analysing your current food and drink intake. Work out where you can make cuts, in particular focussing on cutting back on processed foods and any excesses of sugar and saturated fat. Drink lots of water. The NHS recommend around 6 to 8 glasses a day, but 8 to 10 will do no harm, especially if you are following a controlled exercise regime with a view to reducing cellulite. Regular exercise alongside your slimming massage treatments will also contribute towards the reduction of dimpled skin areas and importantly halt further deterioration.
Other options for reducing cellulite
A host of cellulite creams are available over the counter promising a wide variety of benefits from claimed improvements in the actual elasticity of your skin to a more simple make-up effect to hide bumps and make your skin appear smoother. We are not so sure about the ability of creams to actually improve the underlying issues but they can certainly help with external appearance whilst you follow your longer-term improvement regime.
You can also opt for surgical treatments, such as laser treatment. One of the most highly regarded is Cellulaze and whilst it certainly does the job, it is expensive (around £2500+), time-consuming and can be painful (it is usually performed under local anaesthetic).
What the NHS says about all this
The NHS website does not really discuss cellulite in detail but does have a section on Lipoedema which has many similar symptoms. A lot of research is still needed on Lipoedema for us to understand it better, but it is believed to be genetically caused rather than through lifestyle and poor diet, as is cellulite. Some of the visible symptoms of Lipoedema and many of the recommended treatments are the same as those recommended for treating cellulite, with massage being one of the three recommended treatments by the NHS.
Our advice is that cellulite collected in your body naturally over time and was caused by your body’s natural reaction to ageing, lifestyle and diet. It was not caused by a cream or a machine. Sure, there may be shortcuts but we firmly believe the best way long term to firm up again is a steady, calm and natural approach: good diet, good exercise and good massage!
