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Wood therapy is a vigorous massage technique that utilizes wooden, handheld tools, such as rolling pins and vacuum-suction cups. Purportedly, wood therapy is centuries old and originated in Asia.
The technique of wood therapy has seen a surge in popularity, primarily in South America, where people call it maderoterapia. Madera is Spanish for wood.
Practitioners of this technique claim that it can reduce or eliminate cellulite.
Researchers have not studied or proven any of these claims about the benefits of wood therapy.
Since wood therapy is a massage technique, it may be safe to assume that you will experience the benefits of a massage, such as relaxation and alleviation of tight muscles.
It may even reduce the appearance of cellulite. When done correctly, massage therapy can support lymphatic drainage, which may reduce cellulite’s appearance, at least temporarily.
Massage can also help stretch and elongate skin tissue, which may also make the skin appear smoother.
There is, however, no evidence that you can maintain these benefits long term or that utilizing wooden tools enhances them.
Wood therapy doesn’t typically combine agents, such as creams containing retinoids or caffeine, with massage. These topical agents might provide better results than wood therapy or massage alone.
Other topical preparations may also help prolong benefits when you combine them with massage. These include herbal preparations that contain ingredients, such as turmeric, black pepper, and ginger.
These ingredients reduce inflammation and promote lipolysis, a process that breaks apart fats in the body.
Researchers haven’t scientifically proven wood therapy to be effective for the treatment of cellulite.
However, massage may have benefits for cellulite reduction. Since wood therapy is a type of massage, it may also be beneficial for reducing the look of cellulite, at least temporarily.
If you wish to try wood therapy, make sure you use an experienced practitioner.
People have reported that the wooden tools can be painful, especially if the massage therapist is inexperienced.
For this reason, it may make sense to avoid having wood therapy done on your face or very sensitive areas of the body.
The practitioner will use a variety of wooden instruments. Some of these look like highly textured or grooved rolling pins. Others have a contoured shape or look like bells.
A practitioner will use the bells as suction devices.
To achieve any benefit, you may be required to have treatments done several times a week over 3 to 4 months. Some practitioners indicate that at least 10 to 12 sessions will be required before you can see any results.
Often these sessions will combine multiple sculpting techniques and may last 1 hour or longer, depending on your tolerance level.
Prices will vary considerably by geographic location. Typically, you can expect to spend at least $150 per session. You can also purchase wood therapy kits to try out at home.
Buy a wood therapy kit online here.
Cellulite can be stubborn, but there are proven methods you may wish to try to remove it. They include:
Wood therapy is a massage technique that uses variously shaped wooden tools.
Practitioners of wood therapy claim that it has a multitude of benefits, including the reduction of cellulite. Research hasn’t tested or proven this claim, however.
Since it’s a type of massage, wood therapy may have benefits such as relaxation. It may also help support lymphatic drainage, reducing the look of cellulite.
Last medically reviewed on April 14, 2020
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