Relieving pain with massage chairs: Pain therapist Simon Gilljohann in an interview

Difficult everyday life, restrictions in movement, psychological stress due to declining quality of life; The effects of pain are often more far-reaching than they seem at first glance. Whether chronic or acute, those affected usually quickly look for help and are confronted with a wide variety of treatment methods. Pain therapists like Simon Gilljohann are a professional point of contact for pain relief. In an interview with us, the expert reveals how he - quite unconventionally - uses massage chairs as a supplement to pain therapy and thus gives his patients relief. 

In this article we have summarized which types of pain can be treated with physical treatments, how massages can specifically help to alleviate them and what he, as an expert, paid attention to when choosing suitable massage chairs for pain therapy. 

 

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Pain therapy - the path from analysis to relief

Pain therapist Simon Gilljohann is a trained alternative practitioner and has been practicing for over ten years Center for pain therapy in Leichlingen between Cologne and Düsseldorf.  As an expert in the field of pain treatment, his job is to help patients relieve pain. 

He combines his expertise as a naturopath and physiotherapist for effective pain management. This means analyzing individual pain patterns and selecting suitable forms of treatment. Holisticness is of great importance at every point in the treatment, because that is, among other things, what his patients - whether new or long-standing - value most.

 

Chronic pain: A constant burden on the body and psyche

An investigation into the SIP (Social Impact of Pain) showed that almost 20 percent of all people in Europe struggle with chronic pain. 35 percent of them state that these can only be treated ineffectively with medication. 

Pain is usually referred to as “chronic” if it persists for at least six months. According to SIP studies, people who suffer from chronic pain regularly experience additional psychological stress in their everyday lives. 

The causes of the suffering could hardly be more varied and must be examined in detail on a case-by-case basis in order to be able to remedy the situation. As a pain therapist, Gilljohann has a wide range of treatment options for pain management at his disposal. And on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of Gilljohann's pain center, these treatment options are now being expanded to include two massage chairs, which are used regularly. 

 

Massages as pain-relieving measures

In pain therapy, there are various forms of treatment that aim to reduce pain and improve the patient's quality of life. Massages play an important role as a soothing measure. They can relieve muscle tension, improve blood circulation and have been proven to reduce inflammation. 

Massages can also reduce psychological stress, such as stress, and increase general well-being. In some cases, massages can even be used as a supplementary measure or replacement for medication, although this requires prior clarification with the treating doctor.

 

Useful addition: Integrated lymphatic drainage in the massage chair

“I had one "A special function that wasn't the first thing on my radar when I was considering purchasing the massage chairs was lymphatic drainage," says Gilljohann in amazement. This special form of massage can help reduce swelling and improve lymphatic circulation. 

By using airbags to apply targeted pressure to the forearms or calves, the massage chair can stimulate the lymphatic channels and support the removal of tissue fluid. This can provide relief from pain and swelling. The feedback from patients was particularly positive, says Gilljohann, and he is thrilled that the new massage chairs in his practice have this function as an independent automatic program.

 

Massages in physiotherapy

Especially in physiotherapy, massages are an effective means of promoting the rehabilitation process. Active physiotherapeutic measures and individually adapted exercise programs play a crucial role in chronic pain disorders. This measure is also usually taken during rehabilitation following an injury or an operation.

Reading tip: Massage chair for sporty people 

The aim of the massages is to optimize movement behavior, reduce fears of movement and restore skills for everyday and professional activities. “In addition, we give those affected instructions on how they can independently contribute to improving their physical function,” says Gilljohann.

Strength and endurance training are also part of it. Regeneration is also an important topic here and can help to loosen muscles through regular massages and also provide them with nutrients through better blood circulation. It therefore makes sense as a companion in physiotherapy, provided there are no objections from a medical perspective. 

The difference between manual massage therapy and massage chair

Of course, a massage chair cannot be a replacement for professional or medical masseurs in all areas. Feedback between treating masseurs and patients is an important component, especially when “feeling” tense or painful parts of the body. “Nevertheless, there are many advantages that speak in favor of purchasing a massage chair as an addition to your practice,” says Gilljohann.

This includes flexibility in terms of time and the frequency of treatments. Here, conventional massage appointments often cannot be combined with everyday life to the same extent or can be significantly more expensive financially. Gilljohann therefore sees the two massage chairs as a relief for both sides: “I personally see our two massage chairs as valuable, accompanying measures in my daily work that benefit my team and myself and our patients.”

 

What is important when using massage chairs in pain therapy?

The requirements for a massage chair in pain therapy and especially at Gilljohann's practice are somewhat higher than is often the case in the private sector. It's not just about the functionalities themselves, but also about the physical requirements of the patients.

Gilljohann wanted a model that covered the largest possible range in terms of height and weight, since patients differ in their physical stature. 

Infusions are also a big topic in pain therapy. Massage chairs, like those Gilljohann has in his practice, are ideal for this, as patients can easily be connected to infusions during the massage - this is often not possible or only possible with difficulty in the body position of a manual massage. 

"We definitely wanted it to be easy to use. It was also a requirement to have absolute freedom in choosing the intensity of the treatments, since pain patients can of course be very sensitive to pressure on the affected areas," says Gilljohann. For other patients, harder, deep-seated tensions need to be released. In summary, the two devices should cover as many eventualities as possible.

 

Relieve pain and relax - massage chairs are the perfect addition

Pain therapy is a complex field that often also includes a mental component. Of course, it's about relieving pain, but the associated stress and quality of life also have to be regained step by step. Gilljohann says: “Massage chairs round off pain therapy perfectly for us for several reasons”: 

• They reduce mental stress caused by reduced well-being as a result of pain
• They relieve tension that may have developed due to incorrect, pain-related movements
• They loosen the muscles alongside physiotherapeutic measures
• They promote blood circulation and thereby the supply of nutrients to affected areas of the body
• They offer the option of automated lymphatic drainage within the practice 

“In this respect, investing in two models was an absolute win for us - especially for our patients,” adds the long-time pain therapist. “Of course, we would also like to thank the massage chair world, who significantly supported our decision-making with great advice directly in the nearby showroom.” 

Thank you Simon Gilljohann for the interesting insights into the field of pain therapy and how massage chairs can play an important role in it. We wish you continued success and of course all the best to you and your patients.