Relieving Pain with Massage Chairs: An Interview with Pain Therapist Simon Gilljohann

A more difficult daily life, limited mobility, and psychological stress caused by a declining quality of life—the effects of pain are often far more far-reaching than they seem at first glance. Whether chronic or acute, those affected usually seek help quickly and are confronted with a wide variety of treatment methods. Pain therapists like Simon Gilljohann serve as professional points of contact for pain relief. In an interview with us, the expert reveals how he uses massage chairs—in a rather unconventional way—as a complementary tool in pain therapy to provide relief to his patients. 

In this article, we’ve summarized which types of pain can be treated with physical therapies, how massages can specifically help alleviate them, and what he, as an expert, looked for when selecting suitable massage chairs for pain therapy. 

 

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Pain Management - The Path from Analysis to Relief

Pain specialist Simon Gilljohann is a certified naturopath and has been running a center for pain management in Leichlingen between Cologne and Düsseldorf. As an expert in the field of pain management, his role is to help patients find relief from pain. 

In doing so, he combines his expertise as a naturopath and physical therapist to provide effective pain management. This involves analyzing each patient’s unique pain profile and selecting appropriate treatment methods. A holistic approach is of great importance at every stage of treatment, as this is one of the things his patients—whether new or long-standing—value most.

 

Chronic Pain: A Constant Strain on the Body and Mind

A study by the SIP (Societal Impact of Pain) found that nearly 20 percent of all people in Europe suffer from chronic pain. Of these, 35 percent report that their pain cannot be effectively treated with medication alone. 

Pain is generally considered “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 daily lives. 

The causes of this suffering could hardly be more varied and must be thoroughly investigated on a case-by-case basis in order to provide relief. As a pain specialist, Gilljohann offers a wide range of treatment options for pain management. And to mark the tenth anniversary of Gilljohann’s Pain Center, these treatment options are now being expanded to include two massage chairs, which are regularly used as a complementary therapy. 

 

Massages as a means of pain relief

In pain management, there are various forms of treatment aimed at reducing pain and improving patients’ quality of life. Massages play an important role as a pain-relieving measure. They can relieve muscle tension, improve blood circulation, and have been shown to reduce inflammation. 

Similarly, massages can also help relieve psychological strain—such as stress—and improve overall well-being. In some cases, massages can even be used as a complementary treatment or an alternative to medication; however, this requires consultation with the treating physician beforehand.

 

A Useful Addition: Built-in Lymphatic Drainage in the Massage Chair

“I had a specific feature wasn’t actually the first thing on my radar when I was considering buying a massage chair—lymphatic drainage,” says Gilljohann in amazement. This specific type of massage can help reduce swelling and improve lymphatic circulation. 

By applying targeted pressure to the forearms or calves via airbags, the massage chair can stimulate the lymphatic channels and aid in the drainage of tissue fluid. This can help relieve pain and swelling. Patient feedback has been particularly positive, says Gilljohann, who is thrilled that the new massage chairs in his practice feature this function as a standalone automatic program.

 

Massages in Physical Therapy

In physical therapy in particular, massage is an effective way to support the rehabilitation process. For chronic pain conditions, active physical therapy interventions and individually tailored exercise programs play a crucial role. This approach is also generally used in rehabilitation following an injury or surgery.

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The massages are designed to optimize movement patterns, reduce fear of movement, and restore the ability to perform daily and occupational activities. “In addition, we provide patients with guidance on how they can independently contribute to improving their physical function,” says Gilljohann.

Strength and endurance training are also part of this. Recovery is therefore an important consideration here as well and can help relax muscles through regular massages and, thanks to improved blood circulation, supply them with nutrients. It therefore makes perfect sense as a complementary measure in physical therapy, provided there are no medical objections. 

The Difference Between Manual Massage Therapy and Massage Chairs

Of course, a massage chair cannot replace a professional or medical massage therapist in every respect. Especially when it comes to “feeling out” tense or painful areas of the body, feedback between the massage therapist and the patient is definitely an important part of the process. “Nevertheless, there are many advantages that make it worthwhile to add a massage chair to your practice,” says Gilljohann.

These include scheduling flexibility and the frequency of treatments. In this regard, traditional massage appointments often cannot be easily integrated into daily life to the same extent, or they can end up being significantly more expensive. Gilljohann therefore sees the two massage chairs as a relief for both sides: “Personally, I view our two massage chairs as valuable complementary measures in my daily work that benefit my team, me, and our patients.”

 

What Matters When Using Massage Chairs in Pain Management

The requirements for a massage chair in pain therapy—and specifically at Gilljohann’s practice—are somewhat higher than is often the case in a private setting. This is not only a matter of the chair’s features, but also of the patients’ physical conditions.

Gilljohann wanted a model that would cover as wide a range as possible in terms of size and weight, since patients vary in their physical stature.  

Intravenous infusions are also a major consideration in pain management. Massage chairs, such as those Gilljohann has in his practice, are an excellent complement to this approach, as patients can easily be connected to IVs during the massage—something that is often impossible or difficult to do while in the position required for a manual massage. 

“We were determined to make the device easy to use. Another requirement was to have complete freedom in choosing the intensity of the treatments, since patients with pain can, of course, be very sensitive to pressure on affected areas,” explains Gilljohann. For other patients, on the other hand, deeper, more stubborn tension needs to be released. In short, the two devices are designed to cover as many possible scenarios as possible.

 

Relieve Pain and Relax—Massage Chairs Are the Perfect Addition

Pain management is a complex field that often involves a psychological component as well. Of course, the goal is to relieve pain, but it’s also important to gradually restore the quality of life and alleviate the stress associated with it. Gilljohann comments: “Massage chairs perfectly complement our pain management approach for several reasons”: 

• They reduce mental stress caused by a decline in well-being resulting from pain
• They relieve tension that may have developed as a result of incorrect, pain-induced movement patterns
• They help relax the muscles as a complement to physical therapy treatments
• They promote blood circulation and, as a result, the supply of nutrients to affected areas of the body
• They offer automated lymphatic drainage treatments at their practice 

“In that regard, investing in two models at once was a real win for us—especially for our patients,” adds the long-time pain therapist. “I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Massagesessel Welt, whose excellent advice right there in their nearby showroom played a key role in helping us make our decision.” 

Thank you very much, Simon Gilljohann, for the interesting insights into the field of pain management 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.