Bambootherapy: benefits and relaxation for the body and mind

Bambootherapy is a massage technique in which bamboo rods (of different sizes and thicknesses) are used that “fit” according to the region of the body in which they are applied, and can generate aesthetic benefits (such as cellulite reduction, for example). ) and/or therapeutic (such as relaxation, among others). Learn about the particularities of the technique, its advantages and contraindications.

What is the origin of Bambootherapy?

It can be said that this is an ancient technique, as there are reports in which the Chinese were already using bamboo for some point stimulation techniques. But she still didn’t have that name, as Natália Martins Frazzato comments, graduated in Physical Education, technique in Massage Therapy, specialist in Acupuncture and professor of Well-being at Senac Campinas.

“In 2003, Gil Amsallem, a French physiotherapist, presented the technique at a congress, where he stated that the choice for bamboo was due to its soft and light texture. There is a wide variety of sizes and diameters of the rods, and they adapt to the therapist’s hand, showing themselves as an extension of the therapist’s hands and the client’s body regions. It is a tool that nature offers us to help balance and harmonize the body and mind”, explains Natália.

Vânia Silva, a graduate in Aesthetics and Cosmetics and a massage therapist, comments that the fact that bamboo is a plant that spends years underground, creating extremely strong roots, accumulates a lot of energy from the earth – which is also an important point in this type of treatment.

How is the treatment performed?

Natalia explains that the treatment has its variations. “Bamboos come in different sizes and thicknesses, in order to adapt to each region of the body, from the face to the feet. They can be applied to the face (for lymphatic drainage and facial massage) and to the entire body (modeling, relaxing, therapeutic, shiatsu, lymphatic drainage),” she says.

But care should always be taken so that it does not generate any discomfort or bruises on the client’s skin. Bamboos need to have a regular surface, be sanded and varnished, for the perfect sliding; and they must always be sanitized for each client”, adds the technique in massage therapy.

“If the movements are smooth, light, slow, in the lymphatic sense, they work as a lymphatic drainage, improving lymphatic flow, helping to reduce edema. With more intense pressures, slow movements, the treatment provides deep relaxation of the muscles, being a relaxing or even therapeutic massage, working on tension points. When the movements are faster, more intense, it has the effect of a modeling massage, with the purpose of modeling the localized fat”, exemplifies Natália.

Another versatility of bamboo is that it can be made over clothing, or directly onto the skin, depending on the technique applied. “For example, in a relaxation technique it is possible to do it on clothes; in a modeling machine, it is necessary to do it directly on the skin, with specific creams”, comments Natália.

Bambootherapy can be done in an entire session, in which only bamboos are used, or it can also be used to assist in various treatments, both body and facial, such as lymphatic drainage, modeling, relaxing and therapeutic treatments.

Session time also varies. “Quickmassage associated with Bambootherapy, for example, lasts 15 minutes; the facial massage lasts 15 to 30 minutes; the lymphatic drainage, the relaxing or therapeutic massage, lasts from 45 to 90 minutes. The sessions, in general, can be done up to three times a week (on alternate days)”, explains Natália.

Advantages of Bamboo Therapy

Vânia comments that bamboo therapy follows the same indications as classic massage, with objectives such as improving quality of life, promoting well-being, reducing muscle pain, shaping the body and facial region, reducing edema and providing relaxation.

There is no doubt how effective bamboo therapy is for relaxation. “The therapeutic touch of bamboo makes the client feel relaxed, because, during the application of the technique, the body releases neurotransmitters (such as serotonin, endorphin, oxytocin) that provide a feeling of relaxation, relieving pain and tension, as well as general well-being. Light, slow movements, but with a certain pressure, help to bring relaxation to the body and mind”, comments Natália.

In this sense, Natália highlights that, with Bambootherapy, benefits such as:

• Relief of muscle tensions;
• Stimulation of blood circulation;
• Improved venous return;
• Decreased edema (swelling);
• Improves the appearance of cellulite;
• Remodeling of localized fat;
• Tissue oxygenation and nutrition;
• It helps in the functioning of the intestine, improving intestinal constipation;
• Improvement of sagging;
• General relaxation;
• Calmer mind;
• Feeling of general well-being;
• Improved facial circulation;
• Improved facial muscle tone;
• Relief of expression lines;
• Improved skin elasticity.

There are many doubts about the benefits of bamboo therapy on the belly, that is, if this technique is really efficient for those who want to lose measures in this region. Natalia explains that, with the bamboo therapy associated with a balanced diet, water intake and physical exercises, it is possible to perceive the decrease in measures. “But fat loss does not necessarily occur, because remodeling is possible, but not the breakdown of fat. However, an evaluation with a trained professional is necessary to confirm whether or not it will be possible to lose measurements, because depending on the abdominal volume, it will not be possible to perceive such a reduction”, she highlights.

Contraindications of Bambootherapy

Despite its many advantages, bamboo therapy has some contraindications, as highlighted by Natália and Vânia:

• Pregnant women (before 3 months and, after that period, only with the authorization of the gynecologist/obstetrician);
• Deep vein thrombosis and thrombophlebitis;
• Hypertension and decompensated hypotension;
• decompensated diabetes;
• Fever;
• Infectious processes;
• Cardiac insufficiency;
• Renal insufficiency;
• Neoplasm;
• Dermatitis (on site);
• Recent surgery;
• Recent fractures;
• Sensitivity changes;
• decompensated heart disease;
• Hyperthyroidism.

“These are some examples of contraindications, however, there may be other cases in which the procedure is indicated. It is worth highlighting the importance of consulting and carrying out these and other procedures with qualified, well-trained and up-to-date professionals. The objective of these professionals will be to contribute to the well-being of the patient”, emphasizes Natalia.

Learn more about Bambootherapy

Check out the videos below for examples of bamboo therapy maneuvers on the body and face.

Relaxing massage associated with bamboo therapy

Certainly one of the most well-known benefits of Bambootherapy is its ability to promote relaxation. Check out, in the video, an example of how the association of bambutherapy with relaxing massage is made.

How Facial Bamboo Therapy is Done

The technique can also be used successfully on the face, providing better circulation, reduction of expression lines, better skin elasticity, among other advantages. Check out the video on how it’s done.

There is no doubt that bamboo therapy can be very beneficial. It is essential, however, that it be performed by a trained professional, who may even define whether or not the technique is indicated, depending on the particularities of each patient. Also check out how to fight cellulite and localized fat with the modeling massage.