How to make an orthopedic mat with your own hands
The massage mat is an excellent remedy for the prevention of various diseases. A simple elastic rug with needle elements is shown for adults and children. What diseases does the massager treat and prevent and how to make a do-it-yourself foot massage mat? You will find answers to these and other questions in the article.
What is a massage mat?
The massage mat has many benefits. It is used for back pain, neck and shoulder pain. With its help, you can also get rid of body fat, relieve stress and fatigue, overcome insomnia, and improve the general condition of the body. In orthopedics, such devices are recommended for various diseases of the legs: flat feet, foot deformities, hypertension of the muscles of the feet, fungal skin diseases.
How does the rug work and how does it work?
The device of the massage mat is very simple. It consists of a backing made of fabric, rubber, and plastic. Needle applicators are located on the surface. They do not pierce the skin, but they prick noticeably.
How does it work?
Despite the simple device, massage mats can affect the entire body and fight many diseases or serve as a prophylaxis against their occurrence. The principle of operation looks like this:
- The needle applicators are in contact with the skin.
- At the points of contact, blood circulation is activated.
- The increased blood circulation speeds up the metabolism and lymph flow.
- Due to this, the body receives more oxygen and nutrients.
- The tension is relieved from the muscles, the metabolism is accelerated, pain is eliminated.
In addition, the body begins to produce endorphins - substances that have an anti-stress effect.
Important! The first time you use it, there is a burning sensation and painful sensations. But then the person gradually gets used to it and does not pay attention to the slight discomfort.
The first use should not be prolonged. The optimal time is 20-25 minutes.
Needle mats bring many benefits to the body, but there are also contraindications. Among them:
- pregnancy;
- oncology;
- protruding moles, warts;
- epilepsy;
- heart failure;
- predisposition to bleeding;
- skin lesions and wounds;
- poor blood clotting;
- infectious diseases.
Varieties of rugs
Many different types of massage mats have been developed. Each of them is designed to affect a specific part of the human body. There are rugs for:
- back;
- lower back;
- neck;
- thighs.
Despite its narrow purpose, each model also has a general positive effect on the body.
By the type of material, products are:
- natural;
- artificial;
- combined.
The first of these are the best option, especially if they are used for children.
According to the principle of action, the products can be: prophylactic, therapeutic, orthopedic. The surface relief can also be different. For example, there are models that simulate the terrain of the earth.
Distinguish rugs and by scope:
- automobile;
- for the office;
- homemade;
- for kindergarten;
- dance.
Let's talk in more detail about the types of massage rugs, their features and methods of application.
Back massage mat with needles
The most common model. High density fabric is used as a base. Needle applicators are attached to its surface on top. They look like thorn buttons. Most often they are made of plastic.
This simple tool helps in several ways at once:
- improves blood flow and lymph flow;
- relieves increased muscle tone;
- eliminates back and neck pain;
- relieves headaches and migraines;
- helps to strengthen the immune system.
Important! The needle surface must be thoroughly cleaned after each use. This will require a brush and soapy water. This is done in order to remove organic matter from the tips of the needles. An uncleaned surface may cause irritation in the following treatments.
Electric Back Massage Mat
The principle of operation differs from the classical model. Instead of needle buttons, electrodes act on the skin. They are sewn into a woven base. Most often, such devices are used for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. They help well with osteochondrosis.
Electric models differ in different intensity of exposure. They allow you to set different massage programs, duration and intensity.
Important! Do not wash electric massage mats in water. It is not necessary to use when washing and detergents. Such care may damage the device. It is also undesirable to stand on it. After use, it must be disconnected from the mains.
The contraindications for the electric model are the same as for classic needle rugs.
Kuznetsov's back massage mat
The Kuznetsov massager is a fabric rug. Inside it is a soft filler. On the outer surface, there are round or square plates. Needle plates have double teeth. This feature distinguishes Kuznetsov's massage mat from other similar devices.
The positive effect of Kuznetsov's applicator on the human body:
- relieves pain;
- relaxes muscles;
- has a positive effect on the nervous system;
- accelerates blood circulation;
- helps relieve headaches;
- improves skin condition.
Most often, the applicator is used for problems with the musculoskeletal system, namely, for:
- radiculitis;
- scoliosis;
- osteochondrosis;
- flat feet;
- curvature of the spine.
There are several types of Kuznetsov's applicator. First of all, they differ in the color of the needle plates:
- Green. Their needles are not too sharp and short. Suitable for people with high skin sensitivity.
- Blue. Longer and thinner needles have a medium intensity effect.
- Yellow. Equipped with special magnetic inserts. They make treatments more effective. They have a tangible effect during acupuncture massage.
- Orange. The piercing elements with fine and sharp needles are designed for yoga practitioners.
Applicators may also differ in shape. You should pay attention to this when choosing.Massagers are available in the following form:
- rug;
- roller;
- belts.
Each of them is designed to affect specific areas of the body. They walk, lie or stand on the rugs. The rollers are placed under the neck or legs. The belts are worn on the lumbar region and fastened with Velcro.
Lyapko back massage mat
It is an elastic rubber plate. The surface is covered with metal piercing elements:
- zinc;
- silver;
- nickel;
- copper;
- gland.
It is used to treat osteochondrosis, diseases of the genitourinary system, cardiovascular diseases. It is indicated for physical inactivity, headache, muscle, joint pain. Helps to solve problems of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory and nervous systems.
Restores vitality, strengthens the immune system. It is used in rehabilitation after craniocerebral trauma, bruises, strokes, fractures, operations.
Available in different types: roller, rug, tape, belt, insoles. The needles on the surface can be located at different distances from each other, they have a certain order of placement. The needle pitch is selected individually.
Car Back Massage Mat
Designed for long-term seated drivers. Installed on a car seat. Orthopedic mats differ in design: from the simplest "braids" made of wooden balls to complex devices with heating, electronic control.
Orthopedic massage mat
Designed for foot massage. Looks like a rug with a raised surface. Moreover, the relief is not uniform, consists of bulges of different types. They can imitate different natural surfaces - grass, hard pebbles, uneven ground. Some models are made in the form of a puzzle. Each square is different in color and relief.
The bulges on the massager affect specific points of the foot that are responsible for the health of the internal organs. Also, dissimilar bumps on the surface train different muscle groups when walking. Often, such devices are used for children, since they help the baby's foot to form correctly.
Features of the baby massage mat
Forming the foot is an important part of a child's development. If the process goes right, then problems with flat feet, gait, legs, spine and back can be avoided in the future. Walking on a flat surface often results in flat feet. To train the muscles of the baby's legs, you need a relief, heterogeneous surface.
The children's massage mat has a lot of useful qualities:
- improves blood circulation;
- enhances immunity;
- stimulates the work of internal organs;
- improves mood;
- prevents orthopedic diseases: flat feet, hallux valgus, clubfoot.
There are about 70,000 nerve endings on the feet. Most of them are associated with the cerebral cortex. The massage mat acts on the biological active points on the foot. Due to this, the work of the brain is activated, which stimulates the mental development of the child.
How to choose the right one
When choosing massage mats for a child, it is important to pay attention to several nuances:
- Material.The main requirement for it is hypoallergenic. Materials such as silicone, soft thermoplastic, rubberized rubber, foamed PVC, or EVA are suitable.
- Relief. It is important to consider that soft and high bulges are needed to relax the muscles. Stiff and short, on the contrary, tone the muscles.
- The size. Depends on the age of the baby. A small rug is suitable for a one-year-old child. Children from two years old - a massager about 1 m in length. But it is better to choose puzzle mats. They can be increased as the child grows.
- Rigidity. There are 2 types of products: soft and hard. The first ones are designed for the smallest. The second is for older children.
- Design. Should be attractive to toddlers. Reliefs in the form of fish, animals, pebbles, grass on the lawn, bubbles will attract the attention of the child. He will be happy to walk on the rug.
- Colour. Children love colorful toys. Therefore, the rug should be the same. But you need to be careful when buying. Too bright colors indicate the presence of harmful chemicals.
How to make a massage mat with your own hands
It is not necessary to buy massagers for children. Making a massage mat with your own hands is very simple. The advantages of a handmade rug are environmental friendliness, low cost, ease of manufacture.
You will need:
- thick fabric: denim, carpet, bath towel, or beach mat;
- soft sponges;
- pieces of fabric of different textures: flannel, knitwear, broadcloth;
- coarse weave rope;
- cases from used markers;
- corks from plastic bottles.
To make an orthopedic rug for children with your own hands, you need to attach massage elements to the fabric base.
The manufacturing scheme is simple:
- Sew soft sponges and corks onto the fabric.
- Make curved rope paths and sew them to the canvas.
- Fix the body of the markers in the form of a ladder.
- Sew pieces of fabric in random order.
Important! It is necessary to fix the massage elements very securely. Young children have a habit of trying everything to their teeth. Small objects caught in the throat may cause suffocation.
You can supplement the surface relief with any handy items: chestnuts, buttons, pebbles, hot coasters. The main thing is to create a relief surface that will massage the child's feet and improve his well-being, take care of the health of the legs and the whole body as a whole.
Video: DIY massage mat for a child
