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.
Other purported claims include:
- increasing lymphatic circulation
- reducing wrinkles
- alleviating stress
- providing a whole mixed bag of other benefits
What to expect
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.
The bottom line
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.
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FEEDBACK: Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Corey Whelan on April 14, 2020