Wood therapy uses wooden tools to massage your body and improve circulation. However, evidence supporting its benefits is limited.

How Do Wooden Tools Enhance Massage?

During a wood therapy session, the therapist uses wooden tools designed to fit your body’s contours.

Here’s what to expect:1

• You undress to your comfort level.
• The therapist applies massage oil before using wooden tools like rollers and rods to work your muscles.
• They use sliding, kneading, and pressure techniques to boost blood circulation and promote lymphatic drainage.

Can Wood Therapy Really Improve Your Skin?

Studies on the use and benefits of wood therapy are extremely limited. However, some research on cellulite treatments and massages purports certain benefits of wood therapy.

Decreases Cellulite

A 2020 study found that using a non-invasive vibrational device on areas with cellulite may help decrease its appearance.2

Researchers found that the appearance of cellulite in massaged skin had significantly decreased compared to non‐massaged skin. The participants also reported that their skin felt more stable, stronger, and lighter.2

Participants used a vibrational device, not a wooden tool. They also used lubricant oil, which researchers say might have affected the results.2

More research is needed to determine the possible effects of wooden tools on cellulite.

Promotes Relaxation

There’s some evidence that simply touching wood can have a relaxing effect on people.

A 2017 study studied how people responded physiologically when touching wood compared to other materials. Researchers found that the participants felt more comfortable, relaxed, and warm after touching wood.3

This study did not look at massages specifically. However, it demonstrates the potential for wood therapy to promote relaxation and ease stress.

Other Possible Benefits

Since research on wood therapy is limited, it’s hard to confirm its benefits. However, therapists say it may:45

• Improve blood circulation
• Increase lymphatic drainage
• Soften skin

More research is needed to determine the truth of these claims. If you are interested in wood therapy, talking to a doctor about its safety can help you decide whether it’s right for you.

Is It Safe for You?

The risk of injury from massage therapy is generally low. However, using wooden tools might slightly increase the risk. Choosing a qualified and licensed therapist experienced in wood therapy can make it safer.4

In rare instances, people receiving massage therapy have had serious side effects like a blood clot, nerve injury, or even a bone fracture. In these cases, people were receiving a vigorous type of massage, such as a deep tissue massage.4

People at higher risk, such as older adults or those with osteoporosis, may be more prone to injury. It’s important to talk with a doctor before beginning any holistic treatments.4

How Should You Prepare for Your Session?

Regardless of the type of massage you receive, the focus should be on your health and well-being in a safe and comfortable environment.

You can expect a conversation about your goals and health concerns before the massage, as well as privacy while changing, and the right to remove only the amount of clothing that you feel comfortable with.6

When preparing for the massage, it’s important to:7

• Avoid eating right before your session.
• Stay well-hydrated.
• Arrive early to discuss any allergies to essential oils or products.
• Inform the therapist of any underlying conditions.

Before the massage starts, your therapist should also ask you to fill out a consent form that mentions potential side effects.

Once your massage starts, let the massage therapist know if you are uncomfortable or have pain. You can also give gentle feedback on the amount of pressure and speed of their movements.

If anything happens that makes you uncomfortable, you have the right to ask the massage therapist to stop and end the session.7

Are There Other Ways To Treat Cellulite?

Many people consider wood therapy to help treat cellulite. Cellulite is not a harmful condition and occurs in 80-90% of women. It’s not something you need to treat.

However, some people may not like the appearance of their cellulite. Your decision to try massage therapy or other alternatives is personal and completely up to your preferences.8

If you are looking to soften your skin, improve the appearance of cellulite, or receive the other purported benefits of wood therapy, there are alternatives you can try.

Cosmetic surgeons have found that the following treatments may help restore your skin to a firmer texture:9

• Laser treatments: Cellulaze is a treatment involving a tiny laser probe inserted just beneath the skin through a small incision (cut). It’s performed in a cosmetic surgeon’s office under local anesthesia and requires about 1-2 days of recovery. Usually, people need only one treatment and can expect the results to last one year.
• Non-laser energy treatments: These use energy from radio frequencies, ultrasound, infrared light, or radial pulses to heat your skin. The heat stimulates collagen production and decreases cellulite. This treatment does not require any recovery time. However, the results are temporary and often require repeated treatments every few months. The FDA-approved treatments include VelaShape, Venus Freeze, ThermiSmooth, and Zimmer Z Wave.
• Mechanical treatments: Cellfina involves inserting a very thin blade into an incision, and the skin is suctioned into the device. The results from this procedure are the longest-lasting and can last up to three years. Side effects include mild bruising and soreness.