By:

Cheah Wei Peng (KEU 98004)

Lee Yi Min (KEU 98007)

INTRODUCTION

As people are becoming more and more health-conscious, millions of ringgit are spent on home use medical devices that are believed to be beneficial to health. Unfortunately, some devices sold for home use are frequently promoted as miracle cures, with claims that are not scientifically or medically verifiable. While the majority of these devices do not pose a direct hazard to the user, they can pose an indirect hazard if they cause a patient to delay seeking proper medical treatment. There can also be a direct economic loss to the user, which can sometimes amount to several thousands of ringgit. Some examples of devices questionable medical device/cures are cosmetic lasers, ion generators, etc.

There are various types of massager available in the market by different manufacturers, such as Ogawa, Morfam, Handspring, Zunishu, and Hitachi. This assignment will concentrate on infrared power massagers by Ogawa and Zunishu. Zunishu is a local company that sells infrared power massagers similar to those by Ogawa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICE

The infrared power massager has an extra long angle handle, which can be adjusted. At the end of the handle is a twist-head with infrared heat and deep soothing massage selections at opposite directions. There are four custom attachments for whole body massage. The four attachments are concentrator head for bone, muscle, hands and feet; scalp massager head for the base of the scalp to the crown of the head; joint massager head for all over body and suction head that generates a slight vacuum, which has beneficial tightening effect on the skin.

The massager has magnetic infrared lens. It also has two pieces of built-in magnet that can improve the blood circulation and make massage more enjoyable. The infrared light penetrates deep into the skin. The skin is therefore heated, so that the blood vessels are dilated and the flow of blood is stimulated. The blood brings with it the substances for rebuilding and nourishing the body tissues more rapidly whereas decomposition products are more quickly removed. The pores in the skin will also be further opened under the influence of the heat. These properties make it extremely suitable for therapeutic as well as for cosmetic applications.

For therapeutic applications, the infrared light can relieve the pain with rheumatic affections and muscular pain. The infrared light is claimed to have effect on reducing bruise and headache too. While for cosmetic applications, creams or other skin care agents are better absorbed under the influence of infrared light, and are therefore most effective. The infrared heat will also help to keep the skin healthy and clean, because of its stimulating effect on the blood circulation.

EVIDENCE (OR LACK) OF SCIENCTIFIC PRINCIPLES

There are various types of conventional massage using human hands. Most common and well-known massage techniques are Watsu (Water Shiatsu), Sports massage, Esalen massage, Erotic massage, Shiatsu, Swedish massage, Pfrimmer deep muscle therapy, Neuromuscular therapy, Jin Shin Do, The Hakomi method, Trager psychophysical integration, Myofascial release, Trigger point and myotherapy, Polarity therapy, On-site or chair massage, Craniosacral therapy, Reiki, Manual lymphatic drainage, Rolfing, and Thai massage or Nuad Bo-Rarn. All these massage techniques has various benefits as shown below:

1. Enhance general relaxation
   

2. Reduce anxiety
   

3. Enhance tissue elasticity and flexibility
   

4. Reduce muscular tension and associated discomfort
   

5. Improve sleep
   

6. Increase feelings of well-being
   

7. Increase range of motion in joints
   

8. Relax tight muscles
   

9. Relieve muscle aches and stiffness
   

10. Improve circulation of blood and lymph
    

11. Improve immune system functioning
    

12. Improve energy flow
    

13. Speed recovery from exercise
    

14. Promote well nourished - healthy skin
    

The rubbing, pushing and kneading increases blood circulation and relaxes tense muscles. But, does a massager really help compared to conventional massage method? The pressure induced for both methods are different with massager having greater pressure (since it is an electrical device), will there be adverse effect if the pressure is greater?

For back pain, doctors suggest icing the area that is experiencing pain for 15 minutes at a time, three to five times per day. It is only when the pain persists for more than a few days, then heating pad is used instead of ice pack. If the infrared heat treatment of the massager is given without a doctor's advice to 'cure' back pain, it may have adverse effect on the back muscles.

Hundreds of testimonials have shown that massagers are good for relieving back pain and aching feet, relaxing tired muscles, reducing symptoms of arthritis, draining sinuses on the face, etc. Unfortunately, the effects of infrared light lack scientific principles

POTENTIAL HAZARDS TO THE USER

The infrared heat may burn the skin and cause inflammation. The excessive heating from the massager may occur and cause fire, electric shock, or injury to users.

Various massagers have been recalled because of their hazards to the users. Both Sears Health Essentials Back Massaging System with Heat Cushion and Relaxor Deep Kneed Shiatsu Back Massager have motor problems. The motor inside the massagers may overheat causing fire and user burns.

RECOMMENDATION OF USE

Before purchasing massagers for home use, the potential consumers should first consult the family physician or other health care professional. Professional medical advice ensures that medical problems are treated promptly and properly, and not allowed to deteriorate to an untreatable state. This can also save money and avoid the potential disappointment of being misled. Any brochure or product label should be read carefully, the consumers must be aware of the claims and the expected results. Although massage has proved to be beneficial to human, but does an electric massager really need to be bought to substitute manual massage of human hands? There are thousands of testimonials on the Internet, but beware of these personal testimonials. Most of these testimonials have not been substantiated by scientific or medical evidence, and should not be accepted as valid evidence of a product's effectiveness. Either the conditions are psychosomatic or the relief is imaginative by the users can happen.

When the consumer has decided to buy a massager, he or she must follow the instructions carefully. The infrared light cannot be used continuously for more than 20 minutes. This will ensure longer life of the massager and reduce the probability of causing serious burns to the skin. The massager should not be used over swollen or inflamed areas, skin eruptions, sensitive skin area or in presence of poor circulation. The massager shall not be operated under blanket or pillow to allow heat to distribute.

Government can help in providing public education to everyone. Public education is the most effective way to increase awareness of the problems regarding massagers, and to assist the consumers to make informed choices about massagers.

REFERENCES

http:// www.ogawa.com.my

http://www.healthyworld.com.my/ogawaproduct.htm

Brochure of Zunishu Infrared Power Massager

Reader's Digest December 2001: If your back is out of whack-how to get relief without calling a doctor by Christie Aschwanden, pp. 54-59.