Relaxation for chronic complaints: why gentleness and regularity are so important

Living with chronic pain, fibromyalgia, or a constantly tense body demands a lot. Not only physically, but also mentally. Anyone who experiences this quickly learns that relaxation isn't a luxury, but a necessity—though finding what truly helps is often not easy.

Many people therefore seek gentle forms of support. Techniques that guide the body rather than forcing it. This leads some to methods that work with rhythmic movement or vibration , such as andullation, often applied via an andullation mattress.

That's not a strange choice. On the contrary.

Why gentle stimuli are so important for chronic pain

With chronic complaints, the body is often in a prolonged state of alert. The nervous system gets few real moments of rest, so even relaxation can sometimes feel "tense."

Research and clinical experience show that in such situations, the body responds better to gentle, repeatable stimuli than to intense or sudden ones. Organizations like the World Health Organization also emphasize the importance of non-pharmacological support for chronic pain, including relaxation, exercise, and stress regulation.

Not everything has to be profound or powerful to be effective. Often, it's the consistency that counts.

Andullation and vibration: what does the body do with it?

Andullation uses rhythmic vibrations , sometimes combined with heat. These vibrations can stimulate blood flow and help temporarily relax muscles. Some people find this supportive, especially when the body struggles to relax.

But vibration is always one type of stimulus . And the body is more complex than that.

Muscles are connected by fascia, influenced by posture and the spine, and controlled by a nervous system that is often overloaded in chronic conditions. That's why we see in practice that many people benefit from a variety of stimuli : movement, pressure, heat, rhythm—each tailored to what the body can handle at that moment.

Relaxation only works if you can maintain it

One aspect that's often underestimated is the importance of practical feasibility . Not in theory, but in real life.

Relaxation that:

• preparation requires

• needs a separate space

• only at fixed times

...fades into the background more quickly. Especially on days when pain or fatigue predominate.

That's not a lack of discipline. It's human behavior.

In their publications on chronic pain and self-care, the National Institutes of Health point out that low-intensity, frequent relaxation is often more effective than sporadic intensive sessions.

The nervous system needs predictability

For a sensitive body, relaxation isn't an "action," but a signal of safety . And safety comes from predictability: knowing what's coming, how it will feel, and that it won't be too much.

Brief moments, repeated throughout the day or week, give the nervous system the opportunity to relax. Not abruptly, but gradually. That's why many therapists recommend integrating relaxation into existing routines, rather than making it a separate task.

From technology to daily support

There's no universal solution for chronic ailments. What works for one person doesn't do much for another. But one thing always resonates: what you persevere with makes all the difference .

Relaxation that adapts to your life—rather than the other way around—naturally becomes more consistent. And consistency is often the key to real change.

Not by doing more.
But by making it easier.

Listening to your body, step by step

Anyone living with chronic pain knows that progress is rarely linear. There are better days and harder times. That's precisely why it's important to be gentle with yourself and choose support that adapts to how you feel.

Gentle. Regular. No pressure.

Because relaxation doesn't work because it's perfect, but because it's allowed to be there .

What makes the difference for me is that relaxation is no longer a separate activity. I simply sit down when my body needs it.