Muscle Soreness

Written by the Manimo product team, who specify and test the recovery equipment Manimo sells in India, and reviewed against published research on whole body vibration. This article is general information and is not medical advice. Recovery does not always require another hard workout Most people who fall off a fitness routine are not short on motivation. They are worn down by the friction of an ordinary week. Long hours at a desk, hard sessions that need recovering from, and joints that take twenty minutes to loosen up in the morning. That is why short movement snacks and 10 minute resets have caught on. When you are too drained for an hour on the treadmill, a low impact vibration workout gives you something you will actually do, and it is worth understanding what whole body vibration training benefits amount to before you buy one. Standing on the platform produces rapid, gentle oscillations that wake your muscles up. It is not passive exercise magic and it will not replace progressive strength training. It is a low impact habit that sits alongside walking, mobility work and everything else. What whole body vibration training does, and what it does not The mechanism is simpler than the marketing suggests. The platform moves in small, rapid oscillations under your feet. To keep you stable, your body fires off constant small muscle contractions you never consciously decide to make. Those reflexive contractions run through the legs, glutes and trunk. You are not standing still on the plate. You are responding to it, several times a second. How much you get out of it depends on three things you control, which is also what separates good vibration therapy devices from the ones that only offer one setting. Factor What changes Body position Neutral stance, softly bent knees, or a held position such as a wide squat Body Postures  The biggest variable, and the one most people ignore in favour of the speed dial. A tall stance with soft knees works the calves. A half squat at around 30 degrees shifts the load to quads and glutes. A deeper hold raises it again. Keep a soft bend in the knees throughout, since locking out sends the vibration straight up through the spine. Frequency Lower settings for circulation and relaxation, higher for more active muscle engagement Duration Short sessions of 5 to 10 minutes fit into a working day There is also a growing demand for honest information about all of this. NIQ research on Indian consumers found that 64% now prioritise transparent product details over exaggerated claims, which is a reasonable place to start with a category this full of them. What a vibration plate will not do It will not replace a workout and it will not produce meaningful weight loss on its own. Research on vibration training for fat loss is limited and results are modest at best when it is used in isolation. Anyone promising ten minutes of standing as the equivalent of a gym session is selling something. What the format is good at is lowering the barrier to moving at all, which over a year matters more than any single session. Benefit 1: vibration plate muscle recovery and activation Beyond recovery itself, a vibration plate works as a low impact option for warming up, moving gently on rest days, or cooling down after a session. Used before a workout, a short session can raise muscle temperature and prime the nervous system in much the same way as any other light activity. Reviews of the research report that vibration platforms can increase local muscle activation, though findings vary considerably with the frequency used and the length of the session. Protocols differ enough between studies that no single approach can be presented as the standard one. Where vibration plate muscle recovery earns its place is in the gaps. It is something you can do on a day when a full session is not happening, which is exactly when most people do nothing at all. Before training. Two minutes in a wide stance or light squat to engage quads, hamstrings and glutes.  After training. Low speeds for stiff calves following a run or a ride.  Midday desk break. Five minutes to break up a long stretch of sitting and wake the lower body. Treat it as a complement to your training rather than a substitute for it. If soreness is your main reason for looking, it is worth comparing it against other devices for muscle soreness before you decide. Benefit 2: vibration plate circulation and the lymphatic flow question Few fitness topics attract as much hype as lymphatic drainage. Separating the mechanics from the marketing is worth doing properly, because vibration plate circulation and vibration plate lymphatic flow get discussed as though they were the same claim, and they are not. Topic What the evidence supports What it does not Blood circulation Short sessions can influence local peripheral blood flow, with effects varying by frequency, duration and posture Claims that vibration resolves chronic vascular problems Lymphatic flow Muscle contraction may support normal fluid movement Claims that plates flush toxins or dissolve fat Studies indicate that whole body vibration could affect peripheral blood circulation, though the effect depends on the frequency and duration used and the position adopted during the session. Your lymphatic system relies partly on the contraction of nearby muscles to move fluid around the body, so any activity producing muscle contraction may support normal fluid movement. Whole body vibration is sometimes discussed in that context. What does not exist is good evidence that a consumer plate produces meaningful lymphatic drainage on its own. Anyone telling you otherwise has gone past what the research says. The same distinction is worth applying to any recovery technology you are considering, including light based tools. Our guide to red light therapy fundamentals takes the same approach to a different category. Benefit 3: a joint friendly home workout with less impact A joint friendly home workout matters to two groups that look nothing alike. Athletes managing training load, and desk workers whose hips have stiffened up over years of sitting. Neither wants to add running or jumping to the week. A plate lets you work through squats, held positions and calf raises without loading the knees, ankles and back the way pavement running does. That is the practical appeal of a low impact vibration workout. The muscle contractions involved may also help legs feel less heavy after a long stretch of sitting, which is the same reason a short walk helps. Recovery days: Movement without the pounding. Desk breaks: A quick way to shake off stiffness after hours in a chair. Warm up activation: Priming balance and the nervous system before a strength session. Two areas worth knowing about Balance and bone density both come up in whole body vibration research, particularly in studies involving older adults. The balance findings are the more consistent of the two, which makes sense given the platform is constantly asking your stabilising muscles to respond. Bone density results are more mixed and depend heavily on the protocol used. Who should check first Vibration is a joint friendly format for healthy users, but the contraindication list is longer than most at home body recovery devices carry. Speak to a doctor before starting if you have an acute joint injury, a spinal condition, a balance disorder or recent surgery, and also if you are pregnant, have a cardiovascular condition, use a pacemaker or another implanted device, have had a hip or knee replacement, or are managing epilepsy, severe migraine or a retinal condition. Make consistency easier with the Manimo Vibration Plate Pro If the point of home wellness tech is removing friction, the tool has to be simple enough that you use it on a Tuesday evening when you are tired. The Manimo Vibration Plate Pro pairs a compact footprint with controls you do not have to think about. Ten manual speed levels and an auto mode let you move between low frequency circulation sessions and more active muscle engagement. The remote means you are not bending down mid session to change anything, and the 10 minute auto off keeps sessions structured without watching the clock. The included resistance band adds upper body options when you want them. Specification Detail Speed levels 10 manual, plus Auto Mode Auto off 10 minutes Max user weight 180 kg Dimensions 580 x 330 x 160 mm Also included Remote, resistance band, Bluetooth speaker Start low, use it on a stable surface, and stop if you feel pain, dizziness or any difficulty breathing. A simple 10 minute body reset An example structure for healthy users, on a flat surface. Adjust it to your own comfort and to the guidance supplied with your device. Minutes 0 to 3. Stand with feet shoulder width apart at a low speed. Posture tall, knees soft, breathing steady. Minutes 3 to 7. Raise the speed slightly. Shallow squats, slow calf raises, or slow curls with the resistance band while keeping one hand on the handle. Minutes 7 to 10. Drop the speed back down. Narrow stance, or one foot on the plate for a soft calf stretch. Keep a soft bend in the knees throughout to absorb the movement. Stop immediately if you feel dizzy, lightheaded or any joint discomfort. Three to five sessions a week suits most people and there is no advantage in doing more. Start at the shorter end and lower speeds, then build up over a few weeks. If you want more structured session ideas, our body contouring and recovery guide goes further into how to programme them. The best role for vibration training is adjunct, not shortcut Lasting fitness is built on repeatability rather than intensity. That is the honest summary of whole body vibration training benefits. It gives you something practical for the gap between sitting at a desk and taking on a heavy session. It also sits comfortably alongside other low effort recovery tools. If your soreness is spread across the body rather than sitting in one place, a full body red light recovery mat covers ground a plate cannot. Paired with walking, strength work, decent sleep and reasonable food, it is a straightforward way to keep moving. Frequently asked questions Does a vibration plate help muscle recovery? It can help, though as a supplement rather than a substitute. At low to moderate intensities, vibration plate muscle recovery sessions may support local blood flow and light muscle activation, which is why they are often used as a gentle warm up or cool down. They should sit alongside active recovery, hydration and sleep rather than replacing any of them. Does vibration really support lymphatic drainage? Your lymphatic system relies partly on natural muscle movement to move fluid, so the muscle contractions a plate produces may support normal fluid movement. There is not good evidence that consumer plates deliver meaningful lymphatic drainage on their own, and they do not detoxify anything or treat fluid retention. Vibration plate circulation effects are better supported than lymphatic ones, and even those depend on the settings used. How often should you use a vibration plate? Three to five sessions a week suits most people, with each session around 10 minutes. Starting at low speeds and building up over a few weeks is more useful than chasing the highest setting. Follow the guidance supplied with your specific device. Can you lose weight using a vibration plate? Not on its own in any meaningful way. Research on vibration training for fat loss is limited and results are modest when it is used in isolation. It is better understood as a way to make regular movement easier to fit in, which supports the habits that do drive results. Is a vibration plate suitable for people with joint pain? For healthy adults it offers a joint friendly way to move, since it avoids the impact of running or jumping. If you have active joint inflammation, severe arthritis, a recent joint replacement or a spinal condition, check with a doctor first.

The ritual remains while the tool evolves When weighing an electric gua sha vs. a traditional gua sha, understanding how modern technology upgrades the classic gliding ritual is key to choosing the right gua sha for morning puffiness and facial tension. Anyone who regularly wakes up with fluid buildup around the eyes and jaw knows how soothing a cold jade or rose quartz stone can feel. Traditional stone tools rely entirely on hand technique, gentle pressure, and careful angles. While effective, manual facial massage can feel time-consuming and inconsistent, especially when you're rushing to get ready in the morning. Today’s facial sculpting devices and heated gua sha improve this traditional method by making it easy to perform on a regular basis. Rather than replacing this ancient process, these electrical options combine the best of both worlds with high-end technology. With the help of mild heating as well as micro-vibration, these types of gadgets allow performing gua sha without achieving perfection in hand skills.  When selecting between electric gua sha and traditional gua sha, it is important to remember that even though new technology makes face massages easier to perform, there is no need to abandon traditional practices. People who lack time to pursue their daily routines and who might suffer from morning puffiness or jaw problems can benefit from the combined effect of gentle heat and the movement of the device, which helps to create an overall refreshing effect. The shift toward multifunctional beauty tools People are beginning to shun complicated skincare techniques that involve too many steps and products. City dwellers in particular want to use skincare gadgets that are effective and not cumbersome. Recently conducted consumer research has shown that modern consumers are focused more on at-home beauty practices and preventive self-care [Euromonitor 2025] due to their effectiveness in saving time in the morning.  There is data to back up this trend toward better skincare: The need for multifunctionality: NIQ Global Health and Wellness reports that 74% of consumers around the world are in favour of products with several benefits. The need for personalisation: The same report indicates that 57% of users are looking for gadgets that fit into their lifestyle and skin type. This need for simplicity and ease of use gives way to the popularity of hybrid devices. A wireless electric face roller with different thermal modes of operation is less tiring than physical manipulation and is easy to operate. People are less keen about a long ten-step morning ritual. More than using up a lot of space for disposables, one now goes for tools that are able to help in this time. The NielsenIQ Global Health & Wellness Report shows how little people have come to like various gadgets: more than 74% of consumers all over the world are in favour of those things that combine wellness features, while 57% are in need of devices that help them to make their everyday self-care procedures more personal. This drive toward simplicity explains why hybrid tools are gaining so much traction right now. Having an electric face roller equipped with thermal modes simply makes life easier. Being free from cords and rechargeable, these instruments overcome the physical strain of long manual sessions. Using a product that is easy to operate and feels pleasant on the skin encourages greater consistency in usage during your busy workdays. Real benefits of traditional stone massage There is a reason the traditional practice has survived for centuries. A manual gua sha massage holds a highly respected place in skincare. Using a smooth, cool stone with a good facial oil promotes relaxation and provides gentle physical stimulation to the surface of the skin. When you practice manual gua sha for puffiness, you are actively assisting in moving stagnant fluid across the contours of the face. This yields a temporary improvement in your skin tone and contouring. In fact, a recent randomised eight-week trial comparing manual stone massage to facial rollers noted that both techniques yielded measurable changes over time. The manual stone showed specific influences on surface muscle tone parameters, while rolling routines influenced skin elasticity measures. However, it is important to set realistic expectations. A modest physical massage routine does not result in permanent structural lifting, bone reshaping, or fat reduction. The true, proven value lies in short-term fluid movement and melting away daily facial tension. Sensory upgrade of heat and vibration When you add technology to a traditional gliding tool, the entire physical sensation of the massage changes. Targeted Thermal Warmth: The heated gua sha device provides uniform and mild heat that penetrates the skin. This heat relaxes the facial muscles around the jaws and temples, which makes massages much more relaxing than a cold stone. Micro-Vibration Oscillations: A vibrating gua sha function adds high-frequency mechanical oscillations. This tiny motion shows that the gadget is doing the hard work for you. It decreases the amount of intense pressure one needs to use mainly through the hands, hence greatly reducing the chances of inadvertently pulling or pushing sensitive skin. Many devices take this a step further by including microcurrent EMS or targeted LED light modes. If you already use a complementary LED light therapy mask, these modalities offer a great secondary layer of care. Plus, the combination of warmth and vibration helps spread your morning oils or serums much more smoothly across the skin. Choosing between traditional stones and electric devices Picking the right tool depends entirely on your morning reality and lifestyle needs. Feature Traditional Stone Gua Sha Electric Gua Sha Device Learning Curve Requires practice to master the correct angle and pressure Intuitive, guided by active vibration and thermal feedback Pressure Consistency Depends entirely on hand control, technique, and fatigue Consistent mechanical vibration reduces hand strain Sensory Experience Naturally cool stone that warms slowly on contact Adjustable thermal heat and active micro-vibration Portability Highly portable but fragile if dropped on bathroom tiles Compact, features a rechargeable battery, travel-friendly Multifunctionality Single-function manual edge Combines heat, vibration, rolling, and light modes Cleaning Routine Quick wash with mild soap and water Wipe clean with a damp cloth; keep away from running water Best Suited For Minimalists who enjoy slow, entirely manual rituals Busy professionals seeking an efficient, repeatable routine Fitting the Manimo electric gua sha into a daily routine The Manimo Electric Gua Sha and Face Roller is built to bridge the gap between traditional sculpting techniques and modern convenience. Designed as a dual-purpose tool, it features a contoured edge on one side and a smooth roller on the other, adapting effortlessly to the natural curves of your jawline, cheeks, and neck. The device offers targeted heat technology combined with dual vibrations reaching up to 12,000 RPM per minute. With its help, you can benefit from having a micro massage at your skin without exerting pressure. With the built-in multicolor LED light modes, you can adjust your massage depending on your skin condition. Powered by a convenient rechargeable battery with a capacity of 600 mAh, the device is portable and easy to carry around. Rather than promising impossible permanent anatomical shifts, the device is designed to provide an accessible, highly relaxing way to de-puff, ease muscle tightness, and refresh your appearance each morning. Product Specification Details Product Dimension 114 mm × 85 mm × 28 mm Working Voltage DC 5V ⎓ 1A Power 5.0 W Radio Frequency 100 kHz Vibration Frequency 12,000 RPM/minute Charging Time 3 hours Battery Capacity 600 mAh Explore the Manimo Electric Gua Sha and Face Roller to add gentle heat, vibration, and multi-mode control to your facial massage routine. Safe techniques to protect your skin barrier To keep your routine effective and ensure you never overwork your skin, follow these essential guidelines. Cleanse thoroughly: Always begin with a freshly washed face to avoid dragging daily buildup and pollutants across your pores. Apply adequate slip: Never use a tool on dry skin. Apply a facial oil or hydrating serum first so the tool glides effortlessly without pulling. Use gentle outward strokes: Move the tool smoothly outward and upward from the centre of your face toward your hairline. Review the proper gua sha technique for the jawline to ensure you are supporting natural fluid movement. Avoid irritated areas: Skip areas with active acne breakouts, open wounds, or severe inflammation. Clean after every use: Wipe down the edge of the device with a clean microfibre cloth after every session to prevent bacteria build-up. Safety Note: If you use prescription photosensitising medications or have active, severe skin conditions, check with your dermatologist before introducing heat or LED therapies into your routine. Consistency beats intensity in skincare habits Whether you choose a classic rose quartz stone or a feature-packed electric device, the absolute best skincare tool is the one that fits smoothly into your actual schedule. Technology simply makes the experience easier to repeat day after day. Exploring modern smart beauty devices can help you find tools that match your specific lifestyle, taking the friction out of your daily self-care routine. FAQ Gua Sha — FAQ Is an electric gua sha better than a jade or rose quartz stone? Although electric gadgets don't necessarily have benefits over traditional alternatives, they can give us a few helpful features such as heating or active vibration that will improve results and make the procedure much more comfortable. And while stone instruments are quite good for minimalists who prefer a simple manual massage, electric tools can appeal to people who need more sensations and guidance when applying pressure to their body. Does using a gua sha permanently change your jawline? No. Facial massage helps reduce temporary fluid buildup and relaxes tight muscles, which can make your contours look sharper and more defined in the short term. It does not alter your underlying bone structure or permanently eliminate fat. Can I use an electric gua sha every day? Yes, provided you use very light pressure and plenty of facial oil or serum to prevent friction. Limit your sessions to five or ten minutes daily, and stop immediately if you notice redness, discomfort, or skin irritation.

Same light category, two very different experiences Anyone comparing a red light therapy mat vs panel runs into the same problem fairly quickly. Both use the same wavelengths. Both promise recovery support. Yet they ask completely different things of you. A panel stands upright and you position yourself in front of it. A mat lies flat and you lie on it, with the light in contact along the length of your body. That difference sounds small on a spec sheet and turns out to be the whole decision in practice. This piece compares them on coverage, positioning, space and routine. No predetermined winner, because the honest answer depends on what you are actually recovupright,ering from. Recovery technology is moving into the home The recovery category used to mean a physiotherapy appointment or a sports massage booked when something already hurt. That model works, but it is reactive, and it is hard to sustain around a full working week. What has changed is the willingness to own the tools. According to Indian health-tech adoption and demand for transparency, NIQ's 2025 research on Indian consumers found that 53% now take proactive steps to improve their health and wellness and that 64% want transparency around product information and performance claims. That second figure is the interesting one. People are buying, and they are checking the numbers before they do. The evidence base is worth being straight about. Research into whole-body photobiomodulation is still developing, and it is smaller than the body of work on localised treatment. Promising, but not settled. None of this replaces the basics. Sleep, nutrition, mobility work, and a sensible training load still do most of the work. Light therapy sits alongside them. The shared science behind both formats Both mats and panels can deliver the same two wavelengths, so the format alone does not determine whether a device is any good. Red light at around 660 nm is visible and is absorbed at and just below the skin's surface. Near-infrared therapy at around 850 nm is invisible to the eye and travels further into soft tissue, which is why it comes up in conversations about muscle recovery rather than skin appearance. What actually matters is a short list, and it applies equally to both formats. Wavelength, dose, coverage, distance or contact, and consistency. A powerful device used twice a month will do less than a modest one used four times a week. Reviewing the red light therapy fundamentals can help clarify how energy density impacts results.  That last point is worth holding onto as you read the comparison below. The specification sheet tells you what a device can do. Your routine decides what it will do. Mat and panel compared on real use Full-body mat Upright panel Body coverage Head to toe along one side of the body in a single session Depends on panel height. Smaller panels cover a region; larger ones cover more. Your position Lying down, front or back Standing or seated, facing the panel Distance management Contact-based, so distance stays consistent without thinking about it You set and hold the distance yourself, which changes intensity Multi-angle exposure Turn over to treat the other side Turn around, or reposition the panel. Space footprint Needs floor space during use, rolls up afterwards Needs wall space or a stand and a clear floor in front Session comfort Lying down suits a wind-down routine. Standing suits shorter, more active sessions. Portability and storage Generally rolls or folds away Usually stays where it is mounted Reading or working during use Limited, since you are lying down Easier, you can sit at a desk in front of it Spot treatment Possible, though the format is built for breadth Well suited, move closer to concentrate on one area Full-body wind-down Built for it Achievable with a tall panel, usually with repositioning Two fair conclusions come out of this. A panel gives you flexibility and is the easier choice if your sessions are short and targeted. A mat removes the repositioning problem and turns the session into something closer to a rest, which is easier to repeat when you are tired. Neither is inherently better. The specifications of the individual device matter more than the category, and so does the way you are realistically going to use it. Choose by recovery goal, not by gadget aesthetics Start from the soreness rather than the shopping page. One stubborn area, like a knee or a shoulder. A panel or a smaller targeted device may be all you need. Concentrating light on a single joint region is exactly what an upright format does well, and you can sit close for a short session. Soreness spread across legs, back, and hips. This is where repositioning becomes the deciding factor. Working through four areas with a small device takes real time, and it is the reason most people stop. Consider a mat if your discomfort is distributed rather than pinpointed. Recovery as a wind-down ritual. If the session is going to happen in the evening when you are already tired, lying down is far more likely to happen than standing.  Limited storage. Be honest here. A mat needs floor space while in use. A panel needs a wall. Neither disappears. One last filter. The setup you use three times a week beats the one that looks impressive in the corner of the room and gets used once a month.  The Manimo Full Body Mat and broad coverage If your answer to the section above was distributed soreness and a lie-down routine, that is the specific case the Manimo Full Body Red Light Therapy Mat is built for. The surface measures 180 by 80 cm and carries 1,120 LEDs delivering 660 nm red and 850 nm near-infrared together. In practice that means your legs, back and shoulders are covered in one position, without stopping to move a device between muscle groups. The controller offers five brightness levels and three modes, constant light, 10Hz pulse, and 40Hz pulse, with a timer you can set anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes. Starting low and building up as you get used to it is the sensible approach. Two convenience details matter more than they sound. The surface is sweat resistant and removable, which is what you want if the mat is being used straight after training. And it packs into a carry bag rather than living permanently in the middle of your floor. It supports recovery as part of a broader routine. It does not replace physiotherapy or treat a diagnosed condition, and anyone managing one should speak to their clinician first. Full body coverage Manimo Full Body Red Light Therapy Mat Best if your priority is broad coverage without repeated repositioning. Shop A practical recovery routine Keep the session in its proper place, which is after the basics rather than instead of them. Finish your workout, cool down, and rehydrate as you normally would. Once you have cooled off, run your light session at the duration your device recommends. Afterwards, carry on with whatever mobility work you already do, then protect your sleep. Some people prefer a session before training instead. Research on pre-exercise use exists, though protocols vary considerably between studies, so treat it as something to experiment with rather than a rule. Wear the eyewear supplied with your device and follow its instructions on timing. If you are pregnant, taking photosensitising medication, or have an active skin condition, speak to a doctor before starting. The verdict in one line A panel gives you flexible, targeted exposure and suits short sessions you can fit around a desk. A mat gives you broad coverage without repositioning and suits an evening wind-down. Beyond that, judge the individual device on its specifications, and judge yourself honestly on which one you will still be using in three months. FAQs Does red light therapy really support collagen? Research on photobiomodulation suggests that red and near-infrared wavelengths can influence the cellular processes involved in collagen activity, and clinical trials have reported improvements in measured wrinkle depth. Protocols vary between studies though, and results from clinical equipment do not transfer directly to home devices. Treat it as a supportive layer used consistently rather than a guaranteed outcome. How often should I use an LED mask at home? Most people settle into three or four sessions a week. Follow the guidance for your specific device rather than assuming more frequent sessions will speed things up. Consistency across months matters far more than intensity in any single week. How long should each LED mask session be? Most home devices are designed for sessions of roughly 10 to 20 minutes. Longer is not better, and running past the recommended time will not accelerate anything. Follow the timing your device specifies and keep the schedule regular instead. Does red light therapy work on deeper skin tones? Red and near-infrared light work through absorption by cellular components rather than by targeting pigment, which is why light therapy is not restricted in the way some light-based cosmetic treatments are. It is generally considered suitable across skin tones. As with any device, follow the guidance supplied with it, and if you have a pigmentation condition or are being treated for one, check with a dermatologist first. Can I use red light therapy alongside retinoids or active skincare? Often yes, though sequencing matters. Run the session on clean, dry skin and apply your actives afterwards. If you use prescription retinoids, exfoliating acids or any photosensitising medication, check with a dermatologist first, since some products increase how sensitive your skin is to light. Is a red light therapy mat as effective as a panel? Format alone does not decide effectiveness. Both can deliver 660 nm red and 850 nm near-infrared light, and what matters is wavelength, dose, coverage, distance and how consistently you use the device. A mat holds a constant contact distance across a large surface, while a panel lets you vary distance and target a specific region. Compare the specifications of the individual devices rather than the category. Is red light therapy useful after exercise? Research on near-infrared photobiomodulation around exercise has reported supportive findings for recovery, though protocols differ widely across studies in wavelength, dose and timing. It is best treated as something that may support your recovery routine alongside sleep, nutrition and sensible training load, rather than a replacement for any of them. How close should red light be to the body? It depends on the format. A mat works in contact with the body, so the distance stays consistent without you managing it. With a panel, distance is your intensity control, and closer positions concentrate light on a smaller area while further back covers more at lower intensity. Follow the guidance for your specific device.