Do massage chairs work? To answer this question, we have to look at the roots of massage therapy. It began in Asia centuries ago, where practitioners learned to enhance health, healing, and happiness through the release of stress in the muscles.
Fast-forwarding to colonial times, a massage therapist would treat orthopedic problems by creating friction through rubbing.
Now, we have extensive knowledge and science to back up the techniques applied in massage therapy. When you break down the tools massage therapists use to heal your muscles, it combines friction, heat, and pressure.
If an area of your body is tense for extended periods, it can begin to pull too heavily on other muscles. The parts of you that receive the pull may be unable to withstand it, potentially causing damage to your posture. If left untreated, this could cause severe complications as you age.
Receiving regular massage therapy can have a lot of benefits, including stress relief, muscle recovery, pain relief, and even reduced risk of injuries. The question is: Massage chair vs. massage therapist—which is better? And how can you find the right massage chair to deliver the necessary benefits?
How Are Massage Chairs Good For You?
Half an hour in a massage chair with settings specifically designed to target your sore spots can help treat deeply rooted issues. For example, your body may pull too much on your shoulders if you have a habit of slouching forward. This discomfort is a prevalent issue. If this is the case, you would want to ensure you look at massage chair models that include specialized solutions to help ease your shoulder tension.
Depending on the model, several massage chairs can replicate massage therapy for various needs. In more complex chair models, the technology is designed to mimic the hands of a massage therapist performing shiatsu massage, digging in and targeting pressure in your back. There are a few OHCO massage chairs that have this unique feature.
Massage chairs can benefit older generations, too! Seniors who routinely use their massage chairs report that their chairs provide pain relief, muscle relaxation, and relieve tension. Many chairs can even improve blood flow to different areas of the body, which can have a lot of significant health benefits.
Massaging Chairs: Top Benefits
Benefits of Vibrating Massage Chairs
Vibration therapy is one of the most basic settings offered by any massage chair. But even this basic feature provides health benefits to its users. Vibration therapy can improve circulation, improve muscle mass, and bone density, alleviate pain, and reduce stress.
Benefits of Shiatsu Massage Chairs
Many people who enjoy vibrating massage chairs also love the feeling of Shiatsu massage chairs. Shiatsu massage therapy provides all the same benefits as vibration therapy and more. Shiatsu massage chairs use highly choreographed movements to mimic the finger pressure a professional shiatsu massage therapist applies. A Shiatsu massage can provide significant, targeted pain relief to certain pressure areas on the body. It can also strengthen muscles and stretch them out to improve recovery, flexibility, and durability.
Benefits of Zero Gravity Massage Chairs
Zero gravity massage chairs offer unparalleled seating with great health benefits. In the “zero gravity” position, your legs are elevated above your heart while you receive a massage. The zero gravity posture improves circulation and promotes total relaxation throughout the body. Zero gravity reclining chairs offer many benefits, including lowering high blood pressure. The improved relaxation and circulation also enhance the rejuvenating effects of the overall massage experience. The reduced stress and enhanced recovery can improve energy levels following massage sessions. All these benefits combine to make zero gravity massage chairs an excellent therapeutic option for many people.
Benefits of Heated Massage Chairs
Heat therapy on its own is effective at relieving pain. When heat is applied to a particular area, it improves blood flow, aids recovery, and promotes flexibility. When a therapeutic massage is supplemented with targeted heat, it enhances all the healing and therapeutic benefits that come with it.
Heat settings on massage chairs come in a multitude of different forms. Heated rollers can provide targeted heat to soothe pressure areas on the body. Heated seats, or total body heated massage chairs, can provide a more all-encompassing heat sensation for overall relaxation.
Can a More Affordable Massage Chair Provide These Benefits?
You might wonder, are massage chairs good for you if they are on the less-expensive end of the spectrum? Are these chairs still able to provide quality therapeutic results? Of course, they still have their benefits, but owning a higher-end model has a lasting and definable impact. You get to personalize it much further, and you’ll have easier access to professionals for any help with set-up or troubleshooting.
Generally speaking, higher-end massage chair models are created with more advanced technologies, providing a much more realistic massage experience. So while you can still get a relaxing massage from more affordable chairs, they might not have the same targeted benefits, and if they do, they might not be of the same quality. Higher-quality massage chairs are also built to last. High-end manufacturers use more durable materials for their furniture, making them more reliable in the long term.
Choosing the Right Massaging Chair for You
As we’ve discussed, massage chairs offer a range of benefits that can help promote health and wellness in many ways. Whether you are simply looking for pain relief and relaxation, or more advanced therapeutic relief, there is definitely a perfect massage chair for you. And, whatever model you choose, there really are no negative effects of massage chairs. So, if anyone ever asks, “Are massage chairs bad for you?” the answer is a resounding no!
To find the right massage chair for you, take this quiz to identify your specific needs. It will tell you what massage chair should perfectly meet your needs and preferences. However, it’s also always a good idea to talk to someone who specializes in selling massage chairs because they’ll have heard feedback from other customers that they can pass on to you.
No matter what you choose, at Furniture For Life, we strive to match you with your ideal chair massage solution. Contact us with any questions you have!
