Things to Know Before Buying a Massage Chair

Massage chairs have evolved far beyond their humble beginnings as lounge chairs with built in vibrators. The improvements have made the chairs truly wonderful therapeutic devices. The physical and psychological benefits are very real for anyone of almost any age. But as the complexity of massage chairs has increased so also has the need for the consumer to know what they are getting into when they buy one. So if you plan to buy one here are a few things you should know before hand.

Most modern massage chairs have several different types of massage motions and it is recommended that you try to get one that has the following three massage techniques. The first type of massage is commonly called Shiatsu. This is a massage method that kneads your back muscles horizontally from side to side on either side of your backbone. Real Shiatsu is much more complicated than this but that is the basic idea. There are also several different types of Shiatsu massage so make sure you understand as much as you can about what the Shiatsu mechanism in the chair is doing to your back. The second type of motion is a gentle thumping or tapping up and down your back like little chops or a shower massage. The third motion is a roller motion up and down on either side of your spine. This lengthens and relaxes the spine and back muscles. Most chairs combine these motions into automatic programs. Some automatic programs vary the intensity of the massage and others vary the type of massage so understand the differences between the different programs as best you can.

Many of the best massage chairs now offer leg and foot massage. These generally do an excellent job and are highly recommended. Some have arm massage mechanisms but these have not proven to be as effective as the back, leg and foot massage. Most massage chairs recline to improve the massage. If you can get one that reclines a full 180 degrees you maximize your weight on the massage mechanism and enhance the benefits of the massage.

You may think that the best massage chairs are made with leather but they are actually made of vinyl and other synthetic materials. Many of the top massage chairs have build in heaters and leather simply will dry out and crack if subjected to a lot of temperature changes. In the same manner leather will not stand up to the constant motion of the back rollers. The synthetic material used in a good quality massage chair is designed to handle the constant motion of massage whereas leather would crack and deteriorate. Some companies will promote the leather in their massage chairs as a sales gimmick but the truth is you are better off with a good quality synthetic or vinyl chair.

You will want to make sure you understand the warranty policy on the chair. Modern massage chairs have lots of motors, controls and electronics in them so if your chair breaks for some reason you want to know before you buy it how it will get repaired. Most massage chairs will never break but if the main massage motors stop working after one week you don't want to have to put the chair in a shipping container and pay to send it half way around the world to get it repaired. Ideally it would be nice if someone locally came to your house to fix it if needed but the idea is to know before you buy what you are getting into as far as warranty and repairs are concerned.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Massage Chair

Portable Massage Chairs

There is nothing quite like a professional massage to relax and invigorate both tired muscles and strained work environments. Aside from the cost, the toughest part of getting a professional massage is driving to the massage therapist and back again. Sometimes this can mean hours in heavy traffic which tends to defeat the purpose of the massage in the first place. Portable massage chairs, however, are changing all of that. Massage therapists can now take their show on the road. With a portable massage chair they can setup shop almost anywhere. Shopping malls, grocery stores, the beach and just about any place where people gather are starting to become prime locations for massage therapists. Even forward looking corporations are getting into the act. They will hire massage therapists to come to their corporate offices, bring a portable massage chair with them and give employees massages right there in house.

Of course, portable massage chairs are not to be confused with conventional massage chairs. The picture in most people's minds when they think of a massage chair is of a home lounge chair with build in electric motors, controls and a back massage capability while you sit in it. A portable massage chair is totally different. It is a portable device used by a professional massage therapist so the therapist can give clients massages. It does not have any motors or vibrators or anything like that it simply provides a mobile platform for the massage therapist to do his or her job. The massage table that massage therapists will use at their own facility is large, heavy and definitely not portable. A portable massage chair allows the therapist to cover many of the same body areas as a full massage table without the heavy baggage.

A portable massage chair doesn't even look like a chair. It looks more like exercise equipment or a stationary bike than a chair. It has a relatively small seat to sit on but the rest of the parts bear no resemblance to a conventional chair. When you sit in it the rest of the chair will be in front of you instead of behind you. You lean forward and support your upper body on a chest cushion and a padded ring to support your face and head. There are kneepads below and on either side of the seat to support your lower body. To complete the support of your body there will be a cushion just ahead of the chest cushion for your arms and hands. All of these pads and cushions are held together by a metal structure, usually aluminum, to keep the chair light in weight. Most portable massage chairs are highly adjustable so the massage therapist can adjust it for different ages and sizes of clients. Of course, all portable massage chairs fold up so you can either carry them or put them in a travel case with wheels. Most of them weigh no more than 6 to 7 kilograms so carrying one is rarely a problem.

So if you are interested in getting a professional massage check around your neighborhood. There might be a massage therapist who regularly visits a shopping mall near you.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Massage Chair

Massage Chairs For Home Relief

Have you ever sat on your couch or favorite recliner after a long, difficult day?s work, and wished you could be doing something about your aching neck, back, legs? Massage chairs were designed specifically for this reason. In fact, you can purchase a massage chair for your living room, and say goodbye to daily stress by reclining back and letting the chair?s specially constructed massage heads melt away your tensions.

Massage chairs are said to have many benefits, which are similar to the benefits realized by visiting a masseuse. Chairs that offer a variety of types of massage techniques, from kneading to tapping to rolling and vibrating, and even including some specialized techniques for muscle and tissue relaxation, like Swedish, Shiatsu, and Hawaiian, can be purchased for use in the comfort of your home. Massage chairs that are for basic relief, chairs with more advanced massaging capabilities, and chairs that are state-of-the-art that offer masseuse-like touch from your head to your feet?there are so many to choose from.

When it comes to picking your massage chair, think first about why you need this piece of well-crafted furniture. Do you want to have a wide range of massaging options? Look, then, for a chair that has multiple settings. Some chairs will offer just one or two modes, while the top of the line massage chairs will have eight or more from which to choose. Do you want to create a simple spot where your back and neck can be gently relieved of kinks and tension? Or are you looking for a chair that offers leg and foot support, as well? It is important to know what you need, because the options are mind blowing.

Some of these massage chairs will give you the opportunity to have your legs gently massaged, letting the calves release their tension and cramps. This is a particularly good choice for the elderly, who often times have poor circulation in the legs. A massage chair with leg features can, in fact, temporarily improve the circulation, ridding you of the pain associated with decreased blood flow to areas of your body. What about swelling? Massage chairs are particularly good at momentarily releasing built-up fluids, especially in the legs. When fluids accumulate in an area of the body, the stimulation provided by a massage chair helps aid in the body?s absorption of these pent up fluids, which reduces the swelling.

Beyond those selling points, there is also the choice of purchasing a massage chair that stimulates specific points on the body; these are the same points that are targeted in acupuncture. By tailoring your massage to your acu-points, you'll have increased blood flow to stimulate energy. That?s right?a massage chair can relax your body, while at the same time reinvigorate you after a long day. Or perhaps your thighs and hips are stiff and uncooperative? A massage chair equipped with a stretching feature will use air to manipulate the legs in gentle stretches, raising and lowering your legs in varying intervals.

All in all, massage chairs, which incidentally range in price from several hundred dollars into the several thousands, are available for in home use. After a long, tiresome day, a massage chair in your living room can be the perfect way to unwind.

http://www.AboutMassages.com brings you the latest on massage. Massages are gaining in popularity, and we want to bring you up to date information! Be sure to check out our latest information page on massage chairs

How Buying a Quality Massage Chair Can Save You Thousands

You are probably wondering how buying a massage chair can save you thousands of dollars. The important aspect of buying a massage chair is buying one of quality. However, in addition to quality you must look for other external factors. Do they have superior customer service available? What type of money back guarantee is being offered?

Unfortunately, there are quite a few online stores out there that aren?t trustworthy and if you aren?t careful, you could end up getting scammed. It?s vital you pay attention not only to a good price, but to other external factors such as warranty, replace/repair options, and their reputation. Are there any expert endorsements?

One of the biggest ways a massage chair can save you money is having no need for any massage therapy and/or chiropractic care. The amount of money that is spent on chiropractic visits is growing. Over time this can add up to thousands of dollars in therapy, when it would have been much simpler to make a one time investment in a good quality massage chair. It?s not only money that can be saved but also time spent in frequently traveling and visiting a chiropractor. With a massage chair you can choose the type and strength of massage desired, whether it is shiatsu, percussion/tapping, rolling, or a fabulous foot and calf massage! You can also fully recline your massage chair for an even deeper and more intense massage.

Finally, make sure the massage chair is new. It is impossible to know how much wear and tear a used chair has had. There most likely is no warranty either which can be very negative. Take this advice and travel the safe route, buy a massage chair new. It?s worth the extra money to know it is a quality massage chair with fresh parts.

Heather is an educator in the chiropractic and mental health fields. In her spare time she reviews high ticket items in order to educate consumers. For a fabulous selection of massage chairs that will beat any online price visit http://www.Best-Massage-Chairs.com

Get Relief Using A Massage Chair

Do you want a full body massage? Here is the best option for getting the best massage, all in your own home - a massage chair. That's right, now you do not have to go to a massage parlor or salon for a massage, you can get a complete massage without leaving your home. You can also use massage chairs for commercial purposes. They come with different weights and parts for the different areas of your body.

You do not need to be experiencing back pain to use a massage chair. You can use it any time, anywhere. No matter what type of work you do, you can use a massage chair. From laborers to business persons, everybody has some sort of tension or stress at some time. To get relief from this problem, massage chairs are the best option available today.

Always look for a strong, stable and easily adjustable massage chair. This will allow you to do changes, as everyone has a different type of body.

There are different types of massage chairs available in the market. The best suitable chair for personal as well as commercial use is a portable massage chair. These chairs are easy to use and easily movable. They are made of lightweight aluminum and should have an approximate weight of 20 pounds. Anyone can use portable massage chairs, as they are flexible in nature.

Another option is a desktop massage chair. This type of chair can be fitted in any desk, table or any flat surface. These are suitable for pregnant women or people who are unable to move without the aid of a wheelchair. The biggest advantage of a desktop massage chair is that you can use it anywhere. Some people like privacy, or you can use it at the office. They are very easy to carry.

You can reduce your tension and body pain by sitting in a massage chair. Operating a massage chair is very easy. You just have to click the button, and it will do its work automatically.

There are certain benefits of massage chairs, such as:

? They are designed to reduce tension and pain in the back or neck.
? With the help of a massage chair, your blood pressure will remain normal.
? They also increase the flexibility in your body.
? They come with different levels of massage, so you can adjust it according to your comfort level.
? They are also the sign of luxury and status.
? Anyone can use a massage chair, whether they are aged 80 or 5. They are not made for any specific age group.

Massage chairs not only work to give physical comfort, but also work on psychological factors of a person to give relaxation. The basic aim of massage chairs is to reduce tension, and make your mind and body relaxed and comforted.

Stefan Rockhaus is a contributing author for Health Info Spot - For more massage chair information visit Massage Chairs

You'll Never Guess What A Massage Chair Recliner Can Do For You!

Many of the benefits of the massage chair are the same benefits that are attributed to licensed massage therapy. Massage chairs boast of mimicking the hands of a massage therapist and, while a machine could not possibly fully imitate the hands of a true professional, there is much to be gained by using the functions of a massage chair.

Here is a partial list of health benefits derived from a massage recliner:

1. Deep relaxation and stress release (our guess is that you?ll fall asleep the first time you use a chair!).

2. Back and neck pain relief. Most of your body aches and pains come from the muscles. Address the muscles, as the massage chair does, and you will see less and less pain. I can attest to this benefit because our patients that purchase a massage chair usually end up coming into the office less; much of their pain has been alleviated by the chair's massage.

3. Relief of muscle tightness and stiffness (you?ll feel like ?putty? when you?re done).

4. Improved blood and lymph flow. Blood and lymph clean out your body of harmful toxins. Vigorously working the muscles will increase and enhance blood and lymph flow which will increase toxin removal from your body. This benefit has been known to positively affect blood pressure, too!

5. Improved healing. Improved blood flow will increase oxygen transport to your body tissues. You need oxygen to heal. If the blood flow is improved, oxygen levels will be optimized and your tissues will heal better and quicker.

6. Reduced muscle spasm. Similar to #3, if you?ve ever had a massage from a licensed massage therapist, you?ve noticed how good your muscles feel when you are done. Your massage chair will do the same thing. Not only do you get relief from tightness and stiffness in the muscles, but actual spasms will disappear.

7. Increased flexibility. Relax your muscles?and your movement will improve. Sometimes the effect is quite dramatic. Try bending over and touching your toes before you begin your massage chair session. Then, do it again afterwards. You?ll be quite surprised at how much better your movement will be!

8. Increased endorphin levels. Endorphins are your body?s own natural pain relievers. Exercise, chiropractic manipulation, and massage just happen to be three great ways to increase your endorphin levels. A massage chair will facilitate that as well.

9. Improved breathing. There is nothing like a massage chair to work the muscles around your rib cage.

You may even feel some ribs actually ?pop? back into place while you are on your chair. These tight muscles and ribs can restrict your ability to breathe and you may not have any idea that it is happening?until you get off the massage chair, that is! Try it?take a deep breath after a session and see if your breathing is deeper and easier.

10. Improved posture. Many people who suffer musculo-skeletal pain have poor posture. The most common posture seen in a chiropractor?s office, for example, is the forward head carriage and extra-rounded rib cage (the ?slouched? look). This posture is devastating on all the support muscles, ligaments, and bones. A massage chair will help to reverse that posture. After a massage chair session, you will feel as though you are standing straighter. Do it everyday and those changes will seem to last longer and longer.

11. Prevention of degenerative arthritis. This benefit links to the posture problem. Poor posture results in poor loading of the body relative to gravity which, in turn, will result in degenerative arthritis. In other words, when your posture is bad, gravity wears you down a lot quicker. Changing your posture and the way your muscles and ligaments function will change the abnormal loading of your body which, in turn, will slow down the process of arthritis in your spine! You won?t fully appreciate this until you?re over 40 and you begin to discover new aches and pains that you can?t figure out where they came from. Do what you can, today, to prevent that from happening. You certainly don?t want to look even more hunched over as you get older, do you?

12. General feeling of well-being. You can?t improve muscle function, blood and lymph flow, endorphin levels, and your posture without feeling better generally. Feeling better will, in turn, improve your overall attitude. People that are in pain and discomfort have a harder time feeling ?up? and motivated. It is truly amazing to see how different a person can look just by being pain-free. It almost seems like their whole countenance changes when they are feeling better. And that can affect so many other areas of your life.
Dr. Alan Weidner graduated summa cum laude from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, class of 1991. His website, http://www.massage-chair-relief.com, offers the Interactive Health family of massage chairs and massage recliners.

How Can A Massage Chair Benefit Me?

At fancy gadget stores, you’ll often find at least one massage chair waiting for you to test. Moms, kids, or just about anyone will take advantage of a free massage. For some, the new massage chairs even look like Darth Vader’s bathtub. But are they buying the chair? Why would anyone want to buy a massage chair when you can go to a masseuse and get a quality massage. There are some compelling reasons why one would get a massage chair.

Massage chairs allow you to relax in your own home without any distractions. The main advantage of this would be the privacy provided with a massage chair. Sometimes individuals do not feel comfortable going to a masseuse or do not want to take off clothes to a stranger. By having the chair in one’s home, a person anxious about public massages would be able to feel more relaxed and comfortable.

Massage chairs are pricey. They could cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to even over ten thousand dollars. Ostensibly, the cost is steep. But the cost is a one-time cost. Think about the cost of a masseuse in a nice spa or massage organization. Each individual massage could run you around $100. If you were to have a massage 15 times a year, you’ll be spending $1,500 a year. A nice massage chair could pay for itself in a few years. As long as the model is a good quality chair, you can expect the chair to be available for many years.

You can also benefit by not worrying about making appointments to the masseuse. If all of the sudden you feel that your muscles are tightening or feel physically stressed, the massage chair is there for immediate use. The massage chair doesn’t make you wait. In fact, you’ll find that a lot of spas are booked on prime times. There could be some considerable work finding the right time to balance with your active lifestyle.

Not all masseuses offer clients more than one style, such as Swedish or Shiatsu. In a lot cases, the masseuse is a specialist in one or a very few styles. Today’s massage chairs provide more than one style. Since the massage chair rollers can mimic almost any hand pattern, it can give you more than one type of massage style. Importantly, this is all dependent of the type of chair. But as more of these instruments become advanced, the chairs will offer limitless options.

Physical benefits of massage chairs can match massages from a real person. You can benefit from back and neck relief, muscle loosening, better blood flow, fewer muscle spasms, improved back posture and much more.

It also allows you to customize certain motions and patterns for a unique massage experience. You may not be able to do that with a massage therapist. Moreover, if you go to a spa, you may not get the same masseuse that provides the massage that you like. At least with a massage chair, you can count on getting the same type of massage that you enjoy.

Massage chairs are a great way for individuals to enjoy massage with privacy, customization and greater flexibility. The chairs will allow you to benefit in many ways including a better physical body and lifestyle.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Massage Chair

Back Massage Chairs

The back massage chair is a relatively new component of equipment for massage therapy clinics. However, you can have one of these at home to simulate the effect of having a masseuse work on your back muscles and connective tissues. The aim of the design of this type of chair is to help relieve stress and tension and to bring you relief from back pain. The type of massage that you get from this chair is very similar to both Swedish massage and Shiatsu. For Swedish massage, you get the feeling of the long stroking glides of the hands as well as the kneading of the muscles. The Shiatsu technique gives you the pressing, rotating and rolling motions.

There are three main components of a massage chair for the back to give you these movements. They are:

* Motors - the essential part of the chair. These motors power the nodes and rollers so that they move to all pressure points of the back. You can also use them to adjust the chair to make you feel comfortable. There is a control pad that will help you choose the preset motion you want for a specific treatment. You can choose movements that target your back from the neck to the lower back.
* Nodes and Rollers - these vary is size and shape with the intention of emulating fingers and hands. You can use a chair with larger nodes so that you get a more generalized massage or one with smaller nodes and rollers to pinpoint specific sections of your back muscles. There are programs you can choose so that you get the relief you need.
* Computer assisted adjustments - The chair will automatically adjust according to your weight and height. When you sit in the chair, it will measure your back and adjust the nodes and rollers accordingly.

Of course, this doesn't give you the human touch you may need. A therapist will tell you where the problems lie and give you exercises that will also aid in relieving your discomfort.

For lots of information on massage therapy and other massage related topics, visit the Massage guide at http://massage.77sites.com

Massage Chairs-What You Need to Know

Massage chairs are gaining popularity. With today's technologically advanced electric massage chairs, you can enjoy the benefits of shiatsu or Swedish massage in the comfort of your own home. These chairs are great for a quick 15 minute tension-release, or hours of lounging while watching your favorite TV shows.

There are several chairs made from different fabrics and materials, but the most popular are leather massage chairs. Buying a leather recliner over some other type of material is mainly a personal preference. Everyone's body is different, so the most important thing is that it feels right for you. If you are considering purchasing a massage chair or recliner, here are some benefits to having one in your home:

 

• Immediate satisfaction
• Pain relief and relaxation in your own home
• Control the amount of pressure being applied in the massage
• Target the areas of your body that need the most relief (trigger points)
• Use the recliner for massage or just relaxing
• Gives you years of quality shiatsu massage without paying high prices for each ½ hour-1hour session.

 

Most of the massage chairs on the market offer a variety of "motions" to alleviate painful tension spots, or trigger points, in your body. These motion settings include pressing, sweeping, patting, rolling, kneading, rotating, and percussion (tapping). Most will also allow you to control the speed and length of the massage strokes. Some may even offer heat feature that will help loosen tight muscles in your back and neck.

Massage chairs on the market today offer a shiatsu type massage. Shiatsu massage has many benefits, and is the best for releasing trigger points. The most popular shiatsu massage chair brands include iJoy, Human Touch, Homedics, Premier, and Panasonic. All of these brands come in a variety of sizes and price ranges. Make sure you check out as many massage chair reviews as possible before actually purchasing your massage recliner chair.

Health Benefits

Our society is increasingly fast-paced. Many of us are so busy we don't allow ourselves the proper time to recover from our daily physical and mental stresses. We barely give ourselves enough time to eat properly, relax, and rejuvenate, much less take the time to see a professional massage therapist. Shiatsu massage chairs can accommodate our busy lifestyles and offer valuable health benefits such as:

• Reduce blood pressure
• Increase blood and lymph circulation
• Improve joint flexibility and range of motion
• Deep relaxation
• Reduces body tension and stress; particularly in the upper, mid, and lower back regions
• Helps reduce swelling in injuries
• Increased endorphin levels
• Reduced muscle spasm and tension
• Faster healing from pulled or strained muscles and ligaments
• Promotes deeper breathing

If used correctly, a massage chair can help you heal faster, and realign the muscles you target to help you feel better physically. A massage recliner chair can also help increase endorphin levels which can have a powerful positive effect on your mental and emotional state.

Find a wealth of information about massage chairs at http://www.informassagechairs.com Check out our massage chair reviews, popular brands, and helpful resources.