Overusing a Massage Chair

Many people will sit in a comfortable chair for several hours at a time to read a book, watch television or simply to relax. However, if you are sitting in a massage chair for this length of time it is very important that you not have the massage on that length of time. Almost all of the back and massage chair experts say that you should not use the massage programs in a massage chair for more than 15 minutes at a time and after you use the massage they say it is best to get up, move around, even go for a short walk to fully enjoy the benefits of the massage chair.

Massage chairs have crossed over the border from being just simple vibrating chairs to become full fledged therapeutic medical devices. Properly used they provide a very deep back massage that, if over used, can bruise, inflame and damage muscle and other body tissue. To put it simply, too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing in this case.

Most massage chairs have build in timers for the massage programs to prevent this kind of overuse. Make sure the chair you purchase has a timer or that you use some external timer to prevent running the massage for too long. Simply watching the clock may not be the best idea. Massage chairs are designed to be comfortable in addition to providing health benefits so it would not be uncommon to fall asleep in one with the massage turned on. A simple alarm clock nearby may be all that you need to remind you to turn the massage off but a built in timer to automatically turn the massage off is the best option.

This does not mean that you cannot sit in a massage chair for extended periods of time with the massage turned off. 20 or 30 years ago massage chairs were cushy novelty items that often were not correctly designed to provide healthy back support. The modern massage chair, however, in almost all cases is anatomically correct for good back health. Most conventional chairs in the world today do not provide support for all 3 curves in the back; lumbar for lower back, thoracic for middle back and cervical for upper back. Massage chairs, however, generally provide support for all areas of the human back. So not only is a massage chair great for massage but they are usually also the best posture chairs in households so feel free to use them for watching television, reading and almost all general purpose seating.

If you have back pain or back problems make sure you consult with your doctor or chiropractor before purchasing and using a massage chair. There are several different types of massage available in massage chairs; Shiatsu, Swedish massage and variations or a combination of the two and most chairs allow you to vary the intensity of the massage as well. Your doctor may recommend a certain brand or type of massage chair. So by all means, enjoy your massage chair to the fullest and sit in it whenever you want and for as long as you want but don't use the massage programs for more than 15 minutes at a time.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Massage Chair

What Is a Shiatsu Massage Chair?

A shiatsu massage chair is an electric massage chair that uses ball type, roller mechanisms to simulate an actual shiatsu massage. To understand how these chairs work we must first understand what shiatsu massage is.

Shiatsu is a Japanese word that literally means "finger pressure". Shiatsu Massage involves the use of fingers, thumbs, and palms, to apply continuous pressure to certain pressure points. These pressure points are often referred to as "trigger points".

Trigger Points

 

Trigger points are cause by injury or overused bands of muscle fibers. These muscle fibers tighten to form "knots". Trigger points can be very sensitive to touch and can also cause muscle tension and a shortening of the muscle. Shiatsu massage applies focused pressure on these areas to release tension and the "muscular waste" buildup.

Shiatsu Massage Benefits

 

Shiatsu massage is often referred to as acupressure, not to be confused with acupuncture therapy where needles are used. The idea behind this type of massage therapy is to realign muscles and unblock your inner energy source or "qi" for total well-being. Major benefits include:

 

• Reduce blood pressure
• Helps reduce mental anxiety
• Reduces body tension and stress
• Helps reduce swelling in injuries
• Reduced muscle spasm and tension
• Releases toxins from the body
• Increase blood and lymph circulation
• Increased endorphin levels
• Improve joint flexibility and range of motion
• Deep muscle and tissue relaxation
• Faster healing from pulled or strained muscles and ligaments
• Promotes deeper breathing
• Balances core energy source

 

If you desire to experience any of the benefits mentioned above, consult a shiatsu massage therapist. You can also purchase a shiatsu massage chair that will allow you to enjoy these benefits at your own pace, on your own schedule, in the comfort of your home. These chairs are a great alternative to the real thing.

For more information please visit our Massage Chair Info page or Massage Chair Reviews.

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