Mechanics of a Massage Chair

The earliest massage chair concepts date back to 1948, when inventor Roland A. Labbe crafted his version of a massage chair. It was a simple seat with track and rollers attached. A straightforward design that offered a massage up and down the spinal column, nothing more or less. Like the modern versions, even the earliest massage chairs were designed with a similar goal: to relieve muscle tension along the spine. Today, massage chairs can perform well beyond just a back massage, providing a total body massage in 30 minutes or less.

Routine massage therapy will provide the user with health benefits such as pain management, by relieving muscle tension and boosting circulation. Therapeutic massages can also improve mental health by reducing stress and releasing endorphins.

Since the original massage chair concept of 1948, many advancements in technology and mechanics have been made. Mattress World Northwest’s massage chair specialists can help you understand how today’s massage chairs work and determine which will best suit you. An assortment of the best massage chairs by Furniture for Life is on display in our stores, including affordable choices like the Positive Posture Sol and the Brio+. All of our chairs are available for you to try.

Massage therapy will enhance circulation, reduce stress, provide a sense of well-being and help you sleep better.

The Track and Mechanical Arms

Many massage chairs have a track that mobilizes the rollers to deliver therapy to more than just one area of the back and body. The track can be found along the back seat rest, close by where your upper body would be while seated in a massage chair. Attached are mechanical arms and knobs that roll, stroke, or sometimes vibrate to loosen tight muscles along the spine. Modernized technologies offer a 3D massage effect, like the D.Core “Cirrus” massage chair, allowing the mechanical arms to move up and down along the track and side to side for intricacy and a broader range of coverage.

State-of-the-art 4D massage chairs, like the OHCO M8, M.DX, and Brio Sport, will create a touch similar to a human hand with heated rollers and versatile massage functions. The advanced mechanics of 4D will supply an extensive massage along the track, with up-and-down, side-to-side, and in-and-out movements. In-and-out motions found on 4D massage chairs create an unbelievably profound and human-like massage experience with the right intensity to relax you and deliver satisfying pain relief.

S-Track and L Track

While massage rollers break up muscle tension, the track powers the arms up and down vertically along the spine to reach the shoulders and lumbar region. Inside a massage chair, there are two types of track systems available. The most common is the S track, like the one found in the Panasonic MA73 massage chair. The S Track has a slight S shape to mimic the spinal curve and allow a smooth contour of the entire upper and lower back area. A massage chair with an S track design will target and treat back pain associated with sciatica, herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, and muscle strains or injury. An L track, like in the OHCO R.6, features the same benefits as an S track for spine healing but extends horizontally below the seat to provide relief and focus on the hips, glutes, and hamstrings. The L track design will be valuable for anyone suffering from hip or leg pain caused by a highly active lifestyle, arthritis, or related to an existing or prior injury.

Body Scanning

Body scanning is an advanced technology found on many higher-end massage chair models. The body scan is essentially an examination of the curvature of your spine, then generating a “map” of your neck, back, shoulders, and hips. During the scanning function, the chair’s microprocessor, or “computer,” uses pressure sensors to gather the measurements of your body, including the length of your back, the width of your shoulders, and overall body height. Body scanning chairs, like the D.Core “Cirrus” and OHCO M8 massage chairs, are more in-tune with the human body and are known to provide a customized, precise, and professional-level massage. The use of advanced technology helps to create a life-like massage that targets your hard-to-reach places. Accomplishing blissful and relaxing physical and mental therapy without ever leaving home is an everyday gift from an at-home massage chair.

Muscle Compression Therapy

Compression therapy is an excellent way to relieve muscle tension without kneading, tapping, or rolling, which can sometimes be more intense.

This version of therapy provides a gentle way to soothe away muscle tension while also purging the muscles of stale blood.

When performed by a massage chair, compression therapy uses airbags to gently squeeze areas of the body to force out the stagnant blood and toxins. New blood flow entering will increase nutrient distribution and renew muscle tissue. It will also help decrease pain by increasing circulation. Compression therapy is a valuable and holistic way to manage pain or inflammation inflicted by chronic conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and edema.

Massage Chairs with Promising Perks

Having a high-quality, technologically advanced massage chair in the comfort of your home provides the utmost convenience – you can use it whenever you have free time. Waiting for your grill to heat up? Have a massage! No scheduling, driving, or tipping is required. Having instant access to a massage chair is a perk that allows you to actively improve your overall health. Indulge yourself with relaxation any time of day with a calming, custom-made massage session that targets and relieves sore areas or discomfort. Present-day massage chairs use a full array of moving components that utilize motors, gears, and rollers along a track to create a professional-quality massage. Some massage chairs, like the OHCO M8, even have Bluetooth and aromatherapy gadgets that add a bit of luxury to your relaxed, spa-like massage therapy session.

Each massage chair on display in our massage chair galleries at Mattress World Northwest has been carefully evaluated and selected as the best in its class. Highly capable wellness devices like our massage chairs will help you relieve even the most stubborn stress, aches, and pains. Massage chairs can be intricate with moving parts, but their complexity is why today’s massage chairs are more capable than those of the past. Our selection of impressive and unique massage chairs will offer many people the convenience of receiving a soothing massage in the comfort of their own homes.

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