
How To Buy A Massage Chair in 2023
The therapeutic properties of massage were introduced about 5,000 years ago when it was used to promote holistic healing in India. A component of the Ayurvedic healing system, it traveled to China, where new methods evolved to be used in conjunction with Chinese medicine and martial arts. Egyptians took note and began incorporating massage therapy into their lives and are credited with discovering reflexology.
Today’s massage chairs are simply the next step in the evolution of massage, enabling one to receive a massage with more frequency and options than ever before. The technology of modern massage chairs allows for an unprecedented variety of massage therapies that closely rival massage like those from a professional masseuse but with the added convenience of on-demand availability. Massage chairs are constantly changing, and the technology gets better every year.Do Massage Chairs Work?

Massage chairs combine techniques proven to release energy, promote body healing through your circulatory system, and help with spinal alignment by stretching and loosening tight muscles.
What to Look for in a Massage Chair
Massage chairs can be bare bones or loaded with premium features - depending on your needs and budget. Most massage chairs contain rollers that operate on one or more axis in the shape of an L, X, Y, or Z. Higher-end models have options like Swedish massage, Zero Gravity, Shiatsu, infrared heat, body mapping, and compression therapy. Some even have built-in speakers with Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to turn your massage chair into a cocoon of relaxation.Zero Gravity Positioning
Chairs like the OHCO M.8, Positive Posture, and D.Core take your comfort to the next level with a zero gravity feature that cradles your body effortlessly in a position that allows you to feel weightless. This promotes smoother circulation while the rollers knead toxins out of your muscles, which helps your body eliminate toxins more quickly. Zero gravity positioning also takes the pressure off your body, especially if you have soreness in your back and hips.Body Mapping
Body mapping is one of the most critical features of modern massage chairs that enables them to perform with the precision of a traditional massage therapist. Chairs like the Brio Sport and OHCO M.8 scan your body to give a customized acupressure point massage and promote the fascial release. The intuitive Shiatsu massage triggers your body’s own endorphins to relieve discomfort and reduce inflammation.Compression Therapy
Compression therapy is available on models like the OHCO M.8 and OHCO M.DX. These chairs use various airbags throughout the body to squeeze old stagnant blood out and aid in lymphatic drainage. The chairs target areas like your hips, arms, and legs, releasing stagnant blood and allowing your endorphins to distribute through your body. Boosting your circulation can help lower the risk of developing blood clots and will naturally relieve inflammation and pain.[cta id="chairs"]
Stretching
Some chairs, like the Brio+ and OHCO M.8, feature stretch settings. The stretching maneuvers rely on Shiatsu techniques developed by the master Akira Okabayashi. Gentle heat helps encourage this stretch, warming your muscles from the inside out so that they are able to stretch farther more quickly. It’s a great way to warm up your muscles before a workout or when cooling down.Infrared Heat Massage
Many chairs feature heat therapy throughout your spine to soothe tension and allow your muscles to be more receptive to the kneading, tapping, and rolling massage techniques. The Positive Posture Brio Sport features a Sport 4D Intelligent Massage Mechanism that delivers pinpointed heat directly from the rollers targeting the muscles being worked.Shiatsu Massage
Shiatsu, meaning “finger pressure,” is a targeted massage technique known as acupressure. It provided firm pressure using rollers on precise Shiatsu points throughout your body. The Shiatsu technique is renowned for relieving arthritis, joint problems, sciatica, and chronic spinal pain. The massage pattern these massage chairs are programmed to follow was developed by Shiatsu master Akira Okabayashi. Having a D.Core Cirrus is like having the masterwork of the kinks out of your body.How to Choose A Massage Chair
The best way to find the right massage chair for your needs is to speak to someone specializing in massage chairs. Do you require zero gravity? Or heat? Is your soreness primarily in your back and neck or your legs and arms? Though they may not be as feature-loaded as the higher-end chairs are, today’s more economical chairs are still very advanced and can significantly improve your well-being and restore your body. The budget-friendly Positive Posture Sol features heat massage, rollers on an L-track design, and airbags for kneading, tapping, and rolling therapy.Choosing a massage chair essentially boils down to your needs and budget.