Your Guide to Understanding Massage Chairs
After a long day, do you ever wish you could kick your feet up, sit back, relax and enjoy a soothing massage with no need for an appointment or leave the house? Therapeutic massage is one of the best ways to relieve pain and stimulate the mind and body's relaxation. On the other hand, researching and shopping for a massage chair may leave you feeling the exact opposite: overwhelmed and confused by your options.
Once you have decided that a massage chair is for you, which one do you choose? Understanding the mechanics and technology of massage chairs may not necessarily be your specialty (yet), so we are here to help you grasp what choices are available. Our massage chair specialists at Mattress World Northwest's massage chair gallery locations will be your guide in finding the perfect massage chair for you. Talking with an expert about your specific wants and needs is the best way to maximize your time and make sure you get the right chair for your needs. Why spend hours researching online when you can get your knowledge directly from an expert while testing out the various options and functionality of a number of massage chairs.Massage Chair Features and Benefits
As a guide to help you decipher which options will suit you, this article is a breakdown of the best and most common massage chair features you will want to look for when researching and shopping for a new massage chair.Heated Massage Chairs
Massage chairs are available with many types of heat applications. Infrared heat and heated rollers are available options that you can add to the massage experience.Pairing the motions of kneading and rolling with heat will increase blood flow and flexibility while calming aches and pains.The infrared heat therapy lumbar backrest on the Positive Posture Sol is a must-have for an affordable heated massage chair that will give you great benefits without spending lavishly. The best part about infrared heat is that it is not so easily affected by the surrounding temperature of the air, allowing the heat to disperse less quickly. This thermal activity is the best for massage chairs because it retains warmth and penetrates muscles more effectively. Infrared heat will soothe tight muscles and help manage pain or discomfort associated with arthritis, tendonitis, or muscle spasms.
The Positive Posture Brio+ and Brio Sport massage chair will take heat to the next level with infrared heated rollers. Pinpoint roller heat on the massage mechanism will mimic a hot stone massage sensation. Spark up your massage by melting away tension, igniting flexibility and circulation throughout the body with heated rollers for your back, calves, and feet. Infrared heat combined with massage therapy will boost circulation, relieve fatigue, and encourage muscle healing.
Body Scanning
Body scanning is an advanced technology found on mid-range to high-end massage chairs. This feature prompts the massage chair before beginning the massage to examine the curves of your body. Massage chairs will vary in body scanning capabilities, but ultimately this technology will elevate the human-like massage feeling. Many massage chairs with body scans can determine your shoulder position and the length of your torso and examine the contours of the back to deliver a customized massage designed to feel like a massage by a professional. The OHCO M.DX is a Japanese massage chair that features body scanning technology. This chair will deliver a unique experience with an intuitive and life-like massage. The chair takes a full-body analysis before beginning your session to "get to know you" and provide a custom massage specific to your unique body shape and individual needs.Zero-G or Reclining Massage Chairs
The Zero-G function was introduced in modern furniture products to emulate sensations as if there was no gravity, like astronauts floating in space. Hence the name Zero-Gravity. As you begin your massage with the OHCO R6, you will be smoothly tilted back with the Automatic Recline and Zero-G feature. Leaning back will evenly distribute your body weight to relieve pressure as if you were floating.Zero-Gravity recline will gently decompress the spine, boost circulation, and increase lung capacity for better breathing.
Compression Therapy
Compression therapy, found on the OHCO M.8 massage chair, utilizes airbags to squeeze specific bodily areas like the hips, arms, and legs while massaging the rest of the body. Gently compressing areas of the body will stimulate circulation by forcing out stagnant blood that has collected while in a restful state, like when you sleep or sit for long periods of time. Pooling blood does not allow proper endorphin or nutrient distribution to heal the body or deliver nutrition. Poor circulation can also lead to inflammation and pain that can cause more problems to an injured or already painful area. As old blood presses out, fresh new blood with nutrients can re-enter the muscles and joints to evoke pain relief from endorphins, the body's natural pain killers. Fresh circulation will also deliver nutrients and serve as a natural anti-inflammatory with healing capabilities. Compression therapy can also promote your lymphatic function by making it more efficient at filtering toxins out of the bloodstream. Also known as lymph drainage massage. Increased blood flow may assist in preventing and treating varicose veins and can help lower the risk of blood clots. Overall, compression therapy by gently squeezing the limbs can be valuable in holistic healing and recovery to promote better health and pain relief.
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Body Stretching Massage Chair
The body stretching feature is like getting a chiropractic adjustment from your massage chair. Though this is not necessarily a type of massage but an addition to the massage, it can provide benefits similar to compression therapy. Stretching will strengthen the muscles, help you be more flexible, and improve mobility. Being strong and flexible will make your body less prone to injury, pain, or discomfort. If the stretching feature intrigues you, keep your eyes out for a massage chair like the Brio+ with focused pre-programmed "Relax," "Meditate," and "Stretch" massage sessions. Our most loved, the M.8 massage chair, also offers a "Stretch" routine. OHCO massage chairs offer stretch techniques choreographed by Shiatsu master Akira Okabayashi. Sit back and let the chair do the work. Enjoy a heated massage while elongating your muscles, and be stretched in ways you never thought a massage chair could.Types of Massage Offered By Massage Chairs
Modern massage chairs are built with technology to analyze your contours and get to know your body type for a personalized massage where you can also control the intensity. Many chairs will mimic a massage by a professional, and some say their massage chair can perform even better.Tapping Massage
Also known as percussive massage, tapping uses the rollers or airbags to tap out muscle stiffness and break up scar tissue. This type of massage is ideal for surgery recovery and healing.Rolling Massage
The rolling technique is similar to the benefits of a foam roller used before or after exercising. Rolling on the muscles in your back will warm up and loosen them to relieve pain or stiffness. It can also assist with a myofascial release which can cause muscle tightness, pain, or spasms. Upwards rolling can decompress the spine by gently loosening muscles to enable a release of pressure between the discs. A massage chair performs this method with massage rollers moving up and down along the spine like a rolling pin.Kneading Massage
Kneading is perhaps the crowd favorite of the more basic massage techniques. Relying on a series of lift and stretch motions to release tension in the neck, back, and shoulders, kneading is one of the most soothing methods compared to tapping or rolling. Some massage chairs will offer kneading with massage rollers through the legs and feet.Reflexology
Foot reflexology is an ancient massage method practiced for centuries. This therapy involves applying pressure to specific points on the bottom or top of the feet that correspond with particular organs or other parts within the body and can induce health benefits. Foot Reflexology is known to help by managing stress or pain, relaxing the body and mind, easing digestion and eyestrain, and improving sleep quality.
