Waking up with a boulder-sized knot in your back can throw a wrench in your plans, especially if you have a long workday. Wouldn’t it be easier to climb back under the covers and sleep it off?
Unfortunately, knots and neck kinks don’t respond as fast as you’d like to a little more shut-eye. But you know what does? A heated massage chair. So if you’re wondering, “are massage chairs worth it or just the biggest waste of money ever?” then keep reading.
Are Massage Chairs Worth It?
If you’re looking to enjoy the health benefits of massage at home, then a massage chair is an excellent financial investment. What you’ll spend upfront, you’ll save long-term over needing to book appointments at spas or with massage therapists.
Investing in a massage chair can also save you time. Enjoying a massage at home is as easy as taking a seat for 10 minutes or more. There’s no need to make an appointment or travel somewhere else.
It’s also available on demand. There’s no need to worry if your back is acting up late at night or sore after a Sunday workout — your massage chair is there for you whenever you need it (provided the rest of your family isn’t using it!)
Here are some essential features to look for, how they can benefit you, and frequently asked questions that typically come up.
Types of Massage Chairs
When comparing different types of massage chairs, prioritize features and functionality over brand names. Most top brands will offer chairs of similar quality with an assortment of specialized components.
What you want to look for are the designs of the chair and different technologies and features. Massage chairs provide different levels of pressure courtesy of a series of rollers on a track aligned along the back of the massage chair. See this previous post on massage chair types for a deep dive into the various types of massage roller heads and available roller tracks.
Massage Chair Technology
Additional features are enabled by different massage chair designs or technology. These can introduce new massage techniques and enhance the overall experience.
Body Scan Technology
The massage chair can detect the position of your body and adjust its rollers accordingly. This enables it to target specific areas of your body more accurately, such as the shoulders or calves, for a more custom-fit massage.
Inversion Therapy
The massage chair reclines to place your body in line with the downward force of gravity. This elongates the spine by increasing the space between the vertebrae, helping to relieve the pressure on discs, ligaments, and nerve roots.
Zero Gravity
The zero gravity massage chair position extends the legs and elevates them above the heart, enabling the spine to decompress and providing a sense of weightlessness; this helps the muscles relax and allows for a deeper level of massage.
Airbag System
A series of airbags within the massage chair inflate and deflate at various methods and speeds to press the muscles and connective tissues. The different airbag sections can work independently or in unison in a technique that mimics Swedish massage.
Additional Features can include:
- Air Ionizers – blow fresh air from vents to facilitate oxygen intake
- Bluetooth Technology – enables users to connect devices to play music
- Chromatherapy – colored lights that influence mood, emotions, and brain activity
- Heat Therapy – directly heats the body to help relax muscles
- Space Saving – the massage chair moves forward when reclined so it can be closer to the wall
- Vibration – high-frequency vibrations stimulate areas and increase local circulation
Health Benefits of Massage Chairs
The benefits you can receive from a massage chair are comparable to massage therapy’s health and wellness benefits. However, the specific types of benefits may depend on the massage chair type and its features.
A 4D L-Track massage chair will deliver a much higher quality shiatsu massage and the associated benefits than a 2D Straight track massage chair.
Here are the main benefits you can expect from using a massage chair.
1. Back Pain Relief and Recovery
Targeted massage to the lower back can help alleviate chronic lower back pain symptoms.
2. Relief From Headaches
Slow stroke massages can relax face and neck muscles, easing the symptoms of tension and vascular headaches.
3. Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Regular massage can reduce overall levels of stress and anxiety. Massage improves your mood, but it can also positively affect your physical health.
4. Improved Posture
Massage along the shoulders and upper back can naturally encourage your spine to straighten, resulting in a healthier posture, both seated and standing.
5. Faster Workout Recovery
Massage can help to improve circulation and loosen muscles, helping to reduce feelings of soreness directly after a workout, which can aid in recovery.
6. Lower Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
Massage has been seen to improve cardiovascular health, helping to both lower blood pressure and heart rate and reduce hypertension.
7. Better, More Restful Sleep
Massage therapy can reduce levels of the hormone cortisol, which means less physical and mental signs of stress, which can then lead to deeper, easier sleep.
8. Increased Flexibility and Mobility
Regular massage therapy has been shown to relieve muscle tightness, which leads to increased range of motion, further helping to prevent injury or muscle strain.
9. Improved Mood and Brain Function
Massage has been shown to have a positive long-term effect on mental health, decrease ADHD symptoms, and better all-around focus.
10. Stronger Immune System
Massage therapy can stimulate the toxin-filtering lymphatic system, removing cell waste, proteins, viruses, and bacteria. This can help improve the body’s ability to fight off infection.
FAQs About Massage Chairs
1. Are massage chairs good for your health?
Yes! Massage chairs provide the same health and wellness benefits as regular massage therapy. We recommend that you consult with your primary care provider about receiving massage therapy, especially if you’re looking to treat chronic pain or condition.
2. What do massage chairs do for your body?
Massage chairs provide pressure to muscles, helping to increase circulation and reduce tension. Different features and functions can also reduce pressure on the spine, relax with heat therapy and assist with meditation through music and chromatherapy.
3. Can I use massage chairs every day?
It’s recommended to use a massage chair three to four times a week for maximum efficiency. Excessive pressure can cause bruising if the massage chair is misused. Always check the massage chair’s user guide and consult with a physician if you have concerns.
4. Are vibrating chairs good for you?
Vibration features within a massage chair offer some circulation and muscle stimulation benefits but are not a substitute for the massage therapy you receive from massage rollers.
Final Words
So now you have a clearer understanding of why we believe that massage chairs are worth it. If you still have burning questions unanswered, send us a message here.
Author/Bio:
Jim Coppins is a partner and COO of Massage Chair Store. He has nearly three decades of experience in product development, sales, marketing, and supply chain logistics for massage chairs and related relaxation products.
