Orthopedic chairs - Massage chair

Massage chairs can benefit those with back pain and they offer relaxation and stress relief to all. Massage chairs are available in a massive range of types, styles and facility rich models and the price you pay will reflect the model that you buy.

Types of massage chair

Most massage chairs made today are based around the simulation of one of two kinds of traditional hand massages, namely, Shiatsu or Swedish massage. Details below.

(For information about chairs used for the purpose of therapeutic treatments please see this page Therapy Chairs.)

Shiatsu massage chair

The Shiatsu massage chair attempts to replicate the oriental massage approach of pressure application in a variety of different motions with the overall goal of “balancing the body as a whole”.

The Shiatsu massage action is quite firm and involves pressure applications in relatively concentrated areas with a pressing or rolling motion. Some people find this kind of massage quite rough, although many makes of massage chair now allow pressure and motion adjustment.

This style of massage can be helpful in un-knotting tight, tied up muscles, but it is not always found to be relaxing.

Swedish massage chair

The Swedish massage chair attempts to replicate a Swedish massage and uses a more relaxing motion with longer, softer strokes and a gentle kneading action.

The Swedish massage is generally found to be more relaxing than rehabilitative, although it is generally good for tired or aching muscles and relaxes the body with soothing rather than manipulative motions.

Some of the more expensive massage chairs can simulate both Swedish and Shiatsu massage motions in a single machine.

What to look for in a massage chair

Because massage chairs cover such a vast range of price and specification options, what you get will depend on the budget that you are prepared to spend.

The cheaper chairs have fixed position motors and massaging units, whilst some of the more expensive massage chairs have auto detection for the important areas of the body. These top of the range chairs may be programmable, or even self programming. Below is a summary of what you can expect dependant upon your budget.

Budget priced massage chairs

These days, budget priced massage chairs can offer fantastic value and many great features, but you need to shop around and consider a number of different chair models before you buy.

Budget massage chairs range from those with a single fixed position massaging zone in the back rest, to models with multiple massage units in not just the back rest, but the seat, the arm rests and the leg rests.

All chairs should have a remote control unit and some may have variable settings for massage speed, direction of rotation and even massage pressure (dependant upon price).

The economically priced massage chairs are often finished with a plastic leather look material which may not be as durable as it looks and they may have air bag massage units (for the arms and legs) which have a questionable value.

The cheaper chairs usually lack features like multiple massage zones, pressure controls and adjustment of the massage action positions, so it is important to test out these kinds of chair first.

When testing a budget massage chair you need to make sure that the zones of the chair that deliver the massaging action correspond with the areas of your body that you wish to experience it. With generic (non adjustable massage chairs) people who are larger or smaller than average may find the massage motions “missing the spot”.

Top of the range massage chairs

At the top end of the massage chair scale, almost any function is achievable. These chairs have multiple and variable massage zones that occur in the back and seat supports, the arm rests, upper and lower leg rests and even in special massaging zones for the head, feet and hands.

Many of the most expensive chairs have “near” infinitely programmable options that allow the adjustment of the various massaging motors to suit every possible body shape. These chairs also frequently make such controls redundant by operating automatic detection of each users body to isolate the key parts of the anatomy from which massage will offer a benefit.

Some of the massage experiences offered by these advanced chairs include –

The amount of money that you can pay for one of these chairs has almost no limits, but over the last few year it has become possible to buy an extremely advanced massage chair for two or three thousand pounds. Ten years ago such a chair would have been ten times the amount, or simply not available.

The benefits of a massage chair

A massage chair really can have benefits on not just muscle relaxation and joint flexibility, but general “well-being” in life.

Massage chairs can rejuvenate the body and create an overall feeling of relaxation and restfulness. They can also become highly economic if paying for a regular massage is part of your life's routine.

Top of the range massage chairs have a number of programmable options allowing each user to specify, or vary, the types of massage that they undergo and most chairs have functions intended purely for relaxation rather than restorative purposes.

Massage chairs can be used at any time and will fit into any daily schedule. They can also be used by multiple individuals and often in different ways and for different purposes.

Many massage chairs have a heat function allowing both massage and gentle heat to relax and recover tired muscles.

The appearance of a massage chair

Massage chairs cover a range of appearances with the cheaper models looking functional, but little more, and the grander models looking like anything from a comfortable arm chair to (in all honesty) an elaborate device of torture.

All but the cheapest chairs have options for fabric selection and colour, but these are naturally limited to materials (often leather) that have good friction and abrasive wear qualities. The more expensive chairs will happily grace any living room and most who have never seen one before are keen to try it out.