Improvements In Shiatsu Massage Chair Technology Provide Therapeutic Results

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March 16, 2009

Investigate A Massage Chair
Make Your Life Better

It’s simply not realistic for most people to give up the $15,600 a year to have a licensed massage 5 days a week. Even so,there are people with extreme stress, circulation troubles, and recurring aches who really would get a therapeutic benefit from regular massage. Now, engineering provides a technological answer in the form of robotic massage chairs.

Many manufacturers claim to sell massage chairs. Two of them should be avoidedfor purchase. The first of these are the cushions that slip over a chair you already own and give simple vibration or what they call “shiatsu” massage. The second are chairs that only vibrate. Both of these so called “massage chairs” have very little therapeuticvalue.

The massage chairs you should consider are like recliners on steroids. There are many different brands and models of these robotic chairs, and the important thing is to purchase the chair that’s correct for you. The most expensive chairs with stereo speakers built in are really too much. Focus on the massage features and not the bling.

You are also likely to be disappointed if you spend additional money buying a built in heating feature. You will be much happier by getting a specialized heating pad used for massage or chiropractic.

Good quality robotic chairs mimic the techniques of a qualified massage therapist. Kneading mimics the thumbs of a massage therapist moving in a circular motion to stimulate and stretch the muscles on either side of the spine. Knocking feels like having a therapist gently tapping on your back. It eliminates both stiffness and muscle fatigue. Rolling simulates the hands of a Swedish massage therapist rubbing their hands on either side of your spine. The chair you purchase should allow you to change the speed and/or pressure of these simulated movements.

Higher end chairs have a back scanning capability that moves the rollers up and down your back at the start of each massage to determine the particularstructure of your spine. This allows the chair to provide you a massage custom fit to your particular needs. This is a great feature, particularly for people with continual back troubles. Back scanning chairs often have an “over the shoulder” feature that works well for getting rid of tensions caused by looking at a computer monitor all day.

Despite claims to the contrary, robotic chairs do not provide a authentic Shiatsu massage. Even so, what is advertised as the Shiatsu capability in most robotic chairs does give excellent stimulation and energy flow to the spine. That is very therapeutic… just don’t expect the same experience as with a skilled Shiatsu therapist.

The ideal massage technology for the calves comes from sequentially inflating and deflating airbags that feel like the hands of a massage therapist moving toward your heart. The secret here is that the more airbags, the better the simulation. Check to see that airbags are on both sides of your leg. Some chairs cut costs by having airbags on the outside of the leg that just squeeze the leg against a cushioned board on the inside. They are a poor second place.

In better chairs, airbags are also used to massage the feet, thighs, and butt. Some chairs omit these air bags to save on cost, but they are crucial for anyone with circulation issues. You will be sorry if you omit air bags for the thighs and bottom. The feet air bags are fantastic, but should be thought of as optional.

Robotic chairs have built in massage cycles and you will learn that many chairs emphasize the number of built in massage sequences. Really, though, that isn’t so important. What is valuable is the ability to set up your own programs and save them in the chair’s controller. That means that you can create customized programs to focus on your distinct problems. Chairs with 10 storable programs are first class. That is usually enough for the whole family.

High quality robotic chairs usually weigh 250-300 pounds, so you may want to get a chair on rollers. This is a great convenience when it comes time to vacuum.

A final important consideration is that health insurance may reimburse you for the cost of the chair if you have a genuine medical problem and your doctor will write a prescription for the chair.

Speaking of cost, expect a retail price of $3,000 to $6,000 for a good robotic chair. Online prices can be as low as $1,300 to $$2,000. Getting the right chair will provide you and your family with years of wonderful massages.

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