Do Massage Chairs Really Work?

When massage chairs were first developed, they were thought to be primarily designed to aid in rest and relaxation. While they certainly meet that goal, they are capable of much more. A professional full-body massage chair can also play an important role in a variety of conditions, as well as improving blood circulation, mental health, and physical well-being.

With that being said, are massage chairs worth the investment in a modern-day household?

Keep reading to find out the key benefits of massage chairs so you can make a decision.

Benefits of Using Modern Massage Chairs

Here are some of the main benefits of using a massage chair.

1. Improves Brain Function

Brainpower does not only refer to brain processing it also refers to how your brain reacts to things outside of academics. Low serotonin levels can lead to negative emotions. Massages, help to increase cortisol, dopamine, and serotonin, play an important role in reducing anxiety and even insomnia.

2. Good for Post Workout Muscle Recovery

A pleasant and soothing massage is the best way to relax the muscles after a workout. The compression and vibration of the massage chair pad help to loosen stiff muscles by increasing the circulation. The massage rollers’ S-track and L-track motions are specifically designed to massage your shoulders, back, and hips.

3. Reduces Stress & Anxiety-Related Health Problems

The muscular compressions provided by a massage chair is like a good workout, result in increased endorphins. These feel-good hormones are a natural way to mitigate the effects of daily stress on the brain and body. Many massage chairs also provide the option of heating specific areas of the body, which enhances relaxation even further. Researchers have found that massage reduces stress both physically and psychologically by lowering blood pressure. Even serotonin and dopamine are also released, which helps the body deal with chronic and short-term stress.

4. Decreases Stiff Neck Problems

Most massage chairs provide a thorough massage of the neck and shoulders. This is quite effective in relieving the discomfort of a stiff neck, as well as in reducing headaches that can sometimes accompany it. Massaging the entire area also has the effect of reducing stress and stimulating dopamine and serotonin. This also raises the absolute threshold and aids in the healing of affected areas.

5. Helps to Get Better Sleep

Massage chairs can help induce a deeper and more restful sleep. They help to increase dental waves and reduce fatigue after a long day. As a result, using massage chairs will have better sleep quality with fewer interruptions. This allows you to wake up feeling well-rested and ready to tackle your daily tasks.

6. Treats Lower Back Pain

Many home massage chairs allow you to target specific areas of the body. American Chiropractic Association says, lower back pain is the leading leads to disability throughout the world. It affects about one out of every ten people, and for many people and may even become a chronic condition. A massage chair can be used for lumbar massage to improve circulation and mobility in the lower back. This can go a long way toward alleviating low back pain caused by muscular overuse and instability.

7. Improves Blood Circulation

Massage chairs do not provide the precise touch of a massage therapist, but they should not be dismissed. A massage chair’s rollers are intended to stroke, knead, or gently knock on key pressure points on the body. These actions can help increase blood circulation, which is extremely beneficial when recovering from an injury or dealing with pain. Massage increases the flow of both blood and lymph fluid. Massage improves vascular function nearly as much as exercise does. Circulation nourishes the entire body, including the brain, because blood carries oxygen and vital nutrients.

8. Good for Posture Improvement

Individuals who work at a desk are at a high risk of developing poor posture. Bad posture causes shoulder aches, a bent spine, neck pain, and lower backaches, all of which can lead to serious complications in the future. Since the muscles in your back are the foundations for your posture and overall health, the massage chair has been designed specifically to impact these parts of your body directly. This allows your back muscles to relax and expand, increasing blood circulation and improving your posture.

9. Reduce Pressure & Strengthen The Spine

The zero gravity feature massage chairs can provide a special health benefit. Blood flow is increased by massaging muscle areas, and lactic acid is naturally excreted in the body without the use of a therapist or a professional masseuse. Zero gravity massage chairs improve mobility and soften spastic muscles, as well as spinal alignment and blood flow to all areas of the body. One of the many advantages of massage chairs is that they can help to improve the overall structure of the skeletal system. Scoliosis, neck, and shoulder pain can be alleviated by using a massage chair on a regular basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do doctors recommend massage chairs?

When it comes to relieving pain or anxiety, doctors will typically rely on more traditional treatment methods. However, they do recommend massage chairs as it comes with a range of health benefits such as increased flexibility, improved range of motion, reduced stress level, and more.

2. Do massage chairs consume a lot of electricity?

Electricity consumption of massage chairs varies depending on the chair, the power source, and the type of massage. The massage chair’s electricity consumption is typically estimated to be 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) per hour.

3. Can you use massage chairs every day?

A massage chair can be used based on a person’s physiological condition. However, if you’re using it to relieve stress, you should only use it twice each day for 15 to 20 minutes.

4. Do massage chairs help you lose weight?

A massage chair increases blood circulation, which can aid in the improvement of one’s metabolism. However, a massage chair cannot hep you lose body fat or cellulite. In some cases, the body tends to gain weight as a result of being overly stressed. When a person receives a massage and the lymphatic system is depleted and the body quickly returns to normal condition. Massage chairs combined with a good diet and exercise can speed up metabolism and lead to weight loss.

5. How long should you sit in your massage chair?

You should keep your massage chair sessions short, especially if you’re getting a deep-tissue massage or targeting a specific part of the body. If you’re working on multiple body parts at once, you can limit your session to 30 minutes at most.

6. How much does a massage chair cost?

You can expect to pay at least $2,000 for a quality massage chair with lots of features. There are also massage chairs for under $1,000.

7. Are vibrating massage chairs good for you?

Yes, vibrating massage chairs are well good and simple to use. They have motors that generate vibrating motion, which is then transmitted to various parts of your body, such as your back, legs, shoulders, neck, and so on. This continuous motion is how they relieve the tension and stress that has accumulated in your muscles. Many massage chairs can stretch and knead problem areas where your muscles are overly tight, and relaxing them will help relax your skeletal structure. Getting rid of this stress will aid in the alignment of your spinal cord, which is a common cause of back pain.

8. How often should a massage chair be used?

You can even use the timers built into the massage chair to keep track of time and avoid overusing it. The duration and frequency of use will depend on your body and health. For example, if you have neck, shoulder, or lower back pain, you can use your full body massage chair 3 or 4 times per week, no more. To get the most out of each session, keep it under 15 minutes. If you use your massage chair for stress relief and relaxation, it is recommended that you use it one to three times per week.

9. How can you tell if you’re overusing your massage chair?

Yes, if you sit in a massage chair for more than 30 minutes, you can overuse it. Despite how tempting it may seem, they are not intended for a long-term relaxation. Overuse of a massage chair may not be obvious at first, but it is harmful to your internal organs. It can harm your muscles and joints and make your body parts more vulnerable to damage. You may even lose your necessary immunity power as a result of excessive use of a massage chair. Using a massage chair carefully is also part of avoiding any dangers. In this case, you must be aware of the risks.

10. Do massage chairs have medical benefits?

The best massage chairs help with significant improvements in blood circulation, immune response, muscle recovery, and hypertension management.

11. What type of upholstery is used in a massage chair?

There are a variety of upholstry materials used in a massage chair. We have written a detailed article about the best upholstry type for recliners, do take a look to learn more.

Conclusion

Advantages of investing in the best massage chairs include extreme relaxation and mental clarity, making the massage chair the best investment you can make for both your professional and personal well-being. A good massage chair will be a welcome addition to your home’s amenities. Hope the information in this article will help you find the perfect brand and model for you!