Are massage chairs medically useful?

 

 

Massage chairs were once more common in shopping malls, where shopping companions waiting for their spouses could pass the time. A nice gimmick, quite funny, but from a medical point of view probably not of much added value.

However, in the past ten years there has been a strong trend around massage chairs and increasingly sophisticated technology through research and development, which begs the legitimate question: Are massage chairs medically useful?

As long-standing experts in both the massage chair market and massages themselves, we would like to provide an overview of when a massage chair supports you positively and when a massage is less medically useful.

The fact that, from a medical perspective, massages not only bring about recovery in many cases, but also prevent symptoms, is already quite obvious due to the existence of medically prescribed massages. But can the treatment of a massage chair be equated with a massage by hand, and if so, in which cases should it be used?

There have been rapid developments here, especially in the last decade. A professional massage chair is able to reproduce common massage techniques and therefore imitates medically prescribed massages better and better. These techniques include:

● Pressure massages
● Kneading massages
● Tapping massages
● Rolling massages

Many models have long since mastered a combination of these techniques.

Reading tip: From head to toe: This is how massages help

Another aspect that significantly improves the quality of today's massage chairs compared to times past is the function of specifically adapting to your body. A body scan function offers a tailor-made treatment for your body, as the models can better adapt the treatment to your body size and stature.

The “one size fits all” mentality must give way to advancing professionalism in the massage chair industry. This paves the way to individual treatment and is much more sensible from a medical perspective.

When does a massage chair make sense?

 

 

Of course, this question can only be answered with “it depends.” For a suitable answer, it is important to know: Are there existing complaints? Are massages the appropriate treatment for this? – Should the massage serve for mental and physical relaxation or rather for pain relief? Of course, you should definitely seek medical advice here.

Once you have confirmed through medical advice that massage is the right treatment option, then it's time to determine which case applies to your personal situation. We have divided the models we carry into the following categories:

● Health and rehabilitation
● For those who are physically active
● For business and home office
● Retirement
● Premium & luxury segment


For good reason, massage chairs enjoyed extreme popularity during the corona pandemic. On the one hand, home office and closed sports facilities were a feature, especially in the first few months. As a result, physical complaints increased.

On the other hand, service providers in the massage sector were only accessible to a limited extent due to lockdowns. The combination resulted in increased demand for massage chairs that were supposed to provide relief. And in fact, it is these increasingly common complaints from everyday life in which a massage chair can be medically useful.

Reading tip: The after-effects of Corona can also include muscle pain. In In this blog post we explain what can be used to alleviate it can contribute.

Health Risks: Are Massage Chairs Healthy?

The majority of complaints in everyday life are caused by a lack of exercise and incorrect working posture, which lead to tension and muscular stiffness. The back area is particularly affected.

Regular massages can keep the muscles relaxed as a preventive measure, but can also relieve existing tension and thus have a pain-relieving effect. However, the cause must be eliminated by each individual. A clarifying medical consultation is always recommended if you have any complaints, not least to avoid having an undesirable effect with massages.

Health risks with massage chairs always depend on what complaints you have and whether massages are the right way to relieve them.

Can spinal massage be unhealthy?

Such an undesirable effect can occur, for example, in injuries directly to the muscle or to the bone, especially the spine.

If individual vertebrae are injured, a massage in the spine area is not beneficial to your health. It is also important to proceed carefully in the cervical spine area.

Complaints due to tension and muscular stiffness can certainly be alleviated with a massage chair. However, if you have injuries in this area, you should always have a doctor clarify whether a massage would be effective. When evaluating the usefulness of massages, the context, your individual situation and your goal are always important.

Reading tip: Should it be after one Massage causes muscle pain, you can find out here what reasons this can have and how they can be avoided.

Additional functions ensure greater well-being

 

 

However, the physical aspect of a massage treatment is not the only thing that a massage chair brings into the equation. Well-known manufacturers often work with doctors to develop functions beyond the massage itself that have an extremely positive effect on well-being. These include, for example:

● Audio stimulation
● Infrared heaters
● Zero gravity function

Some models use special sounds that are intended to further promote relaxation. Soothing heat radiation in the infrared range can also be proven to have a pain-relieving effect and also promote blood circulation.

The Zero Gravity function helps keep your body almost horizontal during the massage to ensure the best possible blood circulation. Paired with a soothing massage, these models put you in a relaxed state.

Ultimately, less stress, less tension and better well-being can only be in the interests of your health. Regular applications of around 2-3 treatments per week are very easy and effortless for you.

It is also important to familiarize yourself with the different programs and intensities so that the massage can develop its effect appropriately to your particular situation. 20 to 30 minute programs are ideal for getting started, although the intensity should be increased slowly until it suits you.

The massage chair has a holistic effect

We can summarize that massages are basically always useful when complaints arise due to muscle hardness or tension. A massage chair can certainly support you in this area, but it can do much more.

Although the medical effect of stress reduction and recovery is more difficult to measure, there is no doubt that the positive feeling after a soothing massage also contributes to our health.

A massage chair relies precisely on this holistic effect, the regular relaxation and stress reduction as well as the loosening and release of tension. Whether a massage chair is medically useful – yes, it certainly can be in many cases.