Massage Chairs: An Overview
With Western skepticism dwindling, the acceptance of this Eastern technique is catching on. More people than ever before are getting massages. More people than ever before are going to school to become massage therapists. And more people than ever before want ready access to massages by having devices that do so, right at home!
Massage chairs hit the market in the 1980s, but today, the craze is hotter than ever. Many manufacturers around the world are in fierce competition to gain a piece of this relatively new market. What this means for the massage chair consumer is big selection. There are massage chair stands and county fairs and city expos. Department stores sell them. And now, the Internet has become a marketplace for many massage chair manufacturers and dealers. This allows web savvy shoppers the chance to research the best possible chair for their budget, as well as to research just why a massage chair belongs in their home. This article will provide information on what to look for when choosing your massage chair.
First of all, massage chairs are designed to alleviate pain, relieve stress and tension, and just promote a sense of well-being. The two massage techniques that most massage chairs will mimic are shiatsu and Swedish. They are also perhaps the easiest methods to duplicate with mechanical "fingers."
While there are many styles and models of massage chairs available, the components to them are basically the same. They will all contain a motor, rollers/nodes for the massage movements, and a computer, which allows the consumer to choose various settings on the chair. But, while all chairs are built with these three parts, the size, shape, design, strength, and function will obviously differ. With that said, there are some particular things to consider when purchasing a massage chair.
First, you want to make sure the chair itself is comfortable. Purchasing online presents a challenge in regard to this aspect, so in some cases you may not be able to tell and will have to rely on third party reviews and referrals. However, most online dealers offer some type of guarantee and return/exchange policy (but be sure read the fine print carefully -- many retailers charge a restocking fee for returned items).
Next, you want to make sure the chair will have the strength you want. If you are looking for a more vigorous, all-over massage, you will want to look for a chair that offers highly protruded movements and strong movements. For more isolated areas to be worked on, you may want to choose a machine that offers smaller rollers and nodes. You can also look for something that offers softer movements. Think about your own pain or discomfort and use that as a guide.
Also, going along with the strength, you may also want to see what presets the chair comes with. Chairs can be very specific by what area they target, while others can be very versatile with lots of available adjustments. Keep this in mind when you are looking for a chair.
Then, you may want to see what add-ons or accessories are available with models you are considering. Do they have massagers available in the leg rest? Are there attachments for the arms or neck area?
And, keep your decor in mind! Chairs can come in all sorts of colors, shapes, and sizes. There are leather, synthetic leather, fabric, microfiber, and plastic chairs available. Choose which one you think will be the best functional chair of course, but it is always good to keep in mind how this new furniture will fit in with the rest of you home.