Therapeutic Features of Massage Chairs

Massage chairs have a wide variety of features in order to give you the most rejuvenating experience possible. But some massage chair features stand out because they are not only relaxing but also therapeutic. The word therapeutic is used in several ways in a number of different fields. Here, when we refer to therapeutic features of massage chairs, we allude to features that target specific issues that you may be experiencing and soothe them.

3D-4D Rollers

What It Targets

Older massage chair rollers only moved in two possible directions: up and down or side-to-side. These were called 2D rollers because they traveled in two dimensions. As time went on, another dimension was added: forward and backward. These 3D and 4D rollers allowed for a deeper massage.

3D-4D massages are similar to deep tissue massages, which are somewhat more focused than Swedish massages. These massages tend to target deeper-set sources of pain and tension such as knots or injuries in tendons and the inner layers of muscle.

How It Offers Relief

3D and 4D massages go deeper and apply more pressure which helps to break down the knots and adhesions which exist deeper in the muscle. This helps relieve chronic back pain by getting to its source. It also helps to break up scar tissues in order to offer relief for sore muscles from injuries and surgeries.

Foot Massage

What It Targets

Although most massage chair technology usually focuses on the back and legs, many massage chairs now massage the feet as well. Foot massagers target the arches and heels of the feet, as well as the ankles. Some also hold to the theory of reflexology which suggests that massaging certain parts of the feet offers relief to different organs of the body, and these organs may be targeted specifically during a foot massage.

How It Offers Relief

Like roller massage, foot massage targets areas of stiffness in the muscles in order to relieve pain. The firm strokes along the feet also help improve circulation and remove the fluid from the feet in order to reduce swelling. This is especially good for people working jobs that constantly keep them on their feet, or for expecting mothers. The massage also relaxes the muscles, causing them to be more flexible and preventing future injuries.

Heat

What It Targets

Heated massage chairs work under a similar principle to hot stone massages, utilizing heat in key areas in order to promote greater relaxation. Heated massage chairs tend to focus their attention on the lower back, as well as the hamstrings by heating the cushions in this area.

How It Offers Relief

The main way that heat offers relief is through muscle relaxation and the promotion of blood circulation. Heat tends to help loosen tightened or spasming muscles, which is an issue that is particularly common in the legs and lower back muscles. Heat also causes blood vessels to dilate, thus increasing blood flow. This leads to greater flexibility, preventing future injuries. Improved circulation also promotes removing lactic acid from the muscles more quickly, potentially helping the body bounce back after a delayed onset of soreness more quickly.

Zero-Gravity

What It Targets

As we’ve discussed in a previous blog, Zero-gravity massage chairs work by reclining someone backward until their legs are level with their heart. This position relieves muscle stiffness across the entire body, but it especially targets the spine and, in some ways, the heart.

How It Offers Relief

Zero-gravity chairs offer relief for back pain by decompressing the spine and releasing tension between the vertebrae. This benefit truly makes the zero-gravity chair unique in the world of massage chairs, since it’s a benefit you would be more likely to find in a chiropractor’s office rather than at a massage parlor. Spinal decompression helps relieve chronic back pain and improves posture. Zero-gravity chairs also help improve circulation throughout the body and increase oxidation of the blood, all of which take strain off the heart.

Air-Bag Compression

What It Targets

Some massage chairs come equipped with airbags which inflate and deflate, gripping large muscles. This mirrors compression massage techniques used by human masseuses. Chairs with airbags tend to focus their compression technology on the upper and lower legs.

How It Offers Relief

Compression massages help the muscle fibers stretch and soften, creating a deeper relaxation and improving blood flow. This also reduces inflammation in the muscles, which helps reduce pain after strenuous physical activity or injuries. Along with muscle relaxation, compression also helps improve lymph flow. This relates to your body’s lymphatic system which helps maintain fluid levels in the body and remove metabolic waste as well as illness from the body. Increasing lymph flow can help you recover from injuries more quickly and boost your immune system.

Body-Stretch Chairs

What It Targets

Body-stretch chairs adapt the air-bag compression technology to target a completely different part of the body. These chairs first compress the legs, then recline while massaging the lower back in order to stretch these muscles.

How It Offers Relief

This kind of massage specifically benefits stiff muscles in both your back and neck, improving blood flow and promoting flexibility and mobility. This makes the chair a good choice for people who live either sedentary and active lifestyles. Because of how the chair reclines, it also tends to have similar spinal decompression benefits to zero-gravity massage chairs.

Beyond this, the therapeutic features of these massage chairs do not only relieve physical tension. In general, stretching releases endorphins in the brain in the same way exercise does. Endorphins not only help mitigate pain but also trigger positive feelings, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.

Massage chairs are known to help reduce stress, mitigate chronic pain, improve blood flow, and promote relaxation, but sometimes it’s helpful to stop and put into words just how these features help treat these specific ailments in the human body. This way, you will be able to know exactly what benefits individual chairs can have for your overall wellness as you browse our collection of full-body massage chairs.