This model has an S-shaped backrest that’s ergonomically designed for optimal comfort. Apart from that, the double layer front cushion includes a neck pillow that further relaxes your body. Step into this massage chair every day to enhance your physical and mental wellbeing with a relaxing, therapeutic session. For the best results, be sure to choose an intensity or speed that’s compatible with your age and physical condition.

Ease of storage:

Though its weight of 200 pounds is relatively light compared with other massage chairs, it would still be difficult to move if it didn’t come with wheels. Fortunately, the Electric Full Body Shiatsu Massage Chair Recliner does have wheels on the back, so you can move it around and store it with ease.

Pros

• Three true zero gravity positions that you can set according to your preferences at the touch of a button.
• Built-in heat therapy for pain relief across your entire back.
• Four auto and 3 manual program settings to choose from.
• The soundless back rolling massage adds to the soothing effect of this massage therapy.
• The ergonomically designed S-type backrest offers complete comfort for individual needs.
• Airbags distributed around the chair provide soothing full head-to-toe massage therapy.
• Smart therapies focus on individual parts of the body.
• Uninterrupted 30-minute massage sessions that you can shorten according to your needs.
• User-friendly, easy-to-reach LCD-lit Remote Control makes everything super easy.

Cons

• As a full-coverage massage chair designed to soothe the entire body, it does have a large footprint. So, make sure you have plenty of room for it. But remember, thanks to the wheels, it’s not too difficult to move out of the way if necessary.
• Apart from that, you’ll need a good wide door space to get the package inside the house.

   

Who is this massage chair for?

For anyone suffering from an aching back with tensed-up muscles around it, this chair, with its built-in heat therapy specifically designed for aching backs, would be a perfect choice. Therapeutic airbags are strategically placed to massage different areas including shoulders, feet, calves, arms, and seat, which can be combined to give you a relaxing full-body massage session.

People who work all day long on their feet benefit tremendously from a massage that works on all those tired bodily areas. However, after a full day’s work, it’s your feet that usually come home the tiredest, which is why the massage chair places 6 simulating kneading balls around the soles of your feet to give you a deeper, stronger foot massage. What’s more, a soothing shoulder and arm massager makes this chair even more effective on our tired bodies.

The chair’s soundproofed rolling system makes it suitable for both the work and the domestic environment.

Who else will be using your Massage Chair?

When you’re thinking of buying a product like this, it’s vital to consider who’ll be using it. Knowing this and several other facts should enable you to make the right choice. It’s wise for all potential chair users to try it out before anyone goes ahead and buys it. The main reason being that if you can’t sit comfortably in the chair, you’re unlikely to get a really relaxing massage. Massage chairs are usually designed to accommodate a person up to 5’10” in height, give or take an inch or two.

It’s all about the rollers, padding, airbags, and controls being in the right position for a completely relaxing experience. So if you don’t try the chair before buying it, and it turns out to be unsuitable for someone of your build, the massage won’t be as effective as it would be in the right-sized chair. Apart from height, certain health-related problems such as chronic lower back pain can also have a detrimental effect on the quality of the massage. So the message is, try before you buy. And that means not just you but you and anyone else who’ll be sharing the chair.

Where are you going to put your Massage Chair?

Another important factor to consider before buying a chair is whether you have enough room for it.  These chairs are usually huge. They would occupy a considerable amount of space in your average bedroom, living room, or office. A reclining position would need even more space, and it’s also advisable to place the chair close to the wall.

Some massage chairs have wheels, so you’d be able to move them to another room or a storage area when not in use. This would be handy if you were having friends to stay over the weekend, for example.

If  you are really short on space, it’s probably not a great idea to get a chair. Instead, you’d be better off with a massage cushion or getting relaxing massage therapy at your local spa.

Massage Chair vs. Manual Massage, which is best?

Massage chair or traditional manual massage therapy? Both have their pros and cons. The chairs are electronically trained and designed with features that users can customize to provide a relaxing massage. Human touch therapy, on the other hand, involves a trained, licensed massage therapist who renders services and works on the client’s body to administer massage therapy that relaxes and brings relief.

Massage machine benefits include the following:

• Availability: A chair is accessible and available whenever you need a massage. However, at odd times of the day, such as early in the morning or late at night, you may not be able to get hold of a massage therapist.
• Convenience: For a chair massage, there’s no need to get dressed up or travel anywhere as you would for a human massage therapy appointment. At home, in your massage chair, you’re free to enjoy massage therapy of unlimited duration at your leisure.
• Personal Comfort: Some people may be shy of visiting a massage therapist for reasons of privacy. You may not be comfortable with undressing or may have concerns about some feature of your body like a birthmark or a scar or other privacy issues. If you have concerns like these, a massage chair is a  viable option.
• Complete Control: With a chair, you have complete control over the actions it carries out. You can customize your massage according to your preferences and needs.
• Additional Features: Using a chair gives you certain additional features such as a heat press machine, several reclining options and other extras that make it a smart choice for a relaxing experience.
• Cost: Overall cost for daily massage therapy with a massage therapist would be much higher than the one-time cost of a massage chair designed to administer a relaxing therapeutic massage
  
  

Massage chair drawbacks compared to human massage therapy:

A massage chair limits you to the massages on its menu. A therapist, on the other hand, can adapt their therapy to a specific problem area the moment you mention it. You can also ask your therapist to avoid certain areas if necessary. Human massage therapists can concentrate on problems like knots that they come across during a massage, something that most massage chairs have not yet smart enough to do.

Features to Look for in a Massage Chair

Different models and brands offer a variety of features added to give added value to their clients. However, when considering which equipment will serve you best, there are certain things a good massage chair should not be without. Having these additional features will not only enhance your experience with the chair but also have a noticeable effect on your physical and psychological wellbeing.

Quality of Construction: To find out about the quality of a massage chair, check out the manufacturer’s reputation, make sure they have a solid history (the longer the better) of producing and delivering quality products as promised. Read online reviews. Avoid massage chairs whose manufacturers attract a lot of negative remarks. Look out for good massage chair reviews that speak of high-quality construction, sturdy components, durability and helpful after-sales support.

Full-Body Massage Coverage: Some massage chairs target only certain parts of the body. However, in most cases, it’s best to go for a massage chair that offers full-body coverage. You can then use it for specific types of massages when required.

Massage Type and Techniques: Massage therapies come in different types and use different techniques. Certain models of massage chair may offer particular  therapies and others might provide a combination of styles. Massage therapy that draws on various techniques makes for a much more satisfying and beneficial massage session.

Preset Programs: Most chairs include a variety of preset programs that can be adjusted according to your preferences. Using combinations of these preset programs, you can easily customize a therapy at the level of intensity that suits you best.

Acupoint Detection and Acupressure Technique: The chair measures the length of the user’s back and uses the information to determine the location of target acupoints around the body, to which it then applies a relaxing, targeted body massage.

Body Scan Technology: Massage chairs use a peripheral system that scans your body to assess your posture, monitor your heartbeat and locate tense and stiff areas of your anatomy. This technology allows users to benefit from a custom massage based on information the machine has gleaned from your reclining physique.

Zero-Gravity Technology: A zero-gravity chair has the added advantage of being able to suspend your body in a neutralized position, making it virtually weightless. Placing your legs above the level of your heart unburdens your back of your body weight and relaxes your muscles.

Airbag Compression: The chair’s airbag massage system simulates the technique of deep tissue massage therapy. It does so by inflating and deflating airbags with varying degrees of intensity. The airbags press and release your muscles and the underlying tissues and manipulate them to gently relax your body.

Vibration: Many of the high-quality chairs include vibration and a shaking motion which cause your muscles to relax.

Heat Therapy: Most expensive machines offer heat therapy applied to the entire back to impart great relief and relaxation.

Rollers: Some expensive high-end mechanical massagers have embedded rollers that administer a massage with a touch that’s barely distinguishable from that of a human massager. The rollers are designed to move up and down, and from side to side. Some chairs even have rollers that make a circular motion and move from left to right.

Reclining: When looking for a chair, you will come across some that have a reclining function for deeper, more relaxing massage therapy. These chairs often  comprise a motorized reclining system that completely reclines the chair to create a comfortable resting position for a deep and soothing massage. Some chairs have a press button system, while others have a handle that physically pushes the backrest into the reclining pose.

Warranty: Whichever massage chair you choose, be sure to scrutinize the warranty with care before you part with your cash. Some top-flight massage chair brands would normally offer a warranty of at least 3 years with parts, repair, and service support. Anything less would mean the manufacturers themselves do not have 100 percent confidence in the quality of their product. Buying a high-quality massage chair is an expensive one-time investment that you should not rush into. Sitting down (in the chair if possible) and carefully considering the pros and cons of your potential purchase based on the information that you’ve read on this page  will help you make the right decision.

Taking Care of your Massage Chair

Whether it’s your car or any of your many electronic gadgets, maintenance plays a crucial role. So, if you want to keep your massage chair in good shape, it’s important to take good care of it. In fact, your chair won’t require that much maintenance. Following the following tips should keep your  massage chair looking good and working well for years to come:

• Keep it clean.
• Wipe the chair down with the manufacturer’s recommended cleaner (this will vary depending on manufacturer and model).
• Never leave any spills or stains till later. Always deal with them immediately to avoid permanently staining or damaging the chair fabric.
• Dust your chair every day to prevent dirt and debris from accumulating in nooks and crannies.
• Always disconnect your chair from the power supply before performing any cleaning or maintenance.
• The footrest on most models is easy to vacuum.
• Before restarting the equipment after cleaning, make sure that it is air-dried.
• Do not, at any time or for any reason, attempt to clean, lubricate, disassemble or otherwise interfere with the internal workings of the chair.
• If anything goes wrong, and you need maintenance or replacement parts, contact a professional repair technician to handle the job.
• Use of a surge protector is highly recommended to prevent power outages from damaging your equipment. This only costs a few dollars and is well worth the peace of mind.
• Keep the chair’s controls out of the reach of children.

• Does using a massage chair have the same beneficial effects as professional traditional massage therapy at your local spa?
• I am suffering from chronic pains, will using a massage chair help?
• Apart from relieving pain, what other health benefits can be gained by using  a massage chair?
• Can I use a massage chair to treat just one specific area or part of the body?
• Does using a massage chair cause fatigue?
• What is the ideal duration of a massage chair session?
• In what conditions might the use of a massage chair be unsuitable?
• Is it safe for pregnant women to use a massage chair?
• Is massage safe for people suffering from cardiovascular/heart diseases?
• Is it safe to use a massage chair when you have kids and pets in the house?