Posted by: massagechairs on: October 1, 2010
Massage Chairs Blog
Category: Articles
Massage Chairs Blog
An air massage system is among the most popular capabilities of lots of today’s most popular massage chairs and recliners. A lot of air massage systems include 2-4 automated massage preset programs. Each program is specifically designed by the manufacturer to provide comfort and relaxation to different areas of the body. The majority of air massage systems are made up of around 6-8 airbags. With many chairs, you will normally find 2-4 airbags in the seat of the chair and then 2 in the back and 2 in the neck region of the chair. With many chairs and recliners, you can even fine-tune the amount of air pressure to a few distinct intensities, to ensure that your massage is fully adapted to your comfort and needs.
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The leg rests and chair backs of today’s massage chairs are certainly amongst their finest attributes. Both are typically quite simple to use and provide instant relaxation and comfort. With many models, all you need to do is to press a button on the remote control in order to recline the chair. The leg rest and back portions of the chair work with each other to enable you to fully stretch your entire body. The leg rest will generally rise after you recline the actual back of the chair, or it may raise simultaneously. Likewise, when you raise the back of the massage chair, the leg rest will then be lowered. The near zero-gravity position attainable by reclining the chair back and raising up your leg rest is ideal for proper distribution of your body’s weight which helps to alleviate the stress on your spine while providing maximum comfort.
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A unique system which often provides the most beneficial results for folks when it comes to chair massages is the kneading, squeezing attribute. It basically mimics an actual massage therapist’s movements when it squeezes and kneads the muscle tissues of your back using firm yet tender movements. It can help reestablish muscle elasticity as well as improving the circulation of blood in the actual locations being massaged. Perhaps more importantly, the kneading, squeezing movements help provide thorough relaxation and comfort. A wide variety of preset programs help provide you with outstanding support for the relief of body pains and aches while assisting you to achieve the maximum comfort and relaxation available in a massage chair.
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One of the more sophisticated functions available with a few massage chairs and recliners is the lower body traction function. This function was developed so that it actually enables the chair to be able to stretch out and extend the lower section of the body. This helps improve the strength and elasticity of the muscle groups in the lower body. Once the lower body traction function is turned on, it will carefully hold the calves and feet in the proper location. Next the footrest will lower in order to stretch out the lower body. The footrest will then usually rise up again and then lower again during one cycle of the stretching program. This kind of stretching helps provide people with an excellent, soothing sensation in their lower body joints and muscles. A massage chair which features lower body traction is also a fantastic complement to regular stretching training or exercises.
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When used properly, a home massage chair has no negative effects. Unfortunately, some people do experience slight side effects through overuse or improper use of their massage chair.
Potential Negative Effects
· Pain – the pressure used to relieve tension and pain with Shiatsu and deep tissue massage settings may cause some slight residual pain. Nerves or muscles may be slightly irritated through improper use of the Shiatsu or deep tissue massage settings on your home massage chair. Any pain experienced is generally mild and only lasts for a few hours after massage or, in rare cases, a few days, and abates on its own.
· Circulation – if you have circulatory issues, you may want to consult your doctor before beginning a home massage chair or other massage treatment. Especially if you have previously experienced blood clotting or deep vein thrombosis, which may be aggravated by massage.
· Allergies – if you are allergic to leather or other materials, you may experience a slight allergic reaction to your massage chair. If you know you have a pre-existing allergy to the material of your chair, be sure to wear clothing that covers any skin that would otherwise come into contact with the chair. Proper clothing should prevent any allergic reactions.
· Infection – the massage therapy provided by your home massage chair or other forms of massage helps to release enzymes and toxins that have accumulated in your muscles, so it is recommended to drink plenty of water during the day following massage. Water will help flush toxins from the body quicker. If your immune system is impaired for any reason, consult your doctor before starting any massage treatment to avoid infection and other possible complications caused by the release of toxins during massage.
· Skin Fragility or Bruising –if you bruise easily, be sure to use a low or softer pressure option as hard pressure massage can cause bruising.
· Low Blood Sugar – as massage can lower the body’s blood sugar levels, if you are diabetic, consult your doctor before using a massage chair or starting any massage treatment program.
· Fatigue – a study by the National University of Health Sciences (Illinois) found that approximately 1% of their test group experienced fatigue for 24 hours or less
· Headache – the same study found that about 1% of test subjects likewise had a headache within 12 hours after their massage treatment, but those experiencing headaches stated that their headaches went away within 24 hours or less as well
The National University of Health Sciences also found that test subjects experienced positive side effects after their massage including:
· Improved circulatory function (over 3% of test subjects)
· Improved respiratory function (over 3% of test subjects)
· Improved digestion (5.5% of test subjects)
· And nearly 10% of test subjects reported an improvement in mood and well-being
· Overall: 23% of test subjects experienced one or more positive changes unrelated to their primary health complaint before massage
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The varieties of massage available in massage chairs today come from a diverse mix of cultures and styles. Eastern cultures view the human body as a network of energy channels or centers. An obstruction or unevenness in the meridians or chakras can cause a variety of health problems. While Eastern massage techniques focus on the energy systems of the body, Western massage concentrates on the overall physical body.
The Eastern View
Western massage techniques available in a massage chair are based on the anatomy, pathology, and physiology of the body. The Western tradition views the body as a physical entity that can potentially break down and become physically diseased. By focusing on the specific parts of the human anatomy, Western massage styles endeavor to repair the entire body as a combination of its parts. If you venture into a Western Doctor’s office, you will likely find a lot of diagrams and charts depicting the various parts of the human body: organs, muscles, bones, and systems.
Western Massage Techniques available in most Massage Chairs
Developed by Henri Peter Ling at the University of Stockholm in the 1810s, this technique utilizes long, smooth strokes. The Swedish technique also employs deep rubbing action too.
The basic strokes of this style are: 1. Long strokes, 2. Deep kneading strokes, 3. Hard pressure, slow jabbing movements, and 4. Fast prodding movements. For people who suffer from painful or frequent muscle spasms, this style of massage can provide a significant amount of relief. By helping muscles relax, Swedish massage can help energize the entire body. This technique helps stretch connective tissue to release muscles constriction and spasm, which may have previously caused pain.
For chronic muscle spasms, knots (called “adhesions”), and pain that are not taken care of by Swedish massage, a similar technique called Deep Tissue Massage may be helpful. It uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage, but in a deeper, harder way.The Eastern Tradition
While Western techniques address the body and its specific parts, Eastern techniques address the energy flow of the body and try to restore a healthy balance to the body and mind.
In the Eastern Massage Traditions, the body’s meridians, (energy channels) are stimulated in order to achieve proper balance in the body and mind. That’s why in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the use of Acupuncture is often a part of treatment.Western Massage Styles Available in most Massage Chairs
It employs movements to help open up the body’s energy channels. Pressure is applied to the Chinese acupuncture points on the surface of the body in order to stimulate the flow of energy. The Chinese call the body’s energy “qi.” Shiatsu encourages the flow of energy by manipulating the arms and legs as well.
Acupressure techniques are closely related to Shiatsu. They are also concerned with opening up the body’s energy pathways and centers in order to promote balance throughout the body and mind. By supporting the functioning of the immune system, Acupressure helps the body heal itself.
For the advantages of both Eastern and Western techniques, try a home massage chair.
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Founded by Buddha’s physician, Shivago Komarpaj over 2500 years ago, Thai massage is a form of passive yoga. It is a blend of Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian techniques and is currently practiced throughout Southeast Asia, (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, etc) as well as abroad.
Thai massage is based on the idea that there are 72,000 pathways (called “sen” in Thai) throughout the body through which air (called “lohm” in Thai) moves. This is similar to the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) belief that the body has meridians through which chi (energy) moves. Much like acupressure or acupuncture, the “lohm” of the body is manipulated by a Thai massage therapist who applies pressure to specific points along the “sen” lines. It is commonly believed by Thai massage therapists that the “sen” of the body start at the navel and branch out through the body, ending at the orifices. Although similar to TCM, the Thai paradigm states that the “sen” are not connected to internal organs.
Thai massage also utilizes yoga-like stretching, which is believed to stimulate the “sen” of the body in order to help the “lohm” move through the body and exit. Often a Thai massage will start with the person lying on their back as the massage therapist starts at one foot and works their way up the entire leg, both applying pressure to key points along the “sen” and stretching and moving the foot and leg in order to promote the flow of “lohm.” The Thai massage therapist will then move on to the other foot and up the other leg in the same fashion. Next, one hand, arm and shoulder are stretched and pressure is applied to points along the “sen.” And then the therapist will move on to the other arm, hand and shoulder.
After the legs and arms have been massaged, the therapist will ask you to “non kwam” (or “turn over”) to lie on your stomach. The backs of your legs are then massaged and stretched again. Then the therapist moves up to the buttocks, back, shoulders, and neck. Depending on the therapist, they may or may not “walk” on the backs of your legs, buttocks, and back, or they may “walk” up your body on their knees, using the weight of their body to further stretch and stimulate pressure points along the body’s “sen.”
After they have finished with the back, you will again be asked to “non kwam,” (turn over), so that you are again on your back. If you have a therapist who is from Thailand, they will likely excuse themselves to wash their hands at this point. The head is believed to be the more sacred part of the body for Thai people and it would be considered rude to touch someone’s head after touching their feet and “lower” body. Some massage therapists even say, “Excuse me,” before touching a client’s head. The head, neck and face are then massaged. Before ending a Thai massage, many therapists have their clients sit up so that they can again apply pressure to specific points along the “sen” of the back and neck.
The ancient art of Thai massage is only one of many massage techniques. Modern massage chairs combine Eastern and Western massage styles and can provide the benefits of massage in the comfort of your own home.
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Sore muscles can develop for a variety of reasons in people of just about any age. This soreness is most often a result of overuse or even a strain which has depleted the muscles of the nutrients they need to work. Whether the overuse is from exercise or even from work, recovery can be improved through the use of massage.
Of course most people think of a spa when they hear massage and yes this is a relaxing experience. But massage can also have other uses besides relaxation making it an effective healing tool for all sorts of medical problems and even sore achy muscles.
Many who turn to massage to ease sore muscles are athletes who use a massage therapist who specialize in sports to promote the healing and increase flexibility. But anyone who has seen one of these professionals before knows just how expensive a session with one can be. On a regular basis this would add up quickly and for many this is not always convenient with their schedules to fit in appointments.
The perfect solution for this problem is a home massage chair. These chairs have come a long way since they were first introduced. They no longer look like medieval torture devices that need to be hidden in the back room. Chairs such as those from Panasonic like the Zero Gravity massage chair look like modern furniture but have easy to operate massage units inside that feel amazing. Many of these chairs are comfortable enough that lots of people choose to sit in them even when not using the massage unit just because they feel so good.
A massage chair in the home will increase the blood flow throughout the body in order to promote the healing to sore, tired muscles. This increased blood flow will help remove toxins in the muscles while bringing them new nutrients they need to work which will reduce that achy feeling within them. As an added benefit muscles will also become more flexible and many massage chair users feel they regain some of them range of motion they have lost in the natural aging process.
While a massage chair in the home may seem expensive once compared to the cost of seeing a professional the cost is quickly justified. To make these home recliners even more of a bargain everyone in the family can use it and at their own convenience, not when they can get an appointment. This makes regular use for the maximum benefit easier to achieve and the results more effective.
Whether looking for a solution to sore muscles from overwork or just wanting a way to relief stress in your life through therapeutic massage these chairs are a wonderful way to improve your overall health. With so many styles available delivering a wide range of massages to the whole body with sophisticated rollers these chairs are worth a look for just about everyone.
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