How useful is a massage chair? [Guide 2024]

The question of whether massage chairs are medically beneficial is becoming increasingly relevant as more and more people seek ways to improve their health and well-being. This article provides a comprehensive insight into the potential medical benefits of massage chairs and highlights how they can contribute to pain relief, stress reduction, and overall health promotion.

Summary of the article:

Massage chairs offer a variety of health benefits, making them a wise medical investment. They can help relieve pain, relax muscles, improve circulation, reduce stress, and promote sleep. With modern technology, they offer a practical alternative to traditional massages. While they are a safe and comfortable option for many, it's important to consider safety aspects and individual health conditions. Overall, massage chairs are an effective complement to preventative healthcare and offer a cost-effective, accessible method for promoting physical and mental well-being.

Video: Are massage chairs medically useful?

Recent studies suggesting that massage chairs may be medically beneficial

1. The study, published in the journal Heliyon 2023, examined the impact of a massage chair on neck and shoulder pain in office workers. The results showed that using the massage chair led to a significant reduction in pain. There was a measurable improvement in pressure pain thresholds, although only a slight increase in quality of life was observed. The study thus underscores the effectiveness of massage chairs in relieving neck and shoulder pain in office workers.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37767509/

2. The 2020 study "Clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of massage chair therapy versus basic physiotherapy in lower back pain patients" examines the medical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of massage chair therapy compared to conventional physiotherapy in patients with lower back pain. It shows that massage chairs can be an effective and more cost-effective alternative for relieving back pain, although physiotherapy is superior in some aspects. This suggests that massage chairs can be a useful adjunct to medical treatment for back pain.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32195952/

3. The 2021 study "The Effectiveness of Chair Massage on Stress and Pain in Oncology" examined the effectiveness of chair massage in reducing stress and pain in oncology care. It found that chair massage significantly contributes to reducing stress and pain. This has a positive impact on the daily activities of care teams and supports the management of work stress and pain in oncology care. The study highlights the medical benefits of massage as a supportive measure in stressful and pain-laden work environments.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34484493/

4. The 2019 study "Massage Chair Sessions: Favorable Effects on Ambulatory Cancer Center Nurses' Perceived Level of Stress, Blood Pressure, and Heart Rate" examined the effects of massage chair sessions on the stress levels, blood pressure, and heart rate of nurses in outpatient cancer centers. The results showed a significant reduction in perceived stress levels, as well as a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate among the nurses following the massage chair sessions. These findings underscore the positive role that massage chairs can play in stress reduction and health promotion in high-stress work environments such as oncology.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31322619/

5. The study "Clinical effects of using a massage chair on stress measures in adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial," published in 2022, examined the long-term effects of using a massage chair on stress factors in adults. The results showed a trend toward reduced serum cortisol levels and a significant reduction in DHEA-S levels. Furthermore, participants' perceived health and depression rates improved. This study suggests that massage chairs can be used effectively to manage stress.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35339652/

But are massage chairs generally useful?

Massages are now firmly established in the field of complementary and alternative medicine.

The benefits of massage include:

• Reducing stress levels while promoting relaxation
• Improve immune function
• Reduction of pain, stiffness and tension in the muscles
• Improve blood circulation
• Reduction of heart rate and blood pressure

The following benefits require further studies to confirm the claimed benefits.

However, several studies have indicated that massage can also be helpful for the following problems:

• Anxiety
• Indigestion
• Headache
• Insomnia caused by psychological stress
• Lower back pain
• Symptoms of nerve problems
• Upper back and neck pain

Important: Despite its positive effects, massage using a massage chair is not intended to replace standard medical treatment.

Possible pain relief and muscle relaxation

A key benefit of massage chairs is their impressive ability to relieve pain and relax muscles. Through targeted massage movements, they can relieve tension in critical areas such as the neck, back, and shoulders. This is especially beneficial for people suffering from chronic pain. The technology integrated into massage chairs allows specific pain points to be treated with variable intensity, providing individually tailored relief. With regular use, users can experience a significant reduction in discomfort and improved mobility.

Possible improvement in blood circulation

Massage chairs actively promote blood circulation through their special massage movements. Improved circulation is essential for the body's regeneration and healing. It transports oxygen and nutrients more efficiently to the muscles and organs, which contributes to faster recovery from muscle injuries and reduces fatigue. Furthermore, good circulation can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and contribute to overall health.

Possible stress reduction and mental well-being

In our fast-paced and often stressful world, the ability to effectively manage stress is crucial for mental well-being. Regular use of a massage chair can significantly contribute to stress reduction. The relaxing effects of massage stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good hormones," which lead to improved mood and reduced anxiety. This hormonal response can also contribute to long-term improvements in mental health.

Possible promotion of sleep

The relaxing effect of massage chairs also has positive effects on sleep quality. Many users report an improvement in their sleep patterns after regular massage sessions. Muscle relaxation and the reduction of stress and anxiety create ideal conditions for restful and restful sleep. This is especially important because good sleep plays a fundamental role in overall health and well-being. Massage chairs can therefore offer an effective, non-drug solution for sleep problems.

We admit: massage chairs were not really useful for a long time

Massage chairs have experienced a real boom in recent years.

Especially during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, when people couldn't go to a masseur, many people resorted to using a massage chair.

However, some people don't think much of massage chairs.

With good reason, because for a long time massage chairs could not even come close to a real massage.

Such old-school massage chairs usually only offered a one-size-fits-all program.

Modern massage chairs from brands such as NAIPO or ASPRIA, on the other hand, can scan bodies and are individually adjustable.

They even offer features that a normal massage cannot offer:

The zero-gravity function.

Zero Gravity translates as “weightlessness”.

In this position, the spine is placed in a position that it can only be placed in in space.

In this way, the spine is greatly relieved.

2. Medical effectiveness of massage: The medical community recognizes that massage plays an important role in the recovery and prevention of physical ailments. In this context, massage chairs have evolved significantly. Modern models are capable of mimicking traditional massage techniques such as pressure, kneading, tapping, and rolling. This technological innovation allows massage chairs to contribute to physical therapy and overall well-being by making professional massage techniques accessible in the home.

3. Personalization and technology: The latest generation of massage chairs features advanced features such as body scans, which enable personalized treatments tailored to the user. This personalization not only enhances the massage experience but also increases the medical effectiveness of the massage chairs. By adapting to specific body dimensions and shapes, the chair can specifically address individual needs and conditions.

4. Areas of application: Massage chairs are particularly suitable for people with specific health problems such as muscle tension or stiffness. However, the use of these chairs should always be tailored to the individual's situation and in accordance with medical advice. Through this individual adaptation, massage chairs can provide effective support in health management.

5. Additional features for well-being: Many massage chairs offer additional features beyond the standard massage to enhance well-being. These include audio stimulation, infrared heating, and the innovative zero-gravity function. These additional features help create a comprehensive relaxation experience by stimulating the senses, promoting deep relaxation, and improving circulation.

6. Holistic effect: Massage chairs offer a holistic effect, helping to relieve physical discomfort and reduce stress. They allow for regular treatments in the comfort of your own home, making them a practical solution for continuous relaxation and pain relief. This holistic approach not only supports physical health but also contributes to mental well-being.

7. Medical advice: Despite the many benefits of massage chairs, it is important to consider their use in conjunction with medical advice, especially if you have pre-existing health problems or injuries. Expert advice can ensure that the massage chair is used wisely as a complement to medical treatment and that specific health needs are adequately addressed.

Today everything is different: Why modern massage chairs are useful

Many technical things have undergone tremendous development in recent years.

Besides artificial intelligence, you can now do almost anything with your smartphone.

And the same development can be observed with massage chairs.

Massage chairs are now so sophisticated that they can scan the body, adjust to the individual, and offer functions that a real masseur cannot provide.

As mentioned above, several studies prove the positive effects of massages.

At what price range do massage chairs become useful?

Good massage chairs start at around 700€

Also, make sure you purchase an armchair from a brand with a lot of experience in the field.

We also recommend checking customer reviews and, ideally, testing the massage chair you want beforehand.

Exceptions prove the rule, but a bad purchase can cause more tension than relaxation.

This includes inconvenient returns and additional costs.

What are the differences between "real" masseurs and massage chairs?

Besides the obvious difference between a massage by a human and one by a machine, there are other aspects that differentiate the two:

• Travel time: Visiting a massage therapist requires travel time, which also requires the ability to travel (either your time or the therapist's if they come to you). To reach your massage chair, you may only need to walk into the room next door to where it is currently located.
• Interpersonal: Even if you try hard, it's unlikely that you'll be able to develop a deep personal relationship with your massage chair.
  If you tell a massage chair about your day, it won't be able to give a meaningful answer.
  Many long-term clients of massage therapists remain loyal to them because of the connection they develop with their therapist, which can add to the already noticeable physical benefits of a massage.
• Multitasking skills: You won't be able to get much done during your massage appointment, especially if you're lying face down on the massage table.
  Multitasking is impossible here.
  And engaging in another activity during the massage, such as talking on the phone, would be both distracting and disrespectful to the person massaging you.
  On the other hand, if you have a massage chair at home, you can multitask while sitting on it by reading, working, talking on the phone, watching TV, listening to an audiobook, or doing a crossword puzzle.
• Reliability: Massage therapists are human beings like the rest of us; they are subject to the same human vulnerabilities as the rest of us, including the possibility of moving away, going out of business, getting injured, or simply having a bad day.
  The effectiveness of a massage, your enjoyment of it, or even your ability to get a massage at all could be negatively affected by the problems mentioned above.
  A massage chair, on the other hand, is always ready for use; even if minor repairs are needed, professional technicians can get your massage chair back up and running within minutes after receiving the necessary parts.
• Pricing : The "cost per massage" in a massage chair is much lower compared to frequent visits to a massage therapist.

Massage chairs have become increasingly popular in recent years.

In addition, you can opt for financing to reduce the purchase price of a massage chair.

This is an alternative that is often not available for one-time services such as a personal massage.

Conclusion

Massage chairs have experienced outstanding development in recent years.

They can now imitate various massage techniques, scan the body, and even offer features that a real masseur cannot offer.

Despite the proven benefits of massage, there is still a need for more studies to confirm the claimed benefits.

Nevertheless, nowadays one can say that massage chairs in the home really make sense.

Sources:

1. Massage therapy: What you need to know. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/massage-therapy-what-you-need-to-know. Accessed: July 22, 2022
2. What to expect at your massage session. American Massage Therapy Association. https://www.amtamassage.org/find-massage-therapist/what-to-expect-at-massage-session/. Accessed: July 22, 2022
3. Goldman L, et al., eds. Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed: July 22, 2022