How does a full body massage chair work? There are a variety of methods a chair can use to provide different styles of massage. Getting an understanding of the mechanisms can help you to make a decision on which chair to get. They all work differently. It also helps to understand how the chair works in comparison with getting a massage from a person.
This guide will help you to understand the workings of a massage chair. It explains some of the terms you will have seen if you’ve been considering buying one.
What Is a Massage Chair?
A massage chair is a chair that features inbuilt devices to massage your body. Chairs do this in a variety of ways including vibration, compression, and rollers. They provide comfort, but also medical benefits to those who buy them.
Massage chair technology has come a long way. A full body massage chair for sale today will work differently from something you might have seen in the mall 20 years ago.
Massage Chair Rollers
Most massage chairs use rollers. These are what mimics the feeling of human hands.
The chair has a frame, and the rollers can move within the constraints of the frame. Some only allow rollers to move up and down. However, modern chairs tend to be able to provide more motion. Many rollers can move left and right or in patterns around the back.
A motor powers the movements of the arm. A processor within the chair also stores the patterns and presets that come with the chair.
If you hear the terms “2D, 3D, or 4D” these refer to the rollers.
2D Rollers
2D rollers are not that intense. They give a surface massage to your muscles, but don’t go too deep. 2D rollers also usually offer basic movement up and down. If you want a deeper, more intricate massage, go for a 3D or 4D model.
3D Rollers
3D rollers protrude further from the chair itself. This means they can reach more of the body. You can enjoy a more realistic sensation too, due to the way they move. 3D rollers move in and out as well as up and down. 3D is a good choice for neck massages and deep tissue massage.
4D Rollers
4D rollers still work along a track within the chair. They have more options and can move in different patterns, reaching more angles. Most 4D chairs also have the ability to speed up and slow down, and may do this automatically for tense or knotted muscles.
Massage Chair Tracks - L Track vs S Track
The “track” is where the rollers sit. It gives the chair its structure and impacts the coverage. You will find two main types: L Track and S Track. Both have pros and cons.
S Track Massage Chairs
Many people think the “S” in “S Track” comes from the wavy shape. It actually stands for “sinusoidal,” which means “wave.”
The tracks follow your spine’s curvature. They focus on the back, from the bottom of the neck down to the bottom of your back. The rollers move up and down within this area.
L Track Massage Chairs
L Track chairs are more advanced. They work in the same way, but they have a larger coverage area. L Tracks go all the way down to the glutes and hamstrings. By covering the upper part of your leg, the track itself forms an “L”. This is where it gets its name. If you truly want a whole body massage chair then this can cover more of your body.
It is up to you whether you go for an S Track or L Track model. If you are concerned about full body massage chair price, S Track is a cheaper option. If money isn’t your concern, an L Track model with more coverage is best.
Arm and Leg Massage
The L Track massage chairs may reach your glutes and hamstrings, but many electric massage chairs cover your calf and arms, too. This is what makes the designs “full body”. How do arm and leg massages work within massage chairs?
Some chairs include rollers behind the legs. These work in the same way as the rollers along an L Track or S Track.
More commonly, chairs include a form of compression therapy. Airbags inflate and compress on arm and leg muscles. These airbags inflate and deflate to compress the muscles. It’s simple technology but can be very effective on human limbs.
Compression helps with your blood flow, and contract muscles to enhance your circulation. This can improve blood pressure and help detoxification. Compression socks and other devices have a similar effect. There are many athletic benefits.
The Dynasty 4D is a chair that includes both airbag compression and additional calf rollers for a full body massage. It lets you easily control the intensity and style of massage, too.
How Massage Chair Pads and Cushions Work
Massage chair pads and cushions are an alternative to chairs. A full body massage chair pad fits onto an existing chair, such as an armchair.
These work in a similar way, but with some key differences. Some have rollers, but more commonly the massage comes through nodes and vibrations within the pad.
A pad is more portable, and you can easily remove it from a chair when required. However, it isn’t the best option for everyone. The rollers or nodes don’t usually protrude far enough to give a deep massage.
These pads can also be hard to attach to chairs, and won’t sense your body shape for a personalized experience.
Massage chair pads provide an affordable option. If you are serious about experiencing real benefits, a whole body massage chair is better.
Massage Chair Vibration Modes
Vibration can be another effective tool to soothe muscles and relax your body. You can even buy specific massage guns.
This tool is included with many massage chairs. It runs on a separate motor, which can trigger vibrating pads to pulsate around different parts of the body. You can control the strength of the massage and vibrations.
Vibrating motions can pulsate through your body and help regions like your shoulders and neck, which some massage chairs don’t reach with rollers.
Vibrating is a continuous motion and it releases the tension within muscles. Some chairs use tapping motions and other similar vibrating styles. This can especially help the lumbar and back region.
There are many benefits of vibration modes on a massage chair, backed up by science. These include:
- Reducing delayed onset muscle soreness after exercise.
- Increasing blood flow.
- Reducing pain.
- Helping to relax muscles.
Massage Chair Heat Modes
Applying heat can help with stiffness and sore parts of the body. Many massage chairs offer heat modes. Some of these mimic hot stone massages.
The benefits of heat therapy are particularly useful for the back. A lumbar heater, such as that in the Infinity Dynasty 4D, can help to ease pain.
Heat can stimulate sensory receptors in the skin. It can stop or decrease the pain signals sent to your brain. Heat also helps the muscles to relax and stretch, which decreases stiffness. This means you will feel more comfortable. If you have back troubles, a massage chair with heated modes is a good idea.
How Zero-Gravity Modes Work on Massage Chairs
Many massage chairs include zero gravity reclining. This technology was invented by Nasa. Zero-gravity reduces the stress on your body. Your chair reclines to a position where your legs are elevated above your heart. This helps with circulation.
One benefit of a zero-gravity position is that it reduces stress on joints caused by the earth’s gravitational pull. It can also help the massage chair’s rollers reach deeper into your tissue.
Can A Massage Chair Be Harmful?
Massage chairs are low risk. The only way they are a danger is if you misuse the chair. Like any electrical item, there is some risk, but it is a myth that massage chairs can cause more harm than good.
You shouldn’t use a massage chair if you are suffering from the following:
- Broken bones
- Open wounds and burns
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer
If you have other medical conditions, consult your physician before using a massage chair. For many conditions massage is helpful. For some rare ailments, it could do harm.
One way that massage chairs can cause pain or harm to your body is overuse.
How Often Should I Get Massage Therapy?
Whether you use a massage chair or you are going to a massage therapist, don’t overdo it.
One of the best things about buying a massage chair is the fact that you can use it at any time. This means you don’t have to wait for your weekly appointment.
You shouldn’t use your massage chair daily, at least not on the same modes.
There is a lot of debate about how long to use your massage chair. It also depends on your level of activity.
It’s accepted that short bursts are usually better. According to a recent study, using your massage chair for 20 mins at a time is wise. That doesn’t mean you can’t sit in it the rest of the time, and use other features like lumbar heat, or compression.
Healthline has a useful guide to different conditions. It explains massage guidelines based on what you are trying to achieve.
How to Operate A Whole Body Massage Chair
Naturally, different brands have variations on how you control the chair. Usually, the controls work in one of two ways:
- A remote control.
- A control panel built into an arm of the chair.
As chairs get more functionality there are more controls. The Osaki OS-4D Pro Maestro LE Massage Chair has a full tablet inbuilt. The controls on this chair are very simple and visual.
Your chair will connect to the power outlet in your wall, and it will have an “on/off” switch as well as the control panel itself. Controls usually include strength, and regions of the body. You may also be able to choose the type of massage. Many chairs include Shiatsu, kneading, tapping, and other methods.
Medical Benefits of A Massage Chair
We’ve already discussed some of the medical benefits of a massage chair. Besides the workout recovery and circulation benefits, there are many others.
Improved Posture
Massage chairs can improve your posture. When you experience aches and pains, your body compensates. This might be subconscious, but it impacts your posture badly. The body is trying to take the pressure off sore muscles. The knock-on effect is aches and pains in other parts of your body.
Regular massages help to reduce this strain and stop your body from compensating. Massage chairs can also help posture in other ways. This guide claims that massage “can lengthen the chest and anterior shoulder muscles to allow the shoulder joint to sit in better alignment with the structures surrounding it”.
Less Stress
Massage releases endorphins into your body. Endorphins are “feel good” hormones, and they are the brain’s way to combat stress.
A regular massage helps you to feel more positive and increases your wellbeing. Massages also help you to sleep, especially after a stressful day.
The other medical benefits, like relaxed muscles and increased blood circulation, can also help your mental state.
Reduced Blood Pressure
Massage is good for your heart health. This benefit comes from reduced stress and improved circulation. When a massage makes you feel relaxed and the blood flows through your body, your blood pressure drops.
Toxins Get Flushed From Your Body
As your circulation increases, your body gets better at flushing toxins out of your system. This even helps your immune system and can make you less likely to become ill as a result.
Conclusion
Massage chairs have improved in recent years. The detail and coverage of a 3D or 4D chair can provide an immersive experience. As well as feeling great, a host of medical benefits make them a great investment.
The way the rollers work has not changed much, but vibration modes, heat, and detailed controls have improved massage chairs. A chair like the Dynasty 4D does much more than just massage. It gives access to zero gravity mode, heat, compression, and can even connect to your phone for app control. You will never need to visit a massage parlor again.