At the end of a long day, we all want to sit back and relax. Whether you work in a physical occupation that’s rough on your body or spend your day hunched over a desk, you deserve to give your body a break.
But what’s the best back pain remedy for people who can’t spare their extra time or spring for regular appointments at the local massage parlor? Luckily, massage chairs provide effective at-home back pain therapy that can bring you relief and help you relax.
If you’re struggling with back pain, keep reading below. You’ll learn everything you need to know about massage chairs and their use as a back pain remedy.
What is a Massage Chair?
A massage chair is a kind of mechanized massage equipment that allows you to enjoy the health benefits of a massage in the comfort of your home. These chairs deliver kneading and stroking motions to your back and neck and often recline for increased comfort.
Some chairs use rollers, while others use air to massage your body. A major selling point of massage chairs is your ability to use them anytime you want. They’re much easier to fit into your schedule than a scheduled massage with a professional is.
Massage Chairs and Back Pain Therapy
Massage chairs reduce back pain by stimulating blood flow and enhancing lymphatic drainage. This form of back pain therapy can help you loosen up tight muscles, improve your posture, and reduce the pain that you feel daily. Over time, it can have dramatic effects on your comfort levels.
Massage is also known to improve flexibility, decrease tension, and increase your endorphin levels. Endorphins are naturally occurring chemicals that help your body process pleasure and manage pain. Through massage, you can decrease pain levels throughout your whole body and minimize anxiety.
Massage chairs are favored by many busy professionals for their convenience. There is no oil, undressing, or masseuse involved: you just take a seat and let your chair go to work.
If you suffer from regular back pain, a massage chair is a great way to work regular back pain therapy into your life. They are particularly popular among athletes and people with high-stress jobs and intense body tension.
Other Benefits of Massage Chairs
Besides easing back pain, massage chairs are also great for overall relaxation. When a massage chair massages your back, it relaxes your back muscles, which leads to increased relaxation in other muscles in your body.
For this reason, massage chairs are helpful for headaches and tension in the neck, legs, and chest, as well as in the back.
Massage chairs can also help promote good posture by loosening muscles that hold you in a cramped or stooped position. Good posture will, in turn, help improve your back health, and can lead to full days free of back pain.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Massage Chair
With all of the chairs available on the market, you might be overwhelmed when you start your search. Below are some considerations that can help you hone in on the chair that’s right for you.
1. Price
Massage chairs are available in bargain models, high-end specialty models, and everything in between. Make a list of the features that you need for yourself and let this guide your purchasing plan. A lower-end chair usually contains up to five features, while more expensive models have nine to ten and luxury chairs have even more.
The more expensive the chair, the more it can be customized to your body. If you have specific pain that is hard to resolve with a general therapeutic massage, you should consider purchasing a chair with adjustable rollers and various options for speed and pressure.
2. 3D and 4D Features
Massage Chair 3D and 4D massage features offer different kinds of relief for back pain. 3D massagers move back and forth as well as in and out, protruding into your back. This provides a sensation that mimics the feeling of a masseuse’s hands.
3D massage chairs can serve as a great form of lower back pain treatment by providing a deep tissue massage. If you want a subtler sensation, you can adjust the depth of the chair’s rollers for a lighter feeling.
4D chairs offer all of the benefits of 3D chairs. They also allow you to adjust the rhythm and speed at which the rollers move. If you know that a certain style or speed of massage works best for you, you should consider a 4D chair.
3. S-Track and L-Track Chairs
Every massage chair contains a roller track that extends along its back. The rollers in these tracks are what move to provide you with a massage-like feeling. These tracks are integral to back pain therapy.
S-Track chairs are the most popular type of massage chair. They are shaped to follow the curvature of the spine, which allows them to provide natural, targeted relief to specific parts of the back. When it comes to spinal decompression and lower back massages, these chairs are comfortable and effective.
L-Track chairs contain an extended track that runs all the way from the neck to the hamstrings. They have the same curvature as S-Tracks. If you have tightness in your lower back, these might help loosen your lower back muscles and your leg muscles to provide lasting comfort.
4. Size
One of the biggest benefits of massage chairs is that they offer at-home relief. When you’re browsing different options, make sure that you look at models that will fit comfortably in your home. Measure out the area where you will put the chair and know exactly how much space you have to work with.
Some models recline up to 160 degrees. You’ll need to plan for this when you decide where your massage chair will be located in your home!
5. Materials
Massage chairs can get expensive, and it’s important to have a budget in mind when you start shopping. That being said, you shouldn’t compromise quality to stay within your budget. Consider your chair an investment and look for one that will last.
If you’re able to shop in person, take time to sit in different chairs and see how they feel. Look for sturdy materials like wood and leather.
Consider Back Pain Therapy Today
Now that you understand how massage chairs work, you can decide if they’re right for you. Furthermore, if you suffer from back pain and are looking for an effective at-home back pain therapy, a massage chair could be a great option. Their convenience, comfort, and health benefits make them a popular choice for people from all walks of life.
If you’re on the fence about purchasing a massage chair, check out our learning center. It’s full of articles about massage chairs and their benefits. Similarly, you can explore topics like proper massage chair seating position, massage chair pricing, benefits of massage chairs, and more.
Still not sure if massage chair back therapy is right for you? Contact us today! We’re happy to review the benefits of massage chairs and answer any questions you have.