Massage Chair Massage Functions
Posted on July 9, 2009
Filed Under Physical Therapy | Leave a Comment
Massage chairs are built to perform a wide variety of massage techniques. More expensive chairs will offer a greater range of massage techniques as well as speeds and intensities whereas basic massage chairs will offer fewer options in terms of massage functions. Still, kneading, rolling, and percussion or tapping are some basic functions that are most important and come standard with most chairs.
Rolling massages stretch the spine to relieve pressure in your back. It’s a basic technique used to loosen the muscles before a deeper massage. It is the feeling of someone pressing firmly on one side of your spine to the other. In massage chairs, larger rollers can work a greater area on your back and the more total area that is worked, the more effective in promoting blood circulation.
Kneading massages work to lift and stretch muscles alongside the spine and is a deeper massage than the rolling technique. This function feels much like two thumbs pressing both sides of the spine and rubbing in a circular motion. It helps to relax and invigorate the back and body.
Popular in sports medicine, percussions or tapping is the rapid tapping of the back muscles. It feels like fists or the edge of hands and this motion flexes spinal joints to relieve pressure and invigorate the entire back. Some chairs refer to the technique as percussion while others use the term tapping.
The Shiatsu massage technique is a deep tissue massage that emphasizes special acupoints all over the body. The acupoints correlate to different organs in the body that stimulating a particular acupoint stimulates the correlating organ or gland. It is a way of reducing stress and improving the flow of energy in the body to promote overall health improvements. It feels like a person’s fingers poking at points on the body.
Acupressure is massage of the back that squeezes and releases the muscles along the spine. The technique is designed to soften up and loosen the muscles for deeper massages by pressing the muscles together inward toward the spine and feels like someone using the heel of their hands.
The Swedish massage is a set of techniques that focuses on pressuring and rubbing muscles in the direction of the blood flow toward the heart. Obviously increases blood flow but also promotes the loosening and relaxing of muscles. This is what most people think of when they hear of a standard massage.
Air massage is a special function offered by massage chairs. It is only available with high end chairs and uses a series of air bags to massage areas of the lower back, the arms, and the legs by inflating and deflating. This squeezes and relaxes the muscles.
Every individual would find different massage techniques to be most beneficial and it is up to the consumer to decide what he or she is looking for in a massage chair. And since there are so many brands and models available to choose from, there should be a chair with the functions to match anyone’s needs.
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