Why buy a massage chair?
Most people who think of getting a massage have mental images of immaculately kept rooms with lovely scents and soothing music. Although a traditional massage can be wonderful, it does have its drawbacks that a modern massage chair can help you avoid. First, making an appointment and going to visit a masseuse takes time. A massage chair is far more practical than a regular massage since it gives you the comfort and relaxation you desire whenever you want it, day or night. Also, even if the cost of a massage chair can be high, you won't have to keep paying a masseuse over and over again. Last but not least, as you will discover in this buying guide, modern massage chair technology can deliver a massage that surpasses even the best massage techniques we’re familiar with and love.
What are the different types of massage chairs?
There are a variety of massage chair roller systems to choose from with various capabilities. Depending on your needs, you may want a softer 2D chair with a more therapeutic feel or a 3D chair with more overall coverage that can deliver deep tissue massage therapy. And, if getting a good spinal decompression stretch is important, you may want to consider a Dual-Track chair.
What are the different types of massage chairs?
2D Rollers: 2D massage chair rollers move up and down and side to side, but they don’t provide much pressure and cannot deliver a deep tissue massage.
3D Rollers: 3D massage chair rollers go up and down and side to side and can also move in and out to provide deep tissue massage.
4D Rollers: 4D rollers are exactly the same as 3D except they have smoother, more fluid movements for the most human-like feel.
S-Track System: An S-Track roller system follows the curvature of your spine by moving up and down a roller track that slides from your neck all the way down to your lower back.
L-Track System: L-Track rollers not only follow the curvature of your spine, but they continue along an L-Shaped track to deliver massage to your glutes and hamstrings as well.
Dual Track/Split Track: A Dual-Track is the integration of an L-track merged with an S-Track for superior stretch capabilities with two roller systems instead of just one for better coverage. The rollers will massage your back and glutes simultaneously.
What Massage Styles and Techniques do Massage Chairs Use?
There are various types of massage chairs that use different massage styles and techniques. The following are the main styles used in most massage chairs:
Shiatsu: Shiatsu is an ancient Japanese healing practice that uses targeted massage for specific pressure points to alleviate pain and tension.
Kneading: Kneading is a massage technique in which deep pressure is applied to compresses the underlying muscles.
Tapping: Tapping is a percussion massage used for soft tissue pain and soreness with rapid, short-duration pulses or taps that reach deep into the soft tissues of the body.
Clapping: Clapping is a form of tapotement which is a Swedish massage style using fast rhythmic percussion.
Swedish: Swedish massage uses long kneading strokes combined with rhythmic tapping to target the uppermost layer of muscles and aims to relieve muscle tension.
Vibration: Vibration massage delivers a vibrating and shaking motion onto the muscles to ease tension and stimulate circulation.
How much do massage chairs cost?
Budget-Friendly: Economic chairs that range in price from $999 to $2000. Most chairs in this category use 2D massage rollers to deliver a gentle, therapeutic massage that can be enjoyed by a broad range of users. There are very few 3D massage chairs in this category due to the expense of more advanced technology.
Mid-Range: Mid-Range massage chairs vary between $2000 to $5000. There’s a very large selection of 3D massage chairs in this range, but very few 4D chairs due to even more advanced technology. Some 3D chairs can be uncomfortable and lack the humanlike feel of a 4D chair, but it really depends on how it feels for your individual body.
Luxury: Luxury massage chairs are the ultimate in luxury at the absolute top-quality and range from $5000 and up. The majority of Premium massage chairs use 4Drollers and come with the latest in massage chair innovations and have a few extra bells and whistles. Chairs in this range are very smooth and have the most human-like feel.
What are the best massage chairs?
At The Modern Back we take pride in our knowledge of massage chairs and have many years of experience with countless models. We know which chairs have proven themselves and stand out from the rest and we stand behind all the chairs we recommend. Learn more about our Top Recommended Massage Chairs and discover the Best Massage Chairs in our latest updated article.