Can Massage Chairs Help with Back Pain?
If you suffer from back pain each day, you're not alone. Roughly 16 million Americans deal with chronic back discomfort that can make even minor tasks feel like a challenge. A growing number of these people find relief through their massage chairs at home. However, finding your best massage chair for back pain may take some homework.
Massage Chairs & Back Pain
- Improve the Skeletal System
- A Massage Chair Can Deliver Consistent Results
- Increase Flexibility
- Feel Happier
- Realistic Results
- Targeted Treatment
- Choosing the Right Massage Chair
- Conclusion
Do massage chairs help back pain? The short answer is yes, but you do need the right chair. Massage chairs can work your muscles and are believed to allow more blood to circulate, which will in turn deliver more nutrients and oxygen to the back. Consider looking for a massage chair with a feature to stretch different parts of your body.
Relaxing the muscles alleviates tension and is thought to reduce chronic headaches caused by back pain. The increased lymphatic circulation may also draw out harmful toxins from the spine. With one treatment, you could start to revitalize the affected area in your back.
Improve the Skeletal System
It is important to keep in mind that the skeletal system becomes strained if your back muscles are strained. The pressure will make the bones gradually pull to different places that are not natural, leading to discomfort and pain. When you use a massage chair for back pain, dependent on the model, it can knead out and stretch the muscles. This can reduce the stress on your skeletal system.
With consistent use of a massage chair, you may notice that your spine feels more aligned, and there is less pressure on the discs. Once you get better spinal alignment, you might also notice an improvement in other strained areas, such as the neck, legs, and chest.
A Massage Chair Can Deliver Consistent Results
One of the main benefits of a massage chair is getting consistent results every time. Because the device is a machine, it is designed to provide you with consistent performance. You will not have to deal with getting a different masseuse each time you schedule a massage.
Once you program your massage chair (if it has user memory settings) you will know what to expect with every session. All massage chairs have preset programs allowing you to choose your favorite massage program and begin. Because the results are consistent, the therapy should improve your back pain and help you make progress with your recovery.
Increase Flexibility
One of the main side effects of back pain is a lack of flexibility. This is because your muscles are tense and stiff. Suffering from pain can also make it difficult to move around, whether you are bending over or trying to stand up straight. A massage chair will loosen the strained muscles to make them relax.
Feel Happier
Ever imagine how happy you'd be if only your stubborn back pain would dissipate? Chronic ailments often lead to general stress and unhappiness outside the pain.
Fortunately, massage chairs can improve your mood just by providing some relief. It is believed that your body will release endorphins during massage chair therapy, like when you work out.
It is thought that massages release the feel-good chemicals in the body and allow you to feel happier and more positive after each treatment session. Studies show having a more positive outlook and feeling more cheerful can increase your recovery time if you're healing from a back injury.
Your mindset can also make the pain less uncomfortable and alleviate some of your anxiety. Ultimately, the back pain should be less of an issue.
Whether you have had a bad day at work or are discouraged about the progression of your back pain, a massage from your favorite chair can lift your mood and spirits in minutes.
Realistic Results
One of the main ways that massage chairs can help with back pain is pressure. They apply pressure the same way a massage therapist would. Most chairs have rollers and airbags, which can feel soothing and like human hands.
You can adjust the settings, dependent on the model, to ensure the parts target specific upper or lower back areas where you feel pain.
You can also rely on the preset programs if you're unsure of where to start. Tapping, kneading, and rolling motions help to soothe the muscles and deeply penetrate them to reduce stiffness.
Targeted Treatment
Massage chairs continue to evolve and become more advanced. One of the most recent advancements has been the ability to scan the body to get precise measurements. By using body-scan technology, a chair can determine where to apply the pressure on your back.
Look for a product with computer-assisted adjustability to change the pressure of the airbags or rollers. Once you sit down in the chair, it will locate different parts of your back to get your height and width. You can also refine the options by using the control panel to make minor adjustments for the perfect fit and massage.
With a custom massage designed specifically for your size, you'll get better results with pressure addressing specific areas of your back. It also leads to more comfort and relief since you won't have to move your body around as the airbags or rollers work their magic.
Choosing the Right Massage Chair
If you want to find the best massage chair for lower back pain, there are a few factors to consider before making a purchase. If you shop in-person, sit down in the chair to get a feel for the texture of the materials and the ergonomic design.
Reviewing the strength of the pressure is also essential to make certain that the chair can remove tension and properly massage your muscles. Anything that's too weak won't be effective. The chair should have different levels of intensity so you can change from a lighter to harder massage.
Experimenting with the presets programs can help you find which options work the best for you. In fact, you may have several presets to address different levels of pain.
The style of the massage chair is another factor to consider as it will likely sit in your home or office. Look for something with a contemporary design that complements your surrounding environment and furniture.
A chair may be available in different color shades to match the color scheme in the room. Look at the materials, whether it has fabric, leather, or both.
You'll also want to factor in any extra accessories that help provide back pain relief. Some chairs come with a reclining feature to prop your legs up, zero gravity that mimics the sensation of weightlessness, and even leg rests. These accessories can increase your level of comfort and reduce pressure on different areas of your back.
Of course, you'll also want to review the price range for a back pain massage chair. Massage chairs have a wide range of price points, making it necessary to do your research to ensure it fits within your budget. To protect your investment, look for models that come with longer warranties.
Conclusion
If you suffer from back pain, it can be difficult to rely on medication or trips to the chiropractor. However, the best home massage chairs can provide some relief within a few minutes.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition we always recommend you get approval from your doctor before using a massage chair.
Not only can you look forward to sessions of deep relaxation, but you can also improve your health and well-being with repeated and consistent use. The soothing motion of the rollers can knead out knots in your muscles and may improve your posture over time.
Heat and vibration therapy can also help improve blood circulation. Ultimately, a massage chair can become an essential tool that restores your productivity at home and in the workplace.
Although there's no definitive answer to the best massage chair for back pain, there are several great products on the market. We invite you to contact us to learn more about how massage chairs alleviate back pain.
If you'd like to talk to us about which massage chair may be right for you, feel free to give us a call at 800-566-2798. Thank you for reading!
Disclaimer:
We do not provide medical advice. The content of this article, including text, graphics, and other material, is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a health condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.