Massage chairs are much more than a luxury item. Offering many of the same benefits as human massage, they have the ability to improve both your health and your state of mind.
Let’s explore the top four benefits of massage chairs:
- Better circulation.
- Lower stress.
- Reduced pain and improved flexibility.
- Proper spinal alignment.
1. Better Circulation
Using a massage chair is a fantastic and quick way to boost circulation. That’s because massage, heat and compression are all known to increase blood flow.
With massage chairs’ rollers, heaters and air bags, you can enjoy the circulation-boosting benefits of all three.
Increased blood flow is associated with a number of positive health effects. These include:
- Better delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells, according to a 2018 article from Medical News Today titled, “How to improve circulation.”
- A reduced risk of blood clots when achieved through the use of compression, according to an article from the American Vein and Vascular Institute titled, “Benefits of Wearing Compression.”
- Reduced appearance of spider and varicose veins, according to an article from the American Academy of Dermatology titled, “Leg veins: Why they appear and how dermatologists treat them.”
2. Lower Stress
There are few things more relaxing than a thorough massage, especially in the comfort of your own home.
While the stress-reducing effects of massage have been noted for as long as massage has been practiced, scientific studies have now confirmed them.
As explained in an article from the Mayo Clinic titled “Massage: Get in touch with its many benefits,” studies have shown that massage is an effective stress reliever.
Because of that, it can also be useful in treating anxiety, depression and stress-related insomnia.
As an added bonus, stress reduction is known to cause a variety of positive effects. To understand why, let’s turn to an article from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services titled, “Manage Stress.”
There, it’s revealed that stress can increase your risk of:
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Depression
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Poor sleep quality
- Upset stomach
- Muscle tension
- Frequent or more severe colds
With the stress-busting abilities of massage, you may be able to reduce your risk of those side effects. Plus, who doesn’t want to feel less tension and more relaxation?
3. Reduced Pain and Improved Flexibility
This benefit almost goes without saying, but it’s worth noting that massage — whether from a massage chair or a massage therapist — can greatly reduce physical pain.
That’s because stress, physical activity, chronic conditions and previous injuries can all lead to persistent muscle tension which becomes increasingly painful over time.
The kneading motion of a massage chair can help to relieve that tension and work out painful knots. And, a massage chair’s ability to improve circulation and reduce stress can also promote faster, more effective healing.
What’s more, a massage relaxes your muscles, connective tissues and tendons alike. This means that massage chairs are able to help improve your flexibility, which is important for a number of reasons.
According to an article from Harvard Medical School titled, “Benefits of flexibility exercises,” activities that promote flexibility can help to prevent injuries, back pain and balance problems.
4. Proper Spinal Alignment
As if all those benefits weren’t enough, massage chairs can also help to promote proper spinal alignment. They do this by supporting your body in a relaxed, comfortable position, such as the zero gravity position (click here to learn more).
Plus, the physical relaxation that massage chairs provide can make it easier for your spine to achieve healthy alignment. This in turn serves to promote better posture.
According to an article from Healthline titled, “12 Benefits of Good Posture,” better posture can result in:
- Reduced lower back pain.
- Fewer headaches.
- Higher energy levels.
- Less shoulder and neck tension.
- Decreased risk of the wearing down of joint surfaces.
- Increased lung capacity.
- Better circulation and digestion.
- Reduced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain.
- Better core and scapular strength.
- Improved form during exercise.
- A taller appearance.
- Boosted self-confidence.
As an added bonus, correct posture can help to relieve pain in other parts of your body. That’s because improper posture can cause other muscle groups to overcompensate, which can result in increasing discomfort over time.
With all four of those amazing benefits in mind, it’s plain to see that massage chairs can do more than just feel good: they may even change your life.
Our Dr. Wellness line of luxury hot tubs offers all the benefits of a massage chair while also offering benefits you’ll only find through soaking your body in heated water!
