Let’s face it: The best part about booking yourself a pedicure or heading to a spa appointment is the deeply relaxed feeling you get from those gloriously soothing massage chairs. But, what if you could skip the appointment and get that same feeling from the comfort of your own home?
Sound ideal to you? It could become a part of your daily wellness routine with a massage chair from Johnson Fitness & Wellness, the largest specialty fitness retailer in the U.S. that not only has an extensive selection of massage chairs available nationwide, but also manufactures them—i.e. the brand definitely understands the value of design plus function when it comes to massage chairs. And while massage chairs are definitely an investment in your overall health, certified personal trainer Kent Hackbarth, MA, CSCS, CPT, says a massage chair can function as a practical tool for self care.
“We live in a world with more health issues than ever,” Hackbarth says. “Massage chair therapy offers a range of benefits that can ease one’s stress along with good nutrition and exercise.”
Curious about some of those benefits? Keep reading for five massage chair benefits that Hackbarth and Timothy Sharpe, D.C., a chiropractor with 30 years of experience who has used massage chairs in his practice, say make the investment worth it.
1. Relieves pain
Whether you wake up with sore muscles from your workout the day before or live with a chronic pain condition, massage therapy can help you manage that pain, Hackbarth says. You don’t even have to use it for long—Hackbarth says optimal benefits are seen when using your massage chair for 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times a week. For those with chronic back pain, a chair that has a lumbar heat feature can help further relax the muscles to reduce pain. Sharpe notes that it can also aid in recovery of delayed onset muscle soreness after a particularly tough workout.
“With an in-home massage chair, you can target specific areas of pain on your body,” Sharpe says. “You can work where you hurt for as long as you want to alleviate pain muscle tightness in your most problematic areas.”
2. Reduces stress
Everyone could use a little less stress in their lives—and regularly using a massage chair can help to provide this relief. According to Sharpe, the soothing motion and different massage actions of the chair can promote relaxation, especially one that has a zero gravity capability that orients your body into a position that reduces pressure on the lower back and optimizes massage performance. Massage is also known to help lower the amount of cortisol in the body.
“Reducing the cortisol levels—stress hormone, known fight or flight response—can contribute to better mental well-being and increase one’s quality of sleep,” Hackbarth says. “Massage helps in releasing endorphins into the bloodstream and assists in the elevation of one’s mood.”
3. Improves circulation
Massage chairs can aid in stimulating the flow of lymphatic fluid, which in turn can improve lymphatic drainage, Sharpe says. Our lymphatic system is responsible for eliminating metabolic waste products and toxins from the body, and massage chairs can help this process by manipulating pressure points, especially if it has a full body compression feature.
“The correct pressures assist in regulating the body’s functions by stimulating the nervous system, which increases blood flow, which then increases blood circulation and, therefore, cleanses one’s system by releasing toxins,” Hackbarth says.
4. Supports immune system
The way massages can support your lymphatic system has more benefits than improving circulation alone—they can also help to support your immune system, according to Sharpe.
Massage can increase the activity of lymphocytes—a type of white blood cell that helps the immune system fight off harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxins in the body, according to a study. “In addition, relaxation encourages one’s immune system to work more efficiently,” Hackbarth says.
5. Daily therapy
One of the best parts about owning a massage chair? You get to reap all these benefits without leaving the comfort of your home. If you struggle to work massages into your schedule, having a massage chair accessible to you is incredibly convenient.
“Daily massage, just like daily exercise, is much more effective when performed more frequently,” Sharpe says. “At $100 per session for a massage therapist, owning a massage chair in your home will provide daily care for you and your family, while saving substantial amounts of money and time.”
Interested in purchasing a massage chair but not sure which one will work for your lifestyle (or square footage)? Test out the benefits of the chairs for yourself by visiting your local Johnson Fitness & Wellness store, where all employees are trained on the benefits and features of each massage chair. Check them out during November, and you can score $1,500 off the Jin 2.0 Massage Chair with code WELLNESS.
Timothy Sharpe, DC and Kent Hackbarth, MA, CSCS, CPT are employees of Johnson Fitness & Wellness.
* Sale prices taken at time of publish and are subject to change.
