The shiatsu massage chair has become very popular in recent years. It is based on the ancient Japanese massage technique of shiatsu, which differs from basic Western massage techniques. Western massage relies more upon kneading and rubbing, but shiatsu is based upon applying pressure. This is even evident in its name, the direct translation from Japanese means finger (shi) pressure (atsu). An experienced practitioner will not only use their fingers, but also their knuckles, elbows, palms, and thumbs, and a few will even use their knees and feet when they need to apply heavy pressure!
The Japanese regard shiatsu so highly that it is a regulated and licensed medical therapy in Japan by their Ministry of Health and Welfare, whose official definition is: Shiatsu technique refers to the use of fingers and palm of one’s hand to apply pressure to particular sections on the surface of the body for the purpose of correcting the imbalances of the body, and for maintaining and promoting health. It is also a method contributing to the healing of specific illnesses.
Today in Japan there are two main schools of shiatsu: one based on western anatomical and physiological findings, and the other based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
The original school of thought practices shiatsu based on TCM uses shiatsu massage to work the acupuncture points along the body’s energy channels (also called meridians) to balance a persons energy flow. This is a great form of treatment for Westerners who are interested in acupuncture but are put off by the needles.
A formal school of shiatsu therapy based upon Western medicine was first opened in Japan in 1940, but it was not until the 1970’s when shiatsu techniques started to appear outside Japan. Today over a dozen philosophies or variations exist of shiatsu, and since the 1980’s, most of these variations have occurred in North America and Europe.
Though there is little scientific support for the healing properties of a shiatsu massage, no one can dispute the overall feeling of good health and stress relief that is brought on by one of these massages. As massage has become more main stream in western society, the massage industry boomed. Companies have sought ways to make a massage accessible to more Americans. This brought on the massage chair industry in the 1980’s. These chairs have slowly become more deluxe, and with the interest in shiatsu, the popularity of the shiatsu massage chair has boomed. This has especially been great for individuals who do not feel comfortable going to a massage therapist, they can enjoy a massage in the privacy of their own home.
Almost any shiatsu massage chair on the market today offers a variety of massage techniques, including compression, kneading, percussion, and rolling. The application of pressure that is key in shiatsu massage is applied in chairs by rollers. In a good quality chair, you can control the rollers to move up and down your back, you can control the width between the rollers, and also how much pressure is being applied.
Though a quality shiatsu massage chair may seem like it would cost a lot of money, it is really an investment in your health. It is like having your own personal massage therapist on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year! These chairs do not provide just a back massage, but also neck, leg and foot massages. Besides relaxing your muscles, a shiatsu massage chair also rejuvenates the mind and body and reduces fatigue, providing a whole body experience. I have never met a person who regretted purchasing a shiatsu massage chair.
The right electric massage chair can go a long way to helping us improve not only our sense of well-being, but also our circulation and health. There’s just something wonderful about a muscle being massaged. And while a chair can’t exactly duplicate the intensity, focus, and absolute effectiveness of an actual human massage therapist, it is a whole lot better than nothing. And in many cases, it is wonderful!
For years, I have dealt with what I have come to call chronic muscle tension in my upper back and neck area. The ill effects of this are many. But instead of looking at the ill effects, lets see how an electric massage chair can help. And they do! I recently had the opportunity to spend some quality “me” time in one and I am happy to report that it was time very well spent. This chair was designed by someone who understands the human musculature. The kneading and pressing motions were particularly helpful to me, as were the general vibrations and massaging from the rollers.
When you go to find an electric massage chair of your own, here are some things to make sure you take note of. If you don’t settle for an inferior chair, it will give you all the benefits and longevity you hope for.
An electric massage chair is an investment in your own health. Just find a comfortable one with plenty of power and options to satisfy your needs and wants, and that is priced right. If you do that you will enjoy years of electric massage chair bliss.
I have finished a triathlon and seen portable massage chairs set up in tents afterwards. I have also seen them set up at Farmer’s Markets and in airports and shopping malls among other places. Now, I have to admit, I do not understand these chairs. It looks like if you sat down in it wrong, you may never get out. It almost resembles a fancy and complicated piece of work out equipment. So, I figured I had better google “how to sit in a portable massage chair. ” It only took a few minutes to find what I was looking for, first a brief explanation and then a picture. Since I don’t want to infringe upon anyone’s picture rights, lets see if I can explain how one of these things is used.
When I was first reading the description of a portable massage chair, it mentioned that all parts are fully adjustable, including the arm rest. So my first question was, where is the arm rest? That was easily answered when I discovered the basic seating position. You do not sit on it with your back to the back rest. It is not even a back rest! You sit in portable massage chairs backwards, so officially, what I thought was a back rest is really the chest cushion. Which is helpful, because I was also wondering what the chest cushion was when I read the description.
So, you sit on the seat with your body facing the angled chest chest cushion (so officially you are leaning forward). The head support at the top with the hole in it is for you to place face, and the two padded cushions are for your legs, kind of like you are kneeling. The cushion on the back of the chair is the armrest. All is held together with a strong metal (usually aluminum) frame.
It is great that portable massage chairs are fully adjustable. One manufacturer that I was reading about says that their chairs will fit anybody between four and seven feet tall. The chairs are designed to be quite lightweight, many around 15 lbs. , so they truly are portable. They fold up easily and most even come with a carrying case.
Since portable massage chairs are often used in public places, they are preferred over portable massage tables because people feel more comfortable using them when their is potential for an audience. The portable massage table is more often used for therapists who travel to their clients.
Sometimes people are concerned that their massage will not be as good on a chair versus a massage table. But have no worries! These chairs are ergonomically designed, and not just for the person receiving the massage. But its design also makes it very easy for the therapist to give an effective massage. On a massage table, the therapist is usually working from the side, which puts their body at an awkward and difficult angle. A therapist using portable massage chairs puts less strain on their own body.
Portable massage chairs are perfect for giving and receiving neck, shoulder and back massages. Though I may skip getting a public massage at the local Farmer’s Market, the next time I see one of these set up after a triathlon or running event, I think I just may give it a try.
Sanyo massage chairs are made in Japan, a country where massage has been taken seriously for hundreds of years. Not only are they manufactured in Japan, but also their research and development divisions are based there. Since Sanyo is such a large and diverse company, they are able to take technologies from other areas, such as motors, and apply them to their development of massage chairs. Lets take a look at some of these innovative technologies that are applied in their Sanyo massage chairs.
This position is called zero-gravity because it was originally used by astronauts during take off. This reclined position reduces the gravitational pull, and thereby stress, an astronaut feels during take off. This increase in stress that is exerted on their body comes from the Earth’s increased gravity pull as the rocket launches from Earth. The reclined position distributes that increased gravitational pull more evenly across their entire body.
These are just a few of the great and innovative features that Sanyo offers. Some of their other great features include a very comprehensive and easy to understand remote control, many preprogrammed massage courses, and various massage speed settings. All of these great features add up to a very relaxing experience that you can have in the comfort of your own home with any of the upper end Sanyo massage chairs.
The Panasonic EP 30004 is part of the Real Pro Ultra massage chair line. The Real Pro Ultra line is the newest available from Panasonic. This is the new platform for the latest generation of luxury high-end massage loungers. The EP 30004 is the next step up from the EP 30003. These massage chairs have the newest technology to provide for more effective massage treatments.
The EP 30004 comes with the latest the body scan technology. The body scan technology will create a virtual map of your back. It does this in three dimensions. When the scan is performed it will locate your shoulders and also the acupoints and your back.
When the body scan is performed, the rollers of the massage chair will move up and down your back. As the rollers move up and down, sensors will record the coordinates of your body in three different dimensions. This information can use to customize the massage chairs for your body.
Panasonic has also developed a new quad style roller mechanism. This advanced new roller works in conjunction with the reading of the body scan. The information from the body scan is used to direct the roller and its pressure to deliver a soothing and relieving massage every time.
There are five automatic programs integrated into the EP 30004 massage chair. Each of these programs is a full body massage. Each one also works off a single button located on the remote control. You can choose from shiatsu, quick, deep, Swedish and stretching.
Panasonic has developed a new type of ultra fine kneading massage. This massage type has been integrated into the Real Pro Ultra massage chair line. This ultra fine kneading is called Junetsu. The Junetsu technique is excellent for relieving tight muscles and knots in the back.
There is also a stretching system in the EP 30004. This massage chair has capability to stretch both the upper body and the lower body. The lower body stretches with the use of the leg rest. The upper body is stretched by means of holding the arms and then reclining the chair back.
Acupressure massage is used to help induce full body relaxation. When the body scan is performed, it locates your individual acupoints. There are over 100 acupoints located on your back and neck alone. When these are stimulated, it helps to relieve other parts of the body.
The EP 30004 massage chair also comes with an air massage system. The air massage system utilizes air bags located throughout the chair. These airbags are specifically designed to provide a compression massage.
The air compression massage is very relieving. You can also adjust the level of air pressure to suit your needs. Many of the larger muscles are served very well with a compression massage using specially designed airbags.
Panasonic has also included reflexology massage for the feet. Specially designed reflexology plates are located in the foot wells of the leg rest. When the reflexology massage is activated, then the feet are stimulated by the reflexology plates.
The warranty of the EP 30004 includes one year of in-home technician service. If anything were to go wrong, a technician would be dispatched to your home for the repair. The parts are covered for one year and the roller mechanism is covered for three years. You can also purchase an extended warranty at additional cost.
The Real Pro Ultra massage chair line represents the latest and greatest technology available from Panasonic. The EP 30004 massage chair is one of their best luxury models. It incorporates full body massage capability and a number of soothing and relieving massage programs.