Posts Tagged ‘equipment’

Massage Chair Massage Functions

Sunday, July 12th, 2009

Massage chairs are built to perform a wide variety of massage techniques. More expensive chairs will offer a greater range of massage techniques as well as speeds and intensities whereas basic massage chairs will offer fewer options in terms of massage functions. Still, kneading, rolling, and percussion or tapping are some basic functions that are most important and come standard with most chairs.

The rolling technique is a basic way to stretch your back and spine. This loosens up the area for deeper massages to follow. This massage is performed by a large roller in the back rest of the massage chair and works a large area of the back to increase circulation.

Kneading massages feels like two thumbs rubbing both sides of the spine in a circular motion. It lifts and stretches the muscles along the spine and works deeper into the tissue than the rolling massage. The purpose of the kneading massage is to relax the muscles and invigorate the body by transferring tension from acupoints to a broader area. It works in sequence with the roller.

Percussions, otherwise known as tapping, feels like the edge of hands tapping your back muscles in a very fast and rhythmic motion. This is popular in sports medicine as it relieves spinal joints of pressure and works the entire back.

The Shiatsu massage technique feels like fingers applying pressure directly on specific points of the body. This is a deep tissue technique focused on special acupoints that directly correlate to the different organs or glands in the body. The massage function stimulates specific points to reduce stress, increase the energy flow, and to promote overall health throughout the body.

Acupressure is massage of the back that squeezes and releases the muscles along the spine. The technique is designed to soften up and loosen the muscles for deeper massages by pressing the muscles together inward toward the spine and feels like someone using the heel of their hands.

The Swedish technique is a very relaxing technique of pressuring muscles and rubbing them in the direction of blood flow to the heart. It is a combination of other techniques to produce the loosening and relaxing other muscles as well as increasing blood flood. It is what most people would consider a normal massage and has become the standard massage.

One function that massage chairs offer that can’t be duplicated by any human massage therapist is the air massage. This is a feature of some high end chairs that use the inflating and deflating of air bags to squeeze parts of the back, arms, and legs of the user.

Each technique offered by the massage chair serves its own specific purpose and it is up to the consumer to decide what functions are most important. There is a huge selection of brands and models to choose from and pretty much any combination of functions are available.

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Buying A Massage Chair For Comfort

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

A massage chair is a big purchase for most people. This means is that we want to be prepared to make the best decision possible when we hit the show room. If there is nothing else that matters, we are buying a massage chair for two reasons. One is for the massage functions, since it is called a massage chair, and second we differentiate the chairs by the level of comfort.

Massage chairs have built in rollers, nodes, and air bags that try to emulate the hands and fingers of a massage therapist. When you are at the store trying the chairs out, notice the different massage functions as well as the intensity of the massage.

More expensive chairs will offer a wider range of adjustable intensities and speeds but all chairs should offer at least some adjustments. One way most basic chairs will allow you to adjust intensities is by adding or removing the cushions.

Inanimate comfort of the massage chair is really about supporting and filling the contours of your body. It comes down to size, and density of the chair. Removable cushions give users flexibility when it comes to density. You can add more cushions if you prefer to lounge on something soft or, if you need more support, remove cushions if you want your chair to be more firm with less support in specific areas of the body.

How comfortable the massage feels depends on how well the rollers and nodes fit to the body of the user. Rollers in the backrest start at the top and roll downward. For some people of smaller stature, the starting point in the backrest could be too high and start at the persons head so adjustments need to be made to the settings to start the roller at a lower level. Some high end chairs are able to recognize the size of the person in the chair and automatically make adjustments to the massage.

Other chairs will let you choose the sequence of massages and save settings that you like best to be performed the next time you hop on. Some chairs work areas other than the back like the arms, hips, legs and feet using air bags that inflate and deflate.

In many cases, the buyer intends to share the chair with his family or some member of the household who will also use the chair on a regular basis. In such a case, it is better to pay a little extra for the added flexibility of adjustments so everyone who uses the chair can pick the settings they find most comfortable.

Since it a big chair, and you can find one that is of extreme comfort to you it makes sense that many people use the chair to double up as lounge chairs when not in use. It is great to relax in and something to look forward to at the end of the day.

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Health Centers Use Massage Chairs for Relaxation

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

People are seeking ways to find better balance and harmony in our lives. Most people are feeling the pressure of the changes in the economy. In one sense, stress is on the rise. Finding ways to counteract the stress in our lives is important to maintaining harmony in your body and your mind. Many wellness centers are now starting to see increases in the need for quiet and relaxation time. Massage chairs are being integrated into quiet rooms to provide a calm and relaxing environment.

Many wellness centers have always been a place of therapy and relaxation. Restoring the health of the body with natural treatments has been that foundation. They have found that the body responds to these natural treatments with little to no side effects.

The use of natural therapies are vital for sustaining long-term health and vitality. Normally a routine of good nutrition, exercise and massage therapy is applied. This is to help regain a better balance and restore the whole individual.

We are what we eat. It is important we eat more natural foods and avoid foods high in fat and cholesterol. Many health spas have nutrition advice. They can help plan and use and teach you to count calories to maintain a healthy diet.

Exercise and stretching is another important element to wellness centers. There may be a variety of classes which include light aerobics, yoga and other methods of stretching. The exercise helps to build up the muscles and endurance. The stretching helps to restore flexibility and relieve stress and tension.

Frequent massage treatments are important to maintain the vitality of the body and mind. These treatments are excellent for relaxation and inducing calmness throughout your body. The healing process is much more effective when the body and mind are in a calm state.

Many spas have a variety of massage treatments which are offered. These can range from deep tissue, shiatsu or Swedish. These techniques are geared to invigorate the body and quiet the mind. Relaxation time is important to restore balance and harmony.

Massage chairs are also being integrated into the concept of a quiet room is gaining popularity in these for stressful times. A quiet room is a place to induce calmness of the body and mind. Normally it is a room with either soft music or no music at all. It is a place to relax and quiet the mind.

Massage chairs provide a number of therapies. They are soft and comfortable to sit in. They have automatic features which recline the chair back and raise the leg rest. There are automatic full body massage programs and also manual programs for targeting specific areas.

Music therapy is often used to help induce relaxation and quiet the mind. Massage chairs come equipped with music players and headphones to assist in this process. Slip on the headphones and let the mind drift off to the rhythms of the music.

The best massage chairs have built-in heating elements. These heaters can provide comfort and warmth to specific areas of the body. He helps to relax the body, reduce swelling and promote improved blood circulation.

Massage chairs are being successfully used in many spas and wellness centers. They provide added value and are easy to use. They require little maintenance and provide consistent therapy and results. Massage chairs are being used in a variety of ways to help even out the flow of customers through spas while providing a therapeutic treatment. See how a massage chair can benefit you.

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Massage Chairs with Reflexology Massage

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Reflexology massage can trace its roots back to ancient Egypt. In fact traces of reflexology were found as far back as 2030 B. C. Humans have known about reflexology and its corresponding relationships. Today, many of these traditional methods have been replicated in massage chairs. Massage chairs use advanced functions and incorporate many desirable features for potential users.

Reflexology massage is an interesting field of study. The idea behind this type of therapy is that the hands and feet have special relationships with the major organs in the body. Certain areas of the hands and feet can be massaged and their corresponding organ releases tension.

Reflexology or zone therapy is the study of certain areas of the hands and feet and their corresponding relationship to other parts of the body. Reflexology uses zone maps to identify the regions in the hands and feet. Massage is provided to the areas of the feet or hands which then releases tension to its corresponding organ.

Reflexology targets relieving tension that has built up in the body. Think about when you are under stress your body releases adrenaline. This readies the body for action but at the expense of keeping the muscles under tension. Also providing a supporting role are the major organs.

We all go through points of stress in our lives. Many of the stresses we have our mental yet they cause the same reaction in our bodies as a physical threat. Our bodies are ready for action but most the time there is in action. However, the stiffness of the muscles will increase when we are under stress.

Reflexology is kind of like a reverse osmosis. It is attempting to undo the effects of stress on the body. Under stress our muscle tension increases and sometimes to the point of fatigue. Reflexology works on specific regions of the feet and hands. The feet and hands are supported by the major organs under stress. Reflexology is thought to release tension of specific organs in the body.

Massage chairs have incorporated reflexology massage. These features have so far been focused on the feet. Many massage chairs provide an air compression massage for the lower body. These chairs also contain reflexology nodes that are targeting major trigger points.

Air compressors are often used in massage chairs to deliver a full body massage capability. Air compressors can deliver air anywhere in the chair. Normally, small airbags are used to gently push the reflexology nodes into the foot. These are program to work in conjunction with the other airbags massage in the feet.

Massage chairs also have heating elements built into the leg rest. It facilitates blood flow and helps to reduce swelling. This is a nice complementary treatment to the reflexology massage.

Some massage chairs have removable reflexology plates. The user can remove these plates when the reflexology massage is not desired. When the reflexology points are removed then the main massage for the foot will be over the top of the foot for compression massage.

The Egyptians certainly were advanced for their time. It is amazing that they understood the complex relationships between feet and the major organs of the body. Reflexology massage was a way of soothing and relaxing the body to these healing. Many of these ancient arts are now being consistently integrated into massage chairs of today.

The ancient art of reflexology concentrates on the hands and feet. These are normally activated when somebody is under stress. Reflexology seeks to release the tension that is prevalent under stress. It helps to release tension from the major organs by soothing the soft tissues of the hands or feet. These techniques are being replicated in massage chairs.

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What You Want to Know About Reflexology Massage

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Reflexology is considered an alternative health treatment. Reflexology is also known as zone therapy. It involves massaging, holding, squeezing and pushing throughout the body. As certain areas are massage then it is thought to affect other parts of the body. However, many practitioners have conflicting views on exactly how reflexology massage is supposed to work.

But fear not, there is some common ground in the reflexology world. Reflexology targets specific points of the hands and feet. Massage movements stimulate specific reflexology points that are supposed to be connected to other organs within the body. Although reflexology has been around for centuries, no clinical studies have been performed to validate the benefits of this type of massage.

Many traditional methods of healing including reflexology have not been validated with medical studies. Reflexology massage has been found as far back as the ancient Egyptians. In a sense, reflexology has been practiced over 100 generations, yet the last hundred years of science has not had time to investigate its claims. Reflexology was introduced to the United States in 1938 by Eunice Ingham.

The Ingham method of reflexology is used primarily for releasing tension in the body. This method is good for reducing stiffness from stress. Many health professionals agree that stress is one of the biggest contributors to health problems. This method of reflexology is used improve nerve and blood supply while also relieving stress.

Reflexology is a natural thing which applies particular massage movements to stimulate major organs throughout the body. There are no known side effects of getting a reflexology massage. When these reflexology points are stimulated, its corresponding organ is relaxed.

There is a certification board for practitioners of reflexology. The main certification board is the Reflexology Association of America. This certification board was established in 1995. It is responsible for setting the guidelines for reflexology standards.

To attract students into studying reflexology, the Reflexology Association of America encourages that reflexology becomes a standard profession. This would be similar to other certification programs where graduates would be bestowed the right to practice this technique.

There isn’t a lot of research on reflexology. This area is starting to get more attention with the emphasis on more natural therapies. You can find some further research at Reflexology Association of America. Most of their research is around pain control.

Other research indicates a wide variety of benefits. Again, since there are no clinical studies, some of these benefits must be taken with a grain of salt. But other benefits include reducing hair loss, rectal prolapse and reductions in cardiac diseases. It certainly will be interesting to see some more studies and the traditional area.

Reflexology is a field of many traditions. Although there is a main certification board, many operate outside of this particular board. There are many diverse practices of reflexology but, nowadays all come back to the connection between the hands and feet and the rest of the body. Like many traditional fields, the light of science is slowly beginning to rise.

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Main Considerations In Massage Chairs

Friday, June 12th, 2009

Looking to buy a massage chair requires more than visiting a shop and sitting in a bunch of different chairs. To make to most of your trip, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the key components to look for in a new massage chair. Knowing your needs as well as restrictions, such as budget, is also a good idea.

The main considerations are massage functions, the material the upholstery is made of, and the asthetics of the massage chair. There are also some less obvious features that you can not notice during the trial visit to the shop so it is good to know some key specifications to look for when reading descriptions of the different chairs.

Most chairs come with rolling, kneading, tapping and percussions. These are the most important massage functions built into every massage chair of every price range. More expensive chairs offer an extension to these functions as well as the option to combine functions to be performed at the same time or in specific sequences.

There are also variations in speed and intensity that add to the combination functionality in more expensive chairs. Higher end chairs will offer a wider range of speeds and intensity while some of the more basic budget models will offer a very small range or just a single speed or intensity.

Massage chairs come upholstered a variety of materials. Leathermatch and premium leather upholstered chairs will come with higher prices while more basic materials like fabric and microfiber won’t carry quite the same premium. Some manufacturers will distinguish their models of chairs based on the upholstery or small accents within the physical design, such as partial wooden bases.

The physical design can be a deal breaker for some people looking for a chair that fits the dcor of their home or office. This can be something as simple as the color selection of the chairs or the contours and shape of the chair. If the aesthetics just aren’t right, some chairs have a pair of wheels so it can be tilted and rolled to a storage place and out of sight.

But there is an even more important factor in play with physical design and that is the comfort the chair provides. A chair with puffy looking cushions can deceive you into thinking it is more comfortable to lounge in than it really might be. Some chairs are designed with removable layers of padding so you can adjust it to the right level of comfort.

In the end, the most important factor in buying a chair is finding the most comfortable massage chair. After all the differences, remember that what you’re looking for is something to relax in. Make it something you look forward to at the end of the day.

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Everything About Reflexology Massage

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Reflexology is considered an alternative health treatment. Reflexology is also known as zone therapy. It involves massaging, holding, squeezing and pushing throughout the body. As certain areas are massage then it is thought to affect other parts of the body. However, many practitioners have conflicting views on exactly how reflexology massage is supposed to work.

But fear not, there is some common ground in the reflexology world. Reflexology targets specific points of the hands and feet. Massage movements stimulate specific reflexology points that are supposed to be connected to other organs within the body. Although reflexology has been around for centuries, no clinical studies have been performed to validate the benefits of this type of massage.

Many traditional methods of healing including reflexology have not been validated with medical studies. Reflexology massage has been found as far back as the ancient Egyptians. In a sense, reflexology has been practiced over 100 generations, yet the last hundred years of science has not had time to investigate its claims. Reflexology was introduced to the United States in 1938 by Eunice Ingham.

Reflexology got its start with the introduction of the Ingham method. This was collaboration between Eunice Ingham and Dwight Byers. The focus of this type of massage is for relieving stiffness throughout the body. This method has been noted for improving blood flow and four relaxing the body.

Reflexology is a natural thing which applies particular massage movements to stimulate major organs throughout the body. There are no known side effects of getting a reflexology massage. When these reflexology points are stimulated, its corresponding organ is relaxed.

Practitioners of reflexology massage can be certified. The Reflexology Association of America provides a certificate program for those needing its guidelines. This association also promulgates the guidelines that set the standards for reflexology training and practice.

Reflexology massage is interesting assets only apply to mainly the hands and feet. This has made it somewhat difficult for practitioners to only specialize and this technique. As massage gains more notoriety as a natural treatment, reflexology will also increase in popularity.

The organization does publish research related to reflexology. Most of the research published is regarding either pain control or not see a control. This research looks at the connections in the body for pain and not in control. There are some proponents that believe reflexology may also plans the body of toxins, increase blood circulation and could even assist in weight loss.

There have also been reported successes in treating anything from hair loss to cardiac disease and even rectal prolapse. However, the clinical proof is certainly lacking in these cases. Many individuals have reported that they are body feels less stress and tension after receiving the reflexology massage. However, there are no research findings that show clinical proof that reflexology is able to make significant changes or prudence in particular cases.

Reflexology has been used from ancient Egyptian times to relieve tension in the body. The Egyptians developed the first relationships between certain points on the hands and feet and other major organs. Today, practitioners of reflexology can become certified by a national board. This has provided more legitimacy to preserving a long-standing traditional healing method.

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Massage Therapy Benefits of Massage Chairs

Friday, May 29th, 2009

Massage has been applied to relieve aching joints and muscles since ancient times. Massage therapy is a natural treatment to restore flexibility and reduce stiffness in the body. In fact, different parts of the world have developed distinct massage therapies with proprietary techniques. Many of these massage techniques have been effectively replicated in massage chairs. Massage chairs are able to deliver a variety of massage techniques and therapies.

Boosting performance: Top amateur and professional athletes routinely use massage therapy. Massages are given as part of the warm up and preparation before game time. Massage helps to keep the muscles flexible and the blood flowing. Also, the body becomes more aware enabling the athlete to have better concentration. After the game, warm down massages are great to soothe aches and pains of the body.

Relieves tension and stress: Many people enjoy massage therapy for the relief of their stress and tension. Massage is a relaxing experience helps you get your body. Normally soothing music is played to help the mind to relax. Massage has a quieting affect on the mind allowing the troubles of the day to be forgotten. It is important to take time out of your busy schedule and relax. The body is put through a lot when stress levels are high. A precious few minutes of massage can rejuvenate the body and mind.

Injury prevention: Preventing injuries is a tricky business. Sometimes, things just. However, the body can be better prepared to minimize the occurrence of injuries. Many injuries occur because the joint or soft tissues are not sufficiently flexible. If the muscles are overly stiff then they become more brittle and susceptible to tears. Massage helps to restore the elasticity of the muscles and soft tissues. It also helps to flush toxins out of the body. Keeping your body in the best shape is your best bet to minimize injuries.

Body health: Massage therapy touches across many of the body’s systems. The circulatory system is enhanced with greater blood flow. As massage is received, and/or friends are released in to the body which are its natural pain killers. This helps to relax the muscle groups in the body. The breathing rate when receiving a massage decreases which helps to kick in the healing process. The massage systematically penetrates through the muscle tissue reducing stiffness and increasing elasticity. The frequent massages helps to maintain the vitality of the body.

Positive outlook: Many of the problems of the body come from the way we view problems. Many situations may be interpreted as stressful. This stress is then felt throughout the body. Sustained stress causes tension and stiffness throughout the body. When the body has aches and pains, it is tougher to maintain he positive perspective. Periodic massage provides relief from tension and muscle aches. It also helps our minds to relax which reduces stress and anxiety.

Massage has many benefits when received on a periodic basis. Massage chairs make it possible to receive massages on a frequent basis or as your schedule allows. You will find a variety of massage treatments as well as other therapeutic therapies included in massage chairs. Many massage chairs have heat therapy with the use of built-in heaters located throughout the chair. Stretching is very popular and many massage chairs have the capability to provide stretching of the lower body and also the upper body. A massage chair is always available when you need it.

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