Shiatsu massages are a well-appreciated form of relaxation and healing therapy with roots based on ideas borrowed from traditional Chinese medicine.
The massage technique is quite popular around the globe for its health benefits. The question however is, are Shiatsu massage chairs good for you?
Massage chair manufacturers strive to build chairs capable of delivering Shiatsu massages that are as close to the real thing as possible. The term “Shiatsu” is a direct translation of “finger pressure,” which describes the technique.
Shiatsu massage therapy entails a combination of manual techniques include stretching, kneading, tapping and applying direct pressure to the areas of the body that need relief.
What Is Shiatsu Massage Therapy?
Shiatsu massage therapy is based on oriental philosophies of medicine which rely on alternative, natural and holistic healing. Eastern medicine is based on the balance of Qi pronounced as “chi”.
Qi is the natural energy that underlies all proper functioning of a healthy human body. A typical Shiatsu session on a shiatsu massage chair or with a massage therapist involved accessing the Qi via specific points along the body’s meridians called Vital Points.
In simple terms, as long as Qi is abundant along the body’s meridians and its flow remains unobstructed, the human body will remain healthy. Well, it all sounds good on paper but are Shiatsu massage chairs good for you?
The Truth About Shiatsu Massage Chairs
Shiatsu massage chairs pack a hefty array of features designed to provide relief for various musculoskeletal problems.
A majority of shiatsu massage chairs include other techniques such as kneading, rolling, knocking, tapping, gripping, zero gravity reclining, foot and calf massages and heating elements as well as the shiatsu mode itself.
In all these different modes, the massage chair moves and vibrates the pressure points of the body improving blood flow.
The health benefits of improving your blood circulation are numerous and they include:
- A sped up recovery from sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions such as scoliosis.
- Faster elimination of toxins from the body.
- The quickened release of endorphins that assist the body in coping with stress and pain.
Other health benefits to using a shiatsu massage chair include;
- Spinal alignment which reduces pressure on nerves alleviating chronic back pain.
- Relaxed muscles which to correct and maintain good posture.
- The immune system gets a boost. Shiatsu massages and all other techniques, in general, improve the leucocyte count boosting the body’s ability to ward off disease.
- Improved lymphatic circulation.
So, Are Shiatsu Massage Chairs Good For You? Yes.
For the better part, I’d say yes. These massage chairs can help you to deal with a handful of ailments such as high blood pressure, depression and more while also saving you a great deal of money in the long run.
Let’s face it, you cannot afford to pay for regular massage sessions from a team of experts every now and then. That is unless you are a professional athlete.
Shiatsu massage chairs are poorly understood and often mistaken for luxury items. Well, I beg to differ. The benefits speak for themselves.
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to improve your health and managing ailments simply by kicking back and relaxing on a Shiatsu massage chair? I can tell you this, it’ll save you the need to constantly seek pharmaceutical intervention for aches and other problems.
The Problem With Shiatsu Massage Chairs
While you will get exactly what you pay for, Shiatsu massage chairs pale in comparison to a professional masseuse’s hands. Having a near perfect massage at the comfort of your home makes up for that little fact.
Generally, the impact is not exactly as deep as a real human’s massage therapy, but there are benefits to it.
The human body operates within a range that often requires balance. Overexert your body and you get sore muscles, injury and so on. The same principle applies to massage sessions.
Overindulging too much can lead to some discomfort but that is as bad as it gets. A 15 minute session should do you some good.
Final Thought
In summary, the question “are shiatsu massage chairs good for you” is quite common among people who may be new to massage chairs and the shiatsu technique.
The truth is they offer numerous health and physical advantages and barely any drawbacks. So, to answer” are shiatsu massage chairs good for you”, absolutely. You should use one.