Many massage chairs have airbags around the thighs that inflate and press against your legs. The main purpose of these airbags isn’t just comfort — it’s to anchor your hips in place. This keeps your body from shifting forward when the rollers move along your back, allowing the massage to stay deep and consistent.

The same concept applies to the shoulder airbags. Their primary function is to hold your upper body steady, so when the rollers travel up and down your spine, your body doesn’t move with them.

This anchoring system was one of the revolutionary innovations introduced by the Inada DreamWave when it first came out — a chair that completely changed the massage chair industry.