Customer Question #1
What are the differences (as far as the massage’s outcome is concerned) between the S-track and the L-track massage chairs?
My Response #1
The major difference between the L-Track and S-Track chairs is that the L-Track will provide a roller massage to muscles that heretofore have only been addressed with airbags. The roller massage is far superior for typically problematic muscles like the piriformis and gluts.
Of course, it is important to understand that the L-Track chairs also have the S-Track incorporated in each chair. The rollers in the chair back follow the S-Track, while the rollers extending into the buttocks and top of the hamstrings constitute the so called L-Track.
Customer Question #2
Hi Dr. Alan, One question please. What chair brand/model is good for working on the top section of the body? Panasonic MA73 or Dreamwave Classic? Gabriel
My Response #2
Hi, Gabriel
Thanks for your email. Great question. I’d have to say that both are equally as effective in the neck region. When you take off the headpiece from the DreamWave and increase the intensity of the rollers it has a very strong neck massage. The MA73 has a more vigorous default neck massage, plus you can increase the intensity as well. When both chairs are at maximum intensity in the neck region, they are quite similar.
The roller mechanism of the MA73 does a better job on the traps, as the rollers move forward a bit on the shoulders before they go up the neck. However, the DreamWave has airbags in the headpiece that inflate down onto the shoulders and it mimics the elbow of a massage therapist digging into your shoulders. So, both chairs hit the trap muscles, but the MA73 does it with rollers while the DreamWave does it with airbags. But, both are good.
As far as the upper back goes, both do a very adequate job. Again, you’d want to remove the headpiece (and attached back pad) from the DreamWave to get maximum intensity in the upper back.
Customer Question #3
I have been researching massage chairs for a while now. I have a little iJoy chair and I am definitely ready for an upgrade. I was medically retired from the military after have four vertebrae fused and still need about six more done. Carpal tunnel surgery on one wrist and waiting on the other. I have severe nerve damage mostly on my rt side. I have Degenerative Disk Disease, and was just diagnosed with progressive rheumatoid arthritis. I am getting a new shoulder next month. Several years ago my wife was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and about three years ago diagnosed with Lupus and the doctors say she has probably had it for 16 years. We make quite the pair. Worst of all our son may have scoliosis, we find out tomorrow. We need a chair that will have a smooth deep tissue for my back and neck. I think the airbags would be best for my wife due to the sensitivity of her skin, muscles and just all over body pain. The rollers are too painful. For my son I have seen some chairs that stretch and the seat swivels to help align the spine. What would you suggest? Is there a chair that does it all and won’t break the bank? Thanks for any help you can offer.
My Response #3
Your family has certainly had it’s share of health issues. I am so sorry to hear about it all. I think each one of you will enjoy a massage chair. I might suggest taking a look at the Infinity IT-8500 massage chair. It has a very vigorous back and neck massage, which would be great for you and your son, but will be too vigorous, at least in the beginning, for your wife. But, you can just turn on all the airbags and let them work her over gently. Then, when she is ready for rollers, you can turn on one of the auto programs or the stretch program. That chair also has the swivel seat and the shoulder airbags that pin the shoulders back to enhance posture correction and a great stretch. You and your son will both love that feature.
You could also go all out and get the iconic DreamWave Classic, which is more expensive but a fabulous chair, built with exceptional quality. It has a full body airbag massage program, but also has a much more gently default roller massage, which your wife might like right off the bat. But, for you and/or your son, you can crank up the roller intensity to give you a very vigorous and deep massage. It also has the DreamWave technology in the seat that moves the seat from side to side and up and down.
I hope this helps!
Dr. Alan Weidner
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