Can massage chairs actually simulate the human touch of a professional massage therapist?
With today’s advanced technology, massage chair owners will tell you that the answer is an enthusiastic “yes!” However, choosing the right brand and model can pose a challenge.
Understanding how robotics simulate professional techniques is the first step to identifying which chair might provide the best experience for you, in the convenience of your own home.
How Robotic Massage Chairs Simulate Professional Massage Techniques
In the earliest designs, chair massagers did little more than vibrate. Over time, designers added basic rollers and other elements that manipulated the muscles. Although these models did provide benefits, they bear little resemblance to the high-tech mechanisms we enjoy today.
Today, a complex tangle of rollers, airbags, gears and vibration is controlled by microprocessors. When a user selects a specific massage technique – shiatsu, deep tissue or Swedish massage, for example – the microprocessor initiates a complex program accordingly.
The mechanical controls guide rollers and other elements horizontally, vertically and forward-and-back, creating the sensations you would experience at the hands of a professional. Users experience sensations of stretching, kneading, rolling and tapping that are virtually indistinguishable from human touch. Adding elements of warmth further contribute to the “real” feel of the experience.
How Three-Dimensional Massage Chair Designs Help Simulate Real Massage
Older models provided massage only to the portions of the body that came in contact with the chair’s surfaces. Modern designs envelop the user, allowing manipulation on virtually every location except the front plane of the body.
This means that you can enjoy the sensation of a professional therapist working on your shoulders, neck, arms, calves and feet.
To understand how this is possible, take a look at the basic design of today’s advanced 3-D massage chair. They look less like a traditional recliner and much more like a space-age pod from the flight deck of the Starship Enterprise.
Choosing a Massage Chair that Simulates Professional Techniques
You have many options to choose from, if you’d like to have this capability at home. The right model for you depends on your personal preference as well as your budget and the space you have available for a massage chair.
Start by taking a look at the Osaki Pro Maestro, one of the most advanced chair designs for simulating human touch and techniques. You can watch Dr. Weidner demonstrate the calf massage functions of this model on our YouTube channel.
Also check out the iRobotics 7 Plus model, which is made in the US. This design provides one of the most robust sets of features available today, to help you get the best possible experience.
Massage Chair Relief has showrooms in Utah and California, but you can also purchase your chair through our convenient online interface if you prefer. We offer free shipping, a 90-day moneyback guarantee and a lifetime labor warranty on every chair we sell. We also have live assistance available to answer all your questions. Use our powerful Chair Finder tool to compare features and find the best massage chair for you and your budget.