If you’re considering a massage chair to help you with back stretching and spinal decompression, selecting the correct design and features will help you get the results you seek.

Although these highly advanced theraoeutic chairs aren’t technically designed to perform spinal decompression per se, you can achieve the same type of results by selecting a chair that performs back stretching massage.

For people who suffer from a variety of back, neck and spine-related problems, stretching massage can provide pain relief along with a host of related benefits.

What Is a Back-Stretching Massage Chair?

Many high-quality massage chairs include a back stretching program.

In some models, this program places the body in a horizontal position and, after inflating calf airbags to grip the legs, lowers the ottoman to arch the body slightly backward. With the body in this position, the program commences the massage routine. In other models, the arching sensation is not as pronounced and the program alternates between reclined and inclined while gently manipulating the spine to create a pleasant and effective stretch.

This feature is particularly beneficial for anyone who has lower back problems resulting from a compromised (decreased) lumbar curve – a common cause of sciatica and related problems. It can also help increase flexibility, allowing you to strengthen weak areas of the lower body with less risk of injury.

Inversion Stretch Massage Chairs

Inversion refers to the process of situating your upper torso below your lower body. In this position, gravity works to release pressure on the spine. Chiropractors and physical therapists often use this technique to assist patients with nerve compression, spinal stenosis and other painful spine conditions.

If you’ve seen the commercials for inversion tables, you might believe that you need to go completely upside-down to achieve this goal. But, with the right therapeutic chair, you can obtain this relief with only a slight degree of inversion.

Inversion massage chairs offer the ability to angle your body in such a way that you enjoy the same benefits without feeling precarious or imbalanced.

Choosing the Right Inversion Stretch Massage Chair for You

When you’re comparing back stretch and inversion stretch chair models, you might see reference to an L-shaped track, S-shaped track and LS-shaped track designs. These terms refer to the rollers that work different parts of the spine. The S-track addresses the spine itself whereas the L-track addresses lower areas including the gluteal and upper thigh areas. If a chair has an LS-track, it does both.

If you seek a stretch or inversion massage function, you need the S-shaped track functions with inversion capability. Some of the most popular are the Infinity line, including our best-selling Infinity Smart Chair X3, which features one of the best back-stretching massages available today.

The experts at Massage Chair Relief can assist you in selecting the right model for your needs and your budget. Visit our website, contact us directly or, if you’re near one of our comfortable and convenient showrooms, visit us today to learn more about inversion and back-stretching massage chairs.