Benefits of Chair Massage
Adverse physical effects such as muscle tension, tissue binding, and muscular knotting can lead to headaches and joint discomfort. The damage, if left untreated, can cause long term effects. Prioritizing comfort and general health are a vital part of maintaining a high quality of life.
The Massage chair is limited to the upper body, however the benefits are similar to full-body table versions and include stress reduction, enhanced circulation, increases physical flexibility, a more vibrant immune system, pain relief, deeper sleep, improved athletic performance, a brighter mood, and better chronic disease management.
Benefit #1: Stress Reduction
Research consistently shows that massages relieve stress. Just a single session has been shown to reduce high levels of fight-or-flight hormones while releasing the natural endorphins that improve mood and promote feelings of calm. Periodic massage sessions can help reduce stress on a continued basis. Many offices offer chair massage for this very reason.
Benefit #2: Enhanced Circulation
Massage Chair stimulates the flow of both blood and lymphatic fluid. Massage improves vascular function almost as well as exercise. Because blood carries oxygen and vital nutrients, circulation nourishes the entire body, including the brain. Science shows a direct correlation between circulation and cognition. Early analyses suggest massage could help stave off some forms of cognitive decline. With the increase in the Baby Boomer population chair massage can help older clients reduce cognitive decline.
Benefit #3: Increases Physical Flexibility
The looser muscles and joints are, the easier it will be for someone to move them. Unbinding muscles and tissues through chair massage can help increase range of motion and freedom of movement. The tighter muscles are, the harder they will be to move and articulate.
Benefit #4: A More Vibrant Immune System
Massage improves immune function by boosting the production of the white blood cells responsible for fighting off infection. Although there are no large studies to suggest massage can affect cancer, these “natural killer cells” play a role in immune function and could help immunocompromised patients stay healthier.
Benefit #5: Pain Relief
More doctors are prescribing massage to help manage both chronic and acute pain. It can ease the daily discomfort caused by conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis, and it’s also been shown to reduce pain from musculoskeletal injuries from tennis elbow to sprains.
Massage has shown to decrease the symptom severity of conditions such as knee tendinitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. In many cases, the effects are as successful as other interventions, including anti-inflammatory medications and surgery. Because it’s low-risk and non-invasive, it also eliminates the worry of complications. Many patients who’ve tried massages for pain relief say they’re mostly effective, and most plan to continue.
Benefit #6: Deeper Sleep
Massages can relieve a broad range of conditions associated with poor sleep, such as anxiety, depression, pregnancy and chronic pain. When scheduled before bedtime, they can induce relaxation, but even day sessions help by improving circulation and increasing levels of serotonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep.
Benefit #7: Improved Athletic Performance
In addition to helping athletes recover faster from injury, massage also appears to improve strength in muscles damaged by overuse and reduces the incidence of chronic muscle spasm.
Regular athletes benefit from massage after injuries to speed recovery, while performance athletes use it to gain a competitive edge. While not everyone is training for the Olympics, it could be an easy way for a weekend tennis player to strengthen a weak forehand.
Benefit #8: A Brighter Mood
Massage has a direct impact on the brain chemicals that regulate mood by lowering stress hormones, like cortisol, while boosting feel-good neurotransmitters including, serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine. The result is a feeling of well-being and sharper mental focus.
Benefit #9: Better Chronic Disease Management
Massage has far-reaching effects shown to benefit those with chronic disease. As a complementary therapy, it can mitigate the symptoms of conditions from diabetes to hypertension. While not a substitute for medication, a single massage can lower blood pressure readings for up to 72 hours.
Final Thoughts
Stress is an epidemic, and massage is among the best ways to limit its effects. Once available only through luxury spas, chair massages are bringing this critical therapy to the masses. It’s a boon for 21st century health and an excellent way for massage therapists to do business.
