Medical Benefits of Massage Chairs

Massage Chairs are more than relaxing me-time. Studies continue to prove the physical and emotional benefits of even a single massage session. As the number of medical benefits grows, so do the number of Americans who turn to massage chairs for a more balanced lifestyle.

Below is just a small list of medical benefits from using a massage chair on a daily basis.

1. It relieves stress. Stress affects not only your mental well-being, but it has a physiological impact on your health as well. Stress leads to many problems such as insomnia, poor appetite and high blood pressure. Alleviating stress reduces levels of cortisol in the bloodstream, which helps to control blood pressure. Stress relief is the key to achieving a healthy lifestyle. Even a single massage session can significantly lower your heart rate, and your cortisol and insulin levels - all of which help reduce daily stress.

2. It aligns the spine and reduces pressure on the nerves. A reclining chair reduces pressure on the spine by supporting the back in a horizontal position. Major nerves run through the vertebrae to peripheral areas of the body including hands, feet, fingers and toes. Tension in the spine or misaligned vertebrae can compress nerves. As muscles that support the vertebrae relax, the spine lengthens and the vertebrae resume their natural alignment. When impinged nerves are freed from pressure, nerve impulses travel easily through the spinal column to the extremities

3. It lowers blood pressure. High blood pressure has more misconceptions than nearly any other medical condition. But one effective way to stave off high blood pressure naturally is getting a massage in a massage chair.

4. It stimulates the body's secretion of endorphins. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that help to reduce the perception of pain and lessen the effects of stress. Endorphins create a feeling of well-being and enhance the immune response. Studies have shown that massages trigger the secretion of endorphins.

5. It relaxes your muscles and helps you to maintain good posture. Got neck, back or muscle pain? Odds are that sitting all day at the office is the culprit. Massages get to the root of persistent pain by relaxing tense muscles. Massage chairs target specific muscles and use several kinds of strokes to relieve pain. As muscles relax, imbalances are corrected. Relaxed muscles allow the body to move with increased mobility. A natural tendency to alleviate pain is to compensate by using another set of muscles. This often places undue stress on adjacent muscles and ligaments. For example, a sore hip may make someone sit unevenly to reduce pressure on the painful side. This causes the muscles along the lower spine to bear weight unevenly. Neck or shoulder muscles may become strained from misalignment or from bearing weight usually held by the lower spine. After a session in a massage chair, many people feel that their posture and balance have improved. Unlike other bad habits, poor posture can be relaxing to correct. Massage helps reinforce healthy and natural movements, which can get posture back on track.

6. It improves your circulation. Increased circulation promotes healing. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to cells and organs and removes toxins. Constricted, tense muscles can constrict blood flow. By relaxing the muscles, blood can flow to the tissues and organs. The Mayo Clinic reports that some studies suggest that the immune system is strengthened by massages. The pressure created by massage therapy moves blood through congested areas. This causes new blood to flow in, improving circulation and resulting in improved body function.

7. It improves flexibility and range of motion. As we age, joints tend to tighten, making range of motion more restricted. Massage helps keep joints more fluid, making you more flexible and less prone to injury.

8. It encourages relaxation. Relax. Reset. Repeat. Massages have been shown to help the body enter a relaxing rest-and-recovery mode- an effect that lingers long after the massage is over. Massage chairs not only ease aches and pains, but can help relaxation and lower stress. Using a massage chair can have a positive effect on both your physical and mental health.

