Thursday, October 8, 2009

Massage Is Great For Your Health

Massage Chairs to the Rescue: Improve Your Health with Massage!

by Janet Huey

How is it that we just do not ever seem to have enough time. We know we need to take better care of our bodies, but somehow we just keep cutting corners. We are all busy. We know we need to make good health a higher priority, but. Well, you know, but. We do know that stress builds everyday. It is cumulative. How does that stress get reduced? Since ancient times, massage therapy was the preferred method. Today, how about the day spa? Nice, if I had the time. This is where a massage chair can help.

Can a massage chair really help me out? The premier massage chair brands have developed an incredible array of therapeutic massage therapies in their recliners. Massage therapy manipulates both the skin and muscles which helps to relieve and alleviate aches, pain and discomfort. Furthermore, massage chair recliners can perform full body massages. From you feet to your head, today's massage chair got your covered.

The evidence for massage therapy keeps building. The studies keep showing that massage therapy helps to relax the muscles; reduce the heart rate: increase blood flow and lymph flow; improve range of motion and guess what? Reduce Stress! We all know the massage therapy feels good, but massage therapy is a treatment. The studies also show that like diet and exercise, massage therapy is a process of healing the body. Massage therapy must be performed on a periodic, recurring basis.

Of course, one of the problems of getting a massage is the time involved. By the time an appointment is set, you drive to the spa, and get the massage, and then come back home may all take 2 hours or more. This is great if you always have the time, but most of us do not. A massage chair on the other hand, provides in-home convenience, 24/7 access and no appointment necessary. It is ready, willing and able to relieve your aches and pains.

When you get a traditional massage at a day spa, the massage therapist will give you a full body massage. The massage therapist will start on one part of your body at a time. As the therapist finishes one area, then they will move on to the next. A full body massage is usually completed in 50 minutes. If a therapist does the back and then moves on to each leg, and then to each arm for a total of 5 areas. The therapist spends about 10 minutes on each area. So, really each area gets about a 10 minute massage.

Now, a massage chair performs a full body massage as well. The difference is the massage chair works in parallel, so all major areas are receiving massages simultaneously. Since all areas are being massaged, the total massage time is only 10 minutes. The massage therapist by contrast work 5 areas for 10 minutes each for a total of 50 minutes. The massage therapist takes 5 times longer to cover the same area.

A massage chair can help you by always being available when you need it. Imagine having 24/7 access to your own mechanical masseuse. No appointment necessary. Building a routine around massage therapy cannot be too hard. In fact to get the most benefit, the routine has to include periodic, continuous treatment. Sound like more fun that working out! Well, it certainly is a great compliment to soothe those aches, pains and soreness. Get the balance you need, and look at integrating massage therapy into your total health. The ancients would have loved the opportunity to have a massage chair recliner.

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