Chairs and Recliners

Massage Chairs vs. Live Massages?

What are some of the pros and cons of each? Massage chairs are generally expensive, are they worth it? how close do they mimic a live massage?

Public Comments

1. YOU can't tell chair that's too hard or move up or down. I Have seen inserts for a regular highback chair for about $100 that not to bad, is it? I like them both . If I had to choose I perfer live massages.
2. massage chairs are ok... they only work in certain areas.. which means only certain areas of your back (or wherever) are being massaged, and generally, its not in your problem areas. and because its the same circular motion, at the same speed and intensity, i don't think it works very well. whereas live massages, they work the areas that need to be worked on. they use different techniques and can apply the appropriate pressure. My dad has a portable massage thing that goes on the couch. whenever i use it, it bruises me because it's too hard.
3. i rather live massags because tell the person where you are hurting and the message chair doesn't really get the spots i want them to get
4. Live massages are of course better but they are very expensive over the long haul. The massage chairs can do a really good job. You have to test them all to make a decision. I love the expensive ones unfortunately, but what I love is the calf massage... better than massuese actually. Also the roller bars do a great job on the back too.
5. massage chairs are good if there is no one around who can do massage. Let's say in the middle of the night. It can be quite relaxing. But the problem is that most of these things put out a lot of Electro magnetic radiation, something that has been connected to cancer. So in case that's true, there is possibly a big health gamble. No machine can replace a good massage therapist's hand. As it is not just applying massage, but also able to check and feel changes. It's probably best for you and your to learn massage, then you probably don't need to get a massage chair.
6. I'm sorry but as a massage student I will have to disagree that a chair can even begin to compete. Were I go to school we have a sharper image store close by so I went it and this we when I was just starting the program, I really had no opinion at the time on massage chairs. after visting I thought that the chairs sucked, even the $4000 ones compare to massage students that have been in school for >2 months! Overall they are fine to relax with if that's your thing (They make me sick to my stomach) but if you really have something going on then they aren't going to make a dent in it. A good alternative would be to go on a site like www.massagewarehouse.com and get one of the professional hand held massagers. These are going to be much less expensive and much more effective at achieving results from tight muscles. Good luck