Buyer’s Guide

Massage Chair Buyer's Guide

Massage Chair Benefits

Shiatsu Wellness recognizes that purchasing a massage chair is a significant investment that should be carefully considered. Whether you need a massage once a day, once a week or less frequently, we’re here to help you purchase the right massage chair for your needs.

A massage chair is an investment in your overall health, and comes with numerous benefits, including:

  • Relieving muscle tension
  • Helping to decrease depression and anxiety
  • Soothing chronic pain and joint issues
  • Assisting in lowering high blood pressure
  • Increasing relaxation

If you have any specific underlying medical conditions, always consult with a physician before using your massage chair to prevent injury or harm.

Price

While a low-cost chair may seem more tempting because of the price tag, it will also be significantly less sophisticated than its more advanced counterparts. Consider the features that you’re looking for, and what you may or may not be willing to compromise on.

Great massage chairs, like most things, increase in price as additional features are added. Typically speaking, a premium massage chair will range upwards of between $6,000 and $9,000. We know that price is an important part of your decision, which is why we provide the knowledge and resources for you to make the most informed decision possible.

Massage Chair Benefits

Massage Functions: Low-end massage chairs usually offer simple vibration and rolling massage, while high-end massage chairs offer a wide variety of features, including:

  • Rolling
  • Tapping
  • Kneading
  • Shiatsu
  • Reflexology
  • Vibration
  • Heat
  • Zero Gravity and Inversion Therapy

Massage Positions:

In addition to varying massage styles, all massage chairs feature different massage areas beyond just your back. A premium massage chair usually offers leg and foot massage, and sometimes, arm and wrist massages. Advanced massage chairs can also feature a thumb-like massage head to mimic the therapeutic benefits of a trip to a massage therapist.

Massage Programs:

Most massage chairs users have the option of an auto or pre-programmed massage. The pre-programmed massages contain a thoughtfully choreographed program that varies in massage techniques, intensities and chair movements. More advanced massage chairs usually have body-mapping technology, which tests the reactions of various areas of your body and customizes a massage accordingly.

Massage Rollers:

Premium massage chair has rollers on a long track along the back and short tracks in the footrests. The extent to which the rollers travel down your back is determined by the type of track in the massage chair, while the intensity and movement are determined by the technology. One feature you should consider is the range of the rollers as some massage chairs offer customizations on height as well as the width of the rollers.

There are three main categories of roller tracks: S-, L- and J-Track.

  • S-Track Massage Chair: The S-roller tracks follow the curve of the spine, moving up and down from the neck through the lumbar region. Reaching all areas of tension and realigning your body, the S-roller track ends at the lumbar region to allow the chair to pivot into a reclined position to create stretching opportunities.
  • L-Track Massage Chairs: L-track rollers extend from the neck further down the body, also reaching the glutes or hamstrings, giving you a spa-quality massage.
  • J-Track Massage Chairs: The J-track, or flex track, combines the range of the L-track with the stretching capabilities of the S-track. The neck-to-glute coverage combines superior stretching capabilities and maximum massage coverage.

Massage Airbags: Massage airbags offer powerful relief from tension and stiffness by delivering pressurized air to small pouches located in the back, legs or sides of your massage chair. When the airbags inflate, they compress your muscles, which helps stimulate blood flow. Simultaneous airbag and rolling massage create the most advanced full body massage available in a chair.

Heated Massage: Most premium massage chairs come with the option of a heated region, which can include back, lumbar and feet By offering heat, your massage becomes significantly more effective by adding more relaxation to your muscles and improving circulation.

Recline Function: Most high-end massage chairs feature a variety of recline options, some of which include Zero Gravity. Named after the weightlessness that astronauts feel in space, this massage chair function places your body in a gravity neutral position, which lowers your heart rate, reduces tension and boosts healthy circulation.
Kyota-Kenko-M673_Black_Zero

Some reclining options might include a single-touch feature, giving you ultimate control. Studies have shown that adding a degree of recline to your massage not only provides a deeper massage experience, but it also significantly boosts the benefits.

Massage Power: Most people will agree that the strength of your massage is one of the most important aspects of any massage chair. This strength is dependent on the number of motors within the chair. Over time, your body will become accustomed to your massage chair, so more available strength options will make your chair more beneficial in the long run. Many massage chairs offer removable padding, which allow another level of customization in the strength of your massage.

There are three main types of massage roller intensity:

  • 2D Massage: Rollers operate on X and Y axes and can move up, down, left or right.
  • 3D Massage: Rollers operate on X, Y and Z (diagonal) axis.
  • 4D Massage: The comprehensive range of 3D massage technology is enhanced with variable roller intensity, which offers a deeper reach.

Chair Upholstery: Genuine leather is often the fabric of choice for massage chair furnishings, but you’ll notice that a lot of high-end and technologically advanced chairs are synthetic. This is due to the amount of movement and heat that your massage chair will generate on a daily basis. Synthetic fabrics are usually engineered to withstand wear and tear, ensuring the longevity of your massage chair in the long run.

For more on these or other massage chair features, please visit our glossary page.

Warranties

Although our massage chairs are built to the highest quality, defects may occasionally occur during manufacturing. The Shiatsu Wellness offers a few warranty program levels, starting with an extensive  5-year warranty program that covers:

  • 5-years customer and technical support (for U.S. residents)
  • 5-year structural frame warranty
  • 3-year complimentary replacement on covered parts
  • 1-year complete Care (Complimentary covered parts and labor)

When you are looking to purchase your massage chair, be sure to review the warranty type and length that the massage chair manufacturer offers. Always remember that those who offer good warranties should be valued higher in your search.

Your Purchase

Before you purchase your massage chair, make sure you cover all your bases:

  • Have you checked the dimensions of your massage chair to ensure it can fit through the doorway and rest comfortably in the room of your choice?
  • Can parts be removed to facilitate moving and installation?

If you answer no to either of these questions, remember that this could potentially make your chair more of a hassle.

Check out customer reviews and testimonials and make sure that the massage chair you’ve picked does everything you want. Shiatsu Wellness representatives are available to answer any questions you might have before, during or after your purchase of a massage chair, so don’t hesitate to ask!