Massage chairs can significantly help back pain if used correctly and regularly. By relaxing the muscles and helping to circulate and encourage active blood flow, inflammation is reduced which can promote better healing and comfort in damaged or painful areas.
By using a zero gravity massage chair in particular, your body will be reclined into a neutral body position, at which point your feet will be elevated above your heart level. Your body weight will be distributed evenly in this position, and the pressure on your muscles and nerves will be alleviated. This will noticeably help to reduce back pain.
That being said not all back pain comes from the same source, and for the massage chair to be able to be most affective when dealing with the pain, it needs to be used properly. In order to ensure correct usage it is imperative to use the right setting, pressure and location of the massage treatment to be able to target the right areas of the body.
Are massage chairs bad for your back?
Generally speaking, massage chairs are not bad for your back. In fact, by using a massage chair properly, you can help your back by reducing pain and bettering blood circulation, which in turn can help with flexibility and movement.
However, for the massage chair to improve the state of your back or even increase its performance, it is essential to understand the condition of your back. If you can identify the source of pain in your pain, be it muscle, nerve or fatigue, then you can investigate the correct settings to treat the target area before using the massage chair to assist with maximizing the pain relief.
A professional massage therapist would not treat you without talking to you about your condition, your type of pain and it’s precise location. It makes sense for you to not address your pain issue without knowing these details either.
If used incorrectly a massage chair can damage your back further. A common way of doing this is if you use the massage chair at too high a pressure and/or for an extended amount of time.
If you only plan on using your massage chair gently for the recommended periods, then generally speaking it should not affect your back or any part of you negatively; however, it is always wise to consult with your doctor before using a massage chair to address any pain, in particularly to diagnose your condition correctly.
Why does my back hurt after using a massage chair?
There are multiple reasons why your back may be hurting after using a massage chair.
As massage chairs are more available online than they have ever been before, some of us rely simply on reviews and details regarding the product to make our purchase.
Your massage chair is not suitable for you.
When it comes to massage chairs causing pain instead of relief this is a common reason. For a massage chair to have the desired affect, they need to fit your body shape adequately.
This pertains to your height and your weight. If you are too tall, too short, or an unsuitable weight for your particular brand of massage chair, then the settings used will not be addressing the right areas on your body and can lead to the onset of pain rather than respite.
A good way to avoid this is to always test a massage chair before buying it. The best time to do this is in a retail outlet for the product, where you can ask for additional assistance from an employee. If you want to save costs on your purchase you can then search for the same design and dimensions online and purchase the chair that way.
You are not using the correct settings.
Many of us enjoy deep pressure massages as they are great for getting at those hard-to-reach areas and can get rid of knots and muscle tightness. A professional massage therapist knows exactly where to touch, how hard, and for how long. But it can be difficult to replicate this standard of care with a home massage chair.
It may seem easy to just sit in the massage chair and set it off on the highest pressure for as long as you like, but this is an common way of getting hurt. No matter how strong, fit and healthy you are, your nerves and muscles have limits, and strong friction against them and your skin for extended periods is likely to cause you pain.
Instead, consider using the lower pressure massages on your massage chair for longer massages, and use the high-pressure setting occasionally and for shorter periods of time.
Are zero gravity chairs good for lower back pain?
Zero gravity massage chairs can indeed be very beneficial for lower back pain. General massages on these machines are great for lower back pain, as they reduce the inflammation and tension in the muscles and can help with blood circulation. When putting the person into the neutral body position as these machines do, their weight is distributed evenly around their body and thus significantly reducing the pressure on their lower back. This will help reduce the severity of the pain and can also help with the healing at the source of the back pain.
A zero gravity massage chair can also help with blood circulation, which is proven to help with pain recovery too. Better blood circulation helps boost the immune system and can help muscles and nerves to heal better and faster. It can even work affectively in hard to reach areas such as the lower back.
Finally, lower back pain can be both caused by stress and can lead to a significant amount of stress. Since most of us clench our bodies when we are stressed, this increases the pain in the lower back and other areas, especially when we are stressed for long periods of.
By using the neutral body position, the massages in the zero gravity massage chair are considered to be even more relaxing and beneficial, and are really useful in reducing the effects of stress on the body and helping to handle lower pain and other areas of back pain.
Do massage chairs help circulation?
Massage chairs, if used correctly, can be very useful in promoting blood circulation around and throughout the body.
Zero gravity massage chairs, in particular, have proven to be the most beneficial when it comes to helping blood circulation. This is because the body weight is distributed evenly, and the body is in a position in which the blood can circulate easier and more evenly.
The added effect of this type of massage then helps the blood to circulate easily and this can have a calming affect areas suffering from inflammation and pain.
Massages and massage chairs are commonly recommended for people with bad blood circulation, as they can be very natural and efficient ways of dealing with a difficult issue.
Bad blood circulation can lead to a long list of health problems, some of which can become quite serious if left unchecked. However, good blood circulation can help promote a healthy heart, a strong immune system, improved movement and overall well being.
Some types of massage chairs may not always be the best for increasing blood circulation, and in particular misusing the massage chair can be detrimental to blood circulation in some cases.
There have been known to be some extremely rare cases in which massage chairs have led to the onset of blood clots and vein thrombosis. They can be dangerous for people who suffer from low blood pressure in particular, since the massage lowers your blood pressure as you relax, leading to concerning levels of blood pressure in the body.
Before using your new massage chair, you should consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding your current physical state, or the effect that the massage can have on any ongoing condition from which you suffer.
That being said, massage chairs leading to complications regarding blood clots or vein thrombosis are very uncommon and are only of concern for people who have ongoing conditions or who are under certain treatment or medication. Your doctor will be able to tell you how to use the massage chair properly (i.e. at what frequency, pressure setting, etc.), in order for you to be able to receive the benefits of a massage without having to worry about any negative side effects.
