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Massage Chairs
The massage chair was first introduced to the consumer market in the late
1980's. Intended to emulate the motions and techniques of an actual masseuse,
the goal of the massage chair was to relieve stress, tension, and alleviate back
pain. Although massage chairs were initially slow to catch on, after a decade or
so, interest in the technology increased, spurring competitors to strive for the
most effective models.
Currently, the most effective massage techniques that massage chairs are
designed to try to be like are that of Shiatsu and Swedish massage.
Shiatsu tends to use pressing, sweeping, patting, rolling, and rotating
movements. The defining characteristic of Shiatsu is its focus on releasing
tension in specific locations of the body.
Swedish massage is characteristic of long gliding strokes and kneading motions.
This type of massage aims at fostering proper and strong circulation.
Most massage chairs are designed to involve three main components intended to
closely match these massage techniques:
Massage chair motors—these are the essential mechanical aspects of the massage
chair. They power and move the nodes and rollers to the necessary areas, as well
as allow the needed adjustments to the seat back.
The massage chair has numerous preset patterns and programs used to massage the
entire back. However, the motors, nodes, and rollers are meant to be modified
through the control pad that accompanies all massage chairs. As the user
specifies, the massage chair focuses on the neck down to the lower back, with a
tapping motion, rolling motion, or kneading motion.
Massage chair nodes and rollers—these vary in size and shape, designed to
emulate fingers and hands. A massage chair with large rollers and nodes provides
a more generalized approach at massaging, while massage chairs with smaller
nodes and rollers provide the more detailed, point-specific massaging. They
target specified areas of the user's back and can move in a variety of ways,
which are pre-programmed into the mechanics of the massage chair. Again, the
user can adjust these nodes and rollers on the massage chair to best fit his or
her needs.
Computer assisted adjustability of the massage chair —This is perhaps the most
essential factor. Almost all massage chairs are designed to automatically adjust
for the weight, height, and width of the selected user. By measuring the
pressure on the seatback, the height of the protrusion of the rollers and nodes
adjusts. In addition, by locating specific areas on the anatomy of the back, the
massage chair makes the necessary adjustments for the height and width of the
user. Selecting various inputs on the control pad can also refine these options.
Of course, a mechanical substitute can never reproduce the exact feeling of
human touch. As years have gone by, designers have more closely approximated the
necessary factors in a massage chair to provide its user with some measure of
relief from back pain and neck pain.
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