Massage Chair Buying Guide

Choosing a massage chair involves navigating a plethora of features, and at Emassagechair, we prioritize your understanding of these elements. From advanced massage rollers, such as2D, 3D, to 4D rollers, to the significance of massage tracks like S-Track or L-Track, each component contributes to a tailored wellness experience. Our commitment is to empower you in making an informed decision, ensuring your massage chair aligns seamlessly with your unique health and relaxation needs.

What is a massage roller?

At the heart of your massage chair lies the indispensable massage roller, orchestrating a symphony of relaxation for your back (and glutes in select models). These rollers serve as the primary architects of your massage, gracefully traversing both sides of your spine, rendering a simultaneous and harmonious dance. The market offers two predominant styles – the quad and dual rollers. Picture the quad style as mimicking the dexterity of human thumb and forefingers, while the dual style emulates the precision of thumbs or fingertips, often found in Japanese massage chairs, allowing versatile movements beyond the conventional up-and-down motion.

• 2D Massage Rollers: Operating along the standard up-and-down motion on the roller track, these rollers deliver a soothing and effective massage experience. While the depth of the massage remains fixed, the option to personalize your comfort is granted through the flexibility to add or remove padding in most chairs.
• 3D Massage Rollers: These rollers, sharing the familiar up-and-down motion, introduce an extra dimension by seamlessly moving in and out. This dynamic capability allows for an adjustable massage depth, ensuring a personalized and invigorating experience. 3D massasge chairs tailor the intensity in real-time, offering a more dynamic and responsive massage that caters to your unique preferences.
• 4D Massage Rollers: These advanced rollers not only traverse up and down but also introduce speed adjustments and pressure sensors for a truly humanistic touch. 4D massage chairs bring a level of adaptability, slowing down for soothing strokes or pausing to apply targeted pressure during your massage session. With cutting-edge programming and sensor technology, 4D massage rollers provide an unparalleled blend of precision, personalization, and therapeutic comfort.

What is a massage track?

• S-Track: Starting at the neck and extending down to the tailbone, the S-Track follows the natural S-shaped curvature of the spine. S-Track massage chairs excel in providing effective stretch programs and are suitable for those who prefer a flat or bed-like position.
• L-Track: A newer style, the L-Track begins at the neck and extends beyond the lower spine, wrapping underneath the glutes. This design offers an exceptional glute massage. However, the fixed L shape can impact the stretch program, preventing it from laying flat. Recent L-Track chairs have adapted to pull the shoulders back and down, enhancing the stretching experience.
• Flex Track: Flex tracks in massage chairs bring a new level of versatility, seamlessly combining bottom and top tracks to create a reclined and laid-down position. This innovative design offers users a dual benefit – the targeted glute massage characteristic of L-Track style chairs, coupled with the horizontal lying position and exceptional stretching found in S-Track chairs. The flexibility of hybrid tracks represents the latest technology in massage chairs, providing users with a comprehensive and customized massage experience. While these chairs may come with a slightly higher price tag, the enhanced features and adaptability make them a valuable investment for those seeking a multifaceted and personalized massage chair solution.

Body Scan Technology

Incorporating Body Scan technology, massage chairs excel in locating your position for a tailored experience. While basic scans may identify shoulder positioning, advanced models go further. These advanced scans pinpoint shoulder width and the curvature of your spine.

The level of advancement in Body Scan technology directly influences the precision of roller placement, creating a more lifelike massage sensation. Upon powering up the massage chair and selecting a program, the chair initiates a quick scan. You'll sense the rollers moving up and down, and in more sophisticated models, even in and out. This swift scan is pivotal in customizing the massage to your body's specific contours, ensuring an optimal and personalized massage experience.

This reclined state, akin to the conditions experienced in zero gravity, was found through research to reduce tension and compression along the spine and body. Incorporating Zero Gravity Recline into massage chairs enhances the massage experience by optimizing the distribution of gravitational forces. For a more detailed explanation, please explore our dedicated "What is Zero Gravity Recline" blog post.

Reflexology Foot Massage

Incorporated into most massage chairs, reflexology foot massage is positioned at the base of the footrest. This technique applies targeted pressure to specific foot regions, releasing stress and tension across various areas of the body. Implemented through acupressure nodes or rollers, it involves kneading and applying acupressure. The rollers, typically with 1 to 3 tracks, remain stationary, catering to the arches, heels, and foot pads based on the chair's design.

More Features

Massage chairs offer more than just massage functions; they often come equipped with additional enhancements. These features may encompass Bluetooth speakers, heat therapy, calf rollers, calf kneading airbags, space-saving technology, advanced body scanning functions, extendable ottomans, touchscreen tablets, and various other innovations.

Extensive research highlights the many benefits of massage therapy. Studies indicate that massage promotes flexibility, reduces tension, enhances blood and lymphatic flow, and elevates endorphin levels. A small study at Webster State University involving 521 students observed decreased stress levels and blood pressure after using a massage chair.

Massage therapy offers stress relief, aids in managing anxiety and depression, provides pain relief, alleviates stiffness, triggers the release of endorphins, reduces blood pressure, accelerates injury recovery, boosts immunity, improves circulation, enhances joint flexibility, workout recovery, and more. For an in-depth exploration of the subject, refer to our blog post on the Benefits of Massage Therapy.

When choosing a massage chair, keep these factors in mind:

• Will a massage chair fit through the doorway? Ensure the massage chair can fit through your doorway. While they typically fit through a standard 30” doorway, older homes may have narrower doorways. Check the chair's specifications tab to confirm compatibility. If space is limited, consider removing the door or using a sliding glass door.
• Will my body fit in the massage chair People come in various shapes and sizes, and so do massage chairs. Most chairs are designed for individuals between 5’2” and 6’2”, weighing up to around 250 lbs. If you have concerns about whether a chair will accommodate your size, contact us at 888.360.9996. We also categorize chairs for Petite or Taller users to simplify your search.

• Is buying a massage chair financially worth it? Before diving into payment details, consider the financial worth of a massage chair. If you regularly spend on massage therapy, investing in a massage chair makes sense. Imagine paying $50 per hour for a weekly massage, accumulating to around $2600 annually. A massage chair becomes a wise investment, offering convenience with on-demand massages, anytime, any day—no appointments needed.
• Financing Options for Your Convenience: We understand the importance of flexibility. That's why we offer financing options through Affirm and PayPal Credit. With Affirm, enjoy financing as low as 0% for up to 36 months. PayPal Credit provides terms as low as 0%, extending up to 12 months. For more details, visit our massage chair financing page or speak to one of our knowledgeable Massage Chair Experts.
• Will my insurance company cover the cost of a massage chair? Curious if your insurance will cover part of your massage chair purchase? The short answer is no. Some insurance providers might reimburse a percentage of the cost, but is not very likely. Contact your insurance company to understand their terms. Typically, you'll need to pay for the chair upfront and provide them with the receipt for reimbursement. If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), check with your administrator to see if it covers massage chair purchases and the reimbursement process.

• Curbside Delivery (Standard): Free delivery where movers leave boxes at your front door or garage. You'll be in charge of assembling the chair, a process that typically takes 30-60 minutes. Instructions and videos are provided.
• In-Home Delivery (Threshold): Similar to curbside, but the chair is brought just inside your doorway. You move the boxes to your chosen room and take responsibility for assembly (30-60 minutes). Instructions and videos are provided.
• In-Home Delivery and Assembly (White Glove): This option involves a White Glove terminal. After contacting you to schedule, movers bring the chair to your chosen room, handle assembly, and ensure it works. While not experts in massage chairs, they're skilled furniture movers/installers. Reach out to us for help from an Emassagechair.com Expert if needed.

General Cleaning for All Chairs

Regular cleaning is essential to prevent the accumulation of dirt, body oils, and dust. For synthetic leather chairs, a damp cloth suffices for wiping down all exposed areas. Avoid direct sunlight exposure to maintain the chair's condition.

Caring for Synthetic Leather Chairs

Cleaning Process:

• Use mild soap (such as Dawn dish soap) and water.
• Wipe down all areas, especially those in contact with your body.
• Vacuum areas prone to dirt and dust accumulation.

• Expertise in Action: We invest considerable time testing a variety of massage chairs, ensuring that we can guide you to the ideal choice. Our commitment extends to understanding common health issues, allowing us to recommend the most effective chairs tailored to your specific needs. Recognized as Massage Chair Experts, our knowledge becomes your advantage.
• Commitment to Customer Satisfaction: Emassagechair.com holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). We promptly address every customer concern to ensure satisfaction. Verified reviews and testimonials from our customers attest to our commitment to excellence.
• Unmatched Ratings Across Platforms: A simple Google search reveals our stellar reputation on various review websites. Trustpilot.com gives us a remarkable 4.7 rating, while Scam Advisor rates us 100 out of 100. These accolades underscore our dedication to providing a trustworthy and reliable online shopping experience.
• Navigating Challenges Transparently: During the initial stages of the pandemic, unforeseen shipping issues impacted industries worldwide. Despite these challenges, Emassagechair.com worked diligently to resolve any complications. Our competitors fell short in comparison, making us the steadfast choice for your massage chair purchase.
• Customer-Centric Approach: Our online ratings are a testament to our exceptional customer service. As Massage Chair Experts, we prioritize listening to your needs over pressuring you to make a purchase. Let us assist you on your journey to a better life through the transformative benefits of massage. Your satisfaction is our mission at Emassagechair.com – we look forward to helping you achieve it.

• Identifying Red Flags on Websites: Look for essential contact information such as a phone number, address, email, and contact form on the website. Absence of these raises concerns about transparency and customer support. A lack of a toll-free number (800, 888, 877, 866, 855, and 844) is also a potential red flag.
• Beware of Scam Websites: Be cautious if a website offers massage chairs at unbelievably low prices. Scam websites often appear during holiday seasons and may use fake comments on platforms like Facebook. Report suspicious ads and prioritize purchases from reputable sources.
• Scrutinizing Top Massage Chair Lists: Be critical of lists featuring affiliate links to Amazon, as they prioritize profits over genuine recommendations. Some manufacturers may create biased lists on separate blogs to showcase their products favorably. Legitimate e-commerce websites with tested chairs are reliable sources for accurate information.