FAQs:
What is a Chair Massage?
Chair massage - also known as the seated massage - is a type of massage that takes place on a traditional massage chair, designed to take the weight off the spine and give easy access to the head, neck, back, shoulders, and arms. The massage is most commonly done over the clothes and does not require oils or creams. This makes it a great mobile service, frequently utilized at events, corporate settings, and exhibitions. Ideal for almost anywhere within the workplace.
What Does a Massage Therapist Do?
Massage Therapists are generally employed at massage clinics, spas, and salons to provide rejuvenating and relaxing massages to clients. Massage Therapists maintain knowledge of human anatomy and the musculoskeletal system so they can effectively target points of tension in a client’s body and ease the symptoms of physical stress. They use varying amounts of pressure to improve circulation and target tense or knotted muscles. Massage Therapists communicate with clients about their comfort level and what areas they would like to focus on, setting clear expectations for what areas of muscle and tissue they plan to address.
What are the Differences Between Chair and Table Massage?
A chair massage focuses on your back, shoulders, neck, and arms. It soothes tense and aching muscles in the target areas so you can relax. It could also give you a boost of energy throughout the day.
On the other hand, a table massage targets the entire body. The therapist can work on your hips, legs, and feet, as well as your back, shoulders, neck, and arms. You could say it’s a more suitable option when your back pain affects other body parts and functions like walking and stretching.
A table massage can address the tension and soreness that come with chronic pain problems. Additionally, it contributes to full-body relaxation. It’s why some people fall asleep on massage tables.
During chair massages, therapists address back pain through kneading and pressure. They can use deep kneading techniques, apply pressure on isolated spots, stretch their muscles, and gently tap on specific areas throughout the session. This type of massage can be done anywhere and typically lasts up to half an hour.
Table massages generally last longer. They can be as short as 30 minutes for targeted areas. They usually last for one to one-and-a-half hours, though. Because you would be lying comfortably on a table, the therapist can easily work on any aching muscle across your body. The basic techniques that help with the relaxation of muscles and the release of tension include stroking, kneading, and gentle slapping.
The techniques can be adjusted and modified based on your massage needs and preferences.
What Body Parts are Often Worked on in a Chair Massage?
Depending on the therapist, the chair, and the person being massaged, there are a number of different possibilities for what parts of the body may be included in a chair massage treatment. If you do not want a particular part of your body to be worked on, tell your therapist that before you begin. It is possible to massage just about any body part, but the seated position typical to chair massage makes some parts easier to access. The most common body parts include the neck, shoulders, upper to the low back, upper arms, forearms, hands, scalp, forehead, ears, and face. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, and other parts like your lower legs or feet could even be included, but that is not what the average chair massage experience is likely to look like.
Are Chair Massages Healthy?
Research has found that just 15 minutes in a massage chair can help reduce stress and anxiety while improving alertness. Participants also had fewer symptoms of depression after five weeks. Reducing stress and anxiety can also help lower your heart rate and help you slip into a state of total relaxation.
What is Massage Therapy Used For?
Massage therapy is used to help manage a health condition or enhance wellness. It involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body. Massage has been practiced in most cultures, both Eastern and Western, throughout human history, and was one of the earliest tools that people used to try to relieve pain.
How Do Massages Make You Feel Better?
This is because your brain releases feel-good chemicals and pain diminishes. The therapist’s touch causes an immediate reaction in your brain. As soon as your skin’s nerve cells feel pressure, they signal the brain to release feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which boost your mood and give you a natural high. As a result, stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline begin to decrease and the overall effect is one of euphoria and bliss.
If you have real aches or pains, the morphine-like effect from the endorphins will help diminish them by blocking pain signals from the brain. And if your muscles are sore after a rigorous workout, a good rubdown will actually help them heal faster. Researchers found that massage decreases the inflammation caused by exercise and increases the occurrence of cell repair.
How Effective is Massage?
One Australian study found that a 10-minute muscle massage after a workout could reduce soreness by 30%. A separate review study on massage found that levels of the stress hormone cortisol dropped 31% following a rubdown, while levels of feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin increased roughly 30%.
How Often Should You Get a Massage?
A massage is a great tool for relieving stress, improving mood, and increasing the overall quality of life and productivity. You’ll often feel better for a full week before you’ll start to notice the need for a return visit unless you are dealing with pain or injury. Your tension headaches will disappear, your energy will increase, and your mental health will improve. Is there such a thing as too many massages when you have benefits like this?
Actually, you can get massaged too frequently. Once a week is the most you should go unless you are dealing with pain or high-intensity sports. Between you and your therapist, you’ll be able to determine the best frequency because your body’s response is a large part of this determination.
You should go at least once per month, but as often as twice per week in severe pain situations. The longer you wait though, the more often you’ll start the process of loosening up your muscles because they tense up if you don’t go often enough. Try different techniques, such as deep tissue massage and stress massage depending on your needs.
When your body starts to feel stiff and sore, it’s telling you that it’s time for a massage again, but the type of massage you may need could vary depending on your body’s needs.
How Much is a 15-Minute Chair Massage Session?
If you’re paying for chair massage, the $1 per minute rate is common. Other cost considerations may include tipping (15-20% is common in many places), possible fees for travel if you’re having your chair massage in-home, and potentially discounted rates for groups if you are going to be paying for multiple massages. If you have about $20, you can probably afford a chair massage right now.
Pricing for chair massage can be variable, depending on the setting. You may not be personally paying anything at all. That’s because chair massage may be provided promotionally free of charge or it could be paid for by your employer or by another third party as a “free-to-you” perk of your employment or the event you’re attending.
Not sure if you should tip if you’re getting the chair massage for free? In many parts of the world, tipping may be common practice for massage therapy. If you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to speak with whoever contracted the therapist. For promotional free services offered by the therapist, you can simply ask them about their tipping policy directly.
What is a Massage?
Massage is the manipulation of the body's soft tissues. Massage techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, feet, or a device. The purpose of massage is generally for the treatment of body stress or pain. In European countries, a person professionally trained to give massages is traditionally known as a masseur (male) or a masseuse (female). In the United States, these individuals are often referred to as massage therapists, because they must be certified and licensed as "licensed massage therapists". In some provinces of Canada, they are called “Registered massage therapists”, as they are regulated health professionals.
History of the Chair Massage
The root of the chair body massage can follow back to the earliest history of the therapies. The contours show bathers receiving massages, though sitting on low stools, after getting out of bathing drums. Many East Asian massage styles support this history, as most traditional Asian table and floor massages usually begin or end with the client in a sitting position.
In modern periods, massage was popularized by David Palmer, a former massage school holder. Palmer started using seated massage in 1982 as a way of making it easier for his students to market their services to potential customers. In 1986, he developed the first specialized massage chair and began training new therapists in chair bodywork throughout the country.
Nowadays, there are more than a dozen manipulate chair manufacturers and most bodywork schools include seated bodywork as part of their center program. Popular massage techniques such as Trigger Point, Alexander, Feldenkrais, and Rolfing regularly work with clients in a seated position.
Chair Massage Techniques
Just like any other type of massage, chair massage techniques will vary among therapists. The use of deep pressure or trigger point therapy tends to be less common in chair massage because it’s tougher for the therapist to leverage their body weight to press downward like they would during a table massage. But it’s still possible for some therapists, so you should still discuss your pressure preferences with the therapist getting a massage.
Assuming that you have your pressure preferences dialed in with your therapist, there are a few common techniques you can expect.
1. Petrissage
A petrissage of the trapezius muscles (the ones that fill the space between the sides of your neck and the tops of your shoulders) is perhaps the most common. If your massage therapist leaves out this wonderful kneading technique for both sides of the neck and shoulders, try another therapist before you write off chair massage! It’s a real crowd-pleaser.
2. Compression
This technique sounds exactly like what it is. A compression used in a chair massage tends to be used as a beginning, transitional, or ending stroke by the therapist and feels most often like a comforting broad squeezing pressure. When the therapist massages you with clothes on, they could not use any oil to lubricate and slide over your body. Thus, compression becomes the therapist’s best friend for delivering a comfortable and seemingly continuous flow to a treatment.
3. Tapotement
Also known as percussion, this technique can be delivered fast or slow, with open or closed hands. It tends to invigorate rather than relax. While it can be used at any time during a chair massage, you see this technique used most often to end treatment. A relaxing drumming or chopping up and down the back can help the therapist to avoid rousing you if you have nodded off.
Benefits of Chair Massage
Some of the ways a chair massage in a spa can improve your health include:
1. Reduces Stress
Stress has become a common problem for everyone’s mental and physical health. People who have high anxiety levels produce a significant level of chemical cortisol in their bodies that increases their ability to feel stress. When you have a massage, your body’s cortisol levels become lower. Lower cortisol levels enable your body to feel calmer. Your mind and body become less anxious.
2. Lifts Your Mood
Because of increased blood circulation due to massage, you’ll feel an uplifted mood when you have a massage. Also, massages increase the production of specific hormones that are healing, both physically and emotionally. The rising of your spirit can last for several days after the massage occurs.
3. Reduces Tension and Anger
If you have tension due to anger issues, your brain’s chemistry becomes affected. Sometimes these feelings even express themselves through physical actions. Before your feelings of tension and anger get the best of you, try getting a massage. The massage relaxes your body and mind, and you may also become able to think more clearly.
4. Creates a Balance in Your Life
Humans everywhere have longed for a way to find a balance between their minds and their bodies. Massages remain one relaxing way to connect your mind and body to form a peaceful, happy place for you to exist in harmony.
5. Stimulates Digestion
Many people have found that routinely having a massage increases their ability to digest their food and helps them with gastric issues. The increased circulation provided by a good massage gets your blood flowing and intestinal juices going to improve your digestion.
6. Creates a Situation for Restful Sleep
When your body becomes relaxed, you remain more able to go to sleep faster and sleep more restfully. Many clients report that they get a full night’s restful sleep after having a massage. Incidences of insomnia and sleep disturbances become reduced, possibly due to a reduction in pain levels. Also, the brain continues to release natural healing chemicals after an appointment that can help you sleep more restfully.
What to Expect from a Chair Massage
If you want to try a chair massage, here are a few things you should expect.
1. Expect to sit in a chair. This is probably going to be a purpose-made massage chair which for some people may not be immediately intuitive to sit in, but your therapist should offer you guidance and/or a demonstration if you are new to a massage chair. Chair massage can also be enjoyed in a standard chair with a bit of guidance from the therapist and maybe some towels or pillows to help bolster you into a comfortable position.
2. Expect to remain fully clothed. It’s possible folks in colder climates and/or wearing layers may be asked if they are comfortable removing a sweater or jacket. The same goes for certain kinds of jewelry like large necklaces or earrings, which may pose an obstacle to the therapist. Conversely, some clothing like tank tops may improve access and allow for some direct skin-to-skin contact around the neck or shoulders. You should always communicate with the therapist about what is comfortable for you in terms of any sort of disrobing. There is no reason for a professional chair massage to require anyone to disrobe completely or to any degree beyond their personal comfort.
3. Expect the therapist will NOT use oil/lotion. Most chair massages don’t use lubricant at all and that tends to line up well with the set and setting where chair massage is being provided. No one wants oily hair before the big meeting! However, it is not out of the question that a therapist may use some sort of lubricant though, so as always, make sure you communicate your preferences before you begin.
4. Expect it to last around 10-15 minutes. This is very broadly standard timing for chair massage in most settings, but many therapists offer extra time if you ask for it and if circumstances allow it.
5. Expect it to be less private than a table massage. Chair massage is often done in a setting where other people may be around and can see it taking place. This is not a requirement, but it’s likely since chair massage tends to be chosen in part for its more public accessibility and a good fit for groups and events.
6. Expect to stand up from the chair. You may feel reluctant to stand up after a chair massage, but that’s a great sign that you received an awesome massage! Therapists are dependent on your feedback to deliver chair massage safely, to improve their skills, and to avoid negative outcomes. They may even be able to help give you some guidance on improving any negative outcome you might experience. If somehow you do end up feeling stressed, uncomfortable, or injured make sure you let the therapist know.
What Happens During a Chair Massage
During a chair massage, your therapist focuses on your hands, arms, neck, shoulders, and back. No massage oil gets used during the process. You’ll be seated in a specially designed chair with a downward angle that has a cradle for your face and head. The massage area also includes armrests to keep you comfortable and relaxed during the process.
Your massage therapist uses kneading motions and acupressure to relax the muscles in your upper body. Many massage professionals consider chair massages to be as effective as other massage techniques. The positive benefits of chair massages get felt immediately and for some time after the session, too.
How to Find a Massage Therapist
Like choosing other healthcare professionals, it's important to be a conscious consumer when selecting a massage therapist. Ask your primary care provider or someone else you trust to recommend a reputable business or therapist.
Don't be afraid to ask a potential massage therapist questions such as:
- Are you licensed, certified, or registered?
- What are your training and experience?
- How many massage therapy sessions do you think I'll need?
- What's the cost, and is it covered by health insurance?
A skilled therapist has a vast toolbox of techniques that can be incorporated based on your needs, and he or she will respond and modify these techniques based on your feedback. Massage therapy is safe and effective for people of all ages. It's not only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. It's a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are looking for a stress reliever.
How to Find the Best Chair Massage Near You
Chair massage is so accessible that it may be one of the easiest types of massage to find in your area. A trip to the mall or even to the company break room may be all you need to stumble upon a chair massage. Since the best chair massage is a subjective experience, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to finding “the best” one. However, there are a few ideas that most massage therapists would agree with.
If you have the chance to see a massage therapist perform a chair massage on someone, you can usually judge if they are going to do good work if you look for a few things.
1. Do they communicate with the person they are massaging? It’s a red flag if the answer is no. You want to look for someone who is delivering professional and compassionate communication at all stages of their work.
2. Is the person in the chair calmly drifting away to slumberland or are they biting a hole in their lip and tearing up? Everyone’s pressure preferences are different, but you probably want to steer clear of any massage therapist who appears to be crushing or injuring folks in their chair. Find a therapist who pays careful attention to the reaction of the person they are massaging to ensure they are comfortable.
3. Does that therapist properly sanitize their hands and the massage chair between each person? That should be a no-brainer, but it’s also something to look out for.
If you need to find a good chair massage and you don’t have the good luck of stumbling upon a chair massage in progress, there are plenty of other ways to find a therapist who can deliver a solid professional experience. If you live in a part of the world that requires special qualifications to practice massage therapy, like a license or certification, start by searching your local accrediting agencies' listings.
In the U.S., for example, many states with licensing requirements also provide online portals for the public to search their records for properly accredited and licensed therapists. If you happen to live near an institution that provides professional massage therapy training, reach out to the local school directly and you may yield more affordable options by way of student clinics (of course, students may not be “the best” while they are still learning).
Popular online review sites like Google or Yelp! can help to provide more insight, but they’re probably not your best bet if you’re going to use them alone without any other resource.
Sources:
Qi Massage Natural Healing Spa
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.
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