Best shiatsu massager

Portable Models:
Browsing the online stores that sell portable massage chairs, certain brands are popular: Earthlite, HealthMark, Earthgear, Stronglite and Custom Craftworks. To a lesser extent, you might stumble on names like Golden Ratio or Pisces Production. These companies’ products share similar features and prices range from $250.00 to over $500.00. It is rare to find a portable model that is priced closer to the $1,000 figure because this high-end pricing is more typical of massage chairs that come with electronic or computerized systems.

Count on excellent features even with the portable models. The larger manufacturers have research and development teams that spend the time to familiarize themselves with the latest ergonomic trends, consulting with massage therapists, chiropractors, and sports medicine experts so they can improve on product design, ensuring products are “user-friendly.”

And what exactly are these “excellent features” you might ask. Let’s start with the “A” feature – adjustability. Some portable massage chairs have adjustable heights for the chest pad, seat pad and arm rest. One example is the Earthgear® Portable Folding Chair that retails for about $300.00. It weighs 19 pounds, but is capable of supporting up to 350 pounds. Still speaking of the adjustment feature, another possibility is the HealthMark® Travel Mark Portable Folding Massage Chair that boasts of a 7-position torso height adjustment and a 6-position seat height adjustment and weighs 26 pounds.

Another “A” feature is the aluminum frame of most massage chairs, making them lightweight and sturdy at the same time. It seems to be the material of choice of most manufacturers; the only other kind of frame we’ve seen is power-coated enamel, but not information on this material is available.

Other features of the “portables” are double layer support systems, carrying cases, rotating wheels, optional sternum pads, color availability, foam cushions and warranties.

Electronic Massage Chairs:
Going on now to the bigger, “robotic” models, you will find a gamut of products manufactured in England, Japan and the United States and in other countries. Some of those that are featured by online stores fetch as much as $5,000.00. If you tally your annual massage bill with your masseur or chiropractor, it might be a good idea to consider investing in a solid and reliable massage chair. The technology has evolved significantly, so that an increasing number of models can “imitate” the motions of human hands.

The market competition is such that not one product can claim to be the perfect model. You may have functional control buttons offering a wide selection of massage strokes, but when it comes to adjustability, the product could obtain a low grade. Some consumers may put a lot of importance on leather material or the aesthetic quality of the chair so that it blends in with the rest of the furniture. Before going to the store, have a list of priorities ready so when you try out the model you get to rate the features yourself, not the salesman.

Here is a sampling of brand names and manufacturers: iJoy (Turbo 2), Fujikura (800 and 410 models), Get-a-Way (boasts of a zero gravity position developed by NASA), Omega (Montage Massage Chair and Ultima M1000), Panasonic, Sanyo, HealthTec and Unix – just to name a few. On your shopping trip, you will hear the name “shiatsu” often. Shiatsu is a form of Asian massage, and its principles have been “mimicked” and integrated into the chairs.

When it comes to the finest technology, the market has spoiled consumers. Do you prefer kneading, tapping, chopping strokes? The Fujikura 800 model has all those features, equipped with four rollers and six motors. Heard about the Human Touch® technology and want that for your chair? The iJoy Turbo 2 has that feature (it was iJoy who invented this technology), and one web site claims that it is endorsed by the American College of Chiropractic Orthopedists.

Conclusion: Scrutinize the product the way you would read nutrition and ingredient labels in the supermarket. Ask if the seller will let you try out the model for a period of time. Read consumer reviews – now available online for thousands of products. Gather testimonials.

Purchase a massage chair like you would purchase a house. Make sure it appreciates in value – by turning you into a more relaxed individual in health, not in pain.