Have you ever wondered what those funny looking chairs were in spas?  They are actually ergonomically-correct massage chairs.  A portable massage chair is so nice first of all because it allows the massage to take place in nearly every environment, it allows the patient to be completely clothed, and they’re typically a quick introduction to massage usually lasting no more than 15 minutes or so.  The therapist will ask the client how much pressure they would like, either a deep tissue or a superficial Swedish massage to ease the comfort of the client.  Next, the therapist will primarily perform Petrissage and percussion types of moves due to the client being fully clothed.  The areas to be massaged include the lower middle and upper back, the shoulders, the neck, arms, hands, and fingers.  Since a portable massage chair is typically an introduction to massage therapy, the therapist will definitely discuss the benefits of massage therapy in hopes of bringing in a new client to the existing office. 

The benefits of massage therapy

There are many benefits to massage therapy including: increased circulation, decreased heart rate and respiration, increased digestion, elimination of toxins and waste products,  reduction of stress and tension, rejuvenation, reduction and elimination of hyper-irritable bands of muscles, and many more.  Many massage therapists work closely with licensed Chiropractors and acupuncturists to harmonize the nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems. 

Have you ever thought of becoming a massage therapist?  Well, you’re not alone!  There are thousands of massage therapists within the United States and many more becoming nationally certified by the N.C.B.T.M.B every day.  More and more institutes and colleges are offering massage therapist programs.  Most accredited institutions offer programs that are 500-hours in duration.  Massage therapy students must take the following classes: human anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, hydrotherapy, orthopedic testing, range of motion, and clinical application.  The massage techniques applicable to a therapist are Effleurage, Petrissage, Tapotement, Roulement, Trigger Point Release, Myofascial Release, Cross-friction massage, Cyriax friction, Shiatsu, Rain-drop therapy, Sacral-Occipital Technique, and hydrotherapy applications.  Once graduated, the new therapist has many different options for employment such as spas, cruise ships, Chiropractic offices, wellness and fitness centers, acupuncture offices, physical therapy rehabilitation, and hospitals. 

N.B.C.T.M.B.

The National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork offer a specialized test to qualify candidates for national certification.  This test sets apart therapists among the field to ensure the public the highest level of safety and technique.  This certification demands that the therapist complete 50-hour of continuing education every four years with ethics being a major requirement.  In addition, they also require them to show proof of hand-on application throughout the 4-year time frame.           

Causes

Neck discomfort can be the result of an accident, poor posture, stress, and prolonged use of a computer keyboard.  Many people will experience neck pain during their lifetime, and for many, it is hard to pinpoint the cause.  In some cases it is easier to make a diagnosis.  The problem could be a slipped disc, osteoporosis, whip lash, or curvature of the spine.  Pain in the neck can range from mild to serve burning sensations.  If pain lasts more than 3 months, it is considered chronic and the individual should seek chiropractic treatment.  The chiropractor will make the diagnoses after he/she tests the movements of the neck as well as examining the spine and movements of the joints.  

Decrease Neck Discomfort

It is important to get out of bed and stay active as bed rest will not cure a stiff neck.  People with stronger neck muscles tend to have fewer problems, so it is a good idea to strengthen neck muscles when possible.  You want to keep the muscles as active as possible to relieve tension and soreness.  Avoid activities that require turning your head quickly such as driving.  Neck pain is rarely caused by a serious illness and typically fades away in several days.   If pain persists for a long period of time, consult a chiropractor to determine the cause.  A chiropractor can alleviate neck and back pain by performing spinal adjustments.  Chiropractic theories say that a misalignment of the spine can cause pain or tenderness throughout a person’s back. Chiropractors relieve pain in the patient’s neck by manipulating bones and realigning the spine which allows nerves to function properly.  Many people seek this type of chiropractic treatment to avoid complicated surgery.  After one session, the chiropractor will evaluate the patient’s pain level and decide if more treatment is necessary.

Massage Chair

Massage chairs are portable massage therapy equipment that can be used in different places such as the home or office.  Many of these instruments are reasonably priced for the quality of massage that you will receive.  Not everyone has a budget that allows them to get massages whenever they like, but a portable massage chair makes it affordable and enjoyable for you and the whole family.  Some people may feel more comfortable with a massage chair rather than an actual masseuse, because you can remain fully clothed and there are no oils involved.  The massage chair may be a better option for those who can’t spend the money and don’t feel comfortable receiving a hands-on massage.       

EP30005 Massage Chair

The EP30005 Real Pro Ultra Deep is one-of-a kind in its field, offering the most unique and therapeutic personalized home massage.  It features 1117 massage modes that were created to meet the body’s needs and provide head to toe relaxation.  The EP3005 comes with a five year warranty that guarantees parts and labor for free if anything goes wrong with the product.  Made in Japan, the product is designed to provide you with a deeper massage than any other 3000 models by allowing you to sit deeper and more comfortably in the chair.  This massage chair is actually a breakthrough in the United States and Western world.  Before this product was created, the only way you could experience something like this in your own home, was to buy a more expensive product from Japan.  The only downside to the EP30005 is that the massage can be vigorous to those who aren’t used to the product.  However, upon request Panasonic includes removable padding that will minimize forcefulness.  This of course will cost extra but it may make first time users more comfortable during the massage.  Overall, if you’re looking for a relaxing, affordable, highly functional and therapeutic massage chair, then look no further than the EP30005 Real Pro Ultra Deep.

Benefits

Employees that have less stress are more likely to have higher productivity rates while at work.  Many companies are utilizing chair massages to improve the overall health and well-being of their employees.  During a corporate chair massage, a licensed massage therapist will come to the building and bring a portable massage chair.  The massage generally lasts about 20 minutes and reduces employees stress levels.  This type of massage is different from other massage types because employees can leave their clothes on and there is no use of oils.  The therapist also targets areas of the body that are prone to pain from sitting at a desk all day. 

Cost

There are several options for payment plans.  Some corporations include this as a benefit for employees, while other companies will pay for half.  Some don’t pay at all, but the option for an on-site massage therapist is there for employees.  Some studies have shown that illness is lower in the workplace at corporations that offer massage therapists on site.  With all the benefits of a massage, more and more places are expanding the offer to their own employees.  Massages decrease tension, anxiety, stress, and neck/back pain.  Employees who receive massages at work are less likely to become sick and more likely to be productive. 

A chair massage is a great alternative to a regular massage at a massage therapy clinic or spa.  A chair massage offers the same benefits as any regular massage.  A chair massage is typically done at an office or on location.  This massage is administered while the client is comfortably sitting in their own chair or on a massage therapy chair or table. 

Convenience

The chair massage allows the massage therapist to visit the client at either their home or office.  For most people the time to see their massage therapist is limited.  This truly gives career women and men a better opportunity to fit in their massages.  They can choose to fit in a quick massage on their lunch or break.  Chair massages are can also be also offered at homes, special events, corporate get-togethers, conventions, or parties. 

Benefits

The benefits of on-site massages are endless.  It truly is a great stress reliever and energy enhancer.  People that suffer from back pain, migraines, sore muscles, and reduced flexibility get tremendous relief from receiving a chair or on-site massage.  From an employer’s perspective, it is a great way to offer perks to their employees.  It’s a great incentive or reward program for a job well done. 

Corporate and group discounts

Most companies that participate in the on-site massages find that their employees are less stressed and miss less days than employers who don’t offer the on-site massages.  Companies also like that the employee retention levels are higher and people seem to be happier in the workplace.  Overall this has given many companies great success with their current team.  Many companies will offer different group and corporate rates for different standard and specialty massages.  You can call ahead to check out rates and availability with each company.  Most massage on-site companies will offer better rates for larger groups or corporate events.  They may also throw in free lotions or perks as extra incentives. 

There are many different portable massage chair options available for a massage therapist.  A massage therapist can choose from a variety of different materials, colors, warranties and packages.  Each manufacturer generally also has a nice write up on what warranties are available. Some massage chair manufacturers may also offer a life-time warranty standard. 

Convenience

Portable massage chairs enable a massage therapist to offer massages to a client anywhere they choose.  Massage therapists can travel to the client’s home, office, vacation spot or work out center.  It allows the massage therapist a lot of flexibility as the portable massage chair can be compacted and lifted once the massage is completed.  Massage therapists can choose from a very basic model to a model that offers more options for the client.

Cost

Portable massage chairs can range anywhere from two hundred dollars up to a few thousand dollars.  Each massage chair will vary in price due to the material, manufacturer and extra features.  It’s important the massage therapist always have cleaner and face rest covers on hand, you can also purchase face rest covers that are disposable and washable.  This is imperative to the client and massage therapist as this will ensure that you are following sanitation procedures between each massage. You can also sanitize and change this right in front of your client to show that you are following the sanitary precautions.  

Variety of styles

Massage therapists can choose from a variety of different foams.  The foam layers can be one inch or more.  Some foams serve as multi layers which offer more support and comfort to the client.  Massage chairs are also offered in different materials.  Some massage chairs are offered in vinyl while others offer different grades of leather and color options.   If you are comparing manufacturers, you may also want to visit consumer reports.  They offer a great write up of the customer experience and manufacture qualifications.

Employee Benefits

Chair massage services are available in a number of corporate settings, airport terminals and hospitals. In the corporate setting, the services are typically offered in time increments of ten to fifteen minutes and the therapists are made available during an entire work day to give all employees the opportunity to receive the services. The employee benefits from receiving chair massage in a number of ways including helping to lower stress and blood pressure, increasing circulation and helping to break up long periods of repetitive motion activities and extended hours of sitting at a desk.

Employer Benefits

Corporate employers are now more often providing chair massage services for their employees. These massage services can be offered several times per year and are encouraged for all employees. The employer benefits from offering their employees chair massage as well and these employer benefits include a reduced number of sick days reported, fewer workers compensation claims filed and general wellness promoted for their employees. While the benefits to employees are more health-related, the benefits for employers are more cost-related. Either way, the benefits are evident and appreciated by both parties.

References Cited in this Article

 

 www.ezinearticles.com 

 www.holisticonline.com 

  

A growing and welcome trend among big business employee “perk” benefits is the offering of chair massage. Employees are, from time to time, offered opportunities to receive chair massage during lunch breaks or many companies will hire a group of massage therapists to be on site for an entire day, allowing almost all employees a chance at a ten minute relaxation session.

Techniques

A chair massage therapist has several techniques to offer a client that are slightly different from receiving a massage on a massage table. Since a client will remain fully clothed during a chair massage, no oil or lotion is used and generally a therapist will not massage with the typical massage strokes. Instead, through the clothes, the therapist will apply compression to the back, neck and arms using their forearms, knuckles and heels of their hands. Another technique is squeezing where the therapist squeezes large muscle groups between two contact points. This technique works best on the upper back and upper arms. Circular kneading will be applied during a chair massage as well as percussion and  friction work.

Benefits

The benefits of receiving a chair massage, especially during a work day, include a general lowering of stress, increased circulation which increases an individual’s attention and focus and decreased neck strain and backaches. It has also been reported that a company that offers chair massage to its employees from time to time have a decrease in injury-related absence.

References

www.ygoy.com

www.ezinearticles.com

Massage therapy is well known for its health and relaxation benefits, and because of these benefits, it may also be known for its overall beauty benefits as well. Many people think of beauty regimes and treatments along the lines of botox, chemical peels and plastic surgery, and while some of the treatments do offer positive effects from the damage of the main cause of aging, free radicals, much of what massage therapy has to offer are natural body benefits from within the body with results that can be seen on the outside.

Effects of Massage Therapy

In general, all of the effects of massage therapy are positive health and wellness benefits that people will feel during the massage, immediately following the massage and for days or weeks to follow. Some of the more specific physiological effects that would be closely related to helping improve body beauty with massage would be increased circulation, which helps to deliver more nutrients and oxygen to organs and tissues, improvement of the elasticity and condition of the skin, reduction of swelling and adhesions as well as reduction of overall weariness and fatigue, which can lead to improved sleep at night with a more restful feeling in the morning.

Calming

Massage therapy is used to help calm the feelings of anxiety and depression. The power of human touch by itself is enough to cause healing and relaxation throughout the body. Continued massage sessions can leave a client with more radiant skin, better facial tone to help eliminate discoloration under the eyes and better circulation in the limbs to help fight against vein damage. With routine visits to a licensed massage therapist these benefits will result in a person experiencing a constant and long lasting positive beauty effect on the body as well as many other health benefits and an overall increase in physical and mental well being.

References Cited in this Article

www.massagetherapy.com

www.naturalnews.com