Things to Know After You have Bought Your First Massage Chair

Things to Know After You have Bought Your First Massage Chair

Massage Therapy is considered one of the oldest and most effective practices to help relax the mind and body. It helps reduce not only pain but also stress and symptoms of anxiety. Among other things, massage therapy is beneficial for desk workers.


It might not look like it, but desk workers have one of the very taxing jobs physically. The imbalance and pain that accumulates through hours of sitting hunched over in a chair can cause back, neck, and shoulder pain over a while. Regular workouts, stretching while working, investing in an ergonomic chair, and maintaining a good posture are important for avoiding such pains. 


On the other hand, nothing soothes and relaxes the body like massage therapy. Considering the benefits of a good massage, it’s no surprise that massage therapy is a part of the fitness regime for many. Thanks to mobility, convenience, and time efficiency, new-age massage chairs are fast replacing conventional massage therapists.


If you’re new to massage chairs and planning to get your first, it’s natural to have questions. Here we will answer all questions one might have while purchasing a massage chair.


Can I Use a Massage Chair Every Day?


There are no two thoughts about it, and massage chairs are a luxury that many indulge in to relax and unwind from life's daily hustle and bustle. However, to enjoy it to the maximum, you must use it properly. People often wonder if they can use a massage chair every day. The very thought of it is tempting and a deciding factor when buying a massage chair.


However, it’s important to know how often one should use a massage chair to enjoy a massage effectively. It’s a pleasant experience, albeit an intense one that needs moderation. Overuse of a massage chair can cause cramps and damage to the muscles. Therefore, experts suggest not using it for more than 20 minutes and twice a day.


In addition to this, the time of the day also affects the frequency of using massage chairs without getting sore. Experts suggest using the massage chair in the morning when you just woke up. It’s advisable to spend the last 20 minutes of your slumber in the massage chair. 


Can You Overuse a Massage Chair?


As mentioned before, experts have recommended a maximum of 15-20 minutes in a massage chair. Anything more is counted as an overuse of the chair, since they are not designed to be sat in for hours. Experts recommend 15 minutes only because you risk causing some minor injury to your body if you sit any longer. 


Bear in mind that, unlike a human massage therapist, a massage chair will not recognize if and when you’re experiencing pain and discomfort. For this reason, it’s advised to start slow with the lowest intensity setting on the chair for 15 minutes and gradually increase. You can choose to use the massage chair 2-3 times a day by targeting different areas of the body each time.


Do Massage Chairs Use a Lot of Electricity?


A massage chair is equipped with an electric motor and rollers as its main components. These electric motors require electricity to move the rollers and facilitate heat. A standard massage chair consumes anywhere from 150 - 300 watts of electricity. It is quite less compared to 3,500 watts consumed by an AC, 1,000 watts consumed by iron, or even a personal computer that consumes 200 watts.


An average working person uses their laptop or personal computer for at least 8 hours every day. On the contrary, a massage chair is only used for a few hours a week. Therefore, a massage chair's electricity consumption is much less than an average computer.


Remember that the benefit to cost ratio is much higher for a massage chair. An average massage chair that requires 150W of electricity consumes only 1 kilowatt per year if used twice daily. This cost very little compared to paying $7,200 annually to a massage therapist who charges $75 per hour. 


How Long Can You Stay In a Massage Chair?


There are no hard and fast rules as to how long you can stay in a massage chair. However, massage chairs are not built to be used for hours at a stretch and might get damaged. Moreover, if your body is not used to it, you might end up sustaining some bruises and injuries.


The recommended time suggested by medical professionals is between 15 to 20 minutes. It’s good to stick with this time limit and gradually increase as and when your body gets used to the massage. 


It’s quite tempting to go overboard with a massage chair if you have bad pain or are tired. That is why many leading massage chair brands equip their chairs with a timer function. Some higher-end models also come with a timer featuring auto shut off. This feature shuts down the massage chair automatically after a certain duration.


How Many Times a Week Can You Use a Massage Chair?


It’s important to know how often to use it to get the best out of your massage chair. After all, a massage chair is a pleasant but rather intense pressure on your body. The frequency of using a massage chair in a week depends on the user's individual needs. If you're using the chair for chronic body pain, it’s recommended to use it 3-4 times a week. On the other hand, if you’re using it just for relaxation, limit the frequency of use to 1-2 times a week.


How Long Does a Massage Chair Last?


Modern massage chairs are designed to handle the increased load. Several massage chairs switch off and go to standby mode when overheated. Most massage chairs can handle a 20-minute massage session twice a day for each member in a four-person family.


Speaking of durability, a massage chair can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. It’s possible to make the chair last longer with regular maintenance and parts upgrades. Therefore, when you buy a massage chair, the availability and ease of replacing parts should be a major deciding factor.


So there you go; these are the best answers to some of the questions you might have after purchasing a new massage chair. In short, enjoy your massage chair but don’t overuse it and keep up with the maintenance to prolong the chair's life.