Zero gravity chairs allow you to recline back to a weightless position, offering unparalleled comfort, improved blood circulation and even reduced swelling. If you’re searching for a massage chair to help with aches, pain and muscle soreness, this type of chair may be the right choice for you.

Secret Benefits of a Zero Gravity Massage Chair

Zero gravity is a unique position that removes the stress put on your joints when sitting. For example, when sitting in a normal chair, you’ll put a lot of pressure on:

• Hip joints, which will have the weight of your legs and thighs pulling down on them
• Lower back, when often experiences pain and discomfort after long bouts of sitting

A staggering 64% of adults experience back pain because of their sitting habits. When you recline back into the zero gravity position, you take the weight off of these joints and can massage them to reduce the aches and pains you experience.

In fact, this position will reduce the pressure you put on your spinal discs.

Since you’re reclining back, you’ll place your feet above your heart. When your feet are above your heart, this has a variety of benefits, such as:

• Reduced swelling
• Improved blood circulation and flow
• Alleviated inflammation

If you experience swelling in the feet or ankles, sitting in the best zero gravity massage chair will naturally start to move the fluids through the body. When massage is added into the equation, it will further push the fluids through the body.

You may also experience:

• Improvement in muscle recovery
• Alleviation of muscle soreness following exercise

Massage chairs can also help improve mood, alleviate headaches and even migraines, reduce pain and much more. If you suffer from chronic tension headaches, studies suggest that massage can help reduce pain and the frequency of headaches.

Finally, there is also evidence that massage can improve sleep, which has a slew of benefits in itself, such as faster recovery from injuries, surgery and more.

How Do Zero Gravity Massage Chairs Work?

Sitting back in a zero gravity full body massage chair is an amazing experience and one that is similar from one chair to another, although they may all work differently. First, the chair must be able to put you in the zero gravity position, which means:

• Recline you back in the chair
• Elevate the feet above the heart
• Reduce weight and pressure on the joints

Next, the chair will offer some form of massage, which will vary from one chair to the next and will often include specific types of massage, such as:

• Shiatsu
• Tapping
• Kneading
• Rolling

Air compression or rollers will often be responsible for the “massage.” High-end chairs will feature 3D or 4D massage, which will mimic the massage from a professional. These chairs can help massage your muscles, target specific joints and pain points and provide exceptional massages in the comfort of your own home.

Depending on the chair, you may have the following features:

• Speed adjustments to enjoy a faster or slower massage
• Intensity adjustments to help knead tighter muscles
• Heating to help melt away tension and stress

S- and L-track massage chairs will extend massages further than even the best massage chair could offer in the past. Using these special track systems, it’s possible for a zero gravity chair to reach the shoulders, down the spine and to the thighs.

Some models will take the massage a step further to target your calves and ankles, which further encourages fluids to move through the body.

Professional Tips For Choosing Zero Gravity Massage Chairs

What’s the best massage zero gravity chair for you? A few tips can go a long way in helping you choose a chair that’s perfect for your needs:

• Space requirements: How much space does the chair need to go into zero gravity? If you don’t have a lot of space, be sure to ask about the chair’s total length when reclined before buying a model you like.
• Heat: The power of heat when getting a massage is often overlooked and underappreciated. Heat will allow you to loosen tight muscles and ease aches and pains, contributing to the benefits of being in a zero gravity position.
• Zero gravity: Ensure that the chair you choose has a true zero gravity design. Standard massage chairs do not elevate your feet to reach the zero gravity position.
• Massage length: How far will the massage reach? Will the massage target your shoulders down to your hips? Be sure that the chair chosen has an L- or S-track design to provide a full-length massage.

WholeBody® ROVE Massage Chair

ROVE’s S- and L-track massage and extending foot and calf massager will empower you to experience an unmatched at-home massage. This chair has it all:

• 8 auto-wellness programs to take the guesswork out of your massage
• Dual lumbar heat to loosen tight muscles and alleviate pain
• Bend and stretch functionality for greater relief
• AcuPoint detection for a more personalized massage
• Much more

ROVE is a chair that is built for maximum massage power with a lot of “comfort” features built into the chair. Wireless charging, Bluetooth speakers and a touchscreen are just a few of the features that make the ROVE a standout zero gravity chair.

Super Novo Massage Chair

Super Novo is a state-of-the-art massage chair that is designed to provide a 3D massage along the entire spine, down to your thighs. Advanced massage is offered through:

• 3D and 4D massage programs, which allow you to tap a button for a stunning massage
• Remote control deck, allowing you to customize your massage without getting up
• S- and L-track massage to provide a full body massage
• Massage for your knees, feet and calves

Full-body stretching will further add to the comfort and health benefits of your zero gravity massage, while the dual lumbar heat provides targeted relief for tight muscles.

Certus Massage Chair

Certus is the final chair on the list, and it offers a vigorous massage, fits users that are 5’0” - 6’9” in height and has 11 auto-wellness programs built-in. The chair features:

• AcuPoint detection systems that map the back for a custom massage
• Zero gravity seating, which allows you to elevate your legs above your heart
• Inner calf and dual lumbar heating to relieve pain and loosen tight muscles
• Space-saving design to fit in smaller spaces with ease

Certus has a small footprint, empowering you to sit back into the zero gravity position even if you’re in a smaller room with little-to-no space. The chair’s multiple wellness programs, lumbar heat and AcuPoint detection are all reasons to give this chair a try.

Where To Buy?

Human Touch offers all of the chair models above – and more. When it comes to massage chairs, choosing a reputable company will help you find a model that’s built to last and backed by a warranty.

Purchasing from the manufacturer also makes it easier to:

• Reach out to support for help with troubleshooting issues
• Invoke a warranty if the chair has an issue
• Secure the best prices

Final Thought

Zero gravity chairs offer intense massages with the benefit of being weightless. When removing weight from the equation, you can alleviate pressure on the joints, reduce swelling and even improve circulation.

If you want to maximize the benefits of a massage chair, opting for a zero gravity recliner chair can help you get the most out of your massage session.

Many people use pain relief massage therapy, but we're also seeing massage mentioned as one of the healthy alternatives to drugs. In fact, one study of 401 adults found that over a 10-week period, a one-hour massage was able to reduce pain and improve daily activities better than the control group, which followed standard care recommendations, including using pain killers.

Alternative massage can be used alongside traditional care routines to reduce pain and limit the use of addictive pain killers.

Massage can be used for alternative pain management, but it also extends further than just pain management. Let's look at the symptoms that massage can help ease or relieve completely:

What Symptoms Can Be Cured With Massage?

Human Touch conducted a direct-to-consumer research project in 2014, and in 2022, a secondary research project. This time, we conducted research on customers that purchased our chairs in 2016 with the help of the Portland Research Group.

We found the following:

• 51% of respondents took over the counter medication to reduce pain
• 26% took prescription medications for pain
• 49% who took pain medications and experienced pain took less medication after buying a Human Touch massage chair
• 14% of these respondents who purchased a Human Touch massage chair actually no longer take pain medication

When compared to 2016, respondents reduced their reliance on prescription medications significantly. See more figures from our research in the infographic below.

Massage is one of the alternative activities to drug use that doesn't interact with medications or cause symptoms to worsen.

Simply sit back and enjoy a pain management massage in one of our chairs.

Massage can help combat many symptoms, including:

• Swelling, by promoting circulation
• Pain, reducing reliance on opioids
• Reduce anxiety (here is a study on this subject)

Other studies also show that massage therapy can help with the sleep symptoms of PTSD and may help reduce symptoms associated with:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Tension
• Irritability
• Joint pain
• Muscle fatigue
• Headaches
• Insomnia

Additionally, massage after surgery, when you expect to experience pain the most, has also been shown to improve postoperative outcomes. In fact, one systematic review found massage improved outcomes, helped promote faster recovery, and reduced pain and anxiety, too.

Massage offers many alternatives to drugs, and different massages can help target varying symptoms.

What Types of Massage Are Used to Relieve Pain?

Massage of all types have been used to relieve pain, including:

• Deep tissue
• Swedish
• Shiatsu
• Massage
• Heat therapy massage
• Hot stone massage
• Thai

Heat massage is especially beneficial for tight muscles, swelling and inflammation.

Best Massage Chairs for Pain Management

Massage offers many essential health benefits and can be used as a drug alternative. However, it's crucial to choose the right massage chair. The following chairs are our top choice for choosing massage as a drug alternative:

Super Novo

Super Novo is our premier chair with a Virtual Therapist™ built-in so that you can use Alexa devices to control the chair using just your voice. The chair aims to redefine the massage experience with advanced features, such as:

• Heat on and off options
• Auto programs
• Recline position adjustments
• S- and L-track massage to target from your shoulders to thighs
• Full remote control function
• Ankle and calf massage
• More

Super Novo is designed to cradle the body, reduce strain on the back and massage tension away.

Click here to buy the Super Novo.

Certus Massage Chair

Certus offers three-dimensional massage, with state-of-the-art massage features that dynamically stretch your body, muscles and back. Advanced multi-dimensional massage is offered through key features, which include:

• 11 built-in wellness programs
• Zero gravity seating
• L- and S-track massage
• Dual lumbar and calf heat
• Extending calf and foot massager
• 0.2" rear clearance

Certus is one of our leading compact massage chairs, with just 0.2" of clearance needed between the wall and the chair to fully recline. If you're looking for a chair for smaller spaces, Certus is an excellent option.

Click here to learn more about the Certus.

Gravis ZG Chair

Gravis is the final chair on our list, offering a conveniently located remote control that you can use to gently move you into the zero-gravity position while you sit. The Gravis utilizes Air Massage technology to soothe your entire body and boasts key features, including:

• Multiple heat zones
• Power-adjustable headrest, backrest, and footrest
• Smart Sitting options that nudge you to move if you’ve been in the same position for too long
• Much more

If you're interested in the Gravis and want to learn more about its features, click on the link below.

Click here to view the Gravis ZG Chair.

Massage offers therapeutic alternatives to drugs that help reduce or eliminate pain, improve quality of life and do it without demanding users take even more harmful, addicting painkillers. If you're suffering from pain, try a massage chair as one of your alternative activities to drugs.

Although mild cases of scoliosis are common and may come with few if any major symptoms, this condition can worsen over time. For some, it can range from disruptive to debilitating. Let’s take a closer look at this condition and learn how back massage for scoliosis can help, which treatment considerations to keep in mind, and how you can experience relief at home with a massage chair for scoliosis. 

Photo by Braden Collum on Unsplash

By: Dr. Jon Stucky, Doctor of Chiropractic and Human Touch Wellness Council Member

There is a growing presence of Doctors of Chiropractic in all types and levels of sports: Olympics, NFL, NHL, college athletics, professional rodeo, professional strongman competitions and action sports to name a few. Many would conclude it is because the organization or the athlete can afford it and it is a luxury. That assumption may be true, but the athlete and organization would tell you that having a Doctor of Chiropractic on the health care team is a necessity for performance and enhancing recovery. The best approach is utilizing chiropractic care as a pre-performance and training enhancement.  The effort that athletes make to strengthen and enhance repetition in a sport - to provide muscle and nervous system memory of skills needed to function at a championship level - may take a toll on their muscle, tendons, ligaments and ultimately their nervous system in enabling and directing recovery.

Chiropractors evaluate the spinal segments for position and movement, and the impact to the nervous system. The nervous system can alter and inhibit subtle to obvious brain-body communication that will affect the body’s ultimate capacity and function. Chiropractors in the sports world will often assess the extremities (shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, etc.) for proper alignment and movement within the parameters of each joint’s particular movement. The ability and skill set of Doctors of Chiropractic is unique and they attribute to the functional improvement of an athlete’s performance.  

Athletes immediately gravitate towards chiropractors to receive care during training and competitions. High level athletes are separated by tenths, hundreds or thousands of a second or by minute movements that save energy and time, that with altered brain-body mechanics, can be the subtle difference in winning.  This competitive edge is why most athletes seek chiropractic care. The nervous system interference is evaluated, body efficiency is elevated, energy is enhanced and muscle strength and coordination is improved. The athlete is able to feel that he/she can perform their skill with precise movement.

I have worked with a range from youth to professional athletes in many sports, and know that the nervous system is the regulating organ system that houses the communication of coordination and control of all that we do. The nervous system is well organized, ready to train, learn and perform at a high level, it just needs no interference due to injury, which is why chiropractic care in high-impact sports is an ideal way to regulate and optimize performance.

I just received my new Human Touch NOVO XT, and so far am loving it!

It was shipped from the company “White Glove,” which means the shipping came with set up and placement in my home via a contracted shipper. The shippers called me to schedule a time that was convenient for me. When they arrived, they scoped out the location in the house that it was going to be placed, and unboxed the chair outside and carried it into my home cautiously. The two men completed the placement and invited me to sit in the chair. They showed me all of the programing and made sure all the components where working to perfection.  I sat in the chair for nearly an hour after they left with all the packaging.

It is a complex chair with rollers and airbags all around you, and many massaging components happening simultaneously. I feel enveloped into this chair, even more than any of the other Human Touch chairs I have owned since 2004. It is refined, luxurious, and relaxing, yet offers the most comfortably deep (or sensitive) massage programs I have experienced in the Human touch evolution of products. 

I am constantly finding and trying all the programs and listening components of this chair. One aspect that was fascinating was that the chair would create a massage based on the Bluetooth music you are playing through the chair…TRULY an AMAZING FEATURE with unlimited potential of listening to a cool jazz song or a legendary rock song and experiencing a different feel and sensation for each. It has been an amazing month of learning and experimenting with all the ideas of programming assemble in the new NOVO XT, and I look forward to sharing more about my experience with the chair- as well as my professional insight into its benefits- soon.

-Dr. Jon L. Stucky, Stucky Chiropractic

We’re pleased to announce that Human Touch has received an exclusive endorsement by the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) for its massage chairs as a valid supplement to back-care therapies. The WFC is a global not-for-profit organization that empowers, promotes, and unites chiropractors and the chiropractic profession. It is comprised of national associations of chiropractors in 88 countries, representing them and the chiropractic profession in the international community. The WFC has been a non-governmental organization or NGO, in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1997, and collaborates with many federations representing other healthcare professions.

After thoroughly investigating Human Touch products, the WFC has concluded that Human Touch massage chairs and Zero-Gravity Perfect Chair® Recliners can serve as an important tool for back pain sufferers by alleviating and preventing spinal stress, which is a leading cause of back pain and related disability. According to the WFC, over 80% of Americans will be disabled by back pain at some point during their lives, and persistent/chronic back pain is the single most disabling condition for working-age Americans. 

“Human Touch products are superior in technology, quality, and ability to prevent or alleviate spinal stress, therefore the WFC endorses Human Touch’s products in the treatment and care of back pain and spinal disorders,” said the WFC’s Secretary-General, Richard Brown. “The WFC will continue to recommend to patients who suffer from back pain to combine chiropractic care with a Human Touch massage chair or Perfect Chair recliner in order to achieve their overall wellness goals.”

Among the Human Touch products available, the Perfect Chair zero-gravity recliners and the Ascent Series Novo XT are particularly ideal for assisting in back pain, spinal alignment, and posture.

The Perfect Chair’s body-frame ergonomics are inspired by the neutral body posture chaise position developed by NASA to support astronauts during their ascent into orbit. This virtually weightless position provides relaxation and minimum muscle tension and is the doctor-recommended position in which the spine, hips, and knee joints are on or close to the balanced midpoint of the muscles.

The Perfect Chair’s sleek and elegant design in addition to its zero-gravity engineering make it a great way to relieve the soreness, tension, and fatigue caused by the constant load-bearing. The Perfect Chair comes in a variety of different styles and colors.

Learn more about all of our Human Touch Perfect Chairs here.

The Human Touch Novo XT features a striking design and best-in-class performance, and provides a therapeutic massage that can be custom-tailored to fit your lifestyle so that you can be and feel your best. The Novo XT captivates with its Unibody design, which enhances the style of any room. Its distinctive L-Track massage system also covers 60% more of your back than conventional massage chairs, delivering three-dimensional massage along the entire length of your spine and all the way down to your glutes and thighs. Create your own custom massage experience with five intensity settings, and three deep-tissue massage programs designed to soothe, stretch, and rejuvenate your entire body.

Learn more about the Human Touch Novo XT here.

“We’d like to thank the World Federation of Chiropractic for this recognition,” said David Wood, Chief Executive Officer of Human Touch. “To have an endorsement coming from such a well-known and respected organization is a testament of our commitment to providing top of the line wellness solutions to those who seek and need it most. It is our mission to continue educating and enhancing the lives of people through our innovative massage and healing solutions.”

In its ongoing commitment to enhancing the wellness of consumers everywhere, Human Touch also offers a Wellness Council. Through the Wellness Council, Human Touch has brought together influential individuals with a variety of wellness experiences and expertise to educate people about how to achieve a healthier and happier life by integrating massage, relaxation, sound posture, and balance into their daily routine. To learn more about the Wellness Council or to get daily, expert prescriptions on achieving a healthier lifestyle, click here.

Inspired by NASA’s neutral body posture, the Perfect Chair places the body in a virtually weightless position to provide relaxation and minimum muscle tension. In this doctor-recommended position, the spine, hips, and knee joints are on or close to the balanced midpoint of the muscles. Its sleek and elegant design and zero-gravity engineering make it a great way to relieve the soreness, tension, and fatigue caused by the constant load-bearing. The Perfect Chair comes in a variety of different styles and colors.

This top-of-the-line robotic massage chair defies the clutches of gravity and adjusts to the individual’s body to fit like a glove. It’s based on the patented Human Touch Technology®, which replicates the hands of a professional massage therapist and delivers 4D massage technology with 104 micro-sculpting and acupressure massage techniques for the upper and lower-body. Human Touch’s patented calf massage mechanism includes targeted shiatsu therapy and a unique air massage that rejuvenates your legs using 19 different massage techniques as well as under-foot reflexology.The Navitas chair also offers 36 wellness programs- more than any chair in the world- as well as cloud touch acupressure, and zero-gravity seating to deliver an experience that will rival even the most proficient masseuse.

“We’re proud to receive this recognition from the World Federation of Chiropractic,” said David Wood, Chief Executive Officer of Human Touch. “This endorsement iterates the effectiveness of Human Touch products in providing health and wellness benefits to the millions of Americans suffering from back pain. We strongly believe that regular massage therapy and proper posture alignment can supplement a balanced diet and active lifestyle, thereby maximizing overall health and wellness.”

In its ongoing commitment to enhancing the wellness of consumers everywhere, Human Touch also offers a Wellness Council. Through the Wellness Council, Human Touch has brought together influential individuals with a variety of wellness experiences and expertise to educate people about how to achieve a healthier and happier life by integrating massage, relaxation, sound posture, and balance into their daily routine. To learn more about the Wellness Council or to get daily, expert prescriptions on achieving a healthier lifestyle, visit https://www.humantouch.com/wellness-council or blog.humantouch.com.

About Human Touch

Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that deliver indispensable, life-changing benefits to an ever-growing number of consumers for more than 35 years. Human Touch has been making people feel better by developing state-of-the-art massage products containing patented massage systems that replicate the hands and techniques used by massage professionals, thereby helping to reduce pain and stress caused by today’s hectic lifestyle. Products are available at fine furniture stores, back care specialty stores, and mass-market retailers across the U.S., through international retailers and distributors in more than 40 countries, and online at www.humantouch.com.

About The World Federation of Chiropractic

The World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) has national associations of chiropractors in 88 countries as its voting members, and represents them and the chiropractic profession internationally. Many individuals and organizations support its work as associate members. The WFC has been a non-governmental organization or NGO in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1997, and collaborates with many federations representing other healthcare professions. To learn more about the WFC, visit https://www.wfc.org.