We posted earlier this month about our work with Jim Tavare, the star of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, who was in a horrific car accident this past March. The head-on collision was nothing short of a nightmare, leaving Jim with a broken neck, 15 broken ribs, multiple breaks in his right leg, a punctured lung, and fractures in both breastbones. He spent 15 days in Intensive Care at a hospital in Los Angeles, after which he was able to go home. However, he knew that his road to recovery had only just begun.

We worked closely with his wife, Laura Tavare, to provide a Perfect Chair PC-610 Omni-Motion Classic recliner in order to alleviate some of the pain of Jim’s injuries and allow him to properly rest so that he can recover. The Manager of our Backcare Division, Mark Moritz, was able to personally deliver the PC-610 to Jim’s home, where he demonstrated how to use the chair and answered any questions.

In the month that Jim has been able to use his Perfect Chair, he and Laura shared that it’s been a huge aid in his recovery. While they’re still waiting for his surgeon’s permission to bear weight on his arms and leg, Jim has been immobile within his home. Sleeping in his bed was too uncomfortable for him, so he was relieved to find that his PC-610 has provided a sanctuary where he can get a good night’s rest. Because the chair can be relocated to any room in his house, he can also escape the confines of his bed to enjoy more public spaces of his home. According to Laura, “Jim can happily sit for hours in the Perfect Chair. Being able to recline into zero gravity brings him enormous relief.”

It has been so incredible to be a part of Jim’s journey to recovery. While our primary reward has been to help him along as he works so hard to get well, we have received a huge number of comments, messages, and emails from Jim’s friends and family as they share their thanks for our help. We look forward to Jim’s continued improvement, and will continue to update you with news of his progress.

Below are a few x-rays of Jim's "new hardware" that the Tavares were kind enough to share with us, so that our readers can better understand the gravity of Jim’s injuries, and the details of his recovery. As you can see, there has already been extensive surgical work done on his right leg and foot (shown here)

Writen By Laura Gaskill, Houzz
Photo (Above): Louise de Miranda, original photo on Houzz

When you hear the word “retreat,” what comes to mind — writing in a cabin by a lonesome lake, engaging in spiritual study or practicing yoga on the beach? How about doing a retreat in your own home? It may at first seem like an improbable idea (although that yoga-on-the-beach thing sounds pretty good), but there are some surprising positives to crafting your own retreat at home. For one thing, it’s free. For another, you can decide exactly the sort of activities you want to focus on, including things that may not be combined in most retreats (novel writing and cupcake baking, anyone?). Check out these 10 steps to designing your own retreat in the comfort of your home.

Bonaventura Architect, original photo on Houzz

1. Decide on a focus. Are you craving a spiritual retreat? Time to work on your craft, write, do yoga or meditate? Make a short list of the things you want to incorporate into your retreat so you can start planning.

2. Get your household onboard. If you live with others, and especially if you have children, going on a retreat at home can be a challenge. Try to plan the retreat for a time when your family or housemates will be away, particularly during the day. At the very least, try to get everyone to agree to respect what you are doing. This includes not speaking to you too much if you decide to maintain silence (see No. 8) during your retreat. If you have children, it can be worthwhile to do a shorter (even a one-day) retreat when you know the kids will be out of the house.

3. Set an intention. An intention is different from a goal. A goal might be, “I will meditate two hours each day,” whereas an intention could be, “I will be mindful and appreciate each moment.”

To set an intention for your retreat, answer these two questions:

○     What do you hope to gain from your retreat?

○     What do you hope your experience will be?

Setting intentions before your retreat can help keep you focused on the experience you want to have.

Nicola O’Mara Interior Design, original photo on Houzz

4. Shop for groceries and plan meals. Retreats you travel to, no matter what the focus, tend to offer fresh, healthful food — so try to offer yourself the same. Get the main work out of the way before your retreat begins, so you can focus on the good stuff.

5. Gather other materials. Depending on what sort of activities you will be focusing on, you may want to pick up books, instructional videos, craft supplies, notebooks and pens, a yoga mat or meditation cushions.

The New Design Project, original photo on Houzz

6. Create a schedule. Any proper retreat has a schedule mapped out in advance, and there’s no reason you can’t do the same. Decide what time you would like to rise, eat, work on your project, read, have downtime and go to sleep each day. Of course, the beauty of having an at-home retreat is that you are free to leave your schedule as open or as structured as you like.

7. Prepare your space. There’s no need to go overboard cleaning and scrubbing, but beginning your retreat in a neat, clean home will help set a positive tone. Plan to spend a few hours getting rid of clutter and cleaning up before you begin your retreat. 

Pay special attention to clearing away clutter and electronic devices in the bedroom so you can sleep restfully. And elsewhere in the house, put away anything that reminds you of work or things you may be feeling stressed about.

rigby & mac, original photo on Houzz

8. Try silence. Consider going without speaking during some or all of your retreat — you may be surprised how refreshing it can feel to get a break from constant chatter.

Of course, the more people in your household, the more difficult it will be. Perhaps someone else would like to participate in silence with you, or you can enjoy a silent break during the times you have the house to yourself. And, of course, talk if you really need to! 

Nicola O’Mara Interior Design, original photo on Houzz

9. Unplug. If there is one thing that seems to be a given at a retreat, it’s that you disconnect your devices. No going online and no checking your phone or tablet. If you are used to being on your devices frequently, it can be a hard habit to break, but it’s worth trying!

10. Consider your media consumption. In addition to what you might be used to seeing online, consider taking a break from the magazines, newspapers and books you usually read. Be intentional about the material you choose to read or watch during your retreat. If you want to read a book or watch a film, pick one that meshes with the intention you set for the retreat.

More from Houzz:

Stock a Pantry Cabinet With Healthy Snacks
How Home Can Help You Recharge
Lamps to Brighten Your Reading Nook

Looking for a way to enjoy daily full-body massage on your retreat? Try the Human Touch Novo XT massage chair:

By increasing oxygen-rich blood to tired, sore muscles, Novo XT helps to restore your natural well being. You can also bet that the sleek, innovative design will serve as a conversation piece that captivates attention like that of your favorite sports car.

Once you’ve rejuvenated both your body and mind, you’ll experience a heightened sense of confidence, motivation, and clarity—all the tools you need be your best and keep your edge over the rest of the pack.

Long Beach, CA – Human Touch®, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair Recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to introduce the newest addition to their Ascent Series collection, the Human Touch Novo XT massage chair. The Novo XT is designed to bookend your daily routine with relaxation and rejuvenation, and increases oxygen-rich blood to sore muscles to restore a natural sense of well-being. Using a sleek, innovative L-Track Unibody design, the Novo XT covers 60% more of the back than traditional massage chairs, providing relief from the neck and shoulders all the way to the glutes.

Additional features of the Novo XT include:

* 34 Auto-Wellness Programs, including 3 Deep Tissue Massage programs, which are designed to provide therapeutic relaxation and recovery.
* An Extending Foot and Calf Massager with under foot rollers for optimized reflexology, and adjustable intensity for calves and feet, which automatically adjusts for a variety of user heights.
* Using Human Touch Warm Air Technology®, Lumbar Heat continuously flows to target the lower back, gently soothing tight muscles and relieving pain.
* Flex 3D Massage Technology mimics the hands of a professional masseuse, extending into the muscles for a therapeutic massage that you can adjust to the pressure of your liking.
* Cloud Touch Acupressure uses strategically-placed air cells to apply pressure to key healing points and manipulate the body to stretch the muscles.
* Zero-Gravity Massage can be enabled with just the touch of a button, moving the body into an optimized neutral-posture position for a more soothing and refreshing massage experience.
* The expansive “bend and stretch” functionality of the Full Body Stretch provides unprecedented leg and spine relief, enabling a more rapid full-body recovery.
* The Space-Saving Design of the Novo XT requires only 2” of wall clearance in order to pivot seamlessly from the upright to the reclined position.
* Built-In Bluetooth Speakers allow the user to immerse themselves in soothing music while enjoying a relaxing massage, connecting any phone or music device to the built-in speaker via Bluetooth.
* The LCD Remote Control allows users to easily manage the Novo XT’s full suite of programs and features on the crystal-clear LCD screen.

“The first thing that people tend to notice about the Novo XT is that it doesn’t look like any other chair on the market,” said Peter Theran, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Human Touch. “Once they sit down and experience it for themselves, they also discover that it performs better than any massage chair. A wide range of people love the Novo XT because it’s not only an excellent way to find relief from daily aches and pains, but it also serves as a therapeutic tool to enhances their athletic and even professional performance.” 

The Novo XT is available in Black, Red, Gray, Cream, and Brown, and sells for a retail price of $8,999.

About Human Touch

Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that have been delivering 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. 

Megan Harvey
Direct Ph: 562-733-7317
Direct Fax: 562-424-7846
Corp. Ph: 562-426-8700
mharvey@humantouch.com
www.humantouch.com 

If you’re in the Columbus, Ohio area on February 18-26, don’t miss out on this month’s Home and Garden Show! Stone Barn Furnishings will be showcasing several Human Touch Zero-Gravity Perfect Chair Recliners in Booth #E, allowing you to try them for yourself and find your own perfect fit!

Stone Barn Furnishings features custom made furniture from Amish country in Holmes County, Ohio, and is known for being the perfect place to find stunning home accents, gifts, mattresses, and upholstered and hardwood furniture.

For more information on the Home and Garden Show, click here.

For more information on Stone Barn Furnishings, click here.

For more information on Human Touch Perfect Chair Recliners, click here.

In this segment of Keeping It Real, real-life customer Christopher shares a detailed review of his new Novo XT Massage Chair.

"I purchased this chair to replace an Osim iMedic 380 that was very worn. At almost ten years old it still worked perfectly, but the vinyl covering was ripped from heavy usage. When I started researching a replacement chair, I learned that some of the newer chairs have an L-track which allows the chair to massage the glutes. As a cycling enthusiast, I decided that my new chair should have this feature as I had always wished my old chair could do this. 

Although I had read that the Japanese chairs tend to be a bit more sophisticated and of better quality, I had to rule them out as they don't have this feature or foot-rollers—another feature I wanted. Given that my previous Chinese-made chair never had technical issues, I don't consider this overly risky. I settled on the Novo XT as it was the only chair to my knowledge that had a 3D L-track at the time of purchase. I did not try the chair in-person before ordering. 

Following are some of my opinions of the Novo XT. Keep in mind that I also get weekly massages from a massage therapist, so my standards for massage are high.

The chair looks good and seems well-built. In my opinion (very subjective) it's the best looking massage chair I've seen. That may not be saying much, though, as I think massage chairs are pretty ugly as a whole. This, at least, is not an ugly chair. The upholstery is tasteful and convincingly leather-like. Definitely a step-up from the vinyl-like material on my previous chair. Hopefully it will be more durable as well.

The L-track does not reach the upper hamstrings, but it does reach the upper to mid-buttocks. You get a decent glute massage with the Novo XT. Additionally, the hip airbags press the IT bands to a certain extent and on some settings can be quite powerful.

Neck, shoulder, back massage is good. It's nice to have the 3D feature which brings the rollers in or out to adjust intensity and as a massage technique. Helpful, because not every user prefers the same level of intensity.

I had initially thought that it was not possible to adjust the intensity for Auto Programs. While this is true for the 3D rollers, I want to mention that adjusting the intensity of the airbags massage (called Cloud Touch on this chair) is possible in all programs, manual or automatic. In fact, Cloud Touch intensity is easily adjusted by pressing the left or right arrow keys on the circular pad of the remote. It's not necessary to enter the settings menu to make an adjustment, although it can be done there as well. In addition, the display does a good job of showing you what the current Cloud Touch intensity setting is. 

Although it seems as though the remote allows you to adjust 3D roller intensity with the auto programs, you'll notice in use that after you make a change, the auto program will quickly take over. In other words, if you choose "soft," in the auto program, it won't stay on that level. Now that I've used the chair more, I understand why it's designed this way. When choosing an auto program, the 3D rollers are used at various levels during the massage. At certain times and positions the massage will be deep, and others times it will be soft. This better mimics the techniques of a massage therapist.

In addition to intensity, the 3D feature is used as a massage technique with the automatic and deep tissue programs. The rollers can push into the tissue and not just roll or tap over it to create a stretching or hand-pressing sensation. This chair also has a true 3D mechanism. The effect is not created by simply inflating or deflating the surrounding airbags. Very nice.

Hand/forearm airbags work well. I don't have a lot of experience with these systems, but can't imagine them working much better. They inflate the different zones of the hand, wrist and forearm sequentially which is relaxing and therapeutic.

At first, I did not find the stretch feature to be very useful, but I've been surprised to find that I'm actually using the it. It's not an intense stretch, but I'm starting to like it, nonetheless. The default is to have the leg extension go down when stretching, but I've switched it to go out instead and this seems better to me.

The chair is specified for users up to 6'-9", but at 5'-10", trim and average build, I need to use the second-to-tallest setting for the proper neck height. I'm sure someone taller/heavier can use the machine, but even I find the chair to be a bit more cramped than expected. My understanding is that this is one of the larger chairs, so I'm glad I didn't get one that was smaller. 

Calf, leg, foot massage is good. Foot rollers can be a little intense, but adjusting the overall massage intensity in the settings seems to be able to lessen the pressure. This is only possible in the manual program, though. Moving the leg module out with the remote also helps and that's possible at any time with any program. 

The chair does not do a body scan before each program. Instead, it allows you to choose your height setting before each program begins. Fortunately, it generally remembers the last setting that was used. I prefer this, as it's faster than having to wait for a body scan simply to figure out your height. You can quickly adjust the back rollers so they don't hit the top of your head or miss your shoulders and you still have the option to change the setting at any time. It takes a little experimenting to figure out your "number," but then it becomes easy. 

The chair does self-adjust for leg length which does not take much time and works pretty well. Leg setting is also easily manually adjusted at any time, if necessary. As I wrote above, extending the leg module outward can help if the roller effect is too intense.

To sum up, this chair has the ability to give a very good massage that is relaxing and therapeutic. It is good-looking, sturdily built and the upholstery feels and looks great. The 3D L-track is what separates this chair from most others and it works well to reach the glutes and as an added massage technique. The chair is comfortable while massaging and creates a nice cocoon-like feeling. Used as a lounger, the chair may feel hard and uncomfortable and the cocoon-like design works against it. It's a bit noisy, but not a deal-breaker. Remote control is good when using automatic programs, but just OK when using manual selections. The remote's intensity settings are confusing until you figure out that they're only applicable to the manual program. The remote's display, though, is very good."

-Christopher, Real-Life Cutomer

Long Beach, CA – Human Touch®, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® Recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to announce that it has launched a new and enhanced website, designed to improve the overall customer experience and connect users to the world of Human Touch products, innovations, and brand vision.

One of the key functions of the new website is to help guide Human Touch customers through the end-to-end process of understanding, experiencing, and selecting the best possible wellness solution to suit their unique needs. The entire website has been optimized for use on mobile phones and tablets, giving customers an enhanced experience no matter where they are. The Help Me Choose tool allows customers to determine which chair will best serve their individual requirements and preferences. The new Compare Models feature allows customers to compare chairs side-by-side so that they can select the chair that has the features and specifications that they prefer. The Store Locator allows customers to find the closest Human Touch Authorized Dealer location where they can experience Human Touch products firsthand.

“Our new website allows customers to engage with our products on an extremely personalized level, guiding them to a solution that will fit them perfectly,” said David Wood, CEO, Human Touch. “Our wellness products feature the most advanced technology in the industry, and our new user-friendly website tools take the guesswork out of selecting which product will best suit each individual customer’s needs and allow them to feel their best.”

The new site provides customers with access to valuable wellness education resources from Human Touch’s esteemed Wellness Council members on how to live better through regular massage, relaxation, proper posture, and other healthy lifestyle practices. Wellness Council members include Chiropractors, doctors of naturopathy and Eastern medicine, and experts on precision biometrics. The new site also offers information on Human Touch design and technology, as well as insight into the benefits of massage and neutral posture position sitting.

Key new site features include:

* Interactive and intuitive product pages, with features that allow customers to easily select a variety of customized wellness solution options. These redesigned product
pages give insight into product features, warranty descriptions, educational videos, interactive product callouts, brochures and manuals, specifications, and customization choices.

* A centralized Current Promotions page, which allows customers to navigate through promotional product pricing and financing specials.

* Learn and Experience sections that educate customers on the Benefits of Massage and zero-gravity Neutral Posture positioning. They can also learn more about the Human Touch Wellness Council, and watch educational videos created by council members. In the Experience section, customers can read real-life testimonials, and also find current and upcoming Costco Roadshow Demonstrations where they can try out Human Touch products for themselves. 

* A Help Me Choose chair selector tool that allows customers to find their perfect chair based on a series of qualifying questions ranging from space available to massage intensity desired.

* A completely redesigned Human Touch blog with improved navigation and design.

About Human Touch

Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that have been delivering 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. 

Media Contact:

Megan Harvey
Direct Ph: 562-733-7317
Direct Fax: 562-424-7846
Corp. Ph: 562-426-8700
mharvey@humantouch.com
www.humantouch.com

Fibromyalgia, a chronic musculoskeletal condition, affects nearly five million Americans and significantly more women are likely to suffer from the disease than men. The main symptom of it is experiencing pain throughout the entire body, as well as tension headaches, fatigue, stiffness and sleep disorders. Still, the cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown. As a result, those who suffer from it often have anxiety if they will find long-term pain relief. 

In 1990, researchers at the American College of Rheumatology identified 18 fibromyalgia pressure points, a.k.a. tender points, that are still used to help therapists diagnose patients with this disease. People feel the tension in their skeletal muscles and in the connective muscle tissue of their body. This tension decreases fibromyalgia patients’ muscle elasticity and affects their arterial blood supply. This activates someone’s pain receptors and results in chronic pain that may not be caused by anything apparent. As a result, treating pain for fibromyalgia sufferers is difficult. The root cause of what leads to experiencing symptoms often is unknown.

The pain of fibromyalgia is only a start to the endless cycle of issues that affect a person’s central nervous system’s release of serotonin. Because of problems with releasing serotonin, patience has an increased likelihood of depression and/or mood swings. Suffering from fibromyalgia also affects the ability to achieve quality rest, which prevents the body from being able to repair itself and can further increase a patient’s depression and exhaust the body, mind and spirit.

Massage Therapy for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia has no direct cure. However, several treatments are available to alleviate someone’s symptoms. One of the best treatments is for fibromyalgia sufferers to receive is massage therapy. Such therapy helps people get calf pain relief, decreases their stress hormones, and increases their serotonin level. With these benefits, it improves the overall sense of well-being. Special fibromyalgia massage therapy techniques also help to relax the body in order to achieve quality sleep, so the body can repair itself and start fresh for the following day. Once the body has reached homeostasis following a night of quality rest, someone can have both the mental and physical energy to address challenges throughout the next day.

Fibromyalgia and Massage Types

The best massage techniques for fibromyalgia patients combine kneading, pressure, stretching and heat. These techniques will loosen up the parts of the body that are tight and will increase someone’s mobility, allowing them to take on more physical tasks. Good techniques for fibromyalgia also increase circulation and help the body to clear out toxins within the muscles. Recommended forms of massage for fibromyalgia include: 

Massage Chair Benefits for Fibromyalgia Patients

Massage chairs make an excellent option for those suffering from fibromyalgia as they are the most cost-effective method for people who require regular, long-term therapy. They also make a great choice because of the convenience and availability for the user to take advantage of professional-grade therapy at any time of day, for as long as they like, and without having to leave the comfort of their home.

Some of the best massage chairs for fibromyalgia patients include: 

• Super Novo massage chair
• Novo XT2 massage chair
• ZeroG 5.0 massage chair
• WholeBody^® 7.1 massage chair
• iJOY^® Total Massage

Massage Constraints  for Fibromyalgia Patients

Those with fibromyalgia should consult their physician prior to receiving any massage therapy. They also should receive only gentle-pressure massages because their muscles can be sensitive. Once you’ve consulted a therapist and picked a necessary therapy option, make sure to avoid deep-tissue work due to its pressure intensity and muscle overstretching through the treatment process. 

Patients also should stick to short sessions. Otherwise, they take a risk to feel unwanted pain after the treatment. The goal is to make your muscles relax and make them more pliable, not to make you hurt.  

Massage Benefits for Fibromyalgia Patients

Here are the advantages of fibromyalgia massage therapy techniques:

1) Relaxation to improve sleep. Evening sessions help patients improve their sleep quality at night, thereby allowing the body to recover faster.

2) Improving muscle tone. Massage therapy helps to strengthen the lax muscles and restore the strength and vitality of the client’s body.

3) Improving mental clarity. Relaxation sessions help raise health awareness and reduce mental stress for patients.

4) Elimination of headaches. Improving blood flow to the brain helps alleviate the physical source of headaches for patients. In addition, having such pain relief helps to keep the patient’s mind in a healthier space.

LONG BEACH, CA- Human Touch®, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® Recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to announce that they will be exhibiting at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, which will take place from January 5-8, 2017.

Human Touch will be exhibiting in Booth 36425 in the Tech East segment, inside of the South Hall 4 of the Las Vegas Convention Center. During the show, Human Touch will be sharing the newest and most advanced wellness solutions on the market today featuring their revolutionary Human Touch Ascent Series® massage chairs.

The Ascent Series Novo massage chair has quickly gained the reputation as the best way to supercharge your daily ritual and gain a high performance edge. The Novo helps to rejuvenate the body and is perfect to help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts. Its distinctive unibody design follows a unique L-track that massages the entire back, past the hips and down to the glutes. It also features a custom super stretch, Bluetooth speakers, lumbar heat, cloud touch acupressure, extending foot-and-calf massage, and zero-gravity massage. With 30 auto wellness programs and an easy-to-use LCD controller, the Novo massage chair is endorsed by the World Federation of Chiropractic as an optimal way to improve spinal health and relieve overall stress. The Novo is currently available in Black, Brown, Cream, Red, and Blue, and has a retail price of $8,499.

Human Touch will also be debuting their new Ascent Series Novo XT massage chair. The Novo XT will launch into the market with many of the same features of the Novo, but will also include the added functionality of Flex 3D Massage Technology, four additional auto-wellness programs, massage intensity adjustment capabilities, and a wall-hugging design perfect for any interior space.

"We are thrilled to share our expanding Ascent Series line at this year's Consumer Electronics Show," said David Wood, CEO of Human Touch. "This show carries an esteemed reputation as the best way to experience cutting-edge, innovative technology, and our Ascent Series is just that."

The CES event showcases more than 3,800 exhibiting companies, including manufacturers, developers and suppliers of consumer technology hardware, content, technology delivery systems and more, and draws over than 165K attendees from 150 countries. This year marks the 50-year anniversary of this sensational event, and attendance is expected to be higher than ever.

Join Human Touch in Booth 36425 at CES 2017 to experience these amazing wellness products for yourself, and find out what massage every day can do to help you be your best and feel your best.

About Human Touch

Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that have been delivering 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.

Words cannot express my gratitude towards the Novo Massage Chair, but I will try my best to tell my brief story which I have never expressed to anyone in complete details.

I just turned 27 last week and have lived a very active life style. I grew up working in construction, racing motocross, working out etc. I was blessed at the age of 19 to meet my soulmate who I have 2 beautiful young children with. I started my own company and was living the picture perfect life up until when I started experiencing back pain. I kept powering through them thinking they would eventually pass. 

After 6 months of continuing to decline I elected to see a chiropractor. After a few X-rays their opinion was there was a fracture or defect in my L5-S1 that I was born with.  After some MRIs and meeting with a neurosurgeon I was diagnosed with Spondylolisthesis, and was told that I was limited by my pain and would eventually need a spinal fusion, but was last resort due to my age.

I continued to work through the pain with the hopes one day it would start to subside. I downplayed how I felt to doctors (which was not a good idea) but at I time I thought I did not have a choice as I had an obligation to my employees, current customers and to provide for my family. I continued to do less physically but things continued to decline and I will never forget the day when things hit rock bottom.

I walked up a single flight of stairs twice to check on one of my jobs, and was in so much pain. That night my 2 year old son was crying for me to pick him up, which I could not physically do for the first time because of the pain. Listening to my wife try to explain to a 2 year that I could not pick him up absolutely crushed me, and I ended up going to the hospital in excruciating pain. I was discharged with pain meds and received an expedited appointment to see my neurosurgeon.

I met with my neurosurgeon with the hopes of immediately getting surgery but was informed to do more PT and start pain management, which I was not happy with at all as I felt I had exhausted all my options. I started dieting, having specialized physical therapy, and taking pain management all at once. I started to slowly feel better and would get massaged on my worst days, but then started getting them once a week as I realized they were helping. I realized the days after my weekly massage I felt the best and wish I could get more massages, but mentally could not bring myself to spend more on them as they were only temporary relief.

One day I was walking through Costco and noticed the massage chairs but elected just to walk by. Curiosity got the best of me and I ended up checking out Human Touch’s website. The stretch feature is what really got me wondering if it worked. I tried zero gravity massage chairs in the past at Brookstone, but never heard of one that could do a spinal stretch. I waited until the last day of the sale to take a look but had no intentions of purchasing one. I sat in the chair and 2 minutes into the massage the airbags squeezed my legs and stretched my spine while the rollers ran down and I was blown away. I stopped the massage a minute later and purchased one.

Although I have been very fortunate I am nowhere near a millionaire so I did not take the purchase of the chair lightly. Human Touch generously expedited the chair to me after I explained that I had purchased it for medical issues, and since then my quality of life has greatly improved. The chair has helped me recover faster and get the blood pumping in muscles on the tough days.

I started feeling better and better each week, and thought my recovery was the typical story until I met with my neurosurgeon for a follow up 2 months after my last appointment. The look of shock on his face about not experiencing pain and feeling great made me realize and his exact words of "you were very rough 2 months ago and whatever you are doing continue to do because it is working. You still have back problems so keep that in mind, but if you have no pain then you have no reason to see me.” 

I find myself sitting on the chair answering emails on my laptop due to the comfort and I feel as I am the most relaxed and focused. Words cannot express how thankful I am to everyone at Human Touch. Your product has helped me get through one of the most challenging times in my life. I have enclosed a photo of myself using the chair, playing with my son, so others can see this is a real story. I am able to now enjoy doing things with my family that pain prevented me from doing before.

Robert O'Neil

Cape Coral, FL

“I‘ve been a Computer Programmer, a heads-down coder, for 35 years. After spending about 20 years in the poor posture encouraged by a traditional workspace, I began to experience severe neck and shoulder pain. I am 100% convinced that the ergonomics of the “cubicle” office is what caused my back problems.

My doctor recommended that I have a C4-C5 cervical fusion, which I hoped would completely dissolve the pain. But as time went on, I discovered that my pain was still affecting my quality of life on a daily basis. After a lot of research, I found the Human Touch Perfect Chair, and have been using it for over 10 years now. Not only is it extremely comfortable, but it prevents the poor posture that caused my back pain.

Before I found the Perfect Chair, I was at a point where I would have to end my career due to my spinal issues. Since buying my Perfect Chair, I’ve actually purchased another that I take to work with me. I’m an independent contractor, and I’ve tried sitting in the “ergonomic” desks and chairs that many offices offer now. I can’t emphasize enough how passionately I feel that the Perfect Chair is the best desk option, and I ALWAYS insist on bringing my Perfect Chair into my offices in order to work from my laptop. My chair has received a lot of attention from friends and colleagues, including a friend who had her C4-C5-C6 vertebrae fused together, and now loves the Perfect Chair almost as much as I do!

I believe that if I.T. continues the way it’s going with their long, heads-down hours spent working, they will start to see serious ramifications to their health. These are folks who sit in a chair, without moving, for 10-12 hours at a time, and I can tell you first hand that the results can be detrimental.

The Perfect Chair is an incredible tool for people who spend a lot of time at their desk, and I believe that it has the ability to completely change the way we manage our work space. I would love to see more offices eliminate the traditional cubicle set-up and encourage their employees to use Perfect Chairs with laptop desks, or even a type of dual laptop desk. I am so grateful for my Perfect Chair. It has changed my life.”

Sandy Jeakins
California