Do your neck and shoulders hurt? Sitting at an office desk all day, texting or scrolling through social media and even sitting on the couch can cause neck and shoulder pain.

We’re going to help you find the perfect chair for shoulder pain – and neck pain.

But first, it’s essential to learn about:

• The benefits of massage
• How neck and shoulder massage chairs work
• Features to look for in your chair

The best shiatsu back, neck and shoulder massager with heat has a lot of great benefits. Let's see what they are.

The Benefits of a Neck & Shoulder Massage

There are many benefits to neck and shoulder massages, including:

Help with Tension and Pain

Many people carry tension in their neck, which can lead to pain and even reduced range of motion. Of course, it doesn’t help that most of us spend several hours a day staring at screens or looking down at our phones.

Tilting your head forward just 30 degrees puts 40 pounds of force on your neck. The more you tilt forward, the more pressure you put on your neck and shoulders.

A neck and shoulder massage can help alleviate tension and pain in these two key areas.

Improve Muscle Soreness

Massage can help improve blood flow and oxygen to painful areas, reducing discomfort and inflammation. It also helps release endorphins, which are your body’s natural painkillers.

And when your massage is complete, you may even notice an improved range of motion. Why? Because massage helps remove lactic acid build-up that can cause muscle stiffness.

Help with Headaches, Migraines and Eye Strain

Tension and stiffness in the neck and shoulders can lead to headaches, migraines and even eye strain.

Massaging tight and stiff muscles in the neck and shoulders can bring some relief. And those endorphins we talked about earlier can also help reduce pain.

Boost Your Mood

It’s no secret that a massage makes you feel good. When your body is relaxed, your mood naturally improves. If you experience any pain relief, you’re sure to feel even better.

When you need a natural pick-me-up, a neck and shoulder massage is a great solution.

How Do Neck & Shoulder Massage Chairs Work

A massage chair with neck massage functions works with rollers in the neck portion of the chair that will work their way up your neck to alleviate tension, stress and kinks in your neck. However, some chairs do use airbags for the lower portion of the neck and the shoulders.

If you have a heated chair, the neck and shoulder chair massage will work to alleviate muscle tension and tightness.

Features to Look for in A Neck & Shoulder Massage Chair

How do you know what’s the best massage chair for neck and shoulders? Review the chair’s features.

• Scanning: The most advanced chairs have scanning technology that scans your body to map out pressure points. While most massage chairs will provide a great neck and shoulder massage, body scanning will provide a truly customized massage.
• Neck/shoulder massager: A neck massage chair will have a headrest that allows you to melt into the chair and enjoy a great massage session. Since all chairs have headrests, you’ll want to look for models with rollers that extend to the neck or shoulders. If rollers aren’t present, see if there are airbags.
• Heat therapy: Sore and tight necks and shoulders are the bane of people worldwide. Everyone is looking up at a monitor during the day and down at a screen at night. Tight, sore necks and shoulders respond very well to heater chairs because heat will loosen up the tightness in these regions.

While it would be nice to have a neck and shoulder massage chair with all of these features, budget will play a significant role in your ability to purchase a chair.

If money is not a concern, you’ll find spectacular options in our catalog that will fit your needs.

However, we’ve done our best to list and review five of the best massage chairs for shoulders and necks below to fit any budget.

5 Best Massage Chairs for Neck and Shoulders

1. Super Novo

Super Novo is one of our premiere chairs, and it’s designed to be one of the world’s most advanced massage chairs. We even offer a White Glove delivery upgrade.

Features

• 3D and 4D massage programs
• 38 auto-wellness programs
• Dual lumbar heat
• Alexa-enabled virtual therapist
• Acupressure options
• Full-body stretch
• S- and L-track massage
• Feet, knee and leg massage
• Premium sound system
• Magnetic dock and holder
• Zero gravity seating

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 38 programs that perform 3D and 4D massage
• Dual lumbar heat to melt away stress
• Extended massage, thanks to the multi-dimensional massage technology

Cons

• Pricey

Price

$9,999

Color Options

• Saddle
• Gray
• Cream
• Espresso
• Black

Warranty

Super Novo comes with a standard 5-year limited warranty with extended options available.

Click here to buy.

2. Certus

Certus is one of our top-selling chairs, and it’s designed to fit into tight spaces, thanks to the zero clearance design. If you need an advanced neck and shoulder massage, Certus is one of the best massage chairs in the world.

Features

• 11 wellness programs
• 3D massage technology
• AcuPoint body scanning
• Zero gravity seating
• Cloud Touch acupressure
• Dual-lumbar and calf heat
• No clearance design
• Premium sound system
• Foot and calf massage

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Wellness programs for stretching, recovery and full-body wellness
• AcuPoint detection maps the shoulders and neck for accurate massage
• 3D massage envelopes the entire body

Cons

• Lacks 4D massage technology

Price

$7,999

Color Options

• Earth
• Sun
• Sky
• Moon
• Slate

Warranty

Standard limited 5-year warranty with an extended warranty option available.

Click here to buy.

3. Quies

Quies helps melt away tension in the neck and shoulders thanks to its S- and L-tracks. Lumbar heating and zero gravity immerse you in a state of complete relaxation. Just kick back, relax and enjoy a fully-body massage right from the comfort of home.

Features

• S- and L-track massage
• 9 built-in massage programs
• Foot and calf massager
• Zero gravity position
• Dual lumbar heat
• Built-in Bluetooth speakers

Pros & Cons

Pros

• S- and L-track massage offers more massage coverage
• Built-in programs make it easy to enjoy your massage
• Zero gravity position takes pressure off the spine

Cons

• Doesn’t offer vigorous or intense massages

Price

$4,999

Color Options

• Cream
• Gray

Warranty

5-year limited

Click here to buy

4. iJOY Total Massage

The iJoy Total Massage chair delivers a full-body massage and offers adjustable features to customize your experience. For example, adjust the width of the rollers with the touch of a button to target tension in the neck and shoulders. Plus, the S-track design follows the natural curve of your spine for a more thorough massage.

Features

• S-track massage
• Built-in foot and calf massager
• FlexGlide technology
• 3 auto programs and 4 massage techniques

Pros & Cons

Pros

• S-track follows the curve of your spine to target tension with precision
• Adjustable roller width helps you target and massage key areas of the neck and shoulders
• Leg and calf massager create a full-body massage experience

Cons

• No L-Track

Price

$999

Color Options

• Black
• Espresso
• Bone

Warranty

2-year limited

Click here to buy

5. WholeBody 5.1

The WholeBody 5.1 is an affordable massage chair that offers the comfort level and features you’d find on higher-end massage chairs. FlexGlide technology mimics the movements of a professional massage therapist to target tension in the neck and shoulders.

Features

• FlexGlide massage technology
• Motorized back and leg rest
• 3 massage programs
• Foot and calf massager

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Seamless glide massage for truly relaxing massage
• Built-in programs take the guesswork out of your massage
• Moderate intensity to help blast away tension in the neck and shoulders

Cons

• No heated lumbar option

Price

$1,199

Color Options

• Bone
• Black

Warranty

3-year limited

Click here to buy

Final Thoughts

Your neck and shoulders are where most people hold all of their stress and tension. If you have headaches, your neck or shoulders hurt or you just want to spoil yourself, the best massage chair for neck and shoulders can help.

Plus, you can enjoy a massage in the comfort of your own home any time you want.

Hello, my name is Maurice Allen and I am a professional long drive competitor as well as a professional golfer. I have teamed up with Human Touch over the next 12 months to document my recovery methods in hopes that it will give you some ideas that you can use to help you gain a greater quality of life. 

How to Use Massage Chairs for Recovery in the Right Way

In this first month I started with baseline, it’s important to know where you are to start and also to help you see improvements of any kind which will give you the motivation to continue the process. The assessment and documentation is a lot of work to be honest with you but I feel that it is a necessity and one of the first steps to truly get better. In my baseline assessment I would take 5-7 minutes every morning when I first wake up and again right before I got to bed to see how my body is responding to movement.

The key parts I check are the following:

• Feet
• Knees
• Hips
• Lower back
• Shoulders
• Neck

These are the major places that are the site of discomfort for most individuals.

The assessment is a simple series of movements that help me look at range of motion and strength. You are looking to see what feels tight, is there any sharp pain, is muscle atrophy present, inability to move, and is the movement smooth and fluid. The purpose in doing it twice a day is to see how well my body recovers as I sleep. 

From my assessment I’ve learned that I need to work on:

• Ankle mobility
• Knee stability with strengthening the supporting muscles
• Loosen up my hips
• Shoulder range of motion
• Strengthening the muscles in my neck

Do I Need a Massage for Muscle Recovery?

I know that many of you reading this will say “I’m not a professional athlete so how does this relate to me?”

Recovery and wellness is something important for everyone because you can’t perform at top level without it. If you are consistently in pain or discomfort you can’t be the best parent you want to be, the best spouse you want to be or be the best worker you want be. This is a long ongoing process but it hopefully gives you all some great information that you will be able to use as well.

Each month I will tackle one issue at a time in detail using a series of methods, I will also use my Super Novo massage chair as one of my daily maintenance tools to help me recover better and enjoy life more. We'll also explore how massage helps with muscle recovery and overall recovery in general.

Thank you for following my journey, and starting your own as well!

Choose the best luxury massage chair from the market using this buyer's guide by Human Touch.

Exercise plays an important role in overall health and wellness, and your recovery can be just as important as the workout itself. Not only can recovery prevent muscle soreness, but it can also help support healthy muscle growth.

The many positive effects of massage therapy have long been recognized by the athletic and sporting world.

Many coaches, athletes, and sports medicine experts have long acknowledged that massage can provide numerous benefits to the body, including increased blood flow, improved circulation, reduced muscle soreness and tension, lowered mental stress and anxiety, and better overall wellbeing.

And now, with the recent partnership between Human Touch^® and Recovery For Athletes (RFA), these many benefits are now even more accessible to athletes than ever before.

In this post, we are going to explore Human Touch’s market-leading massage chairs and zero gravity recliners and review their many benefits for athletic recovery.

The Important Role Massage Therapy Plays For Athletic Recovery

It’s not hard to see why the athletic world is so jazzed about massage chairs. Their many benefits have seen professional athletes from around the world incorporate massage therapy into their recovery routines.

Below, we explore the main benefits of massage therapy and how it helps some of the world’s greatest athletes stay on top of their game.

Increased Blood Flow, Circulation, And Reduced Blood Pressure

Whether it’s simply muscle soreness from an intense workout or recovery from an injury, massage therapy, delivered by massage chairs, is a great way to increase blood flow to painful or injured areas of the body. When blood flows into an affected area, it brings oxygen and nutrients that replenish cells and help sore bodies feel better and heal faster.

In fact, research has shown that deep tissue massages can work to reduce systolic (contracted heart pressure), diastolic (expanded or open-heart pressure), and mean arterial blood pressure.

These benefits not only promote athletic recovery but can also help to promote the longevity of an athlete’s professional life.

Great Range Of Movement And Increased Flexibility

With intense workouts and heavy athletic routines comes tightness and limited range of motion. Stiff, sore muscles and joints don’t perform optimally and are more susceptible to injuries like tears, pulls, and strains.

Thankfully, massage chairs help to loosen and relieve areas of damage due to physical activity, reducing the risk of injury and preparing the body for the next tough training session.

It has been shown that consistent use of a massage chair is an effective intervention for musculoskeletal aches, pains, discomfort, and a great way to increase range of motion.

The perfect combination to avoid injury and stay active and healthy for longer.

Pain Relief

There's nothing more effective at killing motivation and reducing athletic performance than pain. Tired muscles, soreness, and tightness all lead in one direction, more recovery time and less time athletically training.

Thankfully, massage chairs are great at relieving unwanted pain symptoms from athletic and sports training to return the body to optimal conditions in a timely manner.

Take Ryan Bader’s experience with his Novo XT2, he says, “…it’s really taken my recovery to a whole new level.” and reveals, “What I really like about it is it has so many features that I can easily tailor a massage to my day and how I’m feeling.”

Massage chairs are the perfect solution for pain relief and to help athletes, even with regimes as demanding as an MMA fighter, quickly and effectively relieve their post-workout pain to get back to training as soon as possible.

Injury Recovery

Injuries, big or small, are the antithesis of effective athletic training. A niggling injury can keep athletes from training, performing, and competing at their very best. And could, quite literally, be the difference between a long prosperous athletic career and retirement.

Former NFL player, Hiram Eugene, suffered numerous injuries throughout his career, and describes, “I am most affected by tightness/stiffness/soreness in my lower back, joint tightness/soreness in left hip, and stiffness/tingling/inflammation/numbness in my neck.”

He goes on to say: “My attraction to the [Human Touch] Novo massage chair was that it really does have the touch of human hands giving you a firm massage, and it also has a recliner mode that helps you relax while you receive that massage.”

Hiram, unfortunately, sustained a career-ending injury back in 2012 , but has been using his Novo massage chair to help with his recovery and manage pain ever since.

Relaxation

In addition to physical fatigue, muscle soreness, and injury management, athletic training can also take a mental toll.

This, once again, is where massage chairs shine. Professional racecar driver and Human Touch Wellness Council Member, Cassie Gannis’ experience is a prime example.

Cassie uses her iJOY^® massage chair to help her relax both during and after her workday: “This chair uses long strokes, kneading, compression, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize me while I review race films, post to social media and answer emails. The positive effects of the iJOY massage chair are that it reduces my stress level, back pain, and muscle tension.”

She also adds: “Outside of the massage effects, the iJOY chair is a comfortable chair. It provides a great place to just sit and relax. I can be found watching TV in it after my workday has ended.”

As a professional athlete, it’s just as important to keep your mind sharp and relaxed as it is to keep your body pain-free. That way, when stepping onto the field or competing in a big event, their head is in the game and they are ready to perform at the top level.

Post-workout Muscle Care

Ultimate athletic achievements take not just serious commitment but also a rigorous athletic routine. Routines such as this can take a serious toll on the body and require just as much time off the field recovering as on the field performing.

Andy Potts, a world champion triathlete, shares his experience with the Novo XT massage chair: “As a professional triathlete, one of the pillars of my racing and training success comes from proper recovery. I train for over 35 hours a week, which takes a tremendous toll on the body. By adding the Human Touch Novo XT to my daily routine, I’m able to unwind and recover in a way I never thought possible.”

An investment in a high-quality massage chair is a convenient and easily tailored way to recover from heavy workout loads and professional athletic commitments. The process of giving

muscles and joints the care they deserve pays dividends to both recovery and performance.

Final Thoughts

Massage chairs are a fantastic way to take any athletic regime to the next level. That’s why a partnership between Recovery For Athletes and Human Touch is the perfect alliance for athletes everywhere.

RecoveryForAthletes.com is the top online retailer for athletic recovery, fitness, and wellness equipment. We stock products from over 75 brands within our online store, partnering with manufacturers who share our vision: to improve the recovery and performance of athletes irrespective of their sporting discipline.

With over 40 years of experience, Human Touch designs and manufacturers market-leading massage chairs that have set the bar for innovation and technology within the industry. Their comprehensive portfolio of high-quality massage chairs and zero gravity recliners has taken athletic recovery to the next level.

Could your home office use an upgrade? With more and more people working from home, the demand for workspaces that foster productivity and wellness has never been higher. Consider featuring a carefully-crafted massage chair in your home office that by its design and engineering, induces relaxation, refocuses your mind, and relieves stress.

Human Touch, a leading luxury massage and home office chair brand, has you covered. Check out this list of the best home office chairs of 2021:

Massage Chairs for Relaxing After a Long Day at the (Home) Office

Gravis ZG
The HumanTouch^® Gravis ZG combines myriad therapeutic benefits, intelligent engineering, convenient controls, and exceptional comfort. Enjoy multiple heat zones, targeted air massage technology, and a zero gravity recliner, all in a compact, minimalist design. Gravis ZG has its own app for quick customization of your favorite positions and a reliable battery backup. And don’t forget the Smart Sitting feature (available in the downloadable app)! This intuitive feature allows you to set a timer so the chair “nudges” you when you’ve been sitting too long and should probably take a break and stretch your legs. Two frame color options, mahogany and beech, and three neutral pad set color options, saddle, sand, and bone, seamlessly blend into any home office decor.

Super Novo Massage Chair
The ground-breaking Super Novo Massage Chair is the first Alexa-enabled compatible ergonomic home office chair featuring patented Virtual Therapist™ technology. A Human Touch best-seller, the Super Novo lives up to its “super” name with features like 3D and 4D massage programs, Cloud Touch acupressure, dual-lumber heat, and zero gravity positioning. Access and store your devices with a convenient magnetic dock and holder, or turn on the premium Altec Lansing sound system to listen to calming music or nature tracks while you focus on work.

Novo XT2 Massage Chair
The Novo XT2 Massage Chair is a sophisticated home office chair designed for long working hours. Considered one of the best home office massage chairs available due to its powerful three-dimensional massage system, Novo XT2 delivers a masseuse-quality massage from the top of the spine all the way to the thighs. State-of-the-art technology, including Flex 3D Massage, dual-lumbar heating, and an extending foot and calf massage system, make this modern piece of furniture a must-have for relaxing breaks during the workday.

Ergonomic Chairs for Small Home Offices

Sana Massage Chair
The best compact home office chairs offer you a relaxing respite right when you need it, whether it’s during a short break between meetings or winding down at the end of a long workday. The Sana Massage Chair is a gorgeous modern home office chair, inspired by the simplicity of contemporary design with a luxurious first-class touch. Professionals dealing with high-stress jobs and long office hours will benefit from Sana’s pain-relieving zero gravity recline and nine intelligent Auto-Wellness programs that support and massage the back. A small rear clearance requirement makes the Sana perfect for tighter spaces, and built-in USB ports also make it easy to use and charge your devices while you decompress with a relaxing full-body massage.

iJOY^® Total Massage Chair
Unwind after work (or during your own mini breaks throughout the day) with the iJOY Total Massage, a top-of-the-line home office chair for back pain. Intelligently designed with FlexGlide^® orbital massage technology that simulates the expert techniques used by massage professionals, the iJOY Total Massage also features air cells strategically placed to target healing pressure to the shoulders, arms, seat, and calves. Adapt the chair to your perfect fit with back massage rollers that adjust to your ideal width, a gentle recline, and extendable foot and calf massagers. This high-quality compact massage chair will take your workspace to the next level.

Perfect Chair^® PC-600 Silhouette
While all Perfect Chairs are exquisitely-crafted, the Perfect Chair PC-600 Silhouette is a step above the rest. Compared to the Perfect Chair PC-610 Omni-Motion, the PC-600 is a more compact-ergonomic home office chair optimal for smaller workspaces. Relax into the plush memory foam and take advantage of the added comfort seating available with the innovative 3D EasePoint Technology™ (offered on the Supreme Upholstery Package option). Discover a new sense of wellness while you work with power recline, an adjustable lumbar system, extended armrests, and much more. And attach the Perfect Chair Laptop Desk to secure your devices while you work and take meetings.

ZeroG^® 5.0 Massage Chair
The ZeroG 5.0 Massage Chair is where state-of-the-art design meets pure, weightless relaxation. Whether you’re weaving self-care breaks into your day or simply relaxing after work, recline into zero gravity and experience immediate relief of pressure on your spine and lower back. Increase blood circulation, reduce swelling in your lower extremities, and indulge in a fully encompassing massage of your feet, calves, and lower and upper back. Featuring the revolutionary BodyMap PRO^® remote, Acupoint^® Detection scanning technology, and an extra-wide seat for added comfort while you work upright, this remarkable modern massage chair is the ultimate addition to any home workspace.

Zero Gravity Reclining Office Chairs

Lito Zero Gravity Recliner by Relax The Back^®
The Lito Zero Gravity Recliner by Relax The Back offers unparalleled comfort whether you’re video conferencing with clients, working long hours, or benefitting from a short screen break between meetings. Dip into virtual weightlessness with Lito’s zero gravity recline and take advantage of intelligent preset memory functions you can access with the touch of a button. Use this as an optional home office chair when you need a break from your desk, and enjoy its heated seat and contoured backrest that supports your lower back, as well as an articulating headrest comfort pillow.

Perfect Chair^® PC-420 Classical Manual Plus
The Perfect Chair PC-420 Classical Manual Plus is a stunning example of marrying human craftsmanship with remarkable engineering. The PC-420 is made with superior materials designed for ultimate comfort and durability; materials include high-tensile strength steel, memory foam, a solid wood base, far-infrared Jade heat stones*, and Premium Leather or SōfHyde upholstery. Use the detachable Perfect Chair Laptop Desk for work and meetings, and then manually recline to zero gravity and ease into weightless comfort. *Note: Jade heat available on select upholstery packages only.

Perfect Chair^® PC-610 Omni-Motion Classic
Explore next-level wellness while you work with the Perfect Chair PC-610 Omni-Motion Classic, a contemporary leather home office chair that artfully blends form and function. Constructed with premium materials including a hand-carved wooden base and Premium Leather (or choose SōfHyde upholstery if you prefer!), the Perfect Chair PC-610 Omni-Motion Classic is everything the modern-day professional needs in an office chair. Recline to zero gravity for instant back and spine relief, find your preferred seating position with the chair’s 3D EasePoint Technology™ and alleviate muscle tension with soothing built-in Jade heat. (Note: 3D EasePoint Technology and Jade heat available on select upholstery packages only).

Whether you’re looking for sleek, compact chairs for your home office or the ultimate combination of modern comfort and ergonomics, let this best office chair review guide you to the perfect choice.

Today, after the chair time, I did a yogic stretch of one leg, and "click" the offending vertebrae went back into place! Stunning! Thank whoever developed that "energize" series for the chair.

Long Beach, CA – June 17, 2020 – Human Touch®, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® zero gravity recliners, and other wellness solutions, has been honored with eight 2020 Awards for Design Excellence (ADEX).

Attendees Can Experience Human Touch’s Premium Massage Chairs and Zero Gravity Recliners at the SRJT Core Six Weeks of Events

Long Beach, CA – JUNE 16, 2020 – Human Touch^®, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, zero gravity recliners, and other wellness solutions is pleased to be the official wellness partner of the Split Rock Jumping Tour (SRJT).

“We’re honored and excited to be named the official wellness partner to the SRJT,” said David Wood, CEO of Human Touch. “Equestrian athletes put their bodies through a lot for their passion and for their sport, and our wellness solutions are built to help them to recover and to perform at their absolute best. The partnership between SRJT and Human Touch is a natural fit and we’re pleased to aide in their unrivaled hospitality and be part of their revolutionary show jumping tour.”

Human Touch will be onsite, providing their premium massage chairs and zero gravity recliners for attendees to benefit from at the SRJT core six weeks of events starting in June 2020 and through the final Fort Worth International CSI 4*-W event from December 16-20, 2020.

“We are so thrilled to welcome Human Touch as part of our 2020 Split Rock Jumping Tour,” said SRJT founder and CEO, Derek Braun. “Human Touch massage chairs are incredible and many of our exhibitors have been helped by them. I have used them myself and they are clearly the best there is!”

About the Split Rock Jumping Tour

The 2020 Split Rock Jumping Tour is presenting six world-class FEI shows at six outstanding venues.

• 1 *New Location* – June 17-21 - Lexington International CSI2* - Kentucky Horse Park - Lexington, KY
• 2 August 12-16 - Santa Fe International CSI2*- HIPICO Santa Fe – Santa Fe, NM
• 3 September 2-6 - Sonoma International CSI2* - Sonoma Horse Park – Sonoma, CA
• 4 September 30-October 4 - Columbus International CSI2* - Brave Horse Show Park – Johnstown, OH
• 5 *New* November 4-8 – Aiken International CSI2* - Aiken Horse Park – Aiken, SC
• 6 *New* December 16-20 - Fort Worth International CSI4*-W (Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Ft. Worth) – Will Rogers Coliseum – Ft. Worth, TX

In 2020, SRJT has adopted Green is the New Blue operating standards to prioritize green practices at all Split Rock Jumping Tour events.

Additional information is available at the Split Rock Jumping Tour’s website at www.SplitRockJumpingTour.com.

About Human Touch

For over 40 years, Human Touch proudly serves as the country’s leading provider and innovator of high-performance massage chairs, zero gravity recliners and other wellness solutions. Committed to creating the most immersive and personalized independent wellness experiences, Human Touch introduces patented massage systems that replicate the touch and techniques used by leading massage professionals. Each product is strategically engineered and designed to address the pains and stresses caused by today's hectic lifestyle using the latest technologies and intelligent ergonomics. 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.

Media Contact:
Emily Wong
Direct Ph: 562-733-7358
Corp. Ph: 562-426-8700
ewong@humantouch.com
www.humantouch.com

By: Wellness Council Member, David Marcarian, MA

There is nothing like a great massage from the hands of a great massage therapist. A few years ago, my New Year’s Resolution was to get hands-on massage on a regular basis. To ensure the success of my resolution required a commitment much like joining a gym. I immediately found a massage clinic with locations throughout the U.S. and signed up! The experience was actually quite nice. The offices are quite esthetically pleasing, and the massage therapists were very skilled. I liked that I could schedule online, as I am so busy and it would be so difficult to call ahead to schedule my massage.

There was only one problem. Human Nature. Just as with a gym membership, if there is difficulty getting to the gym, difficulty parking, difficulty finding time – well like electricity, humans find the quickest path to ground. When it comes to the gym membership, that means not leaving the ground my feet were on in front of the couch. The problem? Even with online scheduling, if I did not schedule my massage at least a few days in advance, I would never get in, or get the therapist I wanted.

So here we are three years later, with monthly fees for several years and only three real massages! It’s not their fault. They have a fantastic service and system. Convenience is the key: If the service is not directly in front of you, or requires that you drive and park at times which are difficult, we simply won’t follow through. Just like with the gym membership, I purchased an elliptical instead. I wake up in the morning and with it sitting right there in front of me, I have no excuses at all. For 8 years now I’ve used it, and my blood pressure has dropped to 123 / 73 and has stayed the same due to the convenience of the elliptical.

How many massages have I had with my Human Touch^® Zero Gravity Massage Chair? I cannot even count. Sometimes it has been twice a day. I’ve woken up at 2:00 AM not able to sleep. I schedule my massage by sitting down and pressing the button: The only scheduling issue is if there is anyone else in the house. And one shift in Human Touch Engineering which has had quite an influence on access to the chair? Unfortunately for me, Human Touch engineers have finely tuned their latest massage chairs to magically adjust to the user. The newer designs are much gentler than the old “rough” rollers, meaning women now love the Human Touch approach to massage technology as much as men.

The other real advantage of having the Human Touch chair at home is that you have no way of knowing what random stressors in life, both physical and emotional, will hit at any given moment. It is really nice to know that you have a massage chair at home you can rely upon at 3:00 AM when you wake up with an aching back: A role very few legitimate massage therapists are able to fill.

For the right person who is organized enough to plan ahead, the massage franchises offer a wonderful service. For the rest of us? It may actually be less expensive when you take into considering parking, gas, work time lost etc. to own the most expensive Human Touch massage chair made! Another really good point is that massage is supposed to reduce stress, not increase it. If it takes too much effort to schedule a massage, the massage is a bit ruined for me. In addition, I really don’t like getting massage oil all over my new car’s seats!

If you have time to schedule a real-life massage, more power to you. For the rest of us insanely busy people in a world filled with traffic, stress and beeping reminders always going off, I will just stay home, curl up with a book, Netflix, and my Human Touch Massage chair whenever I choose: Just one less thing in life requiring a schedule.