With the COVID-19 crisis putting most countries on lockdown, more people are working from home than ever before. Setting up a home office has been a tricky process for many of us. Along with finding a designated place to work, you also have to consider the ergonomics of the space. The goal is to create a home office that's comfortable to work in without causing back pain or strain.

A zero gravity workstation is a great option, especially if you suffer from constant pain when sitting.

Investing in an ergonomic office chair is a great place to start. The Human Touch Perfect Chair® is ideal for any home office setting. Our Perfect Chairs may not look like the conventional office chair, but they offer the comfort and ergonomic design needed to work safely and comfortably from home.

Experience the Benefits of Zero Gravity

The legs are elevated above the heart in the zero gravity position, while the shoulders and head are also slightly elevated. It may sound like a strange way to sit or sleep in, but NASA designed the position as a way to take pressure off the spine when astronauts are launched into space.

You may find it interesting to know that this is also the position your body naturally takes when in a zero gravity environment, such as floating in a pool of water.

Back Pain Relief

Many of us suffer from lower back pain because we sit at a desk all day or perform repetitive motions that strain our backs.

The zero gravity position takes the pressure off the spine, specifically the lower back. Once that pressure is removed, blood can flow freely to the back to alleviate pain and discomfort.

If you suffer from pinched nerves or muscle tension in your back, a zero gravity office chair can also help decompress your spine to alleviate these problems.

A few of the ways that an ergonomic office chair helps alleviate back pain are:

• Tilt tension
• Sturdy yet comfortable seat cushion to promote better posture
• Height adjustable settings to ensure proper foot placement
• Adjustable armrests to further promote good posture

When you're sitting for long hours, adjustable features help take the strain off of your back. It's better to invest in zero gravity computer chair that may cost more than other models but doesn't leave you with an aching back day and night.

Plus, the right zero gravity chair will last a long time and can be written off if you own a business.

Less Stress on the Heart

Along with taking pressure off the spine, zero gravity also takes pressure off the heart, allowing it to work more efficiently and improving circulation. In this position, your heart doesn't have to work so hard to pump against the power of gravity, so blood can flow more freely.

If you have fibromyalgia, lower stress on the heart is crucial to your long-term health.

The best office chairs for fibromyalgia are zero gravity chairs. You'll reduce pain, lower your risk of heart complications and do it all while being more productive.

Better Circulation, Recovery and Pain Relief

Improved circulation will help with recovery from injuries and even muscle growth. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to your organs and muscles. Muscles that receive more blood get more nutrients and oxygen, helping them grow. Injuries also recover more quickly because they receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to heal.

Zero gravity is also an effective way to alleviate pain. Along with taking pressure off painful areas, improved circulation reduces or even eliminates pain.

In fact, a 2014 study from Portland Research Group highlighted the effectiveness of zero gravity and Human Touch's Perfect Chairs on pain.

• * 41% of people taking pain medication before their chair purchase took less pain medication after purchasing a Perfect Chair.
• * 17% stopped taking pain medication entirely.
• * 74% of owners said they would recommend Perfect Chair to other people.

Do zero gravity chairs help back pain? Yes, but they also help relieve general pain, too. There are chairs for back pain specifically, yet a zero gravity desk or chair will reduce pain in the entire spine and other joints.

Relaxed Muscles

Working from home can be stressful, even if your home office is in your living room.

The zero gravity position helps take pressure off muscles, allowing them to relax and alleviating tension. When the body is in a total state of relaxation, you also enjoy a deeper, more restful sleep.

A reclining desk or reclining computer workstation helps take strain off of your muscles, joints and back. When you sit in a reclining desk chair workstation, you're actively promoting less stress and tension on the muscles.

If any of the following hurt or are sore after long work hours, a zero gravity reclining office chair can help:

• Neck
• Back
• Shoulders

Plus, the mesh fabric is comfortable to sit in for long periods of time and very durable.

A Versatile Home Office Asset

Perfect Chairs are just as versatile as they are comfortable.

If you want a zero gravity chair for lower back pain that's high-tech and can help improve your workflow in the office, we have the perfect option for you.

With our Laptop Desk accessory, you can instantly transform your chair into the perfect home office chair. Our Supreme Upholstery Packages offered with any of our Perfect Chair models include 3D EasePoint Technology™, which is designed to distribute your weight evenly across the entire seat to eliminate uncomfortable and painful pressure points. This makes it easier to comfortably work from your chair, even for extended periods of time.

With zero gravity, maximum adjustability and the finest craftsmanship, Perfect Chairs make it easy and comfortable to work from home.

Even after you return to your office, your Perfect Chair will be there to greet you after work and help you relax after a long day. If you're going to have a home office, you want it to be as comfortable as possible. A zero gravity chair is the best option for comfort, back pain reduction and versatility.

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. 

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.

Back and lower back pain are typical for those of us sitting in chairs all day at our desks and is exactly the price we pay for walking on two feet. Spine specialists have become more concerned about the growing number of complaints: nearly 65 million Americans report a recent episode of back pain. And you’ve probably already guessed what has caused it.

Since the start of the pandemic and stay at home orders across the globe, human activities and lifestyles have changed a lot. People have been moving significantly less, postponing visits to a doctor, skipping their lower back massage sessions, crawling out of bed and walking the 20 feet to their desk, and taking advantage of Amazon and other instant delivery services instead of taking a short walk to the grocery store.

While Covid doesn’t directly cause back pain, our response to it has contributed to an increase in the cases reported by the general public.

Possible Reasons for Lower Back Pain

There are a number of reasons for lower back pain. What’s more, it’s not always rooted in the musculoskeletal system. Sometimes doctors observe a mirroring effect, when organ diseases manifest through lower spine inflammation.

It can be a consequence of trauma from an accident, diseases of the stomach, intestines, or kidneys or due to muscle spasms, a pinched nerve, and/or inflammation. In this case, seeing an orthopedic doctor or psychiatrist will help identify the root of the problem and proper plan for recovery.

None of the diseases of these organs and skeletal systems mentioned above can compare with the consequences of sedentary work. It’s the top reason for spine and neck pain, numbness in the arms and legs, and circulatory problems.

What’s more, according to medical research from the NIH, a sedentary lifestyle can lead not only to physical problems, but also mental distress. Thus, taking more conscious care of your back health should be a top wellness priority as it seriously affects your mental condition.

How Massage Can Help with Back Pain

Does getting a massage help with lower back pain? Of course it does! Back massage is one of the best ways to cope with and prevent it, which is most often caused by stiffness and muscle spasms. It relaxes tight muscles so that the pain disappears and your posture becomes more upright.

If it is caused solely by sedentary work, working out regularly and massage therapy that targets your lower back pain can be the best ways to alleviate it. When combined, these two self-care routines can drastically reduce painful sensations or eliminate them totally.

A massage after an intense exercise helps you relax tired muscles, improves your blood circulation, and brings many other positive healing effects.

The Benefits of Massage

Massage is a highly beneficial wellness practice—you don't have to wait until your spine asks for help to decide to make it part of your self-care routine. Instead, you may notice the benefits right after your first massage session.

• It helps your body detoxify through sweating.
• Massage stimulates the production of hormones that contribute to improved moods and positive feelings of well-being: endorphins, oxytocin and dopamine are released by touch.
• It also stabilizes your mental state by helping to relieve tension/stress and its effects.
• Massage improves blood circulation and helps your cells receive more oxygen and nutrients.

Massage Therapy Downsides and Precautions

Despite the fact that getting a massage is considered to be a highly beneficial practice, it can have downsides for a specific group of people. Particularly:

• Elderly people whose bones no longer have the same strength.
• Any age group who is suffering from broken bones, wounds, or injuries. In some cases, massage can be done with care during the post-traumatic recovery period. Make sure you tell your therapist about any current or past injuries so they can work around them.
• Patients suffering from inflammation. Massage at the site of inflammation can worsen the situation if not done properly.
• Pregnant and lactating women. Massages during pregnancy can stimulate the body, leading to a potential miscarriage. What’s more, toxins released during the massage process pass into the milk. In such a situation, you can take preventive measures such as using a massage chair for pregnant women and notifying your therapist of your current condition.

How to Perform a Back Pain Relief Massage at Home

Prefer to get a massage from the comfort of your own home? In this case, you must warn your doctor about your intention to do a massage at home so that he can equip you with special instructions and precautions. Below are some tips to make this experience safe and effective.

1. Use a firm couch so your body has more support

Whether you’re giving or receiving a back massage, the couch must be firm and you must have your body aligned just right. Otherwise, there’s a risk of damage to the spine from bending on a soft surface that lacks support.

2. Use an ankle support

For better blood flow to your back, you can place soft cushions under your shins when laying on your stomach. This will provide better support, improve your comfort level and the overall back massage experience. Plus, it's a good way to relieve leg swelling at the same time, which is also a common complaint for those of us who spend most of the day sitting or standing at work.

3. Choose a hypoallergenic oil

Massage oils are great for reducing friction from hands rubbing on your body but can cause allergies or irritation for some people. Before getting started, read the ingredients and make sure that the oil doesn’t contain components that you’re sensitive to or test it beforehand on a part of your body.

4. Master techniques for self-massage for lower back pain

Giving yourself a back massage can help because it’s almost impossible to harm yourself. Your instinct for self-preservation will usually prevent you from hurting yourself! Help yourself out after a hard day and massage your tired lower back. Make a fist and apply pressure to the sore spot.

It’s also sometimes helpful to massage yourself while lying on the floor. To do this, bend your knees and wrap your arms under them, round your back, and roll on the floor like a ball.

5. Preventing lower back pain using a massage chair

Do you have a desk job that leaves you with little time to visit a specialist? A back massage chair can be a great substitute for a masseuse and might be a useful self-help tool to consider. It’ll feel amazing, while keeping your spine healthy and capable of coping with its main task: supporting your whole body.

Do massage chairs help back pain? Hundreds of customers have confirmed that they do! Our massage chairs for back pain can be easily adjusted according to your health needs, massaging your entire body from the neck to your upper legs or targeting a specific part of your body, Massaging chairs come in a variety of designs and with a range of relaxing features.

Conclusion

Massage is a beneficial practice that has many health advantages beyond relieving lower back pain. It’s a calming way to set aside time for self-care. Massage chairs go a step further in offering the relief of therapeutic back massage at any time, from the comfort of your own home. If you’re interested in a massage chair, please get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to help you find one that’s perfect for your needs.

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.

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

When it comes to preventative self-care, massage chairs can be a valuable health and wellness tool. Massage has proven benefits for overall health and well-being, from better sleep to improved immune function, reduced stress and pain relief.

With a massage chair in your own home, you can enjoy all of the following benefits from the comfort of your own living room:

Improved Immunity

Regular massages may help boost your immune system. Research from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that people who received a 45-minute massage had increased levels of lymphocytes, which are the white blood cells that defend the body against disease.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, massage may help fight seasonal colds and the flu. When the body is in a deep state of relaxation, the number of natural killer (NK) cells increases. NK cells are white blood cells that rapidly respond to viral-infected cells.

Massage can also help the body get over a cold in other ways. The increased blood flow and fluid movement nourish the body while helping remove waste or germs.

Adding massage therapy to your preventative care routine can help strengthen your immune system, reducing the risk of illness. Having a massage chair in your home makes it easy and convenient to enjoy the benefits of massage, regularly.

Reduced Stress

Massage is an effective tool for alleviating stress, a silent killer. Studies have shown that a 10-15-minute massage can lower blood pressure, oxygen consumption and salivary cortisol levels.

Stress affects all areas of the body:

Musculoskeletal: Chronic stress can leave the muscles in a constant state of tension, which can trigger tension headaches and even lower back pain.
Respiratory: Rapid, shallow breathing and shortness of breath are both common responses to stress. For people with respiratory disease, stress can make breathing problems even worse.
Cardiovascular: When we’re under stress, our hearts beat faster and stronger. The body also releases the stress hormones cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline. With chronic stress, these effects are ongoing and may increase the risk of heart attack, hypertension or stroke.
Gastrointestinal: Stress can affect the entire digestive system, causing acid reflux, heartburn, nausea, bloating and even decreased nutrient absorption.
Endocrine: Chronic, high levels of cortisol can impair communication with the immune system, which can lead to the development of metabolic disorders, chronic fatigue, depression and other mental health conditions.

Studies have found that stress-relieving therapies, like massage, can improve or prevent these effects.

With a massage chair, you can enjoy daily stress-relieving massages right from the comfort of your home.

Neck and Back Pain Relief

Back pain is the leading cause of missed workdays and work limitations, and neck pain isn’t too far behind. Back and neck pain can cause a host of problems, even on a fundamental level, as it can cause difficulty bending over, lifting objects, and even just sitting in an upright position at a desk where compression on the spine can make normal seating unbearable.

Massage has been shown to be an effective pain reliever, and massage chairs are especially effective for alleviating neck and back pain, because the massager rollers are strategically placed to target these areas.

The Human Touch® Super Novo massage chair offers unique L-track and S-track massage systems that cover 60% more of the back than competing massage chairs. This unibody track delivers a soothing massage that extends from your neck and shoulders down to your thighs, while the dual-lumbar heat feature helps to loosen tight back muscles and further alleviate pain.

Better Sleep

Sleep is crucial to your overall health and well-being, but an estimated 50-70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders that affect their health.

Poor sleep can affect:

Brain function, including your ability to make decisions, solve problems, cope with change, and control your emotions.
Physical health. Sleep deficiency can increase the risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health conditions.
Productivity. Lack of sleep makes it difficult to stay focused and productive at work.

We know that massage helps alleviate stress, and that alone can help you enjoy a better night of sleep. However, a study on back pain found that in addition to pain relief, regular massages can increase serotonin levels.

Serotonin is a precursor to melatonin, the hormone that prepares your body for sleep and regulates your sleep cycle. At night, the body produces more melatonin, alerting the body that it’s time to go to bed. During the day, melatonin production decreases to let the body know it’s time to wake up.

Many people who suffer from sleep disorders have low melatonin levels. Massage may help increase serotonin levels, which ultimately increases melatonin levels. With a massage chair in your home, you can relax your way to a good night’s sleep.

Having a massage chair at home can be an excellent preventative self-care tool. With the touch of a button, you can melt away stress, alleviate pain and enjoy a better night of sleep.

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.