I’ve owned 3 Human Touch massage chairs over the past 30 years, and I believe that these chairs have saved my life.
I’ve worked as a contractor for my entire life, which has led me to a variety of back problems. In the early 1980’s I was diagnosed with Asbestosis, which is a lung disease that results from the inhalation of asbestos particles. In 1982 I had surgery to remove one of my lungs. This surgery left me with only 60% usage of my other lung because of the growing scar tissue over the asbestos, which means that I have a limited oxygen flow throughout my body. My doctors gave me 2-4 years to live.
After visiting the chiropractor for years, and finding comfort in both the adjustments as well as the accompanying massage therapy, my wife and I decided to purchase a massage chair for our home. We wanted something that would not only be physically effective, but also would look good in our family room. We did not want a big, bulky chair that would look like a spaceship!
We researched Human Touch and found that the reviews were really great, so we bought a chair from a local furniture store. In the mid-80’s, $5,000 was a lot of money to spend on a chair. People thought we were crazy for spending that kind of money, but once we compared what we COULD have spent on chiropractic massage care and related medical costs, we knew it was worth the investment.
We had our first Human Touch massage chair for 20 years, during which it was used several times per day, before it finally gave out. We bought a new chair at Relax the Back, and had that until the very end of its warranty, which was when the airbags stopped working properly. Human Touch sent a technician out to our house, and we were told that they would take the chair back to headquarters to repair it. Within one week, they decided to just go ahead and replace the whole chair with a brand new (and improved model) massage chair. We were thrilled.
Recently, we reached out to Human Touch to see if we could get another massage chair replacement. After sending them an email, we received a call from their Operations Manager, Mr. Brian McAneny, who called on his way home from work. He invited us to come out to the headquarters the following day to try out some massage chairs, which I felt was very accommodating as it allowed us to experience and peruse the chairs that would meet my requirements. After trying out a few of their massage chairs, we decided to get the AcuTouch 9500x model, which is the updated version of the chair I’d been using for the past 20 years. My wife also really liked the Reflex6 Foot and Calf massager, and we purchased one of those as well. We were so grateful for all the time that Mr. McAneny gave to us during this whole experience.
I use my Human Touch massage chair 2-3 times per day, and it helps to ease the pain caused by the scar tissue in my back and rib cage. Since my diagnosis and surgery, I have been taking supplements and taking care of myself better by doing using my massage chair- and I believe that these actions have saved my life- enabling me to function at a much higher level and extend my life. Since my oxygen flow is limited, my blood flow is increasingly important as it distributes oxygen throughout my body. Using my massage chair increases my blood flow, and using the foot and calf massager in my massage chair has greatly improved the circulation in my calves and feet. My wife and I have shared this experience with our friends, as well as hospice nurses, over the years- and many of them have purchased their own massage chairs as a result of seeing how life-changing it has been for me. We can’t thank you enough for everything that your massage chairs have done to improve our lives.
Thank you,
Ray Orlando
California
By: Dr. James Rouse, Naturopathic Physician and
Human Touch Wellness Council Member
Full disclosure and absolute vulnerability here…have you ever been too tired to keep running but at the same time you felt too scared to stop? I know in my heart that you and I most always have the most powerful and sincerest of intentions to allow for the space of grace to envelope us on demand. Yup, every day we assemble our “to do” list and maybe, just maybe, we courageously insert our self-care towards the end of that long list as an “honorable mention” in the hopes that we may just make it happen.
Then life happens.
No doubt, we are living under the influence of “not enough-ness”. Not enough time, energy, mindfulness and presence. At the end of our daily decathlon we often times find ourselves feeling like we may let ourselves down… again. From there, we can go to the familiar place of finding all the reasons why we missed ourselves… again. Or, we can courageously choose to begin again, right here and now with a self-love, self-care intervention: wellness at the speed of life.
“Oh my, this sounds a bit self-indulgent… a little too self-absorbed…” I get it. How dare you place your SELF at the top of your “to do” list?
How dare you not?
Your ability to rise up each day and create a life you love - one that is awake, present, balanced and fully open to the highest expression of you is fully dependent on your ability to - openly and with enthusiasm - love yourself well-all day long.
Here’s some fun food for thought:
Massage Anywhere: planes, trains and automobiles. Make your commute a moving massage meditation. You will arrive more peaceful, balanced and ready to rock your success. Got lunch? Feed your mind and body the blessing of moving from stressed to blessed… the courageous move from being the human doing to re-claim the human being is done with your Human Touch iJoy Massage Anywhere. Make room for your afternoon delight. As stress hormones love to rise up with each and every email, voicemail and social media engagement, you can lower the drama and raise the positivity while you marinate in massage from your desk, meeting, soccer-mom-dad bleacher seat. All good. Always.
If you’re on the fence as to whether or not you can make the move to the greener pastures of peace, positivity and all out contagion, let me leave you with this: as you make your way into each day living under the influence of your self-care love affair the world will be watching. “They” will follow your lead, you will be a change agent, you will be the leader of the revolution- and you thought this was all about you. Rise and shine wellness warrior!
There isn’t any way to possibly say thank you properly to Human Touch so in lieu of that I would like to share my experience of what a difference this has made in my life. My story was heard by a member of their wonderful company and I was blessed with the most amazing gift of the Human Touch ZeroG to help me on my journey to remission.
I have Systemic Lupus Erythematous which is more commonly known as SLE and is the most serious form of Lupus. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body because the immune system mistakes the body's own tissues as foreign invaders and attacks them. What this means is that by virtue it can affect the skin, mouth, brain, lungs, heart, kidneys, eyes, muscles……any body part you can think of, Lupus can attack.
I was diagnosed more than 20 years ago and after a few difficult years I lived for the most part free of Lupus, at least from the debilitating kind of symptoms and damage. About two years ago the disease went into a fully active status and took what had been a very active lifestyle and brought it to an abrupt halt. I currently take more than 50 pills daily, go for monthly infusions at the hospital, see multiple specialists, and holistic care is part of the regimen as well. The initial diagnosis was Lupus of the brain with neurological involvement. What this meant for me was extreme fatigue, fevers daily, rashes, balance issues, and muscle cramping that feels like I have 100 “Charley Horses” all happening at once. There is no cure and at times it feels like I am most certainly living inside the impossible.
Then I met my chair. This is where healing happens every day for me. The first time I saw it I was shopping for a new recliner with my family at a local furniture store and I sat in it just to wait for the salesperson. I immediately started crying, almost to the point of sobbing. The instant relief was something that words can’t describe. These tears were tears of joy!
It would be impossible to say that I have a favorite setting because it’s not uncommon for me to use several of them every single day. The foot and calf massager is a must with every session. And I always “Go To Zero” before I choose my massage. My typical day involves 3 visits to the chair. One to get me going in the morning, one to keep me going mid-afternoon and one to calm before bed. I tend to tuck myself in when I’m in the chair. I like to have a small pillow on each side and have a blanket over me so that I’m cocooned in it. The quest for wellness takes an emotional toll as well and I’m not stretching it to say that being in this chair feels like a mom’s hug. I love this chair! So much so that my extended family went on vacation together recently and the chair traveled with us!!
When I first began using it I thought of all the sick people I know that could benefit from it and what I found is there is no single person without an ailment whether it’s physical or emotional that this chair wouldn’t benefit. I was paying $80 every other week for a therapeutic massage. After I started using the chair I no longer needed to make the appointment because my chair can do so much more and it doesn’t get tired! I am a portrait photographer and I run my business out of my home. Because of this my clients often come and stay for quite a while. My favorite thing is to nestle them into it and watch them beg me to never go home!
I am grateful to the entrepreneur that believed enough in the quality of life to see this to fruition and the team that supported the venture. This chair has quite literally saved my pride, doubled my daily potential both professionally and personally, and given me a quiet retreat when I'm unwell. It is my personal slice of heaven on earth.
-Becky H., Michigan
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 sharing several of their best-selling massage chairs at the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from July 24th – 29th. The Human Touch booth will be located in EAA Exhibit Hangar D at the show, where more than 800 exhibitors will showcase their products and services to more than 550,000 aviation enthusiasts from over 80 countries around the world.
Featured products on display in the Human Touch booth will include:
* The NEW Human Touch Ascent Series Novo XT massage chair, which increases oxygen-rich blood to tired, sore muscles in order to restore a natural sense of well-being. The Novo XT’s distinctive unibody design follows a unique 3D L-track that massages the entire back, from the top of the shoulders all the way down to the glutes, and its space-saving design requires only 2” of wall clearance in order to pivot seamlessly from the upright to the reclined position.
The Novo XT also features full-body stretch, zero-gravity massage, Bluetooth speakers, lumbar heat, cloud touch acupressure, and an extending foot-and-calf massager. With 34 auto wellness programs and an easy-to-use LCD controller, the Novo XT massage chair is endorsed by the World Federation of Chiropractic as an optimal way to improve spinal health and relieve overall stress. Novo XT upholstery options include Black, Red, Gray, Cream, or Brown SofHyde.
* The ZeroG 5.0 massage chair, which provides a remarkable full-body massage specifically designed to enhance the way you feel. It uses 3D FlexGlide® massage technology to deliver a stress-reducing massage experience, free from the pinching and friction associated with typical massage chairs. The four auto-massage programs easily take you from stress to sleep, and patented Warm Air Technology gently envelops your back in continuously flowing warm air to soothe tight muscles and relieve pain. The one-step Go To Zero® button also moves the chair directly into the zero-gravity seating position, which relieves pressure on the spine and is the doctor-recommended way to sit. The ZeroG 5.0 offers a fully-encompassing foot and calf massager with Figure-Eight® massage technology, as well as an extra-wide seat for added comfort. The ZeroG 5.0 massage chair is available in black, bone, or espresso SofHyde upholstery.
“We look forward to sharing our wellness solutions with the aviation industry at this year’s EAA show,” said Peter Theran, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Human Touch. “The zero gravity seating position offered in many of our massage chairs helps to relieve back and neck pain, and provides the optimal seating position for a healthy spine. The combination of deep-tissue 3D massage technology, foot and calf massage, and high-performance massage programs make these chairs a perfect source of relief for the spinal pressure associated with not only aviation, but a variety of other active interests.”
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
Earlier this year, Human Touch was able to help Jim Tavare to recover after a devastating car accident by offering him a Perfect Chair PC-610 Omni-Motion Classic recliner. The actor, who played Tom the Innkeeper in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, had been in a head-on collision that left him in an Intensive Care Unit, suffering with a broken neck, a punctured lung, 15 broken ribs, fractures in both breastbones and multiple breaks in his right leg. You can read more about his accident, and how Human Touch got involved, by clicking here.
We recently checked in with Jim and his wife, Laura, who updated us on his progress. His physiotherapy has been going well, and he currently works with his therapist 4 times per week. After months of being immobile, he is now walking again and feeling much happier to be able to get around. Although he still suffers from residual pain, Laura shared that the PC-610 has been a huge help on his road to recovery. Here is a video message that Jim created, sharing more about how the PC-610 has impacted him over the past few months.
So, the impact Human Touch has on my life, and the lives of all I know who own their products is uncanny. I am assuming Human Touch is NOT tracking my physical health (as far as I know). I recently purchased a Human Touch PC 8500 chair, and did so without knowledge of a circulation issue with one of my legs. You know…varicose veins, but in my case they were severe and only on one side. Quite unusual. I immediately went to my primary care physician, who stated that this was the worst case he had seen. He recommended surgery, but in the mean time to get compression stockings to compensate for gravity. He said: “You know, one good trick is to make sure to put the compression stockings on while in bed before gravity has had a chance to negatively impact the effect of the compression stockings. He also recommended sitting with my leg raised.
It hit me: Not only does the PC8500 solve the problem of keeping my leg raised: It is one of the main features of the chair, but now I have a way to apply compression stockings which significantly improve their effectiveness.
For compression socks to be truly effective, it is best to put them on when in a position which puts your legs above your heart. Ideally putting your feet in the air for 10 minutes or so prior to putting on compression socks helps by ensuring blood is not pooled in your feet prior to applying the compression socks.
Before starting my day, I grab a pair of compression stockings, get in the chair putting it in the position with my legs almost straight up, and sit for a few minutes while the blood drains from my legs. It works so well that you can actually see the varicose veins disappear. After this short period, I simply put on the compression stockings and start my day! Watching TV or working in this position means putting off the need for surgery just a bit longer, and provides peace of mind, that I’m not further stressing my body for no reason.
Thank you Human Touch for such brilliant designs! It is as though the designers at Human Touch are themselves human, and therefore seem to know precisely what “us humans” actually need.
By Laura Gaskill, Houzz
Photo (Above): Sarah Greenman, original photo on Houzz
Thinking back to my childhood home, I remember the smells most vividly: the jasmine growing by the mailbox; the honeysuckle vines climbing the back fence; the clean, simple scent of baby bubble bath; even the subtle background scent of polished wood floors. Scent tends to be more closely tied to memories than any of the other senses, making it the perfect vehicle for tapping into your most cherished memories. Of course, it’s not all about the past. Delicious smells can make your home and garden a wonderland of sensory pleasures — so you can savor the moment today and create new memories to treasure tomorrow.
Bath time. The hot water of a bath or shower is a great aid in diffusing scent. Take advantage of that fact and choose a special bath product or essential oil that makes you breathe a sigh of relief. Whether you crave the simple, clean scent of Ivory soap or a rich, woodsy essential oil, honor your heart’s desires.
Related: Replace Your Shower Curtain to Freshen Up Your Bathroom
Breakfast. Do you remember waking up to the smell of pancakes, bacon and freshly squeezed juice? Why not treat yourself to a repeat of your childhood favorite breakfast this weekend — soft-boiled eggs and toast soldiers, anyone?
Amy Renea, original photo on Houzz
Vanilla beans. There is something magical about the vanilla bean. Let the warm, comforting scent of vanilla fill your house by baking a batch of sugar cookies, or place a few drops of vanilla in a bowl of warm water to let the scent diffuse.
Fragrant flowers. Let Proust have his madeleines — I’ll take flowers by my front door. Jasmine, honeysuckle and other fragrant flowers can prompt powerful emotional memories. If there is a special flower you remember growing near your childhood home, or in another place that was special to you, see if you can plant that same flower at your current home.
Jeni Lee, original photo on Houzz
A row of lavender. A lavender-lined walkway is a wonderful thing. Just imagine coming home each day and brushing your fingers across the leaves, the scent releasing into the air as you go by.
Related: Bring Lavender Indoors Too For a Beautiful Spring Feel
Tomato vines in the sun. I remember summers in my grandfather’s garden when the tomatoes were ripe on the vine. I would go lie underneath them, the scent of the tomato vines curling around me as the light filtered through the leaves. Tomatoes themselves are not nearly as fragrant — my young son has already noticed this, and loves to sniff the tomato vines in our backyard.
Sarah Greenman, original photo on Houzz
Scents on the evening breeze. As with those rows of lavender along the front walk or that jasmine by the front door, consider where you place other fragrant plants to get as much pleasure from them as possible. Surround your porch with beach roses, plant lilacs under your bedroom window and hang a window box of herbs beside the kitchen sink.
Coffee or tea. Which one does it for you? For me, it’s both! There is nothing like the smell of freshly ground coffee brewing first thing in the morning … but bending over a mug of deliciously fragrant tea can be equally wonderful. If you’ve been having the same beverage every day for years, experiment with something new.
Dreamy Whites, original photo on Houzz
Cut flowers. Treat yourself to cut flowers — whether from your own garden or the farmer’s market — regularly. Smell before you buy and choose the ones you love most. Or place a single fragrant bloom in a glass on the bedside table to encourage sweet dreams.
Perfume. Smelling the perfume or cologne that someone you loved always wore can instantly call up a vivid memory. If you want a blast from the past, track down the scent you wore in high school.
Avocado Sweets Design Studio, original photo on Houzz
Baking bread and bubbling soup. What cooking smells do you most love — baking bread, warm cookies, a bubbling pot of soup or chili? Whatever kitchen creation you most want to smell in your home, put that on the menu for the coming week. Even better, make a few batches so you can stash one in the freezer for quick comfort on another day.
Fire and smoke. The smell of a campfire has to be one of the most primal scent memories around. Channel your inner child — or caveperson — and gather around the fire pit for dinner.
Freshly cut grass. Mowing the lawn may not always top the list of favorite things to do, but the pleasure of smelling freshly cut grass is undeniable. And for those with fond memories of a farm childhood, why not bring back the scent of the hay barn by tossing a bale or two in the backyard to use as summer seating? Covered with old quilts, hay bales make comfy bench seats.
Photo Credit: Thomas Hafeneth
Massage is one of the fastest-growing complementary therapies around the world. Like any other treatment, diabetic massage has several potential benefits and side effects for people with this diagnosis. Some studies show that it has a positive impact on blood glucose levels and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. In fact, one group study found that when parents gave a full-body nightly massage to their diabetic children, the children’s glucose levels dropped from an average of 158 to 117 mg / dL within one month.
Diabetes massage relaxes the muscles and calms the mind, thus reducing the physical and mental ailments associated with diabetic symptoms.
What Are Common Complications of Diabetes?
According to the American Diabetes Association, an estimated 1 out of 3 diabetics over the age of 50 will suffer from peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD occurs when the blood vessels in the legs are narrowed and blocked by fatty deposits, and the blood flow to the feet is decreased. This can result in an alarming number of consequences, ranging from foot ulcers to amputation. Therefore, it is critical for people with diabetes to ensure that the blood flow to their legs is regulated.
Can Diabetics Use Massage Chairs with Foot Massagers?
Massage products—from recliners with foot-and-calf massagers, to targeted foot-and-calf relief solutions—can serve as an incredibly useful tool for patients with diabetes seeking to increase blood flow in their legs and swollen feet. The Figure-Eight® Technology in many Human Touch® products delivers an advanced technique that emulates those used by a professional masseuse, and this technique increases the blood flow between the legs and torso.
Benefits of Foot Massage for Diabetics
Massage has been shown to drop glucose levels, which can help to prevent hyperglycemia in diabetics. According to Healthline.com, hyperglycemia can cause eye damage, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, nerve damage (neuropathy), skin and gum infections, joint problems and even can result in a diabetic coma. Helping to relax your body will assist in lowering your glucose levels, which can prevent these types of hyperglycemic ailments.
Another benefit of diabetes massage is the increase in flexibility as the muscles are loosened. High blood sugar can result in the thickening of connective tissue, and massage will increase the mobility and elasticity of that tissue. As the muscles, tendons and ligaments are relaxed, patients will find an increase in motion and flexibility in the joints, therefore improving their quality of life. Thus, a foot massager for diabetics is a great way to increase flexibility and mobility in their feet. Diabetics also often have restricted blood flow in their feet, which massage can help increase.
Important Precautions of Massage for People with Diabetes
All of these benefits of massage should be noted by anyone suffering from diabetes. However, if you are diabetic, you need to consider a few important factors when seeking the therapy.
As with any type of physical therapy, you need to consult your physician before beginning massage therapy. It’s a great option for anyone seeking stress and pain relief, but people with diabetes need to be aware of fluctuations in their blood sugar levels at all times. Diabetics especially need to monitor their glucose levels after such therapy. They may not need as much insulin as they normally do after a massage.
It is also important for diabetics to avoid massage in an area where they inject insulin. Pressure in this area may influence the way that their body absorbs the shot and therefore alter their intake. This is one of the things professional athletes suffering from diabetes especially need to be mindful of.
Are Foot Massagers Good for Diabetics with Neuropathy?
As a final recommendation, diabetics should be cautious when assessing the pressure levels and heat options from any massage service, whether from a masseuse, a chair or with a foot massager. Those who want to try foot massage for diabetic neuropathy need to consult with a healthcare professional and also do their own research to determine if the massage technique or heating levels are ideal for a person of their body type and sensitivity levels.
Potts to enrich the Human Touch Wellness Council with expertise from an extensive Olympic and Ironman triathlete career
Long Beach, CA – May 10, 2017 – 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 formed a partnership with U.S. Olympian and world-champion triathlete, Andy Potts. Potts, who recently won the Ironman 70.3 competition in Peru, will join the Human Touch Wellness Council in order to provide insight into the importance of wellness and recovery in high-performance sports.
The Human Touch Wellness Council is a recognized and universally respected team of experts with insight into a variety of wellness practices, from professional athletes to medical practitioners and natural healers. The Wellness Council helps to shape and guide the development of Human Touch products, with a mission to create solutions that inform and benefit professionals, sports-enthusiasts, back pain sufferers, and consumers alike.
“I’m thrilled to join the Human Touch Wellness Council,” said Andy Potts. “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. My goal as a member of the Wellness Council is to share my expertise on both athletic recovery and training, so that others can benefit from my knowledge in these areas.”
Andy Potts began his career as a swimmer at the University of Michigan, where he was a six-time NCAA All-American champion as well as a member of the university track team. He began competing as a professional athlete in 2003, and competed at the second Olympic triathlon at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece. He then went on to win the 2007 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, Florida, with a time of 3:42:33. Since then he has completed over 200 races with more than 55 first-place finishes. In 2007 he won the Pan Am Games Champion title, and was selected as the 2007 USAT Triathlete of the Year; a title he has since earned 3 more times. His 2017 Ironman 70.3 Peru win brings his grand total of Ironman 70.3 first place titles up to 28, with 125+ podium appearances throughout his career.
Andy Potts is a fierce competitor whose passion extends beyond the finish line. He is known for spending hours after his races, handing out medals and talking to fans. His mission for the sport that has given him so much, is to leave it better than he found it, starting with his racing team and camps. These week-long training sessions allow members to get professional-level instruction and experience with Andy and his team of coaches. The location for these camps vary, coming in summer 2017 to the Olympic Training Center in Olympic City, USA (Colorado Springs). Other options for hands-on training with Andy include a PottsHead Club Team, AP Private Coaching, and 1 on 1 coaching with Andy and his coach, Mike Doane.
“We’re very excited to have Andy join our Wellness Council,” said Peter Theran, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Human Touch. “Our customers use their wellness solutions for a variety of reasons, including to recover from and to prepare for high-performance sports. Andy brings a unique voice to our team as an expert in how to incorporate wellness and massage into a fitness and training routine, no matter what your sport, in order to bring your best game each and every day.”
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
Human Touch recently connected with Hiram Eugene, a former NFL free safety for the Oakland Raiders. He was signed in 2006, and played for six seasons before a dislocated hip forced him to retire early from his NFL career.
Though he was able to have surgery on his hip, his pain continued to resonate from that - as well as many other - injuries resulting from playing professional football. After an intensive regimen of both physical therapy and pain management medication, he finally found a more manageable form of relief in the Human Touch Ascent Series Novo massage chair. He has been kind enough to invite us along for his journey to recovery. Here, you can read Hiram’s first-hand account of how he’s using his Novo to feel his best:
My NFL career started in 2006 as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders, where I played Free Safety during my tenure. My career lasted until 2012 with a career - ending injury, due to a left hip dislocation.
As most players in the NFL I have had numerous injuries. I suffered from hamstring pulls, both ankle sprains, a torn Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) on the left knee, left calf muscle pull, a torn Pectoral muscle on right arm, a hyperextended left elbow, jammed right hip, stingers (which resulted in me having the thoracic outlet syndrome), an L5 and S1 disassociation in my lower back, and lastly what ended my career which is a dislocated left hip.
Enduring these numerous injuries, I am mostly affected by tightness/stiffness/soreness in my lower back, joint tightness/soreness in left hip, and stiffness/tingling/inflammation/numbness in my neck.
My attraction to the 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.
I have been able to use my Novo massage chair 3-5 times a week, depending on my daily schedule. I usually try to get into the chair in the early afternoon, and if possible at night before bed. One particularly helpful way I’ve begun to use the chair is after a hot tub bath, since it helps me to find a more peaceful sleep. I mostly sit down, and put the auto-massage program to the cloud touch/manual knead with percussion and heat, and I love the foot and calf massage.
I have been seeing a doctor for pain medicine, muscle relaxers, and anti-inflammatory medicines. I was also attending physical therapy two times the week and seeing a massage therapist and acupuncturist once a week. However, using my Novo regularly has decreased my pain levels and given me a little better mobility. With better mobility I don't have to take my medications as often, and the combined heat with low back massage generates blood flow which allows me to get a little more done throughout the day.
Hopefully this progress continues, so that I can cut even further back on my pain medication and decrease my need for physical therapy. I will continue to use my Novo massage chair regularly, and update you on my progress!