Buying a massage chair can be tricky if this is your first time. Because comfort and massage functions are the primary functions the massage chair will serve, the most important thing you can do in your research is go to multiple stores and try out a variety of brands, models, and designs.

Massage chairs have built in rollers, nodes, and air bags that try to emulate the hands and fingers of a massage therapist. When you are at the store trying the chairs out, notice the different massage functions as well as the intensity of the massage. Some chairs offer more massage functions, some allow you to set combinations of functions as well as the intensity. Most chairs that allow you to adjust the intensity will come with removable cushions. Just use more cushions to lighten the massage intensity, or fewer cushions to increase the intensity.

Inanimate comfort of the massage chair is really about supporting and filling the contours of your body. It comes down to size, and density of the chair. Removable cushions give users flexibility when it comes to density. You can add more cushions if you prefer to lounge on something soft or, if you need more support, remove cushions if you want your chair to be more firm with less support in specific areas of the body.

Comfort of the massage itself is about fitting the rollers to the size of the user. Some chairs start the back massage high in the backrest and rolls downward. For some people the starting position of the roller is too high and needs to be adjusted to start at a lower position. Some high end chairs will recognize the user’s height and automatically adjust accordingly. Even fancier featured chairs can even sense the location of the user’s spine. Other chairs will let you choose the sequence of massages and save settings that you like best to be performed the next time you hop on. Some chairs work areas other than the back like the arms, hips, legs and feet using air bags that inflate and deflate. Whatever you decide on, it is crucial to make sure you find a chair that fits your height or is adjustable to your height and anyone else who will be sharing use of the chair with you on a consistent basis.

For many people, the massage chair is a bulky item that will serve dual purpose as lounge chairs too. This being the case, you want your massage chair to be something that you look forward to when you come home. And being home is all about comfort.

Massage Chairs Review is designed to help you learn everything you need to know about massage chairs. When buying a chair we want you to be able to select the right chair and be aware of the different types of massage chairs and feature available.

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What do humans walk or run on? Yes, that’s right, feet! It’s our feet that help us to run, walk and achieve all the goals of our lives. And it’s the feet which hurt the most at the end of a long day! Earlier, our forefathers had people who pressed and massaged their feet. They had saunas and steam baths which helped in rejuvenating them. However, these days when a visit to a beauty parlor costs money and almost half your salary, people don’t really get time to take care of their feet. As a result, they have all sorts of problems from edema to varicose veins and painful soles. However, thanks to the increasing popularity of the vibrating foot massager, most people no longer are facing these leggy issues!

Here are some advantages of a vibrational massage:

* It helps in relaxing your feet and hence reducing your stress.
* Stiffness and the muscle tension is relieved.
* Its particularly useful in healing sprained ligaments, strained muscles and swelling.
* It also relieves muscle spasms and aids in enhancing flexibility and range of motion.
* It also helps in enhancing athletic performance.
* Helps in enhancing the blood circulation and lymph fluids movement.
* Since it aids in relieving stress, it also helps in reducing blood pressure.
* You get a relaxed state of mind and your immune system is strengthened.

There is vibration in every atom of the universe. Hence, a vibrating foot massager only helps in the synchronization of these vibrations and helping your muscles to achieve a complete state of harmony.

Find the perfect vibrating foot massager for you! Personal Foot Massager

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This article describes a study done in Sweden on the effectiveness of massage on those suffering with chronic pain. This sizeable study (117 participants) is done from a subjective perspective and would be a great source of information to relate to a client who is tentative about trying massage for chronic pain.

Massage significantly improved self-rated health, mental energy and muscle pain in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, according to a recent study.

“A Randomized Clinical Trial of the Treatment Effects of Massage Compared to Relaxation Tape Recordings on Diffuse Long-Term Pain” was conducted by staff at the Uppsala University Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, in Uppsala, Sweden.

One-hundred-seventeen subjects with long-term, diffuse (spread out) musculoskeletal pain participated in the study. Each subject had pain that had lasted for at least three months and was not caused by a specific disease or condition.

Participants were randomized to either a massage or relaxation group. Subjects in the massage group received anywhere from six to 10 massages, each lasting 30 minutes. Subjects received the massages one to three times per week. Participants received an average of seven massages. One person administered all massages, and each session was adjusted to meet subjects’ individual pain thresholds.

Subjects in the relaxation group listened to a relaxation tape twice a week for five weeks. The tape instructed them to tense and relax the muscle groups and breathe slowly and regularly.

Questionnaires regarding the subjects’ age, gender, smoking habits, country of birth, marital status and profession were filled out before, immediately after and three months following the study. A self-rated health questionnaire and rating scales for mental energy and muscle pain were also administered at these times.

Results of the study showed that, during treatment, there was a significant improvement in self-rated health, mental energy and muscle pain for subjects in the massage group as compared to those in the relaxation group.

“For all three outcome measures, massage was significantly more effective during treatment, even after controlling for other possible factors,” state the study’s authors.

However, at the three-month follow-up evaluation these improved scores had reverted back to their initial levels.

“This lack of long-term benefits could be due to the short treatment period or treatments such as these do not address the underlying causes of pain,” state the study’s authors. “Future studies of long-term pain should include longer treatment periods and post-treatment follow-up.”

- Source: Uppsala University Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, in Uppsala, Sweden. Authors: Dan Hasson, Bengt Arentz, Lena Jelveus and Bo Edelstam. Originally published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 2004, Vol. 73, pp. 17-24.

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More than 17 million cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures were performed in 2007, and the figures continue to rise even in the face of economic downturns. Discover how massage speeds the healing and eases the swelling, pain and stiffness caused by these procedures.

by Linda Fehrs, LMT

Whether plastic surgery is utilized for health purposes or cosmetic reasons, the aftereffects are the same for everyone – pain, swelling, scarring, heightened anxiety and, at times, depression. In some cases, medication may be prescribed for the pain and anxiety. But there are also other options – options that can help reduce the dosage or length of time of drugs are used, as well as aid in the healing process.

An increasing number of plastic surgeons are looking at the feasibility of using massage therapy in both pre and postoperative situations, and either hiring a massage therapist as part of the staff or partnering with trained massage therapists in private practice. Some surgeons are even promoting massage therapy services as a part of an overall offering.

Reducing Anxiety and Stress
Prior to getting plastic surgery, the client often has anxiety or stress about the procedure. One of the primary benefits of massage is a reduction of stress. A plastic surgeon recommending or providing massage before surgery may market it as a luxurious bonus in a spa type setting or simply refer a client to a licensed massage therapist. Numerous studies over the years have shown that massage therapy increases the levels of endorphins and serotonin in the body, thus reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. Massage also reduces certain hormone levels such as cortisol, which is responsible for increased stress.

Postoperative Benefits of Massage
· Eases Pain – The anticipated pain after plastic surgery may cause anxiety in people having the procedure. For the most part, the doctor will prescribe anti-pain medication for the days immediately following the procedure. Started a few weeks after surgery, massage has been shown to interfere with the pain receptor signals to the brain. Also, the use of contrast therapy (using alternating cold and warm packs) can ease the pain caused by swelling and the muscle tightness caused by the surgery.

· Reduces Swelling – The benefits of lymphatic drainage massage (LDM) techniques have long been known to reduce the edema caused by the aftereffects of mastectomies, which often require the removal of adjacent lymph nodes and cause a reduction in the flow of lymph fluids. LDM mimics the pulse and flow within the lymph system. It helps to move stagnant fluids out of interstitial body tissue and into lymphatic vessels, thus both reducing the edema and stimulating the immune system.

· Softens Skin and Reduces Scarring – Part of the body’s own healing process is to protect an injured site from further harm. The physiological process involved does not recognize that the injury or intrusion is from a surgeon’s scalpel or a mugger’s knife. Though the mind understands the difference between cosmetic enhancement and assault, the body only feels pain and an interruption of its normal processes, and seeks to recover. This results in an increased production of collagen fibers which, if over produced, form highly visible hypertrophic or keloid scars. Massage therapy done locally on newly healed scar tissue can reduce and soften this buildup of tough fibrous tissue. Collagen will soften using warmth resulting from touch therapies such as Swedish massage or localized cross friction techniques.

· Speeds Up Healing – Massage speeds up the overall healing process by helping to eliminate the buildup of toxins that occur after plastic surgery and increasing the circulation of blood to the area that brings nutrients to both the skin and its underlying layers of tissue. The body, in an attempt to protect itself against further injury from intrusion will, after surgery, withdraw blood from the area, retaining the life sustaining fluid for internal organs. This can lead to a deterioration of the affected tissue and a temporary deadening of nerve endings. By encouraging a healthier blood flow, massage can help to return nourishment and flexibility to the affected area. Massage therapy also helps build up the immune system, thus helping to speed up the overall healing process.

· Lifts Spirits – Between the postoperative pain, swelling and high expectations people have of plastic surgery, it is likely they will experience some depression. Massage therapy has, time and time again, shown itself to be beneficial in making people feel better about themselves.

Working With a Plastic Surgeon
If you are interested in working in conjunction with a plastic surgeon, make sure you brush up on your anatomy, physiology and pathology. You should also know the effects of drugs used before and after surgery, and how they may be affected by massage. Be familiar with medical terms and procedures and be aware of what can go wrong after surgery. Furthermore, it is important to keep an open and professional three-way communication with the surgeon, the client and yourself, including maintaining accurate intake and SOAP notes.

Precautions
Massage should not be part of postoperative treatment until the client gets clearance from the surgeon or primary care physician. Depending on the procedure done, massage may begin as early as a few days after surgery, or may have to wait until 3 to 4 weeks later. If there are stitches, massage will have to wait until they are removed.

Reconstructive surgery is sometimes performed after surgery to remove cancerous tumors or in mastectomies. Massage, which historically has been advised against in these circumstances, is beginning to gain recognition as a viable adjunct therapy. However, it is still advised not to use massage on active tumors, recent incisions or on patients undergoing radiation.

Whether a person has undergone plastic surgery for personal image enhancement or because of medical necessity, the integration of massage therapy to pre and postoperative care offers both psychological and physical benefits. For some, this may be the first time they are experiencing massage in a therapeutic setting. And who knows, they may become long-term clients!

Recommended Study:
Advanced Anatomy and Pathology
Advanced Anatomy and Physiology
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Medical Errors
Pharmacology for Massage
Swedish Massage

References:

Eppley, Barry, MD. “Massage and Plastic Surgery at Ology Sp.” 06 January 2008. Explore Plastic Surgery. 5 Mar 2009 http://exploreplasticsurgery.com/category/massage-therapy/.

French, Ramona Moody. Milady’s Guide to Lymph Drainage Massage. Clifton Park, New York: Milady Publishing, 2004

Press Release, “Plastic Surgery Procedures Maintain Steady Growth in 2007.” 25 March 2008. American Society of Plastic Surgeoss. 5 Mar 2009 http://plasticsurgery.org/Media/Press_Releases/Plastic Surgery_Procedures_Maintain_Steady_Growth_in_2007.html.

Pruitt, Elana. “Treating Your Health to a Massage.” PlasticSurgery.com. 5 Mar 2009 http://www.plasticsurgery.com/microdermabrasion.treating-your-health-
to-a147.aspx.

Staff Writers, “Massage After Cosmetic Surgery - Are You a Good Candiate?.” 23 August 2008. LocateADoc.com. 5 Mar 2009 http://www.locateadoc.com/articles/massage-after-cosmetic-surgery-are-
you-a-good-candidate-1457.html.

Stevens, Grant, MD. “Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids.” 08 October 2002. Breast Health Online. 5 Mar 2009 http://www.breasthealthonline.org/cgi-bin/mwf/topic_show.pl?tid=46478.

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