If you are a massage enthusiast and want to invest in a permanent way to relieve your stress and body pains, you must be wondering: Massage chair or Massage therapist? There are a lot of factors you need to consider before investing in any one of these. Both of these things have their advantages and disadvantages. Let us help you with your doubts regarding these two.
Introduction
In this article, we'll compare massage chairs and professional massage therapies on several parameters. Let's get started!
Natural Massage Experience
When we talk about the natural massage experience, human touch plays a significant role in the entire process. Human touch is an essential trigger that releases certain hormones, which naturally relax our bodies and give a sense of comfort.
When we undergo massage therapy with a professional masseuse, the human touch enhances the entire experience. A mechanical massage chair cannot provide this natural massage experience.
Zero Gravity Experience
Zero-gravity technology is being adapted by many massage chairs nowadays. It is a technology inspired by NASA, where the knees are positioned above the chest during a massage session. It helps in putting the entire body weight on the backrest and increases blood circulation. You can't get such an arrangement in a professional massage therapy session. Only a massage chair equipped with zero-gravity technology can let you enjoy this experience.
Pressure Consistency
During a massage session, it is essential to apply consistent pressure throughout the entire body. Some massage chairs are equipped with full-body scanning technology that enables them to map out the body's pressure points before the massage begins. This mapping connects the massage rollers with your body's height adjustments, and the rollers match these adjustments to provide consistent pressure.
However, a professional massage therapist can also adjust the applied pressure depending on their client's height. In this case, the pressure they apply is even more personalized and effective.
The Privacy Factor
Privacy is a huge factor when we think about going out and getting a massage. Usually, you'll have to remove your clothes for a session to participate in a professional massage therapy session. After that, the therapist will apply massage oils to your body. It could be uncomfortable for many of us who do not know the therapist or have an issue with a stranger touching our body. The therapist can also feel some specific body areas where we do not like to be touched.
With a massage chair, privacy issues are avoided. First of all, you'll not have to remove your clothes. Secondly, no other human being will touch you. And finally, no one will rub oil on your body.
Convenience Factor
You'll either have to go to a massage parlor or order an in-house massage therapy if you want a massage therapy session from a professional masseuse. Both of these things can be inconvenient to you, keeping the commute and arranging in-house sessions factors in consideration. Either you'll have the inconvenience of traveling or the inconvenience of arranging a private space. Also, you'll have to book the time only when your favorite therapist is free.
If you buy a massage chair, you won't have to face any such trouble or have to travel anywhere, and you will have the massage chair stationary at a permanent place. You can enjoy a massage session anytime you want, without having to worry about your therapist's free time.
Cost Factor
A professional massage therapy costs anywhere between $60 to $100 per hour. A good-quality massage chair costs around $5000 to $7000. In the short run, hiring a massage therapist is much cheaper than buying a massage chair. However, if you are thinking about investing for the long term (5+ years), you should invest in a massage chair.
If you book a massage session with a therapist every three days, you'll have to shell out more than $7000 every year. On the other hand, a massage chair will cost you anywhere between $5000-$7000, and you can enjoy daily massage sessions for more than five years. In fact, the first five years will come with a service warranty, so you won't have to spend extra money during the warranty period.
Massage Customization Factor
Professional massage therapists are trained to make your muscles feel relaxed and stress-free. If you need more attention to a specific part of your body, you can always tell them about it. The therapist will make sure that your pain points are well-attended. You can even tell them the amount of pressure you want them to put on different parts of your body.
When it comes to massage chairs, they have multiple (as much as 30) pre-set massage programs that are designed to give you every possible combination of therapeutic massage. You also have control over the strength and speeds of massage rollers. A massage chair will have much more customization facilities than a therapist.
Variety of Massage Techniques
Massage therapists are trained to treat you with a variety of massage techniques, such as:
- Effleurage - The warm-up massage exercise where they apply lotions or massage oils to relax the muscles.
- Petrissage - A deep action massage technique for areas that need more pressure.
- Friction - The friction technique is used to break up the tissue knots with the help of finger balls.
- Hot Stone - Hot stones are placed over some specific body areas.
- Deep Tissue - This is a type of therapy where intensified pressure is used to massage the deeper parts of our muscle tissues.
Massage chairs also use some famous massaging techniques, such as:
- Kneading - It applies pressure by thrusting the muscles in a circular or upward motion.
- Swedish - It uses long strokes and glides through the body.
- Rolling - The massage rollers move up and down in the massage tracks.
- Customized - You can make any customized massage technique and save it in the massage chair's memory.
Conclusion
It would help if you made your choice based on your convenience and any requirements you may have. If you do not want to travel, book appointments, and spend a large sum of money over an extended period, then you should definitely buy a massage chair for yourself. However, if you need the human touch, oil massages, and don't want to pay thousands of bucks upfront, then you should make your peace with regular massage therapies.
