Are you curious about the potential benefits of a massage chair? Do you find yourself questioning the validity of the claims and assurances made by the countless massage chair vendors flooding the online market? You’re not alone in your scepticism.

Beyond massage chairs, there has been an endless parade of gadgets—countless, really— over the years, all promising to provide a foolproof solution for soothing tight and sore muscles. However, many of these products vanished as quickly as they arrived. Hence, it’s prudent for you to pose the fundamental question: “Do massage chairs really work?”

Well, guess what? They absolutely do! In this article, we’ll dive into the evidence supporting this claim, and we’ll even throw in some firsthand quotes and testimonials from a few of our satisfied customers.

Do Massage Chairs Help Reduce Muscle Tension, Pain, and Stress? 

It’s a well-acknowledged fact that the right kind of pressure on sore muscles can help soothe them and lessen discomfort. Even a simple rubdown from a friend or family member, someone without any formal massage experience, can make you a understand the benefits of massage therapy. Trust what your body tells you: There’s compelling evidence out there confirming the effectiveness of massage chair therapy.

One such study of clinical outcomes was published by the National Library of Medicine, which is part of the world-famous National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus in Bethesda, Maryland USA. According to its authors, the “study was [conducted] to compare clinical outcomes such as pain control, satisfaction, and quality of life modification, as well as the cost-effectiveness of massage chair therapy with those of in-hospital physiotherapy.” They further explain that participants received up to six treatment sessions within three weeks.

The massage chair therapy protocol was as follows: “Total massage time was 20 min, including 3 min of constant stretching, 5 min of vibration mode and stroke mode, and 40-degree heating of the treatment region. This protocol is called the “back strengthen mode” and is one of the machine’s most commonly used programs.” The outpatient physiotherapy program (provided by accredited physiotherapists), which is commonly used for back pain, involved “5 min of ultrasound massage, 5 min of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), 5 min of interferential current therapy, and 5 min of hot pack application.”

The results indicated that while pain control was better with in-clinic physiotherapy, “the massage chair is a promising treatment for pain control and quality of life modification.”

The study results align well with our position on massage chairs and in-person physiotherapy therapy: We would never state (nor should any other massage chair provider) that a single massage chair session is more effective than a session with a trained and experienced massage therapist. However, unless you have a highly skilled massage therapist living with you and always ready to provide bodywork at a moment’s notice, full body massage chairs offer significant advantages.

Two significant advantages stand out: 1) the round-the-clock access to a massage chair, and 2) the financial savings of owning a chair versus ongoing therapy costs. As the study highlighted: “Massage chair therapy was more cost-effective than physiotherapy, at only 60.17% of the physiotherapy cost.” This observation was based on the rental costs of a massage chair. Owning a massage chair could amplify the cost benefits even further. Moreover, this research was carried out in South Korea, where a single physiotherapy session was priced at £22.10. In the UK, with higher treatment costs, the savings could be even more substantial.

So, in response to the question do massage chairs help reduce muscle tension, pain, and stress?  Absolutely, they offer a convenient and cost-effective solution. Echoing the findings of the mentioned study, “In our study, the massage chair was cost-effective and adequately controlled pain.”

Do Massage Chairs Work?

As outlined earlier, massage chairs offer relief for a range of physical ailments. Yet, this only somewhat addresses the question, “Are massage chairs good for you?” There is more to well-being than simply having limber muscles and being free of aches and pains. 

A significant portion of what people identify as “feeling good” originates in the mind. Do sessions in a massage chair contribute positively in this aspect? Once again, clinical research supports the notion that they indeed do. One study notes that fact right in its title, as published on ResearchGate: Massage Therapy Reduces Anxiety and Enhances EEG Pattern of Alertness and Math Computations. 

Specifically, the comparison of a “massage group” with a “control group” (no massage) revealed that “anxiety levels were lower following the massage but not the control sessions.” This outcome alone is quite persuasive. After all, who wouldn’t appreciate having convenient access to something that diminishes their anxiety levels? By any measure, alleviating feelings of emotional stress and unease is a significant component of overall well-being.

Additionally, the report notes that “the massage group showed increased speed and accuracy on math computations while the control group did not change.” This serves as another pivotal argument in favour of full body massage chairs. Imagine the contrast between attending a crucial morning meeting feeling sharp and attentive rather than the opposite.

So, do massage chairs work in a broader context? Absolutely.

Are Massage Chairs Worth It? 

Although research indicates that massage chairs can effectively target specific physical and mental/emotional issues, determining the value of owning one in your home is ultimately a highly personal decision. High-end massage chairs come with a significant price tag. Evaluating whether full body massage chairs are a worthwhile investment for you and your family entails weighing the cost against the potential improvements in your health and overall sense of well-being.

Equally delighted is G.D., who exclaims:

“Bought this for my wife, who has a repetitive motion job that causes a lot of aching muscles and stiff joints. She can’t get enough of it. She uses it for 3 cycles every evening and completes it feeling totally refreshed. My wife used to need to go to the chiropractor every 4-5 weeks, but since we got this chair, she hasn’t gone back to him. This was definitely a great investment.”

While glowing reviews are helpful, remember that everyone’s needs are unique. Thus, beyond product specifications or the experiences of chair owners, your own perceptions during and after a massage session should carry more weight in your decision-making process.

Do Massage Chairs Really Work? How To Answer That Question for Yourself.

Both scientific research and personal accounts suggest that massage chairs can enhance physical health and foster an improved sense of well-being through consistent use. But how can you know if a massage chair will work for you? he best way to find out is by visiting a Furniture For Life showroom or event and experiencing The World’s Best Massage Chairs® firsthand.

During your visit, a Comfort Consultant will inquire about your preferences and requirements for a massage chair, then walk you through “test drives” of all the models that align with your criteria. This process is entirely pressure-free, solely aimed at helping you understand your options. They’ll also highlight our dedication to providing exceptional after-sales service, a commitment that has earned us a well-deserved reputation. At Furniture For Life, we’ve found that chair owners often become lifelong customers.

If you choose to purchase a massage chair after your demonstration sessions, we’re more than happy to assist you with that. However, we’re equally pleased to encourage you to take your time to reflect on what you’ve learned and return when you feel ready to proceed.

In any case, we’re here to support you every step of the way on your massage chair shopping journey.

Life today can be physically taxing and psychologically stressful. But you don’t simply have to grin and bear it. When it comes to pain relief and relaxation, nothing beats an advanced massage chair. The easing of aches and pains and the calming effect a chair produces can be truly life-changing.

That term may sound a little cliche, but it is accurate in this context. The massage chair features in the latest models do an exceptional job of relieving minor pains while also creating a profoundly relaxing experience. Nothing positions you to overcome obstacles, seize opportunities, and enjoy a better quality of life than being pain- and stress-free.

If you don’t already own a massage chair, you should consider making this wise investment in the year ahead. This article covers trends and provides a list of 2024’s top massage chairs.

What To Expect From the Massage Chair Industry in 2024

Here are some massage chair trends we are following this year:

Advances in pain relief
Massage chair manufacturers continue to work with medical experts, people experiencing body aches and pains, and other stakeholders to enhance chair functionality to better address various types of discomfort.

Enhanced session tailoring
The ability to customise a massage session to your wants and needs isn’t new. However, massage chair manufacturers continue to make breakthroughs in this area. For example:

• The KOYO 303TS has 30 massage intensity levels that can be adjusted in any programme.
• The OHCO M.8 NEO allows you to independently adjust the air cell intensity of each body part, or deactivate each body part entirely.

Overuse of “artificial intelligence” and “AI”
Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence (AI) today, and many in the massage chair industry are looking to capitalise on those terms to draw attention to products. It’s true that features like back autoscan demonstrate an impressive level of “intelligence,” but even “smart massage chairs” aren’t driven by actual AI.

For our part at Furniture For Life, we’re refraining from overusing these terms. Rather than touting “AI massage chairs,” we remain focused on helping customers understand the benefits a particular function can deliver.

Misleading marketing with descriptors like “5D massage chair” and higher
We never cease to be amazed at how massage chairs evolve from year to year. However, in rare cases, the expectations and marketing get ahead of the R&D. The term “5D massage chair” is one example.

While it’s true that 4D massage chairs exist and introduce the notion of pace into massage sessions, 5D massage has no defined value as a massage feature. It may someday denote an actual capability, but for now, it’s most often used in an attempt to make existing features sound more advanced. The same is true for 6D, 7D, and 8D. None of those descriptors currently indicate new or unique functionality. They simply function as attention-getters. We caution you to view massage chairs labelled “5D” or higher with a measure of scepticism.

Furniture For Life’s Perspective on Top Massage Chairs for 2024

At Furniture For Life, we carry a curated collection of The World’s Best Massage Chairs®. The work we’ve done to research and select the top massage chairs gives us a unique perspective on the industry. The challenge is choosing the products that can be considered the best of the best.

While we can enthusiastically recommend every massage chair we carry, here—in no particular order—are three that stand out for various reasons.

1. KOYO 303TS. We’ll start with a massage chair that makes our list for being one of the best chairs made in Japan at its price point. Some of the most innovative massage chair designs and creative uses of technology emanate from Japan, and this chair is a tremendous example. It has a long list of features, including full-body air massage, auto body scan, and an advanced 4D massage mechanism. It also has zero gravity recline capability, an intuitive touchscreen remote, and a Bluetooth sound system. COMING TO THE UK SOON
2. OHCO M.8 NEO. This gorgeous and feature-rich chair was designed by luxury sports car legend Ken Okuyama with choreography by Shiatsu master (sensei) Akira Okabayashi. It provides incredibly lifelike massage sessions and has sought-after features like gentle neck traction, lay flat and zero gravity positions, deep calf kneading, aromatherapy, an air ioniser, and a white noise generator.
3. POSITIVE POSTURE BRIO SPORT. This chair is a favourite of active people and athletes. It is the first and only massage chair specifically designed to speed and improve recovery after exercise by reducing inflammation and improving lymph drainage and blood circulation. Users find they can enjoy more strenuous workouts more frequently, knowing that their massage chair will help them recover quickly and be ready to keep putting in the work.

Picture Yourself in One of the Industry’s Top Massage Chairs for 2024

People sometimes ask us, “Who needs a massage chair?” The shortest answer is, “Everyone!” If you enjoy being thoroughly relaxed, free of minor aches and pains, and at the top of your game physically and mentally (and who doesn’t?), a massage chair can be a great tool for body and mind transformation. 

However, if we had to identify the people who most often own massage chairs, four groups come to mind. One of them is people seeking relief from pain and stiffness. They want and need the type of frequent and personalised massage therapy that an advanced chair can provide. Living life free of minor aches and with full range of motion or bringing severe pain to a manageable level tends to be their goal.  

Another group is those seeking whole-body relaxation and relief from stress brought on by work obligations, challenges in their personal life, etc. They see a massage chair as an in-home oasis and know that it can deliver remarkably lifelike and relaxing sessions. From understanding where you are positioned in the chair using body scanning technology to making it simple to tailor a session to meet specific wellness needs, an advanced massage chair is an incredible feat of design and engineering.  

The same characteristics appeal to health-conscious people who are proactive about caring for themselves and consider a massage chair an essential element in their long-term wellness plan. They understand the therapeutic benefits of massage chairs (pain relief, improved circulation, and several others) and also appreciate how easy it is to obtain those benefits. 

And finally, people wanting to facilitate better sleep often find that regular massage chair sessions, and the mind and body relaxation they deliver, support more and better sleep. A massage chair’s carefully developed routines, heat therapy, and other features are like having a skilled massage therapist on call 24/7/365—and most importantly for this group, just before bedtime. 

The good news for anyone interested in improving their health and well-being is that massage chair manufacturers continue to enhance their products based on their research and development and the availability of cutting-edge components. 

Test Drive the Best Massage Chairs of 2024

Terms like “best massage chair” or “top massage chairs” will always be subjective. The list we provided above is based on our knowledge of the field, customer feedback, and other factors, so we feel it is helpful and instructive. Still, the only way to know which massage chair is best for you is to try several models. 

If you want to be more relaxed, healthier, and happier in 2024, we encourage you to find the Furniture For Life location or exhibition near you and visit at your earliest convenience. One of our friendly and knowledgeable Comfort Consultants can walk you through informative, no-pressure demonstrations of models best suited to your wants and needs. Then, if you decide to purchase a massage chair, you can look forward to the many benefits it will provide in 2024 and for many years to come.