What is Chair Massage?

Chair massage, also referred to as seated massage, corporate massage or on-site massage, is a form of therapeutic massage that is performed in a time-condensed session. A licensed massage therapist using a special, ergonomically designed massage chair performs the massage. The massage chair is designed to elongate the muscles of the back and is designed to accommodate clients of all body types.

The chair massage therapist performs the massage without oils, which eliminates the need for the client to disrobe. The massage is generally concentrated on the muscles of the neck, shoulders, back, arms and hands, with sessions lasting for five to fifteen minutes. Chair massage sessions can be accompanied by aromatherapy, which is the use of essential oils to help promote deeper relaxation as well as physical and psychological well-being. Reflexology can also be part of a chair massage session. Reflexology involves applying pressure to specific zones of the foot in order to have a positive effect on related organs and tissues throughout the body.

Chair massage has many important benefits, the most obvious being its convenience for the client. The portability of the massage chair allows the therapist to perform the chair massage in a variety of settings, which is why it is often termed on-site massage. The massage chair takes up a small amount of space and a chair massage station can be set up in a matter of minutes. Since there is no need for the client to undress, privacy is less of an issue than with traditional table massage. However, for those who wish to have a more private setting, a screen can be set up around the chair, or the station can be located in an empty room or office.

Other far-reaching benefits of chair massage are the enhanced sense of physical and emotional well-being that results from the deep relaxation that the massage provides. Chair massage effectively reduces feelings of anxiety and soothes away the tension that is primarily held in the muscles of the shoulders, neck and back. Such benefits are immediate and long lasting, enabling the client to carry on with their day feeling refreshed and pain-free.

Chair massage also helps to increase circulation, which is important in maintaining healthy and nourished muscles, joints and tissues. Those who work in office environments often do so in poorly designed workstations, which can contribute to the onset of repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Office massage can reduce the pain associated with repetitive stress injury by gently lengthening muscles and separating adhesions caused by scar tissue.

The effectiveness of chair massage in lessening muscle tension has a positive effect on a client’s range of motion and flexibility. Reduced muscle tension allows for greater flexibility, which is an important factor in injury prevention. Those who receive regular chair massage also benefit from improved posture and decreased back pain.

Additionally, corporate massage has been shown to have a significant effect on a recipient’s cognitive function. Studies have shown that chair massage enhanced problem solving skills and creativity, and that those positive benefits were long lasting. Chair massage’s ability to relieve stress and anxiety is also useful in curtailing the onset of chronic tension headaches and has been shown to be useful in the treatment of sleep disorders such as insomnia.

Finally, it should be noted that chair massage is very affordable, making it an accessible form of treatment for people in a wide range of economic situations. Chair massage sessions are generally priced around one dollar per minute, and because the sessions are concentrated, the cost for a typical chair massage is analogous to a movie ticket or lunch at a restaurant, but with healthful benefits that last much longer. The immediate and far-reaching benefits of chair massage have made it an increasingly popular choice for those who need an affordable, effective and convenient way to reduce stress and improve their overall physical and emotional well-being.

Brandon Thomas is a nationally certified massage therapist and founder 
of JoyLife Therapeutics. JoyLife Therapeutics provides chair massage, 
corporate massage, office massage, special event and trade show massage throughout the US.