If you have purchased a new massage chair or are thinking about buying a new one, you would probably be worried about “how to get the best out of it” or “how often should I use it” as you are going to spend hundreds of dollars so you must know if you are over using it or not.
We have got you covered! In this article we will guide you on how often one should use a massage chair and what would be the ideal duration depending upon a person’s physical and mental condition.
So, let’s dive in…!
How frequently should you use a Massage chair?
Whether you are suffering from chronic back pain or muscle pain, anxiety or stress, having a massage chair of your own saves you from your daily or weekly sessions with your therapist.
On a general note, it’s up to the person how often a he needs a massage.
A regular massage changes everything. In simple words, the beauty of the massage chair is you can get access to it whenever you want it.
For proper guidance about how often to use a massage chair, let us share with you the guidelines which we came to know after years of experience.
Physical pain
If you are someone who suffers from physical pains like; sore back, strained muscles, shoulders and neck pains, sore lower back, aching legs and feet or any other physical pain, it would be best to have 3-4 sessions per week in the start.
Using a massage chair excessively in the start will make your body sore just the way your body gets sore after working out for the first time.
So, in the start try using it less and then increase the frequency when your body gets accustomed to it.
And also, before anything, you should learn properly how to use a massage chair properly.
For stress/anxiety Relief
The massage chair session when you are dealing with stress and anxiety depends upon your condition.
That means, when you think that your stress level is disrupting your daily routine or affecting your sleep cycle, go for a massage then.
On a general note, the therapeutic sessions on a massage share are 1-3 sessions per week (recommended).
However, if you want to take more than that, there isn’t any problem in that.
Just make sure to not massage your body aggressively and more than 2 times a day.
Also, if you are look for some small massage chair then you can read our guide and consumers reposts on Top massage chairs for short person.
Can you use a Massage chair while pregnant?
There is a misconception that using a massage chair while being pregnant can affect the growth of fetus and can lead to miscarriage or premature birth.
However, it is not true.
According to the doctors and professionals, a massage chair is safe to use when pregnant. But also, that doesn’t mean you can have a full body massage on your massage chair while being pregnant.
One needs to be cautious about this condition. Massages are safe if you only use it on the upper body (shoulders, neck, etc).
Just make sure to avoid lower back massage, stomach and legs massage in pregnancy.
There are some considerations to look and be cautious about in pregnancy;
Vibrating Massage
There is a lot of debate going on about whether a vibrating massage is good while being pregnant or not.
So, let us tell you that the vibrations produced in a massage chair are not vigorous and can’t harm the baby.
In addition, pregnant women shouldn’t worry about a vibrating massage as there would be no hard vibration to their bellies when you are in a sitting position.
In short, vibrating massage on a massage chair is safe for pregnant women.
Heat Massage
The heat massage of a massage chair is pretty mild but still under this condition, it is better to avoid the body getting heated up as it might harm the fetus or your condition.
Acupressure
Likewise, the pressure points a massage chair provides ain’t enough to induce labor so it is safe to use acupressure.
TIP: Avoid using a massage chair when having back pains, suffering from morning sickness or if you have sciatica (pains around sciatic nerve).
Ideal duration of using a massage chair
You might be wondering, what would be the ideal time to get a massage on your massage chair. Right?
The best and ideal duration to spend on your massage chair is short intervals.
Using a massage chair for a longer period of time is not beneficial as using it for shorter intervals. The ideal duration is about 15 minutes.
Whether you are using your massage chair for full body massage or for only shoulder or neck massage, over using it can worsen your condition.
Although it seems a pretty good idea to just sit in your massage chair and have a long session, in reality, prolonged sessions are not good for your muscles.
The short intervals can range from 2 minutes to 15 minutes (maximum).
In addition, the best time to get a massage is before going to bed and after work.
Recommended Read: If you don’t have any idea about how much would you save by having a massage chair or how mush does a massage chair cost, you can refer to this guide on massage chair pricing.
Regular Massage Vs Weekly Massage
Now that’s another important aspect to know if you own a massage chair; whether a regular massage is good or weekly.
Well, in our opinion a regular massage on your massage chair is a game changer (on short interval if course).
The regular use of a therapeutic massage chair enhances the energy levels of the body and gives peace of mind as well.
But, if you are suffering from any physical pain (in neck, shoulder, back or any other region), it would be best to take 2-3 sessions per week (with short intervals).
Furthermore, at the beginning, it is best to use the massage chair weekly and after your body gets accustomed to the machine, you can use it regularly (terms and conditions applied, which we have mentioned above).
FAQs
Some commonly asked questions regarding using a massage chair.
Can you spend a lot of time on the massage chair?
If you are using your massage chair more than 2 times a day and for a longer period of time (more than 15 minutes), then you are going to affect your muscles in the long run.
It is recommended to not use a massage chair for more than 2 times a day and use it on shorter intervals.
How long can a pregnant woman take a massage on a massage chair?
For pregnant women (in their first trimester), it is recommended by doctors that a massage of at least 20 minutes will help them soothe their muscles.
Is it bad to use a massage chair daily?
No! Using your massage chair on a daily basis is not a problem but using it for longer intervals can affect your health.
Final take
Owning a massage chair doesn’t mean you have to spend the maximum time on it.
When you first get your massage chair don’t over use it, first let your body get used to it and then start using it on a daily basis for shorter intervals.
If you have severe back pains, shoulder pains and other affected areas, it would be best to use a massage chair on a weekly basis (2-3 sessions per week).
Otherwise, it’s your personal choice to use it whether daily or weekly.
Also, just make sure the time period you spend on a chair (at one interval) should be around 15 minutes only and it would be best to take a massage before going to bed.
