It is believed that the first forms of massage began in India some time around 3000 B.C.E. Massage techniques and word of their healing benefits passed down orally from generation to generation of Ayurvedic practitioners. Ayurveda is an ancient holistic form of medicine that has been practiced in India for many millennia. The first written documentation of massage therapy comes from China around 2700 B.C.E. In ancient China, massage therapy evolved from the combined expertise and methods of doctors, Buddhist and Taoist monks, and martial artists. Laymen at the time were also known to have performed massages for relaxation purposes. In the Chinese culture, the healing benefits of massage are believed to come from their ability to help energy flow through the body more harmoniously, which allows the body to heal itself. Some Chinese massage techniques include amno, accupressure, and tui na. There are also records of massage therapy being practiced in Egypt as far back as 2500 B.C.E. Tomb paintings have been found depicting people kneading other people.

They are credited with being the first culture to use reflexology, in which a practitioner applies pressure to precise locations on the hands and feet to heal other areas of the body. Japanese monks who studied Buddhism in China brought the techniques of massage therapy to Japan around 1000 B.C.E. Over time, they integrated their own cultural beliefs for healing into the techniques learned in China resulting in anma, which eventually grew into the traditional Japanese massage therapy of shiatsu. Massage therapy slowly made its way into Western civilizations and the Greeks were practicing it by 800 B.C.E. It was employed by athletes before and after competitions to keep their bodies in peak condition and prevent injuries. It was also used by medical practitioners, who included oils and herbs to treat a range of medical conditions. Over time, the use of massage therapy declined in popularity in the west until the 1700s, when physicians in Europe documented the many benefits of massage.

In the latter half of the 20th century, interest in holistic healing methods created renewed interest in massage therapy in America and other Western cultures. Massage therapy offers a number of benefits that can help you lead a healthier and happier life. Stress is one of the major issues that most people deal with these days. Even the young and physically fit often suffer from stress, which can eventually lead to anxiety, stroke, high blood pressure, headaches, depression, and more.best baby high chair nz Massage is a healthy way to relief some of the stress we experience on a daily basis. office chair parts houstonJust a short massage is known to lower the heart rate, as well as insulin and cortisol levels, all of which contributes to stress relief. chair height toilets round

It can also help the body enter a more relaxed state. One of the most obvious benefits of massage therapy is its ability to relax the muscles and reduce or get rid of muscle pain. Muscles can experience pain for a number of reasons. One might overexert themselves at the gym, straining a muscle and causing pain and tightness. Muscles can also get sore and stiff from sitting all day at a desk, which can often lead to back and neck pain. blue office chair staplesUsing a massage cushion regularly can help ease the muscles, reduce pain and stiffness, and increase range of motion.cheap chair covers brisbane When choosing the best massage cushion for you needs, you should keep a couple of things in mind. office chair for hip painFirst and foremost is the basic comfort of the cushion. office chair parts singapore

One must be able to relax when getting a massage. If the cushion is not comfortable to sit on for long periods of time, it won't be relaxing and you will rarely use it, no matter how good of a massage it offers. Next, you should consider the strength of the massage it offers. Some people prefer harder massages while others enjoy a gentler approach. It's often best to get a massage cushion that features adjustable intensity. pc gaming chair reviews ukThis makes it perfect for the whole family, and allows you to use more strength for therapeutic purposes, and less strength for relaxation purposes. used dental assistant chairs for saleMassage cushions with highly pronounced rollers and nodes will generally offer a stronger massage. It is also important to pick a massage cushion that targets the areas you need.

Some may only massage the upper back, while others may only target the lower back. Some models can target both the upper and lower back as well as the thighs, neck, and shoulders. Decide on the areas you want to target before making your purchase, and choose a model that hits all of these zones. One should also consider the number of presets, programmability, and additional features of the massage cushion. If you want one that can offer a number of different types and styles of massage, choose a model with more presets and customization options, including the ability to adjust pressure, heat settings, and rotation and vibration speed. Some models even allow you to program your own massage for a completely customized experience.Homedics Shiatsu Back Massager Homedics Shiatsu back massager - The top 2 models reviewed and compared Hiring a full-time massage therapist is one of the first things I would do if I ever won the lottery. Back massage is obviously one of the ultimate ways to immediately relieve back pain, and since you haven’t won the lottery yet, a back massager chair/cushion is the next best thing.

(One hour massage at a spa alone is 1/3 the cost and you’ll have great a massage any time you want or no begging your spouse to rub your back…) The Homedics massage products seem to be the most popular back massagers right now. Since they have more than one model, and the prices vary – finding the best return on investment requires a lot of research. Luckily for you, We’ve already made this research.Here you’ll find the top 2 Homedics Shiatsu back massagers, a comparison between them, the good and the bad about them, where to find the best prices – and the bottom line. 1 Homedics Shiatsu Back Massager Chairs ReviewsHoMedics MCS-610H Total Back and Shoulder Massage CushionHomedics QRM-400H Therapist Select Quad-Roller Massaging Cushion with Heat Bottom Line There are no less than , with completely different features and prices. Some of them allow for a shiatsu massage (kneading massage) and some offer a Swedish massage. Some of them do a vibration massage (without a moving mechanism, less recommended) and some of them combine heat with the massage (highly recommended).

The different models also vary in the number of massage nodes, speed options and how well they cover the entire back. I’ve chosen the 2 best Homedics Shiatsu Back Massager models – according to how well they do the work, how effectively they reach the back muscles, their extra (important features) and of course – the price. 1. HoMedics MCS-610H Total Back and Shoulder Massage Cushion The Homedics MCS-610H offers a traveling shiatsu massage with 4 independent nodes. You can use the 4 nodes in 3 different ways: Kneading for deep massage, rolling for a gentler one and spot shiatsu for focused kneading. Product weight: 13.9 pounds. I would say this model is pretty bulky and heavy. Not ideal if you need it to be portable, but made with high quality materials. The back is about 5-1/2 inches thick and overall the unit is very hard and rigid. It’s not a wimp; it feels pulling a car seat out from the box it’s so well made. Massage Options: Shiatsu (Circular, deep kneading action), rolling (Gentle up and down action rolls across muscles) and spot  Shiatsu  (Holds the massage action in the spot you need it).

Coverage:  this Homedics back massager chair promises to cover your entire back with 4 massage zones: Upper, lower, middle and full back massage. Some people (especially the taller people) claim this cushion does not fully reach their lower back and/or upper back. If you are very tall, you may not get an entire coverage of your back. Height limit is probably 6’1″, but, you can just lift the cushion and secure it to a chair in order to get an upper back massage Will it work in a car: you really wouldn’t want to use this in a car. This kneads deep enough that I don’t think you could keep your concentration on the road. Also, when off it is very uncomfortable to sit on because the kneading balls are jutting into your lower back. Heat: the massage nodes emit gentle heat, which relaxes the muscles and boosts blood circulation while relieving muscle knots and aches. This feature is optional and can be turned on or off. You can’t use the heat alone without the massage.

Remote control: the chair comes with a corded remote control, which allows you to choose the massage area (upper/low/middle/full) and the heat on/off switch. strongthe removable cover lets you customize your , and the integrated strap system fits most chairs. This cushion can be placed on just about any type of chair, sofa and couch, although it will work better on a firm base than a squishy one. The more vertical the chair, the more effective the massage. (Best to use on your office chair at work or at home, while going through your mails…) Massage Intensity – when you set the control for the deep circular massage, you can put a couple of towels between you and the massage cushion. The massager, when set to the deep, rotary setting can be too rough for some people. Electric Outlet – yes, this Homedics massage chair plugs into the wall to function. It also has a short cord for the remote control for adjusting which area of the back the massager works on and the heat switch.

Automatic Turn-Off – the chair turns off automatically after 15 minutes. This is a great feature because you can easily fall asleep while using it. strong – can stop the movement on a particular trouble spot and isolate the muscle (Spot Shiatsu). Perfect for people suffering from / trigger points. Warranty – 2 years. Price – right now (and if you hurry), Amazon offers this model for a  good price. It may seem pricy to you, but if you think of it, for having an on-demand back-rubbing option to use whenever you or your family needs it – it’s not pricy at all. A bit bulky and heavy Won’t cover entire back if you’re very tall Not fitted for cars The Homedics QRM-400H offers more features and options than the MCH-510H. For example, this model has 6 different programs you can use and an integrated strapping system to make it work on all chairs. (But, I would say that the strapping is not very important, since your body weight holds in position anyway).

Like the above model, the QRM-400H features and rolling massage through 4 independent rollers that travel up and down the back, targeting all of the major areas. Weight – 30 pounds (slightly lighter). Massage Options – shiatsu (Circular, deep kneading action), rolling (Gentle up and down action rolls across muscles) and Spot Shiatsu (holds the massage action in the spot you need it). Some people find the Shiatsu massage a bit rough (which can be solved by throwing a towel or 2 over the chair) so the gentler rolling option is a good alternative. Coverage – the unit comes with six programs: full, lower, or upper back in Shiatsu, plus a rolling massage for each of the three modes. strong Note that if your problem area is the neck, this model is not for you. I would recommend a separate and considering doing , which can be extremely helpful for neck pain. Does it Work in a Car – it is not recommended to use in the car, because it may interfere with your driving.

The rollers could suddenly feel very uncomfortable as the passenger’s back applies sudden pressure as the car moves forward, sending the passenger backward. This could be dangerous. Adapter – this unit comes with an adapter. Width Adjustment – the “width” button on the remote control allows you to adjust the width of the rollers to comfortably fit your body. Heat – you can turn on heat via the remote control. The heat makes such a difference! The four rollers move up and down your back to give you a strong rub, but when you turn on the heat the same rollers feel so much better. The wonderful warmth just relaxes your tensed back. Remote Control – attached to the cushion with a cord. Easy to understand and use. Removable Cover – like the MCS-510H model, this back massager cushion comes with a removable cover, to let you customize the intensity of the massage. Downsides – if you have a cat, the mesh fabric that covers the massaging rollers just screams “scratching post” So you’ll have to put it away after every use.

Also, some users say that the chair is a bit loud, so it’s hard to concentrate on other things while using it. On the other hand, why not concentrate on how great it feels, instead of yet another reality show on TV? Extra Features – the chair comes with an integrated strapping system. The Vivid LED illumination lights up the massage mechanism in a cool blue, allowing you to actually see it in action. Automatic Turn-off – the cushion turns off automatically after 15 minutes. strong – this model is than the latter. While it works, I don’t think its features are worth the extra 200$ and frankly I don’t see why the price is so much higher than the MCH-510 model. Check out the hundreds of or it on Amazon. 6 different massage programs Can not be used in a car If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a pricy back massage chair but still want a more than decent massage – Homedics Back Massagers are perfect for you. If you find relief for muscle knots and muscle tension I would say both of them are worth every penny.