A lot of people live and work in high stress environments, which can have a significant influence on their health and well-being in the long term. For that reason, more and more people are starting to realize the importance of finding ways to relieve that stress, regardless of whether that implies getting massage therapy or investing in massage equipment and furniture for their homes.
Whether it’s better to invest in furniture pieces such as electric massage chairs or simply pay for a couple of massage sessions, has been an ongoing discussion for many years now. But still, there are advantages and disadvantages of both cases.
What’s the Difference?
In the modern world of today, electric massage chairs are recognized and approved by credible organizations as useful tools in chiropractic therapy. However, you have to be wary that not all massage chairs are created equal, so make sure to find a reputable retailer before buying one. On the other hand, there is some sort of a soothing feel that comes with human touch. A massage given by an experienced professional can have a rather positive impact both on the body and mind, including pain reduction, enhanced attentiveness, stress hormone reduction, alleviation of depression symptoms and an increased immune function. However, keep in mind that you won’t always have the privilege of having someone that is very good at what they do massage you. Bad massage therapists are everywhere.
Consistency
The consistency of a massage chair cannot be compared to the one of humans. You can freely perceive a massage chair as a robot, meaning – when you buy a massage chair, you will be rest assured you will get the exact same massage that you so loved the first time over and over again. On the other hand, humans cannot repeat the exact same movements every single time. This may be one of the biggest disadvantages of massages. And yes, of course the fact that you might end up in the hands of an inexperienced or bad masseur or masseuse that could only worsen your pain.
Customizability
Not everyone feels the same pain, some go to therapy for neck pain, while others for various types of back ache. Thus, every massage needs to be different, according to the requirements of the patient. The human touch has a significant advantage in this regard, as a therapist can asses the needs of the patient on a case-by-case basis. However, massage chairs do not fall short on benefits in this regard as well – they can be adjusted to perform several different techniques, to suit different needs and soothe different pains.
Cost
And lastly, cost. A massage from a therapist and a chair are both going to cost you, but how much? The cost of massage chairs can vary greatly, from a few hundred to several thousand of dollars. For a quality massage chair, expect to pay at least $5000. On the other hand, a good massage therapist will charge you about $100 for a 60 minute massage, maybe even more. The cost for the chair may seem a little bit over the top in the beginning, but if you use it on a frequent basis over the course of a couple of years, you’ll certainly get your money’s worth. So yes, it is always good to take into account your needs and think long term, rather than just splurge money on momentarily pleasures and end up wasting just as much on massage therapies in a couple of months as you would to buy a massage chair that will serve you for a lifetime.