by Eileen Brodie

Created on: March 02, 2009

The art of massage therapy needs little more than a trained pair of hands and a grateful subject. Or is that a little less than the truth? Therapists and those who are fortunate to receive regular massages know better; they are used to the support of a massage table during a relaxing session. This is considered the standard for a typical massage.

Many clients (and a few therapists) don't know much about massage chairs as an alternative. It's well known that the use of a massage table is key for a full body massage, allowing the therapist to work at an ergonomic height, and making sure the client has a comfortable position during the session. Special features built into the table allow a client to be comfortable without neck strain. This is accomodated by the use of either a special face cradle that fits into the end of the table, or an oval face hole upholstered into the cushioned surface of the table itself. This would seem to be the epitome for offering a worthwhile massage. Considering the massage chair, let's take a moment to investigate.

What is the value of a massage chair, compared to a table? It's a matter of recognizing the different arenas in which a therapist can offer their skills. And of realizing that sometimes massage is perceived as either a foreign concept or a luxury to many. A comfortable and non-threatening first introduction to the relaxing and healing benefits of massage therapy is often best served by bringing the modality to the client. Perhaps by offering work-site massage during lunch hours. Or through a demonstration event set up at a mall, job fair, convention or other exhibit space.

In their busy lives, few people make time to investigate an hour long massage session, especially if they have yet to experience how effective it can be in relieving their basic stress and accompanying muscle syndromes. Here the massage chair offers a chance for them to receive some healing massage in an informal setting. Many folks easily succumb to the impulse to sit down and "get a shoulder rub." This often leads to a habit of regular, more extensive massage sessions, that for many has changed their level of overall stress, and brought about various physical benefits in their pursuit of health and well-being.

A massage chair is comprised of an arrangement of padded supports that allow a client to sit forward in a semi-prone position. They approach the chair head-on, resting their chest against a padded, sloping back. The face is supported in a padded

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