Publish-workout therapeutic massage is related to a variety of advantages, like much less soreness, higher vary of movement, and speedier restoration, says bodily therapist Megan McLain, PT, DPT. However if you happen to don’t have the funds to splurge on an expert therapeutic massage after each class, utilizing a therapeutic massage chair can have comparable results. To seek out one of the best therapeutic massage chairs, we spoke with 4 physiotherapy specialists who agree that the highest choices available on the market don’t simply vibrate—they’ve key options like a variety of therapeutic massage strategies and customizable settings.
Utilizing this recommendation, we evaluated dozens of top-rated therapeutic massage chairs available on the market. We’ve additionally examined six expert-approved chairs within the Verywell Testing Lab, sitting in them for 20 minutes every and making an attempt every setting. When testing, we be aware how comfy every chair is to take a seat in, how simple it’s to make use of, and the way a lot reduction we really feel after utilizing it. Our high picks have acquired excessive scores for consolation, stress, ease of use, effectiveness, design, and general worth. Another excuse to belief our suggestions? We had a board-certified medical specialist in orthopedic bodily remedy and an athletic coach from our Evaluate Board overview this text for accuracy and how you can use a therapeutic massage chair successfully and safely.
What to Know Earlier than You Get Began
Whereas therapeutic massage chairs could be helpful for relieving rigidity and stress, you shouldn’t use them in case you have any severe accidents. It is a good suggestion to converse together with your healthcare supplier first earlier than utilizing or buying a therapeutic massage chair to keep away from any potential discomfort, accidents, or different issues.
Key Specs
Therapeutic massage Monitor: L-track | Dimensions: 30.5 x 57.1 x 44.1 inches | Weight Capability: 260 kilos | Zero-Gravity: Sure | Heated: Sure | Our General Score: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for taller individuals who have devoted area for a therapeutic massage chair, since this one is on the bigger aspect.
Why We Love It
After hours spent researching and testing the highest choices, Osaki’s OS-Champ is our favourite therapeutic massage chair as a result of it affords severe reduction at a fantastic worth. This L-track therapeutic massage chair doesn’t simply goal the again muscle mass after a tricky exercise—its kneading rollers labored their means from our necks to our hamstrings, whereas 18 compressive airbags massaged our legs and arms.
We love that this chair is extremely comfy to take a seat and recline in, even earlier than it’s turned on. Utilizing the included distant, it’s simple to decide on your required settings or go for certainly one of 5 auto-massage modes. The minute we began utilizing the OS-Champ, we have been shocked by how a lot the zero-gravity reclining place made a distinction in how intense the therapeutic massage felt. After only one brief session, we skilled fast, full-body reduction.
We additionally like that the OS-Champ is designed to accommodate quite a lot of customers. There’s an adjustable headrest and an non-compulsory prolonged footrest with acupressure therapeutic massage rollers for taller individuals. Different handy options, like a distant holder that additionally suits a smartphone and a built-in lumbar heater, make this chair stand out as a fantastic worth for the worth, in comparison with others we examined.
Potential Flaws
- This chair has a 260-pound weight capability, which is low in comparison with others on our record.
- We discovered that the chair affords a reasonably intense therapeutic massage that bordered on an excessive amount of after we tried sure settings.
Most Useful Perception
“I actually by no means as soon as thought a therapeutic massage chair could be this efficient, however I would like this for my home. However I additionally don’t—as a result of if I had it, I’d by no means get out of it.”—Donna Freydkin, affiliate director of product testing and Verywell Match product tester
Key Specs
Therapeutic massage Monitor: L-track | Dimensions: 61 x 29.5 x 45.1 inches | Weight Capability: 330 kilos | Zero-Gravity: Sure | Heated: Sure | Our General Score: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals who take pleasure in gentle stress, particularly if you happen to’re searching for a totally immersive expertise.
Why We Love It
iRest’s A306 Therapeutic massage Chair has three zero-gravity modes—probably the most of any chair on our record. It’s additionally distinctive in that it affords 5 therapeutic massage varieties: shiatsu, kneading, knocking, tapping, and kneading and tapping. Every one targets totally different muscle teams, and we discovered that all the settings have been comfy—not too gentle or too intense. Adjustable velocity and depth settings, 12 therapeutic massage modes, and a built-in lumbar heater present focused reduction proper the place you want it, whether or not that’s in your again after a sizzling yoga class or in your calves after a marathon.
We like that the iRest has Bluetooth audio system for a greater sound expertise and AI voice controls, though it’s price noting that we had some issue setting voice instructions up throughout testing. After utilizing the chair, we observed that the gentle stress felt soothing and enjoyable. One among our editors even discovered that she had higher circulation in her fingers and ft. We additionally respect that it has the highest weight capability on our record.
Potential Flaws
- We predict the distant and management panel are fairly simple to make use of. Nevertheless, we don’t like that you must sit up mid-massage and take your arms out of the armrests to regulate the chair’s settings.
- We observed that the chair’s thick padding makes the seating, arm, and leg areas pretty slim.
Most Useful Perception
“The warmth function on the again is soothing and cozy: It looks like taking a sizzling tub after being out within the chilly.”—Jennifer Montes, Verywell Match product tester
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Simple to make use of
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Smooth design
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Nice worth
Key Specs
Therapeutic massage Monitor: S-track | Dimensions: 52 x 27 x 43 inches | Weight Capability: 300 kilos | Zero-Gravity: Sure | Heated: Sure | Our General Score: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals searching for an S-track chair who take pleasure in gentle stress.
Why We Love It
If all you wish to do once you get house from the fitness center is relax and chill out, we suggest Actual Calm down’s Favor-03 ADV Therapeutic massage Chair. We respect that the backrest is supportive and cozy at each angle, even whereas utilizing the chair’s zero-gravity settings. Six therapeutic massage packages—plus customizable velocity, depth, and goal space settings—make it simple to tailor the chair’s options to your wants.
We love how simple it’s to make use of, with a clear instruction guide, an LED display that retains monitor of which physique elements are at the moment being massaged, and Bluetooth connectivity that took us lower than two minutes to arrange. Since that is an S-track therapeutic massage chair, its dual-core rollers cease on the decrease again. We discovered that it supplied loads of reduction, though the air compression function within the legs and arms wasn’t as intense as we’d have appreciated. Even so, we predict the chair’s spectacular capabilities, mid-range worth, and glossy design make it a stable funding.
Potential Flaws
- Like iRest’s A306, Actual Calm down’s Favor-03 ADV offers lighter stress that might not be for everybody. Should you desire a deeper, extra intense therapeutic massage, we suggest Osaki’s OS-Champ.
- As a result of that is an S-track therapeutic massage chair, it doesn’t provide the identical protection as our L-track favorites. (In S-track chairs, the rollers cease on the base of your backbone, whereas rollers in L-track chairs prolong to your glutes and hamstrings.)
Most Useful Perception
“This therapeutic massage chair is very easy to make use of. I like you can simply see which physique half it’s concentrating on on the LED display.”—Krisha Joshi, Verywell Match product tester
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No lumbar help
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Advanced controls
Key Specs
Therapeutic massage Monitor: Not listed | Dimensions: 44 x 28 x 40 inches | Weight Capability: 285 kilos | Zero-Gravity: No | Heated: Sure | Our General Score: 4/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals who need a therapeutic massage chair that provides intense stress, blends in with their present furnishings, and doesn’t take up an excessive amount of area.
Why We Love It
For intense stress that targets deep knots, stiff necks, and sore ft, we suggest Human Contact’s WholeBody 7.1 Therapeutic massage Chair. Every half focuses on kneading out aches and pains beneath the floor—and we reaped the advantages even on the bottom settings. The slim distant offers loads of methods to customise your session (or select from 5 auto therapeutic massage modes), whereas the footrest massages your calves in a calming, upward figure-eight movement.
In contrast to many of the different chairs on our record, this one has a traditional design that’s paying homage to a conventional reclining armchair. It additionally has a smaller footprint, making it certainly one of our favourite choices for small areas. Select from black, brown, grey, or ivory leather-based to praise your private home’s decor.
Potential Flaws
- We want this chair had extra lumbar help, like others on our record. However we like that it has neck and ft massagers, for a full-body expertise.
- The distant is small however has many buttons, which we discovered barely overwhelming. You could must seek the advice of the chair’s instruction information till you get the grasp of the controls.
Key Specs
Therapeutic massage Monitor: Mounted | Dimensions: 30 x 7.8 x 19.6 inches | Weight Capability: Not listed | Zero-Gravity: No | Heated: Sure | Our General Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals who want reduction, however who don’t have the funds or area to splurge on a full-sized therapeutic massage chair.
Why We Love It
For small areas and budgets, you possibly can’t go incorrect with Homedics’ Shiatsu Elite II Again Massager With Soothing Warmth. This transportable cushion has nice lumbar help and heated therapeutic massage parts that present kneading, rolling, or particular spot therapies for sore muscle mass. Once we tried it, we have been shocked by how properly it labored—in truth, it scored larger than some therapeutic massage chairs we examined.
We respect that this cushion works for most physique varieties and could be hooked up to most chairs. The stress is stronger than we anticipated, successfully concentrating on deep knots and basic rigidity. Whether or not you’re wanting so as to add consolation to lodge armchairs, workplace desk chairs, or your sofa at house, Homedics’ Shiatsu Elite II Again Massager may also help.
Potential Flaws
- Since this cushion is on the thicker aspect, we suggest utilizing it in deep chairs or armchairs.
Most Useful Perception
“I used to be genuinely impressed by how efficient this therapeutic massage cushion is, for a transportable one! The stress of the shiatsu was intense in a extremely good way.”—Abby Moore, Verywell Match product tester
Bonus Favorites
Though we didn’t strive these therapeutic massage chairs within the Verywell Testing Lab for ourselves, we nonetheless assume they’re price contemplating. They’ve options, settings, and costs which might be similar to many fashions we examined:
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Constructed-in lumbar heater
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Expandable footrest
Key Specs
Therapeutic massage Monitor: Mounted | Dimensions: 57 X 30 X 46 inches | Weight Capability: 300 kilos | Zero-Gravity: Sure | Heated: Sure
Who It’s For
Greatest if you happen to’re on a funds, however don’t wish to sacrifice on options.
Why We Love It
For a feature-packed, budget-friendly choice, we like Latitude Run’s Vegan Leather-based Heated Therapeutic massage Chair. It has six automated therapeutic massage modes, an expandable footrest, and a zero-gravity setting. Much like Actual Calm down’s Favor-03 ADV Therapeutic massage Chair, this chair additionally makes use of air compression to use mild stress to your legs and arms.
A built-in lumbar heater and Bluetooth audio system add a high-end really feel. We additionally respect you can customise the power, velocity, and goal space of your therapeutic massage. And at lower than half the worth of our high general choose, you could be assured you’re getting a nice worth.
Potential Flaws
- Some customers be aware that the chair is not as adjustable, which means it could’t accommodate as many heights and physique varieties as a few of our different high picks.
Key Specs
Therapeutic massage Monitor: L-track | Dimensions: 60.3 x 29.5 x 44 inches | Weight Capability: 300 kilos | Zero-Gravity: Sure | Heated: Sure
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals who wish to splurge just a little on a compact L-track chair with high-tech options.
Why We Love It
A lot of our high picks are full-body therapeutic massage chairs—however Interior Stability Wellness’ Jin 2.0 Deluxe Heated Therapeutic massage Chair has extra options that make it stand out from the remainder. For one factor, it scans your physique to offer a personalised therapeutic massage primarily based on the size of your backbone and the width of your shoulders.
We additionally love that it has two far infrared heaters: One lumber heater (like many different chairs on our record) and one other on your calves. There’s additionally a footrest that extends so as to add one other 6 inches if wanted. Even higher? You solely want two inches of clearance between the chair and the wall, so it could simply slot in smaller areas.
Potential Flaws
- This chair’s 300-pound weight capability and 6-foot peak capability are decrease than some others on our record.
Key Specs
Therapeutic massage Monitor: L-track | Dimensions: 71 x 29 x 45 inches | Weight Capability: 285 kilos | Zero-Gravity: Sure | Heated: Sure
Who It’s For
Greatest for tall individuals who need a bigger chair that doesn’t skimp on high-tech options.
Why We Love It
Human Contact’s Quies Therapeutic massage Chair comfortably accommodates individuals as much as 6 ft, 9 inches tall. We love that it has an extendable footrest, plus a variety of automated and customizable therapeutic massage settings.
The Quies Chair has S- and L-track rollers that run out of your neck to your hamstrings and apply mild stress to your whole physique. It additionally boasts a zero-gravity mode, two built-in lumbar heaters, a USB charging port, and Bluetooth audio system. These spectacular options add as much as a thoughtfully designed therapeutic massage chair that we predict is unquestionably well worth the larger price ticket.
Potential Flaws
- This is without doubt one of the priciest chairs on our record, though we predict you get what you pay for.
- The 285-pound weight capability isn’t the bottom on our record, however we want it have been larger, contemplating this chair’s height-inclusive design.
Key Specs
Therapeutic massage Monitor: L-track | Dimensions: 63 x 34 x 46 inches | Weight Capability: 285 kilos | Zero-Gravity: Sure | Heated: Sure
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals with the funds to splurge on a high-quality, high-end therapeutic massage chair with distinctive options.
Why We Love It
A delicate, heated therapeutic massage can go a great distance once you’re recovering from an damage. Human Contact’s Tremendous Novo Therapeutic massage Chair affords deep tissue, full-body immersion, and different modes which might be focused towards rest and restoration. We like that it has 38 packages—probably the most of any chair on our record—plus different extremely customizable options that work in tandem to offer efficient, total-body reduction.
The chair’s extra-long L-track is lined with rollers that may change up their velocity and cadence to imitate the texture of human fingers. There’s additionally a lumbar heater, heated leg and foot massagers, and compressive airbags that assist soothe every thing from the neck down. Plus, we love the chair’s Digital Therapist setting, which creates a customized therapeutic massage expertise primarily based in your particular person wants and preferences.
Potential Flaws
- This chair is the costliest on our record. Nevertheless, we really feel it’s well worth the funding, contemplating what number of customizable settings it has.
- For the worth, this chair’s 285-pound weight capability might be larger.
Therapeutic massage Chairs We Additionally Examined
We examined six chairs, however solely 5 made it onto our closing record of suggestions. This one simply didn’t examine to our favorites:
- CONHOMA’s Recliner Chair Therapeutic massage Rocker is budget-friendly, and the included distant is simple to make use of. However its fundamental vibration doesn’t present any sort of therapeutic massage. We additionally want it was bigger and extra comfy to take a seat in.
What to Search for When Looking for Therapeutic massage Chairs
- Value: For a therapeutic massage that checks all of our specialists’ bins, you’ll seemingly must spend between $700 and $5,000. Much less-expensive chairs could not have as many fancy options, however they are often simply as efficient as higher-priced fashions.
- Therapeutic massage Tracks: Most therapeutic massage chairs have rollers inside to assist knead stiff muscle mass. These rollers are positioned alongside both an S-track or an L-track. S-tracks begin at your neck and cease at your decrease again, creating an S form. L-tracks begin at your neck and prolong to your hamstrings, creating an L form. Many individuals desire therapeutic massage chairs with L-tracks as a result of they provide extra protection, however remember the fact that they are often troublesome to seek out at cheaper price factors.
- Therapeutic massage Settings: The specialists we spoke with agree—your therapeutic massage chair shouldn’t simply vibrate. As a substitute, it ought to use a variety of therapeutic massage strategies and have a lot of adjustable settings so that you can select from. When evaluating chairs, think about their options: What number of therapeutic massage modes have they got? Which therapeutic massage strategies are used (kneading, rolling, and so on.)? Are you able to regulate the velocity, depth, and site of your therapeutic massage?
- Consolation: Your therapeutic massage chair ought to really feel comfy and supportive, McLain says. Be certain that it’s giant and durable sufficient to accommodate your full peak and weight. Ideally, it also needs to have a height-adjustable footrest.
- Further Options: Each therapeutic massage chair on our record has some extra options that add to your therapeutic massage expertise. These embrace Bluetooth audio system, voice controls, and heaters that concentrate on your again, legs, or arms—a favourite of Tom Walters’, PT, DPT, CSCS, a board-certified orthopedic bodily therapist. Should you can’t determine between a number of chairs, contemplating their extra options may also help you select the precise one on your wants.
How We Chosen and Examined the Greatest Therapeutic massage Chairs
To seek out one of the best therapeutic massage chairs, we’ve spoken with 4 physiotherapy specialists, together with a therapeutic massage therapist and three bodily therapists. We’ve additionally researched dozens of chairs available on the market and chosen six fashions to strive for ourselves within the Verywell Testing Lab thus far. Our editors who take a look at therapeutic massage chairs typically have muscle stiffness after sleeping in sure positions and sitting at work all day. Through the analysis and testing course of, we consider every chair primarily based on the next key standards:
- Consolation: As we sit in every chair, we assess how comfy they’re earlier than we even flip them on. We’re checking to see how cushioned and padded every part of the chair is, from the headrest to the footrest (if there’s one). We additionally be certain to check out the lumbar help and any adjustable parts, if the chair has them.
- Strain: As soon as we flip the chair on, we strive all the settings to see how intense the therapeutic massage feels. We be aware how customizable every therapeutic massage setting is, in addition to whether or not the chair lets us select between totally different therapeutic massage strategies (like kneading and tapping).
- Ease of Use: All through the testing interval, we think about how simple the chair and its controls are to make use of. Is the distant intuitive, or will we continually must check with an instruction guide to seek out the precise settings? Is every thing labeled clearly, and is the consumer information written properly?
- Effectiveness: Once we’re completed testing the chair, we assess how efficient it was at relieving rigidity, ache, and soreness. Can we really feel extra relaxed than earlier than? How do our muscle mass really feel?
- Design: Since most therapeutic massage chairs are giant and can keep in your house for a very long time, we additionally think about how each is designed. Does it take up loads of area? Does it look glossy and trendy or cumbersome and clunky?
- General Worth: After we’ve examined all the chairs and evaluated them in each different class, we verify the worth tag. If we predict the worth is truthful, contemplating how the therapeutic massage chair carried out in our take a look at, we assign it a excessive general worth rating.
Our Consultants
- Megan McLain, PT, DPT, a bodily therapist and co-owner of Intuitive Alternative Bodily Remedy & Wellness in Peachtree Metropolis, Georgia
- Tom Walters, PT, DPT, CSCS, a board-certified orthopedic bodily therapist primarily based in Santa Barbara, California
- Madelaine Bates, a therapeutic massage therapist at Brentwood Physio in Calgary (in Alberta, Canada)
- Jordan Beall, PT, DPT, a bodily therapist at Tribeca Bodily Remedy in New York Metropolis
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Are therapeutic massage chairs price having?
Even one of the best therapeutic massage chairs can’t change a talented therapeutic massage therapist, Bate says. However they’ll provide a number of the identical advantages, like much less stress, muscle stiffness, and ache—so, sure, we predict it’s price investing in a single, particularly in case you have these signs usually.
Is it okay to take a seat in a therapeutic massage chair daily?
Most likely, in accordance with Bate and Walters, however hearken to your physique. Sitting in a therapeutic massage chair for too lengthy might probably worsen your ache as an alternative of relieving it, Walters says—so if you happen to begin to really feel any ache or discomfort, take a break.
What number of years does a therapeutic massage chair final?
It is dependent upon what sort of chair you purchase, how properly it’s made, how usually you employ it, and the way properly you handle it. However typically talking, you possibly can anticipate your therapeutic massage chair to final between 5 and 20 years.
Why Belief Verywell Match
Lindsey Lanquist is a Verywell Match health and way of life author who cares about connecting individuals with merchandise they’ll love. As an avid exerciser, Lindsey understands the worth of post-workout therapeutic massage—and each time she’s used high-tech therapeutic massage chairs, she’s discovered the expertise dreamy.
Further reporting contributed by Sarah Felbin
Sarah Felbin is a Verywell Match author and editor who’s at all times diving into the most recent well being and health analysis. With over 20 years of dance expertise, she is aware of how vital it’s to maintain your physique feeling rested and relaxed, so you possibly can sort out your health targets.