Increasing numbers of people are warding off stress and soreness with regular massage therapy treatments. But in our current economic climate, who can afford these pricey appointments, let alone afford the gas it takes to get to the massage therapist’s office? Sadly, this tends to prevent many common folks from experiencing the benefits of a massage therapy program.

However, more people are beginning to experience the wonders of massage, thanks to improvements in at-home technology and robotics. Gone are the days of useless chair massagers with clunky rollers! Now, high tech massagers can effectively emulate the human touch. The modern massage chair boasts a wide range of settings, similar to the many services found at any upscale massage parlor. And while the price tag on a brand new massager can be overwhelming, it will most certainly pay for itself in the long run. In fact, massage chairs and other massage technologies can now be found in many homes and offices around the world.

Below are some of the more interesting advances in at-home massage therapy technology:

 

Panasonic EP-MA70 Real Pro – Thermal Massage Chair

 

 

Have you always wanted to experience one of those pricey hot stone massages offered at the spa? Well, the new massage chair from Panasonic can offer you that same massage every day, but in the comfort of your own home. For the first time, ceramic heaters are built into the rollers themselves! Moreover, new technology included in the chair, including the “3-D Mechanical Rollers” and the “Air Bag System,” synchronizes the massage while stretching the muscles. It also offers a pelvis tilt massage not found in any other at-home massage technology. The air bag massage feature simulates the gripping and squeezing of large muscles, a common technique used by massage therapists. By rapidly inflating and deflating the airbags, the chair can simulate the tapping, rolling, and kneading methods of massage, releasing toxins and improving blood circulation in the process.

BUY Panasonic EP-MA70 Massage Chair

Massage Me

 

 

These days, so much time is seemingly “wasted” with video games. However, with the new invention called Massage Me, your friend’s back can be transformed into a gigantic game controller that simultaneously provides your lucky buddy with a soothing massage, thanks to the electronics-embedded jacket he is wearing. No need for massage therapy training here! The Massage Me jacket translates the buttons you would normally need to press in order to effectively play the game into different massage techniques, which are then used on your partner via the jacket. And obviously, the best massages come from playing games that require the player to press as many buttons and combinations as possible.

Jobri Dolphin Jr. Hand Held Massager

 

 

The Jobri Dolphin Jr. Hand Held Massager possesses the strong massage action needed for the difficult massage areas of the shoulders and back, a rare feature in massager technology. This hand held massager utilizes a soft massage ball that may be used on any part of the human body to relieve tense muscles and reduce pain. Additionally, the therapeutic infrared incorporated into the massager soothes and relieves muscle tension. Infrared calms irritated nerves by dilating the blood vessels, causing an increase in cellular metabolism, thereby assisting in the reduction of the body’s levels of acid and waste residue from toxins, sodium, alcohol, and heavy metals, thus further assists in reducing pain and tension in the muscles.

BUY Jobri Dolphin Massager

Massage Therapy WheeMe

 

 

This new, and actually quite adorable, little robotic massager is capable of providing a rather relaxing massage. And as shocking as it may be, this little guy never even went to massage therapy school! Called the WheeMe, it is a palm-sized massage robot on wheels. It does its job primarily on the horizontal surfaces of the body, working to relieve tension, knots, and soreness. Using nylon “fingerettes,” it provides a very satisfying and relaxing massage; however, it does not provide deep tissue services. For that, you will still have to contact a massage therapist. It also comes equipped with tilt sensors that prevent it from falling or sliding off of the body.

Human Touch HT-7120 Massage Chair

 

 

The Human Touch HT-7120 reclining chair gives you a wide variety of massage therapies. You can select from three pre-set programs and five manual massage techniques. The three pre-set programs include sore muscle relief and energy rejuvenation. The five manual massage therapy techniques include rolling, kneading, compression, percussion and vibration. The compression massage actually emulates a sports massage, complete with deep tissue treatment, applying pressure to muscle tissue and helping to loosen the spinal joints. This can help with posture and improve mobility. Additionally, the Human Touch HT-7120 allows you to stretch your lower body, add heat to your lumbar area, and massage your feet and calves.

BUY Human Touch Massage Chair

Sanyo HEC-DR7700K Massage Chair

 

 

This great new massage chair from Japan is flush with benefits for anyone lucky enough to place their privileged butt down upon its sleek, futuristic upholstery. The Sanyo HEC-DR7700K Massage Therapy Chair comes equipped with some zero gravity positions, giving you a virtually weightless experience. This “zero gravity” positioning places your body in its most comfortable positioning. The chair also emulates Shiatsu, the Asian technique of digging deep into the muscles to coax out toxins and ease circulation. However, if you select the program entitled the “Comfort Course,” 24 independent airbags will provide a gentle stretch and compression massage to your lower back, hamstrings, calves, ankles, and feet. This chair grasps and kneads like real hands, using a newly developed jointed massage head that simulates a thumb. Additionally, the chair’s Stiffness Detection Sensor uses technology similar to that used in lie detector tests. It actually keeps track of your pulse and perspiration to find out where you are stiffest and most tense. You then receive a customized massage that focuses on those troubled areas, all-the-while giving you feedback from the chair’s control panel. The sensors actually adjust the massage rollers to fit your body type, also changing position during the massage if you do.

BUY Sanyo Massage Chair

Daniel Foster loves technology and gadgets. When he’s not reviewing gadgets online you can find him tinkering with the latest devices he can get his hands on.

Further Reading:  Magnetic Levitation Sculpture by John Fehr