Decoding Comfort: Your Ultimate Guide to Massage Chairs – Unveiling the Glossary of Essential Terms

The world of massage chairs can be confusing to navigate. Whether yo've just started researching your buying options, or you already have a massage chair and want to make sure you get the most out of it. Our glossary of terms below can help!

 

4D Massage Mechanism

A 4D back and glutes massage mimics deep tissue massage of human hands through the use of a 4D mechanism that moves up and down, left and right, in and out (intensity), and also adds a fourth dimension of variable speed on these movements, to create the feel of a human hands massage.

3D/4D Massage Mechanism

A 3D/4D back and glutes massage mimics deep tissue massage of human hands through the use of a 3D mechanism that moves up and down, left and right, in and out (intensity), and also adds a fourth dimension of variable speed on these movements, to create the feel of a human hands massage.

2D Back Massage Mechanism

The 2D massage Mechanism moves in two dimensions (X and Y axes), traveling up and down from your neck to your back, and side to side to cover a broad section of the back. It is superior to fixed node massage chairs which do not travel up and down creating gaps in massage and soreness.

360° 4-Node Plus Massage

Enhanced 4-Node Plus Back Massage Mechanism delivers a 360° figure 8 sweeping motion down the entire length of your spine while delivering five comprehensive massage techniques: kneading, tapping, kneading + tapping, shiatsu and knocking) for a unique massage experience.

4-Node Back Massage Mechanism

4 node traveling back mechanism delivers shiatsu, kneading, tapping, and knocking massage techniques.

5 Massage Techniques

Programs are choreographed using Kneading, Tapping, Knocking, Sync and Shiatsu massage techniques on the back. Each technique can also be run manually to customize your own session.

3D Shiatsu Technique

Shiatsu technique with the added in and out motions for deeper tissue relief.


A

Air Ionizer / Integrated Air Ionizer

The chair contains a small vent near the headrest to facilitate healthy oxygen intake by emitting negatively charged ions to reduce intake of pollutants.

Airbag Compression Therapy

Airbags are located throughout the chair that inflate and deflate to provide a compression sensation on the muscles that feel like real human hands. Each chamber within an airbag is called an air cell.

Apple & Android App Functionality

Operate the chair right from your Apple or Android device with a free download of its app-based functionality.

Adjustable Shoulder Airbags

Get a more precise fit with adjustable shoulder airbags to better suit your body.

Auto Programs

Convenient and easy-to-use automated and choreographed programs with the push of a button. Each program automatically changes massage techniques, intensities, and chair movements to create a complete massage session.

Airbag Intensity Control

Control the airbag intensity when you need more or less.

Automatic Footrest Extension

The footrest automatically extends mechanically to best accommodate a user’s leg length.


B

Bluetooth Speakers

Use your phone or Bluetooth device to create your own world of relaxation.

Body Scan Technology

Detects the position of your body in the chair and targets specific areas of your body, such as the shoulders or calves, in order to deliver an accurate massage


C

Chromotherapy Lights

Chromotherapy lights use the color spectrum to help balance one’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental energy. Lights on the side of the chair illuminate to set the mood.

Chromotherapy Programs

Chromotherapy uses color spectrum to help balance one’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental energy. Special programmed light therapy sequences help you wake up or wind down and can be combined with the perfect massage.

Complete Calf™ Kneading + Oscillation

The ultimate in lower leg relief. The calf area of each leg contains kneading rollers in the back and orbital oscillation on the sides of the calves to soothe sore, tired calf muscles. The rollers and oscillation imitate human hands gently working to relieve tension and pain and restore circulation and flexibility. Simultaneously, the multiple air cells provide compression with adjustable intensity.

Color Menu-Driven Remote

Full-color display allows a menu-driven interface for added features over static displays or control panels.

Control Panel

Control all of the aspects of your massage right from the control panel, no display required.

Color Display Remote

Static color screen to show what is happening with the chair.


D

Decompression Stretch

During this full-body stretch, the massage chair’s airbags grip your shoulders and legs as it reclines accordingly to soothe and relieve your spine. The spinal correction feature uses powerful stretching techniques to extend and decompress your spine in order to relieve back pain.

Deep Tissue Massage

Specific massage technique that helps muscle or connective tissue that has been injured or otherwise compromised; used to break up scar tissue, release adhesions where muscle or tissue layers have stuck together, or separate chronically tense muscle fibers

Dual Back Rollers

The back nodes, sometimes called rollers, compress your muscles through tapping and kneading motions to relieve muscle tension.

Dual Zone Heat

Deep penetrating heat loosens and relaxes stressed muscles to prepare them for optimal recovery. Advanced heat in the lumbar and in the back massage nodes deliver unmatched heat therapy.


E

Easy Access Control Panel

Control all aspects of your massage with easy access control right at your fingertips. No need to reach for the remote.

Extra Long Calf Coverage

The longest calf massage available combining air massage and node pressure point relief from the knees down to your feet. Circulation enhancement for pressure & tension relief.


F

Favorites

Favorites allow you to access the auto program of your choice on the quick access panel that has this feature.

Foot Reflexology Rollers

Replicating thumb and finger technique of applying pressure to vital points on the soles of the feet, which send relief to other areas of the body.


I

Intersound™ Technology

Intersound technology leverages opposing Bluetooth speakers mounted to create a bubble of immersive sound. Stream your choice of music, meditation tracks, or soothing soundscapes.

Inversion Therapy / True Inversion

The chair reclines back below a horizontal level, to below 180 degrees. This technique puts your body inverted with your head down and heels up to relieve pressure on the vertebrae.


J

J-track Massage/Flex track

The unique J-Track combines the best of L and S-Tracks with the track opening up some upon recline while allowing the mechanism to continue down to the gluteus region.  The result is superior spinal decompression and full-length neck-to-glutes massage.


K

Kneading Technique

Repetitive sweeping motion coming together and pushing apart mimicking the use of thumbs in human massage.

Kneading with Tapping Technique

Simultaneous use of kneading and tapping techniques.

Knocking Technique

Slow rolling up and down strokes mimicking thumbs pressing into the muscle as they move up and down the back.


L

L-Track Massage

The L-Track follows the curve of the spine, moving up and down the neck to the lower back, and extending further down the body to your gluteus muscles, ensuring that you receive an encompassing spa-quality massage. Shop L-Track Massage Chairs

Lumbar Stretch

Reclined position that effectively stretches and decompresses the lower back area to relieve pain and tension

Lumbar Heat

Heating modules located in the lower back of the chair provide a soothing sensation and loosen your muscles to better prepare your body for the massage.


M

MyMassage™ Memory Programs

MyMassage™ programs allow you to build a manual massage sequence then save it to run as your very own program to enjoy time after time just by recalling it.


N

Near Flat Reclining S-Track

The S-Track rollers follow the curve of the spine, moving up and down from the neck to the lower back. This feature gives you a full-body stretch — the hips are held in place while the legs are pulled down, stretching your back.


R

Rhythm Sync Massage

Massage strokes that marry up to the music being played through the speakers.

Rocking Technology

The chair rocks back and forth in a metronome-based movement to provide the classic rocking chair feeling for soothing relaxation.


S

S-Track Massage

S-Track design matches the natural shape of your spine in order to hit all your areas of tension and properly realign your body from your neck down to your lumbar region. The S-Track ends at your lumbar region allowing the chair to pivot in a more flat, reclined position to create superior stretching motions. Shop S-Track Massage Chairs

Shiatsu Massage

A form of Japanese bodywork based on the theoretical framework of traditional Chinese medicine; shiatsu means “finger pressure”, and techniques include massages with fingers, thumbs, feet and palms; assisted stretching; and joint manipulation and mobilization

Shiatsu Technique (Also referred to as Rolling)

A deep tissue rolling stroke with constant pressure applied as the nodes travel up and down the back.

Sleep Mode

Enabling sleep mode will keep the chair reclined after your massage program ends; allow yourself to enter a deep state of relaxation until you decide to get up.

Swedish Massage

Most common type of massage that involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles; this is combined with movement of the joints; four common strokes are effleurage, petrissage, friction, and tapotement

Sync Technique

A variation of kneading with the added back and forth motion as the sweeping action happens.

Syner-D™ Dual Back Massage Mechanism

Two individual massage mechanisms choreographed to work synergistically together to perform therapeutic relief to the Back and Gluteus region. Utilizing 2D, 3D, and 4D technologies in harmony for the most advanced chair massage available today.

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T

Tablet Remote

Fully control all aspects of your massage with touch screen tablet.

Tapping Technique

A light percussion (or tapotement) movement that imitates fingers tapping on the back and shoulder muscles

Targeted Arm Therapy

Arm compression therapy relieves arm, wrist, and hand tension while enhancing circulation. Relax & enjoy the sensation of human hands relieving stress throughout your tired muscles.

Total Enclosed Foot Massage

Immerse your feet with all-around compression massage to squeeze out tension

Touch Remote

Touch-sensitive display screen allows for simple navigation through the remote.

Triple Foot Roller Total Sole Reflexology

This feature has the broadest coverage of the foot sole allowed in a massage chair today utilizing triple shiatsu rollers per foot attending to the vital pressure points on the feet linked to other parts of the body.

Tri-Zone Heat

Deep penetrating heat loosens and relaxes stressed muscles to prepare them for optimal recovery. Advanced heat in the foot, the lumbar, and in the back massage nodes deliver unmatched heat therapy.

True Inversion

The chair reclines back below a horizontal level, to below 180 degrees. This technique puts your body inverted with your head down and heels up to relieve pressure on the vertebrae.

Truefit™ Body Scanning

Special technology within the hardware and software of the chair allows the chair to pinpoint the user’s size and shape, providing a customized massage specific to them.

TrueFit™ Footrest Extension

The footrest mechanically extends, then retracts, in order to create a custom length set to the user’s legs.


U

USB Charging Station

Charge any USB device with the convenient USB port on-board, located within reach while in the chair. Recharge your phone while you recharge your body.


W

Waist Twist Therapy

Compression massage that applies a gentle twist of the hips to stretch tight muscles.

Weightless Zero Gravity Recline

Initially developed by NASA, Zero gravity positioning elevates your feet above your heart, relieves pressure on your spine, and improves circulation. This allows the spine to decompress and provides a sense of weightlessness to aid in the therapeutic benefits of the massage chair.

Wireless Charging Pad

On-board wireless contact charging pad embedded into the armrest means your phone is recharged when you are.

Wireless Color Menu Rechargeable Remote

Cordless and rechargeable, no wires in the way plus a full-color display driving a menu interface for added features over static displays or control panels.


Z

Zero Gravity

Massage chair position in which the legs are extended and elevated above the heart, allowing the spine to decompress and providing a sense of weightlessness

Zero Wall

A more advanced space-saving technology that enables the chair to move forward on its track or axis, allowing the user to place it only one to two inches from the wall

Want to Learn More?

Check out our Massage Chair Buyers Guide and learn the Health Benefits of Massage 

Shop Now to find the Perfect Chair.

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