Product Review: Ultimate Shiatsu Massage Chair Recliner
December 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
If you are looking for a massage chair, then you will see many massage chairs claiming to be a shiatsu massage chair. There is a lot of confusion as to what constitutes a true shiatsu style massage chair. First we need to understand the actual massage therapy technique, then we can better evaluate if a chair really fits into this category.
Massage therapy has been used for over 5,000 years. It has different origins in China, Egypt and India. Shiatsu massage therapy is an offshoot of Chinese medical arts such as acupuncture. Acupuncture uses pressure points in the body to promote healing. The Japanese adapted acu pressure to control and regulate the flow of energy in the body. They noticed that applying pressure to specific points reduced discomfort and pain in the body. A body of knowledge developed using specific pressure points to induce total bod relaxation which formed into the traditional shiatsu massage.
In addition to using the acupressure points, these healers also made use of applying kneading to loosen tight muscles. Tapping was also found to stimulate the muscles and enhance blood flow. These techniques are used in conjunction with pressure from the thumbs, fingers and the palm of the hand. The goal is to relax the body with the use of acupressure points which connect to the major organs. It is useful to know that when the body faces stress, the body mobilizes. All your major organs are mobilized to protect the body which increases stress and anxiety. Shiatsu seeks to reverse this process helping the body to restore itself and rebalance.
With this background in shiatsu massage therapy, we can now look at massage chair recliners that provide this type of techniques. Some of the premier massage chair brands like Panasonic, Omega and Sanyo have chairs that meet these parameters. Many of these chairs have sensors to detect your acupressure points. The software then adjusts the massage to target your individual pressure points. Some of the best massage chair recliners providing shiatsu massage therapy are presented here.
One of the original lineages of shiatsu massage chairs are by Panasonic. The EP 30003 massage recliner provides two different styles of shiatsu style massage. It has the traditional shiatsu massage and also the Junetsu style. The Junetsu style differs from traditional shiatsu with the use of small circular and penetratng motions. The Junetsu style is good deep tissue relief. The combinations in the auto programs are well thought out for a therapeutic and relaxing massage.
Sanyo has developed a shiatsu lower body massage therapy. The Sanyo system targets multiple pressure points in the leg and foot. The pressure points are applied firm pressure which helps relieve stress and enhance energy flow throughout the body. Additionally, the tactically placed air bags provide a comforting and thorough air compression massage.
The Montage Premier Massage chair by Omega delivers a penetrating and invigorating shiatsu massage. The Montage Premier has the best foot massage of the high end chairs. This chair has acupressure nodes that penetrate both the arch and the heel of the foot. It performs an alternating sequence which stimulates the major organs and induces full body tranquility and relaxation. Omega also incorporates an MP3 player to play your favorite music to keep your mind occupied on relaxing.
Of course, there are more massage chairs that provide shiatsu massage therapy, but these are the best of the best. Find out if shiatsu massage is right for you. If so, then you will do very well with any of these chairs. Many companies advertise that they perform certain functions, but they may not actually deliver it. If you stick with the top brands like Sanyo, Omega and Panasonic then you will get years of shiatsu massage therapy from your massage chair.
The Pain of Sacroiliac Joint Inflammation
December 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Have you been experiencing stabbing pains in your lower back? Is bending over, turning round, or rolling over into your bed even difficult for you? If this is the case, you might have a sacroiliac joint inflammation, and that is one pain in the back you would gladly do your Christmas holidays without.
Now, you might be wondering what the sacroiliac joints even are. They are two ‘L-shaped’ joints are situated at the lower back, between the pelvic ilium and the sacrum (the small wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of your spine), and are held in place by various muscles and ligaments. Their function is to enable you to move your pelvis - sacroiliac joints get pulled and twisted along the pelvic girdle whenever you move your lower back.
When these joints get infected, they can cause stabbing pains in the lower back, the buttocks, and even the thighs on occasion. This inflammation can occur when one half of the pelvis is constantly driven backwards and forwards, or at times when the joints get stuck.
While small infections of the sacroiliac joints and associated ligaments are quite common, the more sever forms of sacroiliitis tend to occur more frequently with aging. The main causes of sacroiliitis are degenerative arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis of the spine) which leads to the deterioration of the sacroiliac joints; pregnancy, as it forces the pelvis to stretch to accommodate childbirth; or some form of sudden impact or traumatic injury to the spine or pelvic region. But do not worry: sacroiliitis is treatable, as long as you are sure to visit osteopath as soon as you notice any of its defining symptoms.
The most noticeable symptoms of sacroiliac joint inflammation include: - Restricted hip movement (having difficulty turning around or rolling over in bed) - Stiffness in the lower back after long periods of immobility (such after long car journeys) or when waking up in the morning - Difficulty bending down - Pain during sexual intercourse - Sharp pain the thighs when swinging your legs out of bed or out of the car
If you recognize any of these symptoms in your own situation, be sure to visit someone with an in-depth knowledge about the sacroiliac joint, such as an osteopath. To minimize your discomfort temporarily, you are advised to: - Wrap a damp tea towel around an icepack and place it on the painful area for 10-minute intervals, over the course of a half hour, for up to three times a day. - Sleep on your side at night (not your back or stomach) - Place a pillow between your knees while you are in a sedentary position or when lying down. This should take some of the pressure off your pelvis.
While sacroiliac joint inflammation can be a real pain in the back, osteopaths can help cure the problem effectively through a combination of physical therapeutic techniques and anti-inflammatory medication. So as long as you visit your osteopath and nurture your body, you should be fit and healthy for the upcoming holiday season.
Tricks In Finding Inexpensive Nutrition Supplements
December 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Nutrition dictates how our bodies function, how often we become ill, and overall how we feel about ourselves. Nutrition also plays a large role in muscle mass, losing weight, and even keeping infants on a healthy path to growth and education. Because demand is high, supplements aren’t always inexpensive- unless of course one knows lesser known secrets in obtaining them.
The first way to achieve discounts on nutrition supplements is to apply for government aid. This may come in the form of Medicaid for United States citizens, for instance. Keep in mind that not everyone is eligible for government assistance, and many programs are only for the elderly or those who are in extreme poverty. Regardless, the benefits are well worth checking to see if one can apply.
There are certain groups in existence that cut a percentage of the costs of nutritional supplements, in exchange for a subscription fee to be paid periodically. This will allow those who subscribe to get a certain percentage in discounts with each purchase, which goes to show this venue is best for those who plan on buying a moderately large amount of supplements on a continual basis.
Some consumers have seen success in importing supplements from outside locations. One example would be with the United States fiasco, where health products are much more expensive than what neighboring countries would demand. Be extremely careful, however, since many drugs or supplements may be illegal to import into the country without proper approval.
Some employers have a group insurance policy that gives discounts on supplements. This will differ based on the employer, but most will offer types of insurance such as health or life, in which health insurance usually falls under the supplement category. The good news about this is that group insurance is usually quite cheap- much more so than the average normal pricing for the save coverage and benefits.
Before making a purchase decision, also keep in mind to check online for the best price in nutritional supplements. The Internet has enabled businesses all around the world to compete for clients, which almost always means the Internet will have better pricing than a local health store. Again, be sure that your nation’s laws do not conflict with the process of buying supplements online before doing so- as in some cases this is a serious offense.
Closing Comments
Nutritional supplements go a long way in maintaining health and extending one’s vitality. Keep the previously discussed tips in mind for reaping the benefits of nutritional supplements, but also keeping your wallet safe from overpricing from retail stores.
Review of the Omega’s Montage Premier Massage Chair
December 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This review covers the top of the line massage chair from Omega Massage. Their new Montage Premier massage chair is evaluated in this product review. We will cover 5 important areas in reviewing this recliner. We look at warranty, ergonomics, ease of use, key features and massage therapy. We score each category up to 20 points and then provide an overall rating out of a possible 100 points. Here is an in depth look at the Montage Premier massage recliner.
Warranty & Customer Service: As with any big ticket purchase, you want sufficient protection from potential problems. The warranty coverage helps to reduce the risk that you the consumer are taking when buying any product. The Montage Premier comes with comprehensive warranty coverage. It has 5 years protection on the frame, 3 years on parts, 3 years on labor and you also get 1 year of parts shipping. You are also covered for the first 90 days with in-home technician service. This is a terrific warranty package. Customer service and turn around times are good and are provided by Omega. The Montage Premier earns a 19 in this category.
Comfort & Ergonomics: We like the ergonomics of this well designed massage recliner. This chair is designed for the American market. It can fit users up to 6′ 6″ and has a weight limit of 300 pounds. The recliner is wheel chair accessible for those individuals who might have trouble getting in and out of the chair. There is a wireless sub remote that offers tremendous convenience for the users. The chair is comfortable to sit in and has a very nice synthetic leather which is very soft. The synthetic leather is also very easy to clean. We rate the comfort and ergonomics a 19.
Ease of Use: This category is about intuitive use of the massage chair controls. They should be simple and easy to use for first time users. This recliner comes with many advanced features in the remote control. It comes with a wireless sub remote which is well designed and simple to use. There are 5 single touch automatic programs. The chair back and footrest work off a wheel control like an ipod. The LCD control panel shows exactly what massage functions are being applied. The myriad of manual controls have great descriptions in the side panel of the remote. We rate the ease of use for the Montage Premier a 19.
Key Features: There is an array of great features in this massage chair, but we find the full body heat and the lower body traction system to be key features to point out. The Montage Premier comes with heating elements in the chair back, the seat and the leg rest. Each of these areas can be individually controlled. This allows the user to target the use of heat where they most need. We find heat is a great compliment to massage therapy and is used in spas throughout the world. Omega has added an effective lower body traction function. This traction function gently stretches the lower body including the lower back, hips, knees and ankles. The leg rest is brought to the horizontal position. The airbags are activated to hold your ankles in place. The leg rest then lowers successively to 3 positions. When the leg rest lowers, it stretches the muscles and tendons throughout the lower body. The Montage Premier earns a 19 in Key Features.
Massage Therapy: This massage chair is the most comprehensive on the market. It has tremendous capability to deliver a full sensory experience. You have 5 automatic programs, 4 manual massage techniques, and 6 manual massage courses. There are 4 levels of speed adjustment and 4 roller width adjustments. The air compression massage system covers your buttocks, hips, thighs, calves, feet, hands and arms. Additionally, you can apply heat to 3 separate areas of the chair. Slip on the headphones and let the music relax your mind. Get a great lower body stretch from your hips to your ankles. This is a very soothing, invigorating and the most comprehensive massage experience you can get from a massage chair. The Montage Premier earns 20 points for massage therapy.
How does the Montage Premier rate overall? Let us sum up the score in each of the five categories which provides an overall rating of 96/100. The Montage Premier is an excellent massage chair. You will get a thorough and comprehensive full body massage. Omega provides great complimentary therapies to its arsenal of massage therapies. There just is not a massage chair available that includes full body heat, traction and music therapy. Omega is known for its invigorating massage therapies and the Montage Premier delivers. You get comprehensive warranty coverage directly from the factory with having to purchase extended warranties. If you are looking at the best of the best in the luxury massage chair class, then this is one of the best there is on the market today.
Review of the Panasonic EP 1273 KL Shiatsu Massage Chair
December 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The Panasonic EP-1273KL shiatsu massage chair is the subject of this product review. Panasonic is an electronics company and has a massage chair line. The EP-1273KL is a midrange model. The midrange is the $2,000 to $3,000 price range for massage chairs. Let us take a look at some of the advanced features for the Panasonic EP-1273KL shiatsu massage chair.
Panasonic is a giant in the field of electronics and has been making massage chairs for quite some time. Panasonic has wide distribution of their massage chairs and can be found in many stores across the country. When seriously looking at massage chairs, it is important to find a reputable manufacturer. There are many choices of massage chairs on the market, but most unknown brands put a lot of risk on the buyer. Buyer beware! Panasonic is a Fortune 500 company and should be with us for quite some time.
How good is the warranty of the Panasonic EP-1273KL massage chair? Panasonic provides just an average warranty directly from the manufacturer. The standard Panasonic manufacturing warranty covers 1 year parts, 1 year labor, 1 year shipping and 1 year in-home service. Panasonic provides an average warranty protection for the customer. The warranty coverage can be extended by purchasing an extended warranty through the retailer. The larger electronics companies follow the extended warranty model which is no doubt a carry over from their electronics divisions. Coverage on the extended warranties vary by retailer, so check out what the coverage and cost for the Panasonic EP-1273KL.
Almost everyone’s favorite subject about massage chairs is how they look. The Panasonic does OK in this regard, but it looks a bit sterile for the general public. At least that is the comment we get a lot. This massage chair seems targeted to health professionals with its neo-industrial design aesthetics. Not to take away from the chair, but just make sure you like the look of this chair. We actively encourage our suppliers to make chairs that fit in any room.
The EP-1273 comes with 4 auto programs, 3 manual courses and 8 massage techniques. Most massages are timed 15 minutes for your enjoyment. The 4 auto programs have refresh, shiatsu, deep, and gentle. Manual courses cover your back allowing you to cover the whole, upper or lower back. The 8 massage functions consist of rolling, percussion, Hawaiian, kneading, tapping, Swedish, compression, and shiatsu massage therapy.
The Panasonic EP-1273KL massage chair comes equipped with a dual-use air ottoman system. The air system in the ottoman kneads and loosens the calves. If the ottoman is raised, the feet can be placed on the area for the calves with the knees bent for a soothing foot massage. The ottoman also has a stretch functions, which will at first raise, then lower in 20 degree increments to stretch out the lower body.
Panasonic does a terrific job with the EP-1273KL shiatsu massage chair. They include some higher end technology with the leg rest stretching system and their Swede Atsu massaging functions. This is reliable massage therapy administered at the touch of a button. Panasonic has basic warranty coverage from the factory, so consider getting the extended warranty. If you are looking at the midrange price level, then the Panasonic EP-1273KL massage chair should be on your short list.