Chair vs Masseuse

That old adage that you don't ask a hairdresser whether you need a haircut, nor do you ask an interior designer for their opinion on another interior designer's work… However, what follows is our opinion when wearing our "hat of independence". The final analysis and the decision we'll leave to you.

The United Kingdom is somewhat behind Asia and the United States' recognition of massage chairs falling under the category of medical appliances. Indeed, many massage chairs are approved by the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration Department) as medical devices, and even the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) recognize massage chairs as "credible supplements" to chiropractic therapy. However, please be mindful that only the very best robotic massage chairs fall into that category, and we would not be surprised at how a massage chair "stacks up" to the benefits of a human masseuse.

A massage chair is, in effect, a pre-programmed robot that offers whichever massage program you choose, which will always be constant. In short, whatever time you decide to sit down and have a massage in the chair, the pressure will always be the same. This, quite obviously, cannot be said for a human massage therapist who is unlikely to be able to offer the same pressure in their technique at the end of the day as they had at the beginning of the day. Tiredness creeps in! Of course, if you go to a spa to have a treatment, you also risk getting an inexperienced therapist.

However, there are also various positives to a human therapist's inconsistency. A human masseuse can immediately customize their technique based on what you tell them. For example, you may want more time spent on any particular area in your hour treatment, which can be acted upon immediately. Also, be in no doubt that there are parts of the body that a robotic massage chair cannot reach. For example, a human therapist can work on your chest and your stomach, whereas a robotic massage chair can only work on those body parts that the rollers and airbags can reach.

As many programs and manual options that a top-quality massage chair has, the human brain of a masseuse may have thousands of different options! Of course, one must not forget that the human masseuse can respond immediately to any feedback that their client informs them.

Many massage chairs now offer body scanning/mapping that uses technology to measure your height and shape to ensure that it gives you a customized treatment.

Your robotic massage chair is available any time, 24/7.

Knowing that you have your robotic massage therapist in your home for immediate use is an advantage over telephoning the human masseuse to make an appointment.

The bottom line is that both massage therapies carried out by the human touch or the robotic chair can reduce pain, relieve stress, muscle tension, and many other symptoms, including helping to get a good night's sleep. One of the features of a top-quality massage chair over and above a human masseuse is that it can help align your spine and take pressure off any pinched nerves. However, the robotic massage chair cannot replicate the feeling of having a masseuse on the premises and, should you so wish to, communicate with them.

The writer is very much an advocate of the stretching programs and spine alignments. There is little difference between the massage therapist and a robotic chair in triggering the release of endorphins.

Whether paying for a massage therapist to visit you, driving/arranging transport to the spa for your treatment or purchasing a top-quality massage chair, they all have high-cost implications.

The cost of a top-quality massage in London at present is circa £85 per hour. However, just a tip, the brain knows how to count sixty minutes, and we would always advise anyone having a massage to schedule a 90-minute treatment for maximum benefit. The cost of a top-quality massage chair can be anywhere from £11,000 to £18,000. Chairs below this threshold would be considered either entry-level or mid-range.

If you wish to have the services of a human masseuse, say a couple of times a month, that cost starts to creep up. However, with a massage chair, you can have (as does the writer) two massages a day, probably costing pennies and, in our opinion, equally as beneficial.

The bottom line is that it's a tough call.

The advantage of the human masseuse is that you can use their real-time expertise, although the Rotai Ultimate is an excellent match. On the one hand, to know that you can have a massage twice a day should you so wish is very appealing, especially if you have constant back pain or sciatica. Also, robotic massage chairs are ready to give a firm, deep tissue massage any time of the day. Unlike a human therapist, it doesn't arrive tired after giving six or seven previous massages that day.So, if we ask a massage therapists to label their own pros and cons, they're likely to confirm that:

We hope you can now see what a close call the comparison is. However, we did not add that you may be in that very fortunate position to afford both a massage chair and your own therapist!