Although not many and serious, there are a few concerns related to the massage chair, and a few things you should be careful about when using it. Read the article to find out what these dangers are.
Massage chairs are excellent things to have around the house. You cannot get an appointment with your masseuse whenever you feel like getting a massage, without having to wait for a day or two. However, before you go make yourself comfortable on your massage chair, go through the following points and make sure none of them apply to you.
Dangers Associated with Massage Chairs
Here are a few things you should spare a thought to, before getting a massage chair for yourself, or before using the one you already have.
☛ Massage chairs come in a lot of varieties and with a lot of different mechanisms. If you have a chair that works only for a certain weight range, then make sure that you are in that range. Or, if you are getting one for yourself, get one that suits your weight. Overloading the chair may cause it to function improperly, and could end up bruising and stiffening your muscles.
☛ Massage chairs involve placing your head on the face cradle. So, if you’re using a this chair in a spa, then make sure that the cradle is covered with a piece of clean cloth. Lots of people use these chairs in a spa and there is no way of making sure that the cradle has been cleaned and disinfected after every use. There is a chance that someone with a contagious disease (usually a common cold) has used the chair before you. The same applies when you’re using it. Do not use it when you are suffering from any contagious disease.
☛ One of the benefits of massage chairs is lowering of blood pressure, so if you already suffer from low blood pressure, it’s better to consult your physician before using one. Blood pressure is a vital aspect of your health, and fluctuations in blood pressure over a wide range can increase the chances of stroke.
☛ People who have a problem of blood clotting or coagulation, or people who bruise easily, should avoid the use of these chairs often. Instead they can opt for a hand massage. Using them too often and for too long may lead to bruising of the muscles and cause tenderness in them. Using them during the first trimester of pregnancy is alright, but if you want to continue using it after that, consult your doctor.
☛ Massage chairs work on electricity, so there is bound to be some electromagnetism in the equation. People with heart conditions should consult their doctor before using the chair. If a person using the chair has a device like a pacemaker, fitted in his body, then there is a good chance of the electric field of the chair interfering with the proper functioning of such electromagnetic devices. This could turn out to be a genuine cause of concern. It is better to ask your doctor whether it is safe to use a massage chair in such cases, so that there are no unnecessary complications later on.
☛ Other concerns include the health of the people who are suffering from conditions caused by electrical imbalances in the body, like epilepsy seizures or something similar. In such cases, it is better to opt for a hand massage or ask your doctor about the possible effects of using a massage chair.
These were the major concerns. Other than these, there can be some safety concerns like the chair collapsing due to bad maintenance and overuse, safety issues when transporting the chair, bruising and tenderness of the muscles due to overuse of the chair, etc. As long as you keep the above things in mind and follow all the instructions that come with the chair, the benefits of the massage chair far, far outweigh the dangers and it is one of the best pieces of equipment to have in the house.
