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Massage techniques in massage chairs: which one suits whom
A massage chair doesn't massage with a single movement – it uses several techniques borrowed from manual massage. Some relax, some energise, others work on specific tension points. Knowing what each technique does makes it easier to choose a programme – and a chair that has enough of them.
In short: which technique suits whom
| Technique | What it does | Who and when |
|---|---|---|
| Stroking | Warms up, soothes | Start and end of a session, sensitive people, evenings |
| Kneading | Deeply relaxes the muscles | Tense shoulders and lower back, after desk work |
| Tapping | Energises, wakes you up | Mornings, before physical activity |
| Percussion (beating) | Strong toning, deep vibrating effect | Active people, larger muscles |
| Shiatsu | Point pressure on tension knots | Painful spots between the shoulder blades and near the lower back |
| Rolling | Gently “smooths out” the back along the spine | Relaxation, the muscles along the spine |
| Kneading + tapping | Combines deep and toning effects | A versatile everyday massage |
| Air compression | Rhythmically squeezes and releases | Arms, calves, feet – tired legs |
Stroking
A slow glide along the back. A session usually starts and ends with it: the muscles warm up and the skin gets used to the touch. On its own it does little, but without it the more vigorous techniques feel rough.
Who it suits: everyone as an introduction; more sensitive people, older users and a calming evening programme.
Kneading
Circular movements that lift and squeeze the muscle. This is the deepest-acting technique, used on the shoulder girdle and lower back. In chairs it is performed by two or four massage hands moving in opposite directions.
Who it suits: people who work at a computer, drivers, anyone with constant shoulder and lower-back tension. With a 3D or 4D mechanism, kneading reaches deeper – see massage chair technologies.
Tapping
Fast rhythmic strikes. They energise, so they suit a morning session or the time before physical activity. In the evening such a programme is too stimulating for many.
Who it suits: mornings, when you want to “wake up”; those who feel stiffness rather than pain.
Percussion (beating)
A stronger form of tapping – the massage hands beat the muscle rhythmically with greater force. The effect is deeper and more like a massage gun.
Who it suits: active people, after a workout, people with a larger build. Sensitive or older users should choose a lower intensity.
Shiatsu
Point pressure based on Japanese tradition. The mechanism stops at a specific point and holds the pressure for a few seconds. This technique works on the tension knots between the shoulder blades.
Who it suits: those with clearly felt painful spots. In most chairs, shiatsu can be directed to a chosen zone or a single point.
Rolling
The massage hands roll slowly along the spine, as if smoothing out the back. It is gentler than kneading and relaxes the long back muscles well.
Who it suits: relaxing before sleep, after long periods of sitting, first-time massage chair users.
Combined techniques
Many automatic programmes combine several techniques – for example kneading with tapping, or shiatsu with stroking. This comes closest to the work of a real massage therapist, where the movements keep changing.
Who it suits: everyday use, when you don't want to choose the technique yourself.
Airbags (air compression)
They work where the massage hands can't reach — shoulders, arms, hips, calves and feet. The rhythm of squeezing and releasing stimulates circulation in the limbs. It is one of the things where you immediately feel the difference between a cheaper and a more expensive chair.
Who it suits: people who stand or walk a lot, when the legs get tired. More on which function works for which body part in the article what a massage chair does for each part of the body.
What 2D, 3D and 4D mean
The number indicates how many directions the massage hands move in. 2D — up and down and sideways. 3D adds forward and backward movement, i.e. adjustable pressure depth. 4D also varies the rhythm of the movement, so the massage resembles the work of a real person, whose speed is never constant. The practical difference is felt at the neck and shoulders: a 2D mechanism works there with the same intensity, while 3D and 4D adapt to the shape of the body.
How many techniques iRest chairs have
| Number of massage techniques | Models |
|---|---|
| 17 | Maesthron A801, Dual Core V8, Delightry A553 |
| 11 | Brillactiq A665, Grandease+ A550, Queentri A357, Enjoyfy A2805 |
| 7 | Eagleton (with two independent massage systems) |
| 6 | Joey BA1001 |
| 5 | Supearl+ A336, Supearl Open+ A336-31, Ixpirio A362, EasyQ A166, Roomy A186, QL A185 |
| 4 | Chillin+ A360, Chillin Open A360-31 |
More techniques mean more ways to change the character of the massage, but what matters more is whether the chair lets you direct the techniques to a chosen zone or point. Almost all iRest chairs allow this. If you will use the massage mainly to relax, 4–5 techniques are enough; if you want variety and deep massage, choose a model with 11 or 17 techniques.
The difference between techniques is best felt in person – at the RELIVO showroom in Vilnius (Statybininkų st. 1C-105, Vilnius).
Frequently asked questions
Which massage technique is best for back tension?
Kneading and shiatsu – kneading deeply relaxes the muscles, while shiatsu works on specific painful spots.
Which technique suits the time before sleep?
Stroking and rolling – they are calming. Tapping and percussion are best avoided in the evening.
Do more massage techniques mean a better chair?
Not necessarily. The massage mechanism (2D, 3D or 4D) and the ability to direct techniques to the desired zone matter more. More techniques add more variety.
