What is Chair Massage?
(Also referred to as Seated Massage)
The term "Chair Massage" describes the type of massage that is performed while the client sits fully clothed in a special chair.
This unique massage chair is ergonomically designed and offers full support of the head (face forward), arms, torso and legs. Chair massage is performed by certified and insured practitioners who use a combination of deep tissue and swedish massage techniques, usually on the muscle groups in the neck, shoulders, back, arms and hands.
The massage chair folds up easily and is completely portable. It can be set up just about anywhere. A conference room, spare office or quiet room are perfect but if need be, the massage chair can be set up right in front of a desk. No more than a 5x6 foot area is required. This, and the fact that the client remains fully dressed, makes chair massage very convenient and also eliminates the need for total privacy.
Staying dressed and publicly visible has had a tremendous impact on how people perceive massage. With seated massage there is no mystery or fear of the unknown. After all, how can you relax if you are anxious about the experience. Now everyone can enjoy the many benefits of massage and it is perfectly acceptable to watch someone, or be seen, getting a chair massage.
A Brief History of... Chair Massage
And brief it certainly is. In the early 1980's, which isn't so long ago, David Palmer (founder of the TouchPro Institute) thought of ways to make massage more acceptable to the general population. Mr. Palmer is a practitioner and teacher of chair massage as well as traditional Japanese massage, or Amma, which is a combination of deep tissue, acupressure, stretching and percussion techniques.
Having people leave their clothes on overcame the first obstacle. Then, in 1986 he invented the portable massage chair in order to make it even more convenient. With the mobility of the chair it became possible to bring massage to the people, anywhere, anytime; and the term On Site Chair Massage was born.