Is It Worth It To Pay the High Cost to Own Your Own Massage Chair?

Experiencing an injury or illness can be extremely stressful, but adding in the time and cost of scheduling appointments at a massage therapist’s clinic can create even more stress. This is especially true if your injury or illness is the cause of long-term or chronic pain. This sometimes brings about the question of whether or not it is effective to consider purchasing your own massage chair. If you’re balancing out the difference between regular visits to the massage therapist or chiropractor and the purchase of a massage chair to have in your home, here are some details for you to consider before you make a major purchase:

Cost of a Massage Chair vs. Massage Therapist

Although the cost of visits to a massage therapist or chiropractor come in small increments and the cost of a massage chair purchase comes all at once, eventually you will find that a massage chair can pay for itself. Taking into consideration that many people with chronic pain visit a massage therapist or chiropractor an average of one time per week for 50-75 minutes of massage, at an average cost of $60 per session for a basic deep-tissue massage, this means that each year you are spending around $3120 on massages. (More if you are getting specialty massages, or if you live in a major metropolitan area.) That really adds up. And that’s not to mention the fact that you may also have to include a customary tip of up to 20% each time you have a massage! Plus - add to that the fact that there is a top 10 list of complaints about massage therapists! A massage chair in the mid-price range, as an FDA registered medical device, can run between $2000 and $3000 (more for a high-end chair). This means that you can actually get your chair completely paid for in less than a year! Not to mention the fact that when you have a massage chair in your home, you can use it as often as you like. Your massage time is not limited to one time per week, and it is also not limited to one person. Many family members can take advantage of your massage chair at home without any additional cost but with a great amount of benefit. It is important to remember that your at-home massage chair may require maintenance and upkeep, but even factoring this cost in will mean that you are getting by on much less than what regular appointments at a clinic would cost. Plus, if you purchase a massage chair with an additional warranty plan, this helps to mitigate the expense of repairs.

Convenience of a Massage Chair vs. Massage Therapist

Each week you have to make the appointment with your massage therapist, drive or walk to the office, get your massage, and drive or walk home. Maybe you’re stopping on the way home from work or maybe you have to make a special trip just to get there. Either way, there’s no question that a massage chair located in your home is a much more convenient (and cost effective) solution to meeting your massage therapy and relaxation needs. If the purpose of your visit to the massage therapist is partially related to the need to relax, then adding the stress of scheduling appointments, getting to the appointments, and worry about the cost can actually add stress to your life rather than taking it away. A massage chair located in your home (one that is already paid for) allows you to enjoy the relaxation benefits of massage without the stress and anxiety involved in having to leave your home.

Additional Benefits Massage Chairs Can Offer

One of the most effective features of massage chairs today is Zero Gravity Positioning. This is a reclined seating position researched by NASA (thus, the name) where your feet are placed above the level of your heart. Many health professionals recommend this for the pressure that it relieves from the spine, as well as for the benefit to the circulatory system and the heart. In addition, this type of positioning can be particularly effective in reducing inflammation and swelling located in the feet and legs, which is a symptom of many diseases and injuries. Many massage chairs in the range of $2000 to $3000 offer zero gravity positioning as a main feature to promote overall health and healing for the body. This is not an option you are likely to find at your massage therapist’s clinic but it can make a huge difference in increasing your body’s health.

Deciding on the Purchase of a Massage Chair

It is important to note that even a high-end massage chair will not last forever. The average life-span of a mid- range massage chair is around 5-7 years if it is well-taken care of. Even if you have to replace your chair after five years, however, you’ve saved a significant amount of money and inconvenience over that amount of time. Once you’ve decided that it is a good idea to purchase a massage chair for your home, it is smart to comparison shop to make sure that you are getting the best product to meet your needs and fit into your budget. Taking a bit of time to do research, compare reviews for massage chairs, and determine which features and benefits you prefer, will ultimately lead you to a great buying decision. Overall, an investment in a massage chair will bring your family into a more relaxed, healthier, and happier place in life!