| In order to receive a therapeutic massage you | | | | therapy system. The Fujikura 2000 is a very |
| really must buy a shiatsu massage chair. Shiatsu is | | | | good, feature-rich chair at a very competitive |
| the application of pressure with fingers and | | | | price. |
| thumbs on energetic pathways, called meridians to | | | | Talking of music therapy, the OSIM iSymphonic |
| improve the flow of energy. Many manufacturers | | | | doesn't simply play music along with the massage; |
| claim that their robotic massage chairs deliver a | | | | the type of music played determines the type of |
| shiatsu massage, however not all do. Here's a | | | | massage you get - automatically. This is a very |
| review of some popular models that do and do | | | | intelligent piece of software that was first |
| not offer a genuine shiatsu massage. | | | | developed by the Japanese company, Inada. The |
| A cheap chair simply isn't going to deliver a shiatsu | | | | iSymphonic retails for around $3,500 and comes |
| massage. Brands like HoMedics and iJoy massage | | | | with a host of features such as infrared body |
| chairs lack the technology required. Shiatsu is very | | | | scanning that determines exact body shape and |
| precise and requires the pin-point location of a | | | | acupressure location before each massage, so |
| person's pressure points and cheap models lack | | | | you are sure to get a genuine shiatsu massage. It |
| the technology to do this. If you really want a | | | | also comes with 5 Healthcare programs, plus you |
| genuine, good shiatsu massager you can expect | | | | can set your own courses, giving you complete |
| to pay a minimum of $1,800. | | | | control of your personal massage. However, unlike |
| Another undeniable fact is that the best chairs are | | | | the Fujikura 2000, there are no arm massagers. |
| made by Japanese companies. Japan has been the | | | | The Sanyo HEC-SA5000K Massage Chair is one |
| most competitive market for many years - some | | | | of the best models currently available but it |
| 25% of households own one. Competition has | | | | doesn't come cheap - it retails for around $4,300. |
| meant that Japanese companies constantly | | | | It comes with body shape sensors and automatic |
| produce chairs that are more technically advanced | | | | adjustment of the rollers and it comes with 5 |
| and with more features than non-Japanese | | | | width settings so it can definitely cope with larger, |
| companies. Every single new technical feature has | | | | American frames. It also comes with a long |
| come from Japan; Japanese companies innovative | | | | vertical stroke length of 31" and the Grip massage |
| while the rest imitate. | | | | mode for the neck and shoulder area is superb. |
| Fujikura make the most affordable models. The | | | | Despite its expensive price tag it doesn't come |
| Fujikura 2000 retails for around $1,800 and is a | | | | with arm massagers. |
| machine that comes with an intelligent roller | | | | Inada is the World leader in the manufacture of |
| system that conforms to the shape of an | | | | robotic massage chairs and the Inada i.2 |
| individual's spine and neck. The 2000 also has | | | | (HCP-i.2A), while being cheaper than the Sanyo |
| other great features like arm massagers and 26 | | | | and OSIM at $3,300, it is I believe the chair that |
| air bags - 20 of which are in the foot and calf | | | | offers the best value for money of those |
| massager. It comes with the massage modes | | | | mentioned above. This is the chair I would buy. |
| you'd expect; rolling, kneading, shiatsu results, | | | | It's feature-rich, stylish and incorporates the very |
| compression and percussion, chop action and | | | | latest technology; they don't come any better |
| flapping. Incredibly for its price there's also a music | | | | then the Inada i.2. |