Many people buy a massage chair expecting to get that whole-body relief from tension and pain but instead get the opposite. This leaves a negative first impression for beginner users. If you have been through this, you shouldn’t let this stop you from using the machine again.
Introduction
Feeling sore after using a massage chair for the first time is considered normal. Think of it as getting Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness or DOMS after working out. Your muscles aren’t yet used to the stimulation from the massage. This causes stress on your soft tissues, leading to body pains.
However, while this is a common side-effect, it’s recommended that you visit the doctor in severe cases.
What To Do If You Got Sore Muscles After a Massage
The soreness you get from using a massage chair for the first time will lessen in a few days. However, it would be best if you still didn’t ignore your condition.
Here are what you could do if you had a bad first-time massage chair experience.
Assess your condition
While soreness and mild pain are common symptoms for beginners at using massage chairs, it’s only normal to a certain degree. If it’s to the point where you get bruises, don’t use your massage chair in the meantime.
Wait for your body to heal before using the machine again, but this time, set the intensity to gentle. Gradually increase the pressure as your muscles get more used to the stimulation.
In cases of injuries, you should visit your doctor and ask for professional advice. You could be very sensitive to stimulation to the point that you’re advised not to use a massage chair.
Otherwise, it could also be an issue with the machine. Inaccuracy or applying pressure on the wrong muscle groups may have caused the pain. This is why you have to be thorough in choosing which massage chair model to buy.
Do stretches after massage sessions
If you only feel slight soreness, stretching after every massage chair session would help with your condition. This releases the tension in your muscles and relaxes it, reducing the feeling of tightness. Doing stretches can also help with improving your flexibility and circulation, so you get more benefits besides faster recovery.
Besides, it can also help calm your mind and alleviate stress, helping you manage your pain better.
Try thermotherapy or heat therapy
Thermotherapy is a form of therapy where warmth is used to relax your muscles. Going to the sauna or taking a hot shower could work. Alternatively, place a heating pad on the areas of your body that feel sore.
If your condition is mild enough for you to use your massage chair still, you can utilize it for this purpose. Some models have built-in heating pads or rollers that can perform thermotherapy on your whole body.
The opposite of thermotherapy is cold therapy. Quite obviously, it’s the coldness that can help reduce your soreness and inflammation in this case. Get an ice pack and rest it on the area in pain for about 15 minutes. Another alternative is taking an ice bath, which could be more practical if you feel sore throughout your whole body.
Besides helping with your condition, cold therapy can also help boost blood circulation.
Learn from this experience
There’s a reason why you’re recommended to set massage intensity to gentle the first time you use your massage chair. It doesn’t guarantee that you won’t feel sore, but it might not have been as severe if you did so. Therefore, the next time you use your massage chair, lower the intensity. This applies even if you feel like the stimulation isn’t strong enough. You can increase the pressure gradually as your body adjusts to it.
Besides the massage intensity, don’t overuse your massage chair. For first-time users, 10 to 15 minutes is enough to get the benefits of the therapy. Using the machine for longer may only worsen your already sore muscles.
It would be best if you also noticed how often you use your massage chair. As a beginner, it’s recommended to use it once a week and gradually increase the frequency as you get more used to it.
2 Massage Chairs for First-Time Users
Regardless of what massage chair you have, you may still experience soreness after using it for the first time. However, there are some models considered to be more beginner-friendly than others.
Here are two massage chairs with features ideal for first-time users.
Titan Pro Ace II Massage Chair
Original Price: $4,999
The Titan Pro Ace II Massage Chair is ideal for first-time users because of its elbow and neck cushions. These provide users like you extra comfort and protection from pressure. You can set the intensity to low and have an even gentler experience, perfect for beginners with this feature.
This massage chair also has lumbar heating pads, which you could use to relieve muscle soreness.
Synca JP1100 Made in Japan Ultra Premium 4D Massage Chair
Original Price: $10,999
Discounted Price: $9,999
One of the best massage chairs for relieving soreness, tension, and body pains is the Synca JP1100 Made in Japan Ultra Premium 4D Massage Chair. It has two massage balls that can retract and extend up to five inches deep. These are perfect for deep tissue massage. You can even adjust the intensity for up to 12 levels, ideal for those needing a gentle treatment.
Unlike most massage chairs, the Synca JP1100 Made in Japan Ultra Premium 4D Massage Chair uses infrared heating pads. These are located on both the shoulder blades and soles of the user. The regular ones can only apply warmth to the surface of your muscles.
On the other hand, the infrared type can penetrate the heat deeper.
In Summary
Not all massage chair users had a great first-time experience. Especially those who don’t usually get massages may feel sore after the session. If you’re in the same boat, assess your condition first and foremost. For mild cases, stretching and heat or cold therapy can help you feel better and recover faster.
To place your order, visit Massage Chair Heaven or contact us at 1-833-627-7245 or via live chat.
