Portable Massage Chairs: How are you Supposed to Sit on One?

I have finished a triathlon and seen portable massage chairs set up in tents afterwards. I have also seen them set up at Farmer's Markets and in airports and shopping malls among other places. Now, I have to admit, I do not understand these chairs. It looks like if you sat down in it wrong, you may never get out. It almost resembles a fancy and complicated piece of work out equipment. So, I figured I had better google "how to sit in a portable massage chair." It only took a few minutes to find what I was looking for, first a brief explanation and then a picture. Since I don't want to infringe upon anyone's picture rights, lets see if I can explain how one of these things is used.

When I was first reading the description of a portable massage chair, it mentioned that all parts are fully adjustable, including the arm rest. So my first question was, where is the arm rest? That was easily answered when I discovered the basic seating position. You do not sit on it with your back to the back rest. It is not even a back rest! You sit in portable massage chairs backwards, so officially, what I thought was a back rest is really the chest cushion. Which is helpful, because I was also wondering what the chest cushion was when I read the description.

So, you sit on the seat with your body facing the angled chest chest cushion (so officially you are leaning forward). The head support at the top with the hole in it is for you to place face, and the two padded cushions are for your legs, kind of like you are kneeling. The cushion on the back of the chair is the armrest. All is held together with a strong metal (usually aluminum) frame.

It is great that portable massage chairs are fully adjustable. One manufacturer that I was reading about says that their chairs will fit anybody between four and seven feet tall. The chairs are designed to be quite lightweight, many around 15 lbs., so they truly are portable. They fold up easily and most even come with a carrying case.

Since portable massage chairs are often used in public places, they are preferred over portable massage tables because people feel more comfortable using them when their is potential for an audience. The portable massage table is more often used for therapists who travel to their clients.

Sometimes people are concerned that their massage will not be as good on a chair versus a massage table. But have no worries! These chairs are ergonomically designed, and not just for the person receiving the massage. But its design also makes it very easy for the therapist to give an effective massage. On a massage table, the therapist is usually working from the side, which puts their body at an awkward and difficult angle. A therapist using portable massage chairs puts less strain on their own body.

Portable massage chairs are perfect for giving and receiving neck, shoulder and back massages. Though I may skip getting a public massage at the local Farmer's Market, the next time I see one of these set up after a triathlon or running event, I think I just may give it a try.