3 Benefits of Massage Chairs on the Body

There’s nothing more relaxing than a good massage after a long day at work. But what if you could enjoy that comfort any time—right from your home? Thanks to modern technology, massage chairs have become more advanced, accessible, and beneficial than ever. From their humble beginnings in post-WWII Japan to today’s feature-rich models with full-body coverage and smart controls, massage chairs now offer more than just relaxation—they support real health benefits. Below, we explore three scientifically backed advantages of using a massage chair regularly.

Today, there are more modern and sophisticated massage chairs available, such as the Cozzia CZ-357, which offers massage coverage from the neck to the glutes, heat therapy, full-body air compression, a hand-held remote control, and Bluetooth speakers.

These advanced features allow modern massage chairs to deliver more than just comfort and relaxation—they also provide health benefits. In fact, research has shown that massage chairs can help relieve lower back pain, reduce stress, and improve mental well-being.

Lower back pain relief

Lower back pain (LBP) is one of the most common causes of disability and inability to work, with an estimated 70% to 75% of the population experiencing at least one episode during their lifetime (Kumar et al., 2013, as cited in Andersson GB, 1999). Additionally, some experts estimate that around 10% of individuals who report back pain will go on to develop chronic pain (Kumar et al., 2013, as cited in Andersson GB, 1999).

Given how widespread this issue is, massage therapy is often used as a common treatment. While effective, it can become costly over time. A study comparing the costs of physiotherapy and massage chairs found that renting a massage chair was 60.17% cheaper per month than conventional physiotherapy (Kim et al., 2020).

Moreover, massage chairs have evolved to the point where their effectiveness can be comparable to traditional massage therapy, particularly in the short term. As one study noted, “[P]hysiotherapy remains superior for pain control and overall satisfaction relative to the massage chair; nonetheless, the massage chair is effective for pain control and patient satisfaction” (Kim et al., 2020).

Considering this, if you suffer from chronic lower back pain, investing in a massage chair may be a worthwhile option.

Stress reduction

People often associate massage with relaxation and rejuvenation. While some may underestimate the value of a massage delivered by a chair—due to the absence of a human touch—research shows otherwise. A study found that adults between the ages of 50 and 75 who received regular massages from a massage chair over a six-month period experienced a significant reduction in cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. This indicates that modern massage chairs can provide similar benefits to traditional massage in terms of stress relief and comfort (Baek et al., 2022).

Although stress isn't a chronic illness in itself, it can be difficult to manage—especially when work or environmental factors prevent proper rest and relaxation. Prolonged psychosocial stress increases the risk of coronary artery disease and arrhythmias. It can also contribute to cognitive issues such as memory loss and a higher risk of dementia (Baek et al., 2022). If you find yourself living or working in a high-stress environment, a massage chair may be a practical tool to help reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.

Improves mental health and mood

In addition to promoting relaxation and relieving pain, massage chairs also offer mental health benefits that can enhance mood and help prevent burnout. Many modern models come equipped with built-in speakers, allowing users to further enrich the experience with soothing sounds or music. One study found that mechanical massage combined with binaural beats improved sustained attention, nonverbal long-term memory, and verbal short- and long-term memory by reducing mental fatigue (Lim et al., 2018). Thanks to advancements in massage chair technology, we now have an effective way to recover from daily stress—right from the comfort of our own homes.

In conclusion, whether or not you're currently considering purchasing a massage chair, it's worth taking the time to weigh the potential benefits against the cost. Consider how valuable this investment could be for you, your family, or your team. Even if you're not ready to make a decision now, keep in mind that massage chairs continue to evolve—and you may be pleasantly surprised by the features available in the latest models.

Sources

Baek, J. Y., Lee, E., Gil, B., Jung, H.-W., & Jang, I.-Y. (2022). Clinical effects of using a massage chair on stress measures in adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 66, 102825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102825

Kim, S. K., Min, A., Jeon, C., Kim, T., Cho, S., Lee, S. C., & Lee, C. K. (2020). Clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of massage chair therapy versus basic physiotherapy in lower back pain patients: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine, 99(12), e19514. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000019514

Lim, J.-H., Kim, H., Jeon, C., & Cho, S. (2018). The effects on mental fatigue and the cognitive function of mechanical massage and binaural beats (brain massage) provided by massage chairs. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 32, 32–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.04.008