Massage therapy has a long history of proven health benefits. It can improve heart health and overall fitness by enhancing blood circulation and relieving pain.
When massage chairs first emerged on the market, they were thought to be best for relaxation. While they do deliver on that objective, massage chairs can do much more.
Keep reading to learn how massage chairs can benefit heart health, their safety for people with heart disease, and important precautions for heart patients. We’ll cover everything you need to know!
Why use massage chairs for heart disease?
Heart disease is impacting more people than ever. According to the American Heart Association, one in every two Americans lives with some form of heart disease.
According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Every 30 seconds, an American adult dies from heart disease.
New research indicates that regular massage therapy can reduce your risk of heart disease and effectively complement treatments for heart disease.
You may be asking, “Why massage chairs and not a masseuse?” The answer is simple.
Massage chairs are as effective as a masseuse at delivering all the benefits of massage for heart health. They also offer additional advantages that make them a convenient and consistent option. Massage chairs can help manage and relieve lower back pain, while licensed massage therapists remain essential for hands-on therapy in specific situations.
Is it safe to use a massage chair with a heart condition?
Your safety is the priority when using a massage chair. That’s why we recommend consulting a heart specialist to properly evaluate your condition. Your doctor can guide you in choosing the safest and most effective approach for cardiovascular conditions such as a heart attack, arrhythmia, or heart failure. Your cardiologist remains the most trusted source for advice on massage therapy.
According to the British Heart Foundation, massage therapy is generally safe for heart health. However, certain heart conditions, such as edema (fluid buildup) in the limbs or abdomen and sudden changes in blood pressure, require specific precautions.
A randomized controlled trial evaluated the safety and benefits of massage for patients after heart surgery. Researchers found that massage therapy is safe for heart patients. It reduces the baseline blood pressure in patients after heart surgery.
In summary, using massage chairs is generally good for heart health. It is important to consult your doctor to understand the specific benefits, precautions, and best practices for your condition. Massage chairs also help relax tight muscles, improve circulation, and promote better posture.
Heart health benefits of massage chairs
It is always better to address the root cause of heart disease rather than relying solely on medications to mask symptoms. Regular use of a massage chair can support heart health and help manage these issues naturally and effectively.
The general health benefits of massage therapy, such as reduced stress and anxiety, pain relief, and improved range of motion, also support heart health in multiple ways. Here are some scientifically supported ways massage chairs can help keep your heart healthy.
Massage chairs can enhance blood circulation and relax sore muscles, which helps alleviate common body aches, reduce stress, and improve overall comfort.
Controls blood pressure
High blood pressure can lead to many other heart diseases such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, kidney problems, and blindness. Regular use of massage chairs can help manage hypertension and reduce its dangerous effects. Deep tissue massage, in particular, targets specific areas and can provide meaningful benefits for controlling blood pressure.
According to a 2014 study, a 60-minute back-massage session can lower your blood pressure by 10mmHg and reduce your heart rate by 10 beats per minute. That’s as much as you get from taking antihypertensive medicines for life.
Another study evaluated the durability of the effects of a massage chair session on blood pressure. The researchers found that patients who received a massage experienced significantly lower blood pressure for up to three days after the session.
Relieves stress and anxiety
The mind-heart-body connection is not a new concept. Consistently high cortisol and adrenaline levels due to stress can increase your risk of heart diseases, such as chest pain (angina), arrhythmia, heart attack, and stroke.
Massage therapy is an excellent tool to relax and relieve stress. Deep tissue massages, in particular, can alleviate body aches, reduce stress, enhance blood circulation, and improve sleep. They stimulate the release of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, helping calm the nervous system and promote a sense of well-being. According to a report by Science Daily, participants experienced noticeable relaxation and significantly lower stress levels after just a ten-minute massage session.
Many heart patients experience stress and anxiety following cardiac surgery. A 2010 study found that regular massage therapy sessions can significantly reduce pain, stress, and anxiety in patients after cardiothoracic surgery.
Alleviates chronic pain
Chronic pain can cause significant psychological stress, which may increase the risk of developing heart disease and worsen existing heart conditions.
Therapeutic massage sessions can relieve chronic pain in several ways, including relaxing muscles, releasing endorphins, and slowing the transmission of pain signals between the nerves and the brain.
A 2012 randomized control trial found that massage therapy significantly reduced chest and muscle pain in heart patients who have undergone cardiac surgery.
Fights depression
The mind-heart-body connection also validates depression. While having heart disease can lead to depression, depression puts you at a higher risk of heart disease. They are interconnected.
When helping people recover from heart conditions, it is also vital to address their psychological impacts. A 2012 study examined the impact of massage therapy on patients following open-heart surgery. Researchers found that massage therapy is a simple and cost-effective way to improve mood and reduce depression in these patients.
Massage chairs offer well-established heart health benefits. These benefits work together to support faster recovery from heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac surgery.
5 precautions for using massage chairs for heart disease
Massage chair therapy can help relieve symptoms of various heart conditions, but certain conditions require specific precautions. Always consult your doctor before using a massage chair.
High blood pressure patients
Massage therapy has been shown to effectively lower blood pressure and is especially beneficial for people with hypertension. However, deep massage may reduce blood pressure too much, potentially causing symptoms such as fainting, rapid or shallow breathing, or headaches.
It is better to get your blood pressure checked before and after a massage chair session. Seek medical care if it is not within the normal range.
Heart failure patients
Patients with heart failure may experience difficulty breathing, so it is best to avoid back massages. However, recovering heart failure patients can benefit from gentle massages on the hands, feet, and neck while seated.
Heart attack survivors
Research shows that massage therapy can reduce stress, help regulate heart rate, and support faster recovery for heart surgery patients.
Although enjoying a massage to relieve tension and support faster recovery can be tempting, we strongly recommend consulting your cardiologist to ensure that massage therapy is safe for you.
Patients with an ICD or pacemaker
It is safe to get massage therapy after receiving a pacemaker or ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) device if your wounds have healed and you've checked with your physician first. Avoid massaging the chest area where the pacemaker of ICD is implanted.
Arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation
Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of blood clots, which may obstruct blood flow and lead to other complications. A specialized neck massage technique, known as vagal maneuvers, has been shown to help alleviate symptoms of atrial fibrillation.
However, you must check with a heart specialist to ensure that massage therapy is a safe addition to your treatment.
Stroke patients
Stroke is not technically a heart condition as it results from blocked or burst vessels in the brain. However, heart conditions such as high blood pressure and arrhythmia can cause strokes.
Massage therapy has dual benefits for stroke patients. It reduces the risk of stroke by improving your heart health and relieves muscle tension caused by contractions in stroke patients. Additionally, massage therapy improves blood circulation, which helps stimulate pressure points, promote proper spinal alignment, and support muscle recovery.
General massage precautions for heart health
Follow these general precautions to maximize your experience with massage chairs, whether you have specific heart disease or not.
- Avoid using a massage chair immediately after a meal, as it can cause discomfort.
- Do not consume alcohol before using a massage chair.
- Using a massage chair immediately after drinking coffee may increase heart rate and cause anxiety.
- If you take blood thinner medicines for your heart condition, don’t use deep tissue or a heavy massage mode in your massage chair. Choosing the right massage mode is crucial to relieve pain without causing adverse effects.
- Massage therapy can dislodge the blood clots,causing them to move into the vessels of your lungs or brain. Avoid massage chairs if you have a blood clotting disease.
- Limit massage sessions to no more than 30 consecutive minutes, and avoid massaging a single body part for more than 5 consecutive minutes.
Bring a massage chair home
Using a massage chair is a safe and effective way to support your heart health. You can consult with our certified specialists to discuss your specific needs, and we will help you find the perfect massage chair for you.
All Zarifa USA products are HSA and FSA eligible, which means you can use your health savings funds to purchase any of our products.
Experience the benefits of safe, drug-free heart health support with Zarifa USA massage chairs. Consult our specialists today to find the perfect chair for you.
