Personal Massage
How Shiatsu Massage Chairs Came into Existence
The shiatsu massage chair has become very popular in recent years. It is based on the ancient Japanese massage technique of shiatsu, which differs from basic Western massage techniques. Western massage relies more upon kneading and rubbing, but shiatsu is based upon applying pressure. This is even evident in its name, the direct translation from Japanese means finger (shi) pressure (atsu). An experienced practitioner will not only use their fingers, but also their knuckles, elbows, palms, and thumbs, and a few will even use their knees and feet when they need to apply heavy pressure!
The Japanese regard shiatsu so highly that it is a regulated and licensed medical therapy in Japan by their Ministry of Health and Welfare, whose official definition is: Shiatsu technique refers to the use of fingers and palm of one's hand to apply pressure to particular sections on the surface of the body for the purpose of correcting the imbalances of the body, and for maintaining and promoting health. It is also a method contributing to the healing of specific illnesses.
Today in Japan there are two main schools of shiatsu: one based on western anatomical and physiological findings, and the other based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
The original school of thought practices shiatsu based on TCM uses shiatsu massage to work the acupuncture points along the body’s energy channels (also called meridians) to balance a persons energy flow. This is a great form of treatment for Westerners who are interested in acupuncture but are put off by the needles.
A formal school of shiatsu therapy based upon Western medicine was first opened in Japan in 1940, but it was not until the 1970’s when shiatsu techniques started to appear outside Japan. Today over a dozen philosophies or variations exist of shiatsu, and since the 1980’s, most of these variations have occurred in North America and Europe.
Though there is little scientific support for the healing properties of a shiatsu massage, no one can dispute the overall feeling of good health and stress relief that is brought on by one of these massages. As massage has become more main stream in western society, the massage industry boomed. Companies have sought ways to make a massage accessible to more Americans. This brought on the massage chair industry in the 1980’s. These chairs have slowly become more deluxe, and with the interest in shiatsu, the popularity of the shiatsu massage chair has boomed. This has especially been great for individuals who do not feel comfortable going to a massage therapist, they can enjoy a massage in the privacy of their own home.
Almost any shiatsu massage chair on the market today offers a variety of massage techniques, including compression, kneading, percussion, and rolling. The application of pressure that is key in shiatsu massage is applied in chairs by rollers. In a good quality chair, you can control the rollers to move up and down your back, you can control the width between the rollers, and also how much pressure is being applied.
Though a quality shiatsu massage chair may seem like it would cost a lot of money, it is really an investment in your health. It is like having your own personal massage therapist on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year! These chairs do not provide just a back massage, but also neck, leg and foot massages. Besides relaxing your muscles, a shiatsu massage chair also rejuvenates the mind and body and reduces fatigue, providing a whole body experience. I have never met a person who regretted purchasing a shiatsu massage chair.
About the Author
MJ is a freelance writer for Clickshops, Inc. where you can find the perfect shiatsu massage chair for your home or office at www.massagechairs.com.
Massage for Women/Luca Personal Trainer
 |
 Wireless Finger Massager Personal Power Massager $13.75 Time Remaining: 20d 8h 47m Buy It Now for only: $13.75 Buy It Now |
 POWERFUL MAGNETIC POINT RELAXING VERY VERSATILE PERSONAL MASSAGERSTRONG $1.25 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 47m |
 FULL BODY Purple Personal Finger Massager Head Neck Back Foot Leg Muscle Massage $9.99 Time Remaining: 1h 54m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 Adam Eve Magic Wand Personal Massager Full Body Hand Held Multi Speed Electric $29.95 Time Remaining: 24d 2h 57m Buy It Now for only: $29.95 Buy It Now |
 FULL BODY Pink Personal Finger Massager Head Neck Back Foot Leg Muscle Massage $9.99 Time Remaining: 2h 6m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 STRONG Multispeed Ergonomic Waterproof Palm Personal Female Massager Massage $14.20 Time Remaining: 23d 1h 7m Buy It Now for only: $14.20 Buy It Now |
 FULL BODY Pink Personal Finger Massager Head Neck Back Foot Leg Muscle Massage $9.99 Time Remaining: 3h 48m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 Essence Female Personal Massager Waterproof SiliconeTip $14.20 Time Remaining: 9d 5h 2m Buy It Now for only: $14.20 Buy It Now |
 Waterproof Mini Personal Full Body Relaxation Massager No Cap Massages New F16H $5.47 Time Remaining: 3h 57m Buy It Now for only: $6.08 Buy It Now |
 Adam Eve Magic Wand Personal Massager Full Body Hand Held Mult Speed Electric $33.20 Time Remaining: 28d 4h 4m Buy It Now for only: $33.20 Buy It Now |
 FULL BODY Purple Personal Finger Massager Head Neck Back Foot Leg Muscle Massage $9.99 Time Remaining: 4h 11m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 Tiny Mini Massager Personal Pocket Body Neck Masssge os $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 4h 42m |
 Pocket Rocket Personal Female Male Massager Massage Travel Size 695 PRIVATE $6.60 Time Remaining: 21d 1h 27m Buy It Now for only: $6.60 Buy It Now |
 2 PACK Waterproof Mini Compact Full Body Personal Massagers No Cap Luvpac F20H $9.87 Time Remaining: 7h 57m Buy It Now for only: $10.88 Buy It Now |
 Powerful Multispeed Fairy Powered Mini Female Personal Massage Wand Massager NEW $21.80 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 31m Buy It Now for only: $21.80 Buy It Now |
 POWERFUL MAGNETIC POINT RELAXING VERY VERSATILE PERSONAL MASSAGERWOW $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 8h 14m |
 POWERFUL 7 Speed Magic Wand Personal Female Male Massager HandHeld Hitachi Motor $33.20 Time Remaining: 14d 16h 40m Buy It Now for only: $33.20 Buy It Now |
 FULL BODY Purple Personal Finger Massager Head Neck Back Foot Leg Muscle Massage $9.99 Time Remaining: 9h 5m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 ACUVIBE HT 1260 PERSONAL 2 SPEED CORDLESS MASSAGER $53.99 Time Remaining: 24d 22h 17m Buy It Now for only: $53.99 Buy It Now |
 FULL BODY Pink Personal Finger Massager Head Neck Back Foot Leg Muscle Massage $9.99 Time Remaining: 10h 22m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 Wirlesss Cordless Rechargeable Magic Wand Personal Massager Hand Held 7Speed $37.95 Time Remaining: 23d 10h 48m Buy It Now for only: $37.95 Buy It Now |
 Tiny Mini Massager Personal Pocket Body Neck Masssge os $0.99 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 11h 33m |
 2 PACK Waterproof Mini Compact Full Body Personal Massagers No Cap Luvpac G03H $9.87 Time Remaining: 14h 57m Buy It Now for only: $10.88 Buy It Now |
 BRAND NEW HoMedics Thera P Handheld Personal Mini Massager Blue $10.95 Time Remaining: 27d 4h 44m Buy It Now for only: $10.95 Buy It Now |
 F Powerful Multispeed Powered Japan Design Personal Body Wand Massager AT001 $14.45 Time Remaining: 15h 1m |
 Mini Wanachi Personal Massager Silicone Multi Speed Waterproof Black $23.52 Time Remaining: 28d 16h 24m Buy It Now for only: $23.52 Buy It Now |
 F Powerful Multispeed Powered Japan Design Personal Body Wand Massager AT001 $14.45 Time Remaining: 15h 59m |
 Pink Doc Johnson Pocket Rocket Personal Massager Full Body Massage Travel Size $12.95 Time Remaining: 17d 3h 54m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 Buy It Now |
 MASSAGER PERSONAL MITAKI 6PC WHOLESALE W SALES DISPLAY $40.50 Time Remaining: 16h 7m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 Buy It Now |
 Luxe 7 Speed Electric Personal Massager Full Body Massage Travel Size Wireless $24.95 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 22m Buy It Now for only: $24.95 Buy It Now |
 Waterproof Mini Personal Full Body Relaxation Massager No Cap Massages New G07H $5.47 Time Remaining: 18h 57m Buy It Now for only: $6.08 Buy It Now |
 Wireless Finger Massager Personal Battery Powered $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 26m Buy It Now for only: $13.75 Buy It Now |
 Female Personal Pocket Lipstick Massagers Mini Full Body Massage Free LeLuv Bag $9.99 Time Remaining: 18d 6h 13m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now |
 FULL BODY Purple Personal Finger Massager Head Neck Back Foot Leg Muscle Massage $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 54m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 Heated Infrared Electric Personal Massager Hand Held $39.95 Time Remaining: 28d 5h 24m Buy It Now for only: $39.95 Buy It Now |
 FULL BODY Pink Personal Finger Massager Head Neck Back Foot Leg Muscle Massage $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 6m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 Electric Powerful Multispeed Fairy Wand Female Male Personal Massage Massager $21.80 Time Remaining: 13d 17h 31m Buy It Now for only: $21.80 Buy It Now |
 Waterproof Mini Personal Full Body Relaxation Massager No Cap Massages New G15H $5.47 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 57m Buy It Now for only: $6.08 Buy It Now |
 Dr Laura Berman Center Athena Mini Personal Massager w 4 Attachment Travel Size $10.95 Time Remaining: 20d 9h 59m Buy It Now for only: $10.95 Buy It Now |
 FULL BODY Pink Personal Finger Massager Head Neck Back Foot Leg Muscle Massage $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 48m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 The Original Doc Johnson Pocket Rocket Personal Massager Massage Travel Size $12.95 Time Remaining: 6d 10h 38m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 Buy It Now |
 FULL BODY Purple Personal Finger Massager Head Neck Back Foot Leg Muscle Massage $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 11m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 Tiny Mini Massager Personal Pocket Body Neck Masssge os $0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 46m |
 Female Personal Pocket Lipstick Massagers Mini Full Body Massage $7.19 Time Remaining: 7d 4h 10m Buy It Now for only: $7.19 Buy It Now |
 2 PACK Waterproof Mini Compact Full Body Personal Massagers No Cap Luvpac G19H $9.87 Time Remaining: 1d 6h 57m Buy It Now for only: $10.88 Buy It Now |
 STRONG Ergonomic Shape Waterproof Palm Size Female Personal Massage Massager Red $14.20 Time Remaining: 17d 2h 27m Buy It Now for only: $14.20 Buy It Now |
 FULL BODY Purple Personal Finger Massager Head Neck Back Foot Leg Muscle Massage $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 5m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 K Y Touch Massage 2 in 1 Warming Body Massage Personal Lubricant 5 oz ky lube $8.99 Time Remaining: 29d 9h 39m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 Buy It Now |
 FULL BODY Pink Personal Finger Massager Head Neck Back Foot Leg Muscle Massage $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 22m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 Buy It Now |
 AcuVibe HT 1260 Cordless Personal Body Massager Black $54.25 Time Remaining: 26d 1h 31m Buy It Now for only: $54.25 Buy It Now |
 Waterproof Mini Personal Full Body Relaxation Massager No Cap Massages New G23H $5.47 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 57m Buy It Now for only: $6.08 Buy It Now |
 Health O Meter HM7522 VibraSoft Personal Massager with Soft Massage Head List Price: Sale Price: $17.95 You save: $10.04 (36%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionHealth O Meter VibraSoft Personal Massager with Soft Massage Head has a soft massaging head pinpoint massage to tight, sore muscles. The flexible neck follows the body's curves and contours. There is a cordless design for convenient massage anywhere...  |
 Personal Trainer: Body Massage: The At-Home Massage Class to Release Tension, Relieve Muscle Strain and Recover After Sport List Price: Sale Price: $11.01 You save: $1.94 (15%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionAnyone can practice healing, relaxing massage on friends and family with the help of these easy-to-follow instructions. Whether to ease tense muscles after sports or workouts, or to relax everyday tension, there are appropriate techniques for all parts of the body... |
 HoM VibraSoft Personal Massage List Price: Sale Price: $18.08 You save: $1.91 (10%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionHealth o Meter Rechargeable VibraSoft Personal Massager with Soft Massage Head. Soft massage head pinpoints massage to tight, sore muscles. Felixble neck follows the body's curves and contours. Cordless design for convenient massage anywhere... |
 Massage Therapy: How to Make a Lucrative Living as a Massage Therapist List Price: See Reviews For This Product DescriptionBook for the Kindle: Massage Therapy: How to Make a Lucrative Living as a Massage Therapist ********************************************************** We are pleased to offer thousands of books for the Kindle, including thousands of hard-to-find literature and classic fiction books... |
 Body Tools - Footsi Roller/Foot Flex Massage Tool List Price: Sale Price: $9.95 You save: $3.00 (23%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionBody Tools - Footsie Roller/Foot Flex Massage Tool UPC: 751035641620 Front Label Panel: Footsie Roller/Foot Flex Massage Tool Instructions: Place The Sole Of The Foot On The Footsie Roller And Apply A Comfortable Pressure To Relax And Relieve Foot Pain... |
 Fantasy Lingerie Wireless 5-Speed Vibrating Panties and Dildo Sex Toy Collection List Price: Sale Price: $26.99 You save: $23.00 (46%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe Lady Finger Vibrator sex toy is a classic style vibrator tailored to fit the most basic needs. The arousing multispeed vibrator and smooth feel will have you reeling in ecstasy. The slim line design allows for maximum comfort for every erogenous zone... |
 The Sensual Massage Kit: Massage for Men and Women List Price: Sale Price: $31.49 You save: $3.46 (10%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe sensual massage kit for men and women is the perfect gift for couples who just want to have fun. This video set will teach you how to transform your current technique into a guaranteed pleasurable experience each and every time... |
 ObusForme by Homedics OFSS-BLK Lumbar Support with Massage Sale Price: $19.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionLumbar Support with Massage gently supports the natural curvature of your lower back preventing the tendancy to slouch. |
 Dr. Scholl's DRFB7006B1 Sole Solutions Foot Spa List Price: Sale Price: $33.99 You save: $1.00 (3%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionDo you have achy tired feet? Do you want overall soothing relief? If so, you need Dr. Scholl's Sole Solutions Foot Spa. The soothing foot spa delivers invigorating massage to revive your tired feet after a long day... |
 Greenfire 3 Pack Peppermint Eucalyptus Basil All Natural Massage Oil Candles, fragranced with essential oils, size 2 fluid ounces (Sizes: 1 fl.oz, 2 fl.oz, 4 fl.oz) List Price: Sale Price: $25.00 You save: $19.00 (43%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionWhat is a massage candle? Light the candle and burn it for 15+ minutes to enjoy the wonderful scent. Extinguish the flame, then use it as a warm massage oil. One of the benefits of using Greenfire Candles for massage is that the warm oily wax soothes dry skin: Greenfire's premium and unique blend of all-natural vegetable and soy waxes is vastly saturated with Vitamin E... |
|
|
Pollenex Comfort Zone Personal Massager $18.49 Lightweight and compact, this personal massager from Pollenex is specifically designed for the neck, shoulder and lower lumbar region. With two massage settings, this massager is perfect for use while traveling and offers portable relaxation. |
|
|
Acuvibe Mini Cordless Personal Massager $47.99 This handheld cordless oscillating massager will relax muscles, relieve tension, reduce stress and improve your circulation. This massager features fast and effective pinpoint relief while focusing the vibration in the massage head, not in your hands. |
|
|
Ebony Acuvibe Cordless Personal Massager $52.99 This handheld cordless oscillating massager will relax muscles, relieve tension, reduce stress and improve your circulation. This massager features fast and effective pinpoint relief while focusing the vibration in the massage head, not in your hands. |
|
|
Human Touch AcuVibe Softtouch HT-1260 Personal Massager $52.99 The AcuVibe Softtouch HT-1260 is a handheld cordless oscillating massager used to relax muscles, relieve tension, reduce stress and improve your circulation. This powerful two-speed motor massager is vibration-damped and whisper-quiet. |
|
|
Portable Electronic Muscle Stimulation Massager $17.99 This professional-quality portable personal massager penetrates targeted muscle groups through electronic muscle stimulation. The personal massager features five treatment modes. |
|
|
Sunpentown Twin Pulsar Therapy Massager $61.65 Ergonomically designed for hard to reach partsFar infrared personal massager's powerful pulsar waves deeply penetrate body tissuesStress relief aid stimulates blood circulation, stretches tendons and purifies skin |
|
|
Sunpentown Kneading Infrared Massager $53.9 Far infrared massager provides relief for aching musclesLightweight and portable, this personal massager is multipurposeStress relief aid is ideal for soothing overworked muscles and joints |
|
|
Lelo Nea Personal Massager $58.99 Warning: This product's packaging may contain graphic sexual images inappropriate for minors. All items ship in a discreet outer box. |
