🌿 Folk Prescriptions

After a tiring day at work, a few rounds of moderate kneading and massage can refresh the mind and body. That’s why people flock to shopping malls to buy various types of massage chairs. Today, massage chair varieties have increased dramatically compared to a few years ago, with prices ranging widely: imported models can cost up to 16,000 RMB, while domestic ones range from 2,000 to 3,000 RMB. Does sitting on a massage chair really achieve real massage benefits?
Journalists consulted Associate Professor Ding Quanmao, Deputy Director of the Tuina Department at Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, for consumer advice. Dr. Ding explained that massage chairs operate using mechanical rolling forces and compression. Manual massage can unblock meridians, promote blood circulation, maintain yin-yang balance, thus relaxing muscles, improving joint mobility, refreshing the spirit, and relieving fatigue—crucial for maintaining health. For healthy individuals, manual massage enhances natural immunity and provides preventive benefits. However, mechanical massage from chairs differs significantly from manual techniques. Though they have multiple contact points, they cannot target specific acupoints or perform precise manual manipulations. They merely mimic human “kneading” and “pinching” motions. Therefore, they can only relieve fatigue and discomfort, offering relaxation—but no therapeutic effect. Moreover, force control is difficult: too light, minimal effect; too strong, causing muscle pain.
Furthermore, certain individuals should avoid massage chairs: those with heart disease, hypertension, or osteoporosis. Massage increases blood circulation, potentially triggering episodes in cardiac or hypertensive patients. Osteoporotic individuals, due to calcium deficiency, have brittle bones and risk fractures from excessive pressure. Others unsuitable include those with skin wounds, ulcers, bleeding, tuberculosis, or tumors. Also avoid use when extremely hungry, overly full, intoxicated, or excessively fatigued.
Dr. Ding also highlighted additional usage precautions: First, remain mentally and physically relaxed. Concentrate your thoughts and stay calm; avoid bodily tension. Second, adjust the chair’s massage intensity. Too light yields insufficient stimulation; too strong causes fatigue and skin damage. Gradually increase intensity and frequency from light to heavy. Third, limit session time to 20 minutes per session, ideally once in the morning and once before bed. Lastly, Dr. Ding emphasized that selecting a massage chair should be based on individual constitution, considering manufacturer-specific features—personalization is key.