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Steve Esquire

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    Product Review of Human Touch HT 7450 Zero Gravity Lounger

    On September 18, 2008
    Categories: Electronics
    by Steve Esquire

    Human Touch has a full massage chair line and the HT 7450 is the top of the line. We take an inside look at the salient features, functions and warranty coverage of this high end massage chair. The HT 7450 is also a Zero Gravity massage chair. We present our evaluation of this massage chair recliner.

    If you are just starting your search for a massage chair, then please heed this warning. Go with the top brands and you will be happy for the long term. There are so many imported massage chairs that have a ton of features, but they are prone to breakdown and the generous warranty will not get honored. The top brands have retail distribution, so you can relax and not worry if the company you bought it from will be there next year.

    Warranty coverage is your long term coverage on this big ticket purchase. You want to make sure you get sufficient coverage for your needs. The HT 7450 comes with the following warranty coverage: 5 years structure, 3 years parts, 1 year labor and 90 days in home technician service. The 1 year labor is much shorter than the other national massage chair brands. Otherwise, the warranty coverage is on par with the other major massage recliner players.

    This massage recliner is what is known as a zero gravity lounger. What is a zero gravity lounger? This is a combination of the chair back and leg rest position that makes it a zero gravity position. This position is where your knees are elevated above your heart. It is supposed to take the direct pressure from the spine and distribute it across the whole back.

    The recline function to the zero gravity position is highly engineered for ergonomics and that translates into comfort. For example, the armrests move independently of the chair back at the perfect ratio between the arms and the body. This ensures there is no stress or tension on the neck, shoulder or arms in the zero gravity position.

    The armrest is also complimented with the seat of the HT-7450. The seat of this massage recliner will tilt down when you are going to the zero gravity position. This is designed to support the lumbar and keeps it in a natural and stress-free position. These two features are to keep tension to a minimum in your body for this position.

    Let us take a look at the massage capabilities of this massage recliner. There are 8 pre-programmed automatic programs with this chair. These are one button massage choices which work the whole chair. There are four manual massage techniques. You can select the area or region you want to target with these techniques. The seat has 8 different massage treatments and the leg rest has calf massage capability.

    The automatic massage therapies are fairly well developed in the HT 7450. There is one named the Full Body Sore Muscle Relief massage. This massage starts with a warm up massage for the first three minutes. It the shifts into a high intensity massage for the next 9 minutes. This is to effectively penetrate and soothe sore muscles in the body. It then changes to a warm down treatment for the final 3 minutes.

    The HT-7450 zero gravity massage recliner is a high end massage lounger. It has a contemporary design and has some advanced zero gravity features. The chair comes in top grain leather and also has heater, so we do not know the long term affect on the leather. This recliner comes with some effective massage therapy and compliments any room in your house. The HT 7450 is worth checking out if you are in the market for a high end massage chair recliner.

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    Get Back Pain Relief Using a Hawaiian Massage Chair

    On August 25, 2008
    Categories: Wellness
    by Steve Esquire

    Maybe you get pain or aches in the back. Do you just live with it or have you tried to seek treatment? Many times treatments for back pain will include massage therapy. Massage therapy eases aches and pains, increases blood flow and helps the healing process. One massage technique, the Hawaiian massage is good for back pain relief. The Hawaiian massage therapy uses swaying motions with deeper tissue penetration and some stretching.

    Hawaiian massage has evolved from the ancient healers of the Hawaiian islands. These master healers developed specific massage methodologies through time to relief problems throughout the body. One particular method is the Lomi Lomi massage. This Hawaiian technique uses the hands to work gently, yet firmly over the entire body. This therapy is particularly effective in relieving back pain, since it penetrates deeper and deeper.

    The medicine men of old from the Hawaiian Islands saw healing holistically. They understood holistic relationships to problems and to cures. They viewed the body as having energy flow and that certain conditions could impede this flow. Through much trial and error they developed ways to manipulate the energy flow in the body. They could get the energy to flow where before it was blocked. This brought back healing to the affected areas.

    Hawaiian massage uses flowing, rhythmic motions that help to loosen and elongate muscles. These rhythmic motions feel like waves moving about the body. These full body strokes help to release blockages to the energy flow in the body, releasing tension and soothing aches and pains. The swaying motions are also coupled with more pressure to work deeper into the muscles. The Hawaiian massage helps to bring back flexibility to sore and aching muscles and tendons.

    The premier massage chair brands like Panasonic and Omega have Hawaiian massage therapies. Panasonic has a full Hawaiian massage program in some of their recliners. Omega has Hawaiian massage therapy with gentle swaying motions. The gentle swaying motions help to loosen the muscles around the shoulder and neck. This releases stiffness and built up stress. The gentle swaying motion is effective for loosening the compression on the lower back. These flowing strokes of this massage help to lessen the pressure on the discs elongate the muscles and release built up tensions.

    Massage chairs have come a long way over the years. The technology that is integrated into these mechanical masseuses is nothing short of impressive. Most massage chairs have the capability to perform an array of massage therapies. Hawaiian massage has certain advantages for relieving stress, tension and aches in the back, neck and shoulders. Let the “Loving Hands” of these robotic masseuses show their fondness for relieving your aches and pains.

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    Product Review: Panasonic Real Pro Ultra EP 30003 KU

    On August 23, 2008
    Categories: Medicine
    by Steve Esquire

    This is a massage chair review of the Panasonic EP 30003 shiatsu recliner. This is the new line of recliners called the Real Pro Ultra by Panasonic. This review will point out some of the important features, warranty coverage and specifications of this chair. The EP-30003 is a mid range model in the price range of $2,000 to $3,000.

    First, we take a look at the post-sale protection for the consumer. This includes both the warranty and customer service in the event that you require service on the chair. The warranty covers certain aspects such as labor and parts covered by the manufacturer. The warranty coverage protects the consumer and takes some risk out of the purchase. Not all warranties are the same. Panasonic provides you with 3 years on the parts on the major components. Items like upholstery are excluded from the warranty. You also get 1 year labor and 1 year shipping of parts covered by the factory. This coverage is good on the parts, but is rather short on the labor. Panasonic is now offering in-home technician service to bring it up to the level of the best chair manufacturers. Most retailers will offer extended warranty coverage to match the better companies, but at additional cost. Customer service is provided by the retail establishment where the chair is purchased, so service levels are highly variable.

    The features and options included in massage chairs are ever increasing. This means the controllers for these chairs become more complex. Therefore, ease of use is a key factor, since many features will not be used if they are not intuitive. Who has time to read the manual these days? Panasonic has deep experience in this area since they are a large electronics company. As such they include a helpful voice guidance system to navigate you through using the features. This is helpful in the beginner or for first time users. The remote is cleanly designed and fairly intuitive to use. The self programs take some getting used to, but are worth the effort. The remote is not very cluttered compared to many we see, which is a good thing.

    The important features of the Panasonic EP-30003 are the Junetsu massage and the extendable leg rest. Panasonic research has yielded a new massage technique called Junetsu. This technique is aimed at deep penetration of the muscles. It uses small circular motions combined with firm pressure. This combination provides for a penetrating and invigorating massage to targeted areas of the back. Junetsu is defined as ultra fine kneading and this is an effective massage technique. The other key feature we like is the extendable leg rest. Although this is not quite as exciting as the Junetsu, it is important for the American market. With few exceptions, massage chairs are designed for the Asian market and secondarily exported to America. The typical American is taller and heavier than the typical Asian. This is reflected in massage chairs which are small for Americans. Panasonic finally introduces 5 critical inches to extend the leg rest. It is a start in the right direction.

    You will want to make sure that your massage recliner is comfortable to sit in, since it can also be used as a recliner as well. Some are quite frankly, not very comfortable when not being used for massage. The Panasonic Real Pro Ultra comes with nice padded armrest covers. The upholstered chair back is plush and the synthetic leather is very soft to the touch. The chair comes with a detachable, contoured head support pillow. Panasonic has added an extendable leg rest which can be extended an additional 5 inches. This is a big improvement over their prior series without this feature. The chair is well designed and ergonomic.

    The EP 30003 comes with a vast array of massage therapies to choose from. The manual massage techniques include: Junetsu, Shiatsu, Swedish, Knead, Stretch, Tap and Full Roll. There are one touch automatic programs. Just select from four 15-minute Pre-Programs, One 5-minute Quick Program. The automatic programs include Shiatsu, Swedish, Deep, Stretch and Quick. Each of these automatic massages targets specific results ranging from relieving tight muscles to increased blood circulation to stretching. There is an air massage system also included. This covers just the calves and feet only. There is no thigh or seat massage included in this chair.

    The EP30003 comes with the new massage technique called Junetsu or ultra fine kneading. This is great if you are looking for deep tissue penetration for your back. It provides sensational invigorating relief. The other massage therapies are also solid and relieving. We feel the only drawback with this chair is aesthetically. Panasonic needs to move out of the industrial age and get some real first class designers. Otherwise, this is a nice chair. It is at a great price for the range of capabilities that are built into this massage chair recliner.

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    Treatments for Anti Aging Are More Than Superficial

    On August 22, 2008
    Categories: Beauty
    by Steve Esquire

    Are you interested in retaining your youthful appearance? Most people are trying to fight the aging process and maintain their beauty and young appearance. A whole industry has sprung up called anti aging. Anti aging is a broad category targeting all aspects of maintaining your health and beauty. Most people are familiar with cosmetic companies offering a whole range of anti wrinkle creams and ointments. On the other side is cosmetic surgery where your appearance can be changed by skilled doctors. In between is a whole host of other products and services targeting the fight against the aging process. Aging is a complex issue that is just in the beginning of being understood. What is known is that skin is just the superficial layer and the muscles and tissues below the surface need treatment as well. Now, massage chairs are offering massage therapies to help the fight against aging.

    Two major factors which can cause the body to age rapidly is the lack of exercise and stress. Exercise helps to keep the body in top condition. The muscles stay more flexible and strength and endurance are enhanced. Without exercise, the muscles atrophy. They breakdown and they cannot support activity for long. Stress is another key ingredient to aging. Stress can cause toxins to build up in the body. These substances cause muscle stiffness and can deprive the body of precious oxygen. If left unchecked, stress will start to show up by accelerating the aging process. Both of the elements cause unnecessary and premature aging of the body and skin.

    It is impossible to live life without stress. The question is how do we minimize it and quickly reverse the effects of it on the body? We come under pressure from all angles. As we are put under stress, our body reacts. Stress mobilizes your major organs and activates your muscles for action. Your body is ready to take physical action. Trouble is that most of the stress we have is mental. I am late to a meeting and I need to get in the car and drive their quickly. My body is racing, but I am sitting down in the car. Meanwhile, the stress is causing chemical reactions in the body. The body builds up waste products as well, such as toxins. But we do not give the body a physical release of these items.

    Take a moment and really look at your reaction to stress. We come under pressure from a due date or other deadline. We put more pressure on ourselves to meet it. This pressure is stress. Stress helps us build up the energy to overcome the challenge, but not without a cost. The stress causes a chemical reaction in our body to provide the energy. These chemicals do there part, but waste products result. These waste products are toxins. Our blood and lymph systems flush out many of these toxins, but others are still trapped in the muscles. Massage therapy is a proven technique to flush out these toxins from the muscles. Many of the top massage chairs have massage therapies such as shiatsu or Swedish which both flush out toxins and also induce relaxation.

    What is the relation between the process of stress and anti aging to counter act this process? The major organs support the body to either fight or flight. This mobilizes the feet and hands for action. Reflexology massage is geared to reverse this exact process. The hands and feet have certain points that are related to the major organs via meridian lines. Reflexology massage stimulates these trigger points to calm the major organs and induce relaxation. This helps to reduce the reactions to stress and to help induce whole body relaxation.

    When we look at the factors of the aging process, understand that they are constant. They just do not stop. Stress is not something that can be turned off. It comes when it comes. Therefore, a real anti aging treatment must be continuous to counteract these factors. Obtaining massage therapy on a regular basis is the type of treatment that helps offset these things. Many of the best massage chairs have very effective massage therapy treatments. These are some of your best tools to slow down the aging process before it hits the skin. Get your anti-aging arsenal working well before it starts to show on the surface.

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    The 5 Best Massage Therapies Types in the Massage Chairs of Today

    On August 13, 2008
    Categories: Health
    by Steve Esquire

    For centuries man has had to deal with pain relief. Many different massage techniques have evolved through time. Some follow stick traditions while others are interpreted more loosely. The key is to find the right health therapy to target particular issues you may have. These massage techniques have ways of relieving your discomfort and pain depending on where it resides. Here are the 5 best massage therapies for overall relief.

    Tapping Massage: Tapping is also known as the chopping massage. This is a very basic, but very effective massage technique. Soft repetitive blows are delivered in rapid successions. This action penetrates through the muscles with an invigorating rhythm. The tapping technique can consist of up to 500 taps per minute. This rapid tapping action dissipates stiffness with rhythmic precision. Your muscle tensions soon begin to evaporate.

    Kneading Massage: The kneading technique comes as a by product of the making dough for baking. This massage technique is used to loosen and relieve tight muscles. The kneading is a pinching movement with a longer stroke. These actions ease sore muscles by elongating and stretching them in small strokes. This helps to work out knots and other tightly bound muscle areas. Kneading also enhances the blood circulation and flow.

    Deep Tissue Massage: Many massage therapies target the superficial layers of the muscles. Deep tissue massage targets deeply into the muscles. Deep tissue is used to break down scar tissue and reduce crystallization of tendons and muscles. Deep tissue stretches and elongates the muscles to restore their elasticity. Massage chairs have developed programs that start more superficially and then start to penetrate more deeply to relieve sore aching muscles.

    Reflexology Massage: Reflexology uses certain areas of the feet and hands to help to relax major body organs. When the body comes under stress, it mobilizes the hands and feet for action. The major organs support the hands and feet. Reflexology massage seeks to reverse the tension to relieve it and the major organs. The Sanyo massage chair has incorporated the use of reflexology points to stimulate relaxation in the major organs. The Sanyo chair uses an air compression system to gentle squeeze the feet and then has reflexology nodes to induce full body relaxation.

    Sports Massage: Sports massage is a combination of the use of long flowing strokes like the Swedish massage technique and the acupressure points of the Shiatsu massage technique. Sports massage is designed for athletes who perform vigorous exercise. Many massage chairs already have the technology to perform sports massage and simply developed software programs to deliver them. The sports massage helps to reduce soreness and increase healing of muscles.

    There are many massage therapy techniques offered in the massage chairs of today. The variety is tremendous and there is a massage therapy for practically every need. Science and technology have come together to bring you the best massage therapies developed over the centuries. These are no available on demand in the comfort of your home with a massage chair recliner.

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    Get a Healthy Acupressure Massage from Your Own Massage Chair

    On August 07, 2008
    Categories: Wellness
    by Steve Esquire

    Acupressure massage is an ancient healing art. Acupressure uses the application of pressure to the body′s acupressure points. Acupressure seeks to regulate the flow of energy throughout the body. It helps to bring the body back into its natural balance. This ancient healing art has been advanced by technology and is now available in the best massage chairs.

    There are different types of acupressure based on the traditional trigger points in the body. The differences between the types are the rhythms, techniques and pressures used. For instance, Shiatsu is a subset of acupressure massage and is its most famous form. Other techniques involve applying firm pressure for 3 to 5 seconds on trigger points. Another technique involves using a pressing pressure with an intermittent tapping action. Yet another technique involves slow pressure on the trigger points to induce whole body relaxation.

    Many of the best massage chair brands like Panasonic, Omega and Sanyo include a body scan technology to accurately identify an individual persons acupressure points. The software then adjusts the massage for each person. There are over 300 acupressure points that have been identified throughout the body. Acupressure uses these trigger points to manipulate the flow of energy throughout the body and to help to remove blockages.

    These massage recliners take a reading of your back as the acupressure massage is activated. The computer in the chair takes in all the information. It will then, processes it and then create a program just for you. The recliner knows how to manipulate the most critical trigger points and knows the precise location of your points. The massage recliner runs a customized massage just like a massage therapist. These acupressure massages are very effective in revitalizing your body and spirit.

    Some people love massages to just tune out the world. It is a peaceful and relaxing experience as you close your eyes and listen to the soft music. Let its undulating rhythms and tempos take you to your special place. Just slip on the headphones and use the recliner’s MP3 player to make your own spa environment. Close your eyes and let your mechanical masseuse work their iron fingers to your heart’s content.

    The utilization of acupressure improves lymph flow. The lymph system is the cleaner of last resort. What the blood does not clean is left for the lymph system. Acupressure helps to flush more toxins from the system. You may not know that acupressure also provides these benefits:

    Reduction in blood pressure; Reduction in stress Increased awareness Increased energy

    Acupressure massage has been used for centuries in many ancient societies. Now technology has made acupressure massage both cost effective and accessible to everyone with massage chairs. Massage chairs are actually a very cost effective means to obtain acupressure massage. The real benefits of acupressure massage come with receiving it on a periodic basis. Just like any health related treatment, it must be performed through time. Having a massage chair recliner in your home provides you with access and a low cost means of obtaining acupressure massage on a routine basis.

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