10 Best Back Massager For Chair 2023

Your spine has to endure a lot of stress you are unaware of. When you are engaged in a labor-intensive task or computer job for which you have to sit in front of a PC for a long time, your spine is severely exhausted. If this situation prolongs over a long time, your back may sustain permanent damage and it can cause excruciating pain. To manage the extra stress of your spine due to your work condition, a back massager for a chair can be rather helpful.

This equipment can relieve the extra pressure from your vertebrae and relax the stiff muscle of your back. Wide ranges of back massagers for chairs from different brands are available in the market. Some of these products will be discussed to guide you through.

Top Back Massager for Chair

Product Name	Picture	Price
1. Perfect Touch Masseuse Heated Massage Cushion
2. Naipo Back Massager Shiatsu Massage Chair Cushion
3. HoMedics Shiatsu Elite II Massage Cushion
4. Snailax Shiatsu Massage Cushion
5. FIVE S Vibration Massage Seat Cushion
6. HoMedics, Quad Shiatsu Pro Massage Cushion
7. Shiatsu Portable Back Massager Cushion – Kneading Heated Massage Chair Pad (Belmint)
8. Best Choice Products Air Compression Shiatsu Neck Back Massager Seat Chair Pad Massage Cushion
9. Shiatsu Pro Plus Heated Massage Cushion
10. Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager – Kneading Massage Pillow

How Do Back Massage Chairs Work?

If you strip down a massage chair you will probably find a frame supporting motors, gears, and rollers. Although every manufacturer has a unique design, there are some common technical aspects most models adopt. The part of the massager that acts like a human hand is the roller. It moves along a path determined by the frame structure. Unlike some basic back massager for chair that have limited ranges of motion like only up and down, some advanced models have microprocessors where the roller is attached to a mechanical arm and it can move vertically as well as horizontally. An electric motor powers up the roller.

For more realistic experiences, some massagers have special movements like kneading (the roller stirs in a circular motion), rolling (the roller stirs vertically), tapping (the roller push in and out alternately, mimicking karate chop massage technique), gripping (gripping device to hold the leg and arm of the user) and shiatsu (the roller exerts pressure to a specific point of the spine). The last one is a very popular Japanese massage technique.

The airbag devices are used in some massagers which puffed up and puffed down to exert pressure and relieve it accordingly. These airbag devices along with one or multiple air compressors can simulate the grip and squeeze done by the actual therapist. The hydro massage chair is also available which utilizes a water jet to massage the body and the whole system is encapsulated by a waterproof membrane. So, the recipient remains completely dry.

The advanced back massagers utilize multiple sensors along with microprocessors to provide rather complex functions associated with massages. There are infrared sensors to detect what body part is in contact with the equipment and galvanic skin sensors monitor the user’s response. All these amazing cutting-edge technologies generate great results.

Back Massage Chairs Benefits

A well-designed back massage chair can provide almost all the benefits a real massage has to offer. Mainstream medical science acknowledges the massage as complementary and integrated medicine and it is prescribed along with standard medication for many illnesses. Medical studies show that massage can be beneficial in reducing stress, pain, and muscle tension. It can also help to improve conditions like Anxiety, Digestive disorders, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, Insomnia related to stress, Soft tissue strains or injuries, and Sports injuries.

If you are suffering from arthritis pain, massage therapy would be very effective. Although, some severe forms of arthritis may have negative effects on this. So, consult your doctor first in such situations. Now, if you are a regular person and wake up in the morning with a stiff neck, your condition can be treated with a simple massage.

The back massage chair can provide all these benefits at your home or office. If you don’t have any medical condition, a massager can still help you by elevating your mood.

Best Back Massager for Chair

Since numerous options are available, you have to do some research on your own before you decide. Some popular models of back massage chairs are to be discussed below. They have unique designs and functionality-

1. Perfect Touch Masseuse Heated Massage Cushion

You can have professional-grade massage experience if you own a perfect touch cushion from HoMedics. This model features pretty advanced technologies such as a dedicated smartphone app to control the settings and create a customized massage program of your own.

The perfect touch cushion provides fierce and refreshing full back massage as well as deep neck and shoulder massage. It deploys four different styles of massages: deep-kneading shiatsu, gentle rolling, invigorating percussion, or a combination of all styles and you can program your own massage scheme and select 3 different massage zones and spot by the app. There is also optional heat treatment for more relaxation by penetrating shoulder, back, and neck muscles.

This cushion can be adjusted for different heights, reverse massage direction, and targeted spot massage. With the help of a custom-built strapping system, this cushion can be attached to most chairs. The internal cord storage system stores the cords when the massager is not in use.

2. Naipo Back Massager Shiatsu Massage Chair Cushion

This is definitely one of the most multipurpose massage cushions one can ask for which will provide the full body massage experience. It features a number of airbag devices around hip and waist areas along with 8 roller nodes for shiatsu massage. The Naipo back massage cushion also has a heat function and vibration motors for the hip area.

The height of the shiatsu nodes on the back part and neck pillow can be adjusted to your requirement and these nodes perform deep-kneading shiatsu massage to your neck, back, and shoulder.  For the hip area, multiple airbags and vibrators provide compression massage as well as mechanical vibration. There are 3 different levels of vibration strength for you to choose from. You are going to be more relaxed and invigorated if you turn on the heat therapy during your session.

3. HoMedics Shiatsu Elite II Massage Cushion

This is another great back massager for a chair, yet more affordable from HoMedics. Shiatsu Elite II massage cushion adopts a very popular Japanese massage technique called shiatsu. This equipment is easy to handle and it offers 3 massage styles: kneading shiatsu, rolling with width adjustment, and spot massage along with 3 back massage zones. You can have focused massage around your upper back or lower back or the entire back by selecting those zones. The height can be adjusted for different people.

Optional heat treatment can really elevate the experience. The strapping system keeps the cushion in a firm position while you are sitting on it. A pre-program control is available which you can hold during the massage and you don’t have to reach individual buttons that are placed on the back and side of the cushion for controlling.

It won’t exaggerate to say that Shiatsu Elite II massage cushion will bring spa experience in your home

4. Snailax Shiatsu Massage Cushion

If you are looking for a diverse massage cushion without spending too much, then Snailax massage cushion might interest you. This cushion features the famous shiatsu technique and to simulate the real therapist’s hands, it features flexible nodes to fit your body curve perfectly.

Snailax chair pad can reduce stress, pain, and muscle stiffness by deep-kneading shiatsu massage and built-in vibrators along with heat therapy. These strong vibrators are located in the lower portion of the pad to massage hips and thighs. In addition to that, a detachable backflip adjusts the intensity of the massage. You can use a towel along with it if you prefer a more gentle massage.

The massage cushion will fit nicely on the top of chairs, sofa, recliner, etc. with strappings. A remote control is available, too.

5. FIVE S Vibration Massage Seat Cushion

Although this is not a shiatsu massager, FIVE S massage seat cushion has lots to offer. The cushion itself is made from top-notch, soft, and plush fabric which has 4 elastic straps to install it on various chairs. This cushion has a microprocessor for advanced functionality and it can be programmed for 4 individual massage schemes. You can select one of those schemes or all of them repeating one after another in a cycle.

Instead of rollers, this cushion has 10 vibrating motors for invigorating and refreshing massage for neck, back, and thighs. The massage strength can be chosen from 3 different settings. The provision of heating increases blood circulation and relieves stress and pain. You can turn off the heating if you want. There is also overheating protection to prevent burning. Handheld remote control is available.

6. HoMedics, Quad Shiatsu Pro Massage Cushion

If you have a rather busy schedule and an appointment with a masseuse is out of the question, you can still enjoy an exquisite massage while you are working when you have a HoMedics, Quad Shiatsu Pro Massage Cushion. It’s a plug and play device with no extra installation. The strapping system keeps the cushion firm and steadies on the top of the chair while you are enjoying the massage.

The 3 different settings can produce unique massages. The percussion set is for strong and fast massage, the kneading setting will produce deep tissue and for a gentle and soothing massage, the rolling setting has to be selected.

For more customized experiences, you can select zones like full back, lower back, or upper back and focus activities on those areas. If you turn on the heat, it will penetrate deep into your exhausted muscle and remove stress.

7. Shiatsu Portable Back Massager Cushion – Kneading Heated Massage Chair Pad (Belmint)

The Belmint shiatsu portable back massage cushion is one step further from its competitors due to the 3D movements of the roller nodes. The shiatsu nodes are flexible and they can move up and down which imitates the finger pressing of a masseuse. These advanced features simulate the real massage more perfectly.

The controlling functions are very simple to use. You can activate/deactivate heat therapy via the controller. This cushion is rather lightweight and completely portable with a built-in battery system that can function for 70 minutes for a single charging session of 2.5 hours. Hence, you are free from trouble with dangling wires.

8. Best Choice Products Air Compression Shiatsu Neck Back Massager Seat Chair Pad Massage Cushion

This back massager for a chair can compete with a  4 digit most advanced massage seat because of its functionality and advanced features. The massage nodes can be selected for 2D or 3D massage. The 3D massage stimulates the finger press along with a deep kneading shiatsu massage. For the neck region, you can adjust the massage nodes’ positions for maximum comfort. The spot massage option provides massage to a specific area selected by you. The massage nodes travel up and down along the spine in rolling massage options.

The built-in airbags exert a great amount of compression around the waist and thighs. The shiatsu balls have infrared heat sources that warm up the muscle to increase the blood flow and relax the muscle. The vibration motors render massage to the hip area.

9. Shiatsu Pro Plus Heated Massage Cushion

This massage cushion incorporates dual-kneading shiatsu massage for 3 different massage zones like the upper back, lower back, and entire back. This unit is fully programmable and it can be controlled with a handheld remote control unit.

You can securely attach the cushion on any kind of chair, thanks to its built-in strapping system. The optional heat therapy combined with the shiatsu massage will wash away all the fatigue and relieve you from stiffed muscle and mental stress. The vibration pad for the lower region helps you with sciatica, chronic pain, arthritis, etc..

10. Zyllion Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager – Kneading Massage Pillow

Although this item doesn’t fit in the cushion category, it can be as effective as a full massage cushion. The added advantage is that you can place it around your neck or other regions without any adjustment issue because of its slim and ergonomic design. The massage nodes are intuitive and they reverse direction every minute automatically.

Zyllion massage pillows may look deceivingly simple but it’s packed with lots of functionality. You can have deep kneading 3D shiatsu massage along with heat treatment from this pillow and place it in different places of your body. It’s powered by AC supply.

This pillow has the automatic shut off feature after a 20-minute session and the overheat protection as the safety measures. It utilizes soft, comfortable vegan leather which can be cleaned effortlessly. Many people were so impressed by its performance that they ordered it a second time.

What to Consider When Buying Back Massager For Chair

Although the back massage chair can be greatly beneficial, you might get frustrated sometimes when they fail to perform as you expected. In the market, you will find lots of items from different manufacturers and they have different designs and functionality. Here are some features you should consider during the purchase-

Weight capacity: If your back massage chair lacks weight capacity, it may break down early. The massage cushions that have vibrators for the lower area or airbags for the waist are more susceptible to such damage if the weight capacity is exceeded.

Installation: Most of the models of massage chairs are plug and play. But it would be a smart move to look for any exception when buying.

Controls: Apart from rudimentary massage chairs, high tech models are programmable and highly customizable. There are plenty of options you have to control when you are operating the equipment. If you can’t understand the control functions, you will not be able to use it efficiently.

So, the after-sale customer service is important in case you have difficulty with controls afterward. When you can run the massager correctly, you will get the desired outcome.

Position: A massage cushion is most likely to be placed on top of a chair and you have to use it in a sitting position. But there are different massagers like massage pillow or belt type massager available which have to be placed differently. If you are planning to use the massager while you are driving, a massage pillow will not serve that purpose. You must have to buy a massage cushion. So, ask explicitly about the operating position.

Massage Technique: Shiatsu is a very popular Japanese massage technique and lots of massage chairs mimic that technique. But remember that all the massagers don’t adopt shiatsu massaging techniques. If you want a specific massage technique, check for that in manufacturers’ literature.

Price: The price range of a massage chair can vary from under $100 to 4 digit figure. Their functionalities also change according to their price. It’s not like that, you will get the best chair if you spend the most. You have to decide first what type of services you want and then compare the models within the same price range.

Frequently Ask Questions on Back Massager for Chair

Does back massager help back pain?

As mentioned earlier, massage is prescribed by modern doctors as a compliment of standard treatment, so yes. But in case of severe back pain, you have to consult a physician first to determine what type of massage is good for you. Otherwise, you can use it for occasional stiff muscle in your back. Most of the equipments are FDA approved.

Is a daily back massage chair safe?

This issue actually depends on your physical condition. Doctors don’t recommend massage immediately in case of severe neck or back pain. The patient has to be treated first and then massage therapy is applied.

On the other hand, there are some medical conditions like stroke or Parkinson’s disease where patients can be benefited from massage. As for the average person or pregnant woman, there are no known side effects from therapeutic massage but if you spend a long time on the chair, you will bruise your muscle.

What Is a Shiatsu Massage Chair?

Shiatsu massage technique utilizes pressure on specific trigger points which improve blood circulation and can be very relaxing. It’s a Japanese technique. Some massage chairs are especially designed to mimic this technique where massage rollers put pressure on the targeted areas.

Can you sit in a massage chair for too long?

It can be hazardous if you sit in a chair for an extended period and your muscles might get bruised. To prevent such incidents, most of the massage chairs automatically shut down after a 15-20 minutes session.

Do massage chairs use a lot of electricity?

The massage chairs have a number of motors and heating elements. Considering that, they consume moderate amounts of electricity. Since they should operate for a short time, it will consume much electricity

Final Says

The back massager chair come with cautionary advice which has to be followed strictly. If you have some pre-existing medical conditions, never use such devices without the doctor’s consent.