Massage chair recommendation?

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Batman

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#320344 3-Aug-2025 07:33

You know you're getting old when your back muscles spasm up every night you sleep

Anyone has a recommendation for a massage chair?

Need to work the back really well.

Searching reviews will give models not available in NZ

There are a few budget ones here but I'm not sure if they're any good

k1w1k1d

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#3399471 3-Aug-2025 09:03

Have you consulted a medical professional regarding your problem?

Batman

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#3399472 3-Aug-2025 09:15

k1w1k1d:

Have you consulted a medical professional regarding your problem?

Yes, told to either take muscle spasm meds (doctor) - didn't try; or pay $75 for 30min massage (physio) - works really well

gehenna

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#3399476 3-Aug-2025 09:33

I see my physio fortnightly or monthly for trigger point massage because I have 8 crushed vertebrae, referred pain, and muscles that over compensate so they end up very sore. That treatment keeps me under control in-between the sessions. It would take around 3 years of those sessions to break even on a decent massage chair, but she's better than any $5k chair I've tried before. Plus she can customise each session to suit the different areas that are worse than others depending on the day.

Go to a physio. A chair is never going to adapt to your needs, and could make your situation worse.

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#3399607 3-Aug-2025 18:08

gehenna:

I see my physio fortnightly or monthly for trigger point massage because I have 8 crushed vertebrae, referred pain, and muscles that over compensate so they end up very sore. That treatment keeps me under control in-between the sessions. It would take around 3 years of those sessions to break even on a decent massage chair, but she's better than any $5k chair I've tried before. Plus she can customise each session to suit the different areas that are worse than others depending on the day.

Go to a physio. A chair is never going to adapt to your needs, and could make your situation worse.

what city/town are you in? what is the going rate for a massage there? is physio or massage therapist better?

gehenna

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#3399609 3-Aug-2025 18:11

Wellington. Around the price you mentioned. Go to a physio for a while then you can decide if you need to find a dedicated massage therapist.

davidcole

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#3399760 3-Aug-2025 22:14

Those tebo th in Gabon tv were, like, $11k

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Paul1977

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#3399820 4-Aug-2025 09:53

gehenna:

I see my physio fortnightly or monthly for trigger point massage because I have 8 crushed vertebrae, referred pain, and muscles that over compensate so they end up very sore. That treatment keeps me under control in-between the sessions. It would take around 3 years of those sessions to break even on a decent massage chair, but she's better than any $5k chair I've tried before. Plus she can customise each session to suit the different areas that are worse than others depending on the day.

Go to a physio. A chair is never going to adapt to your needs, and could make your situation worse.

Of course a proper physio massage is better, but the break-even argument is a little flawed since if you purchase massage chair you can use it more than once a fortnight/month. Using multiple times a week you could potentially keep on top of the problem, rather than get progressively worse up until each fortnightly/monthly massage.

But you're right about chairs no adapting to your needs or potentially making things worse. I haven't tried many, but at 6'4" I'm yet to come across a massage chair I'm not too tall for, so they are uncomfortable and none of the targeted massaging is in the right place for me.

I can see how they might be worth the money if you're lucky enough to be of the size and shape that the chair is designed for. You'd almost need to hire one for a month or so to make sure it's right for you (no idea if that's even an option).

gehenna

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#3399826 4-Aug-2025 10:21

I'd suggest the maintenance on a chair is a meaningful consideration once it's been operating for 5 years too

Paul1977

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#3399832 4-Aug-2025 10:44

gehenna:

I'd suggest the maintenance on a chair is a meaningful consideration once it's been operating for 5 years too

Another good point.