What is a Shiatsu massage?

Used by professional massage therapists around the world, Shiatsu is a Japanese physical therapy technique, which literally translates as "finger pressure". The technique primarily involves the application of gentle pressure using the thumbs to stimulate your acupoints. You body has over 300 acupoints—places where energy flows through. These acupoints need to be "opened" in order for energy to flow through and for you to feel healthy. Firm pressure on these acupoints will relax and open them. The Panasonic massage chair can stimulate over 110 of these acupoints with effective deep tissue massage. Panasonic's massage loungers replicate the Shiatsu massage technique, to massage over 27-30" along your back, neck, and shoulders for a relaxing massage. By using just two of the four massage heads, our massage loungers give a Shiatsu deep tissue style massage

What is a Swedish Massage?

Swedish massage refers to a collection of techniques designed primarily to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and gently rubbing in the same direction as the flow of the blood returning to the heart. We use all four massage heads to replicate a palm style massage. Palm or forearm massages, with long strokes, are generally used for Swedish style massages. A Swedish massage is good for loosening up muscles and stimulating blood flow, but is not meant to stimulate individual acupoints the way a Shi-Atsu massage can.

What types of massage can the massage lounger give? The massage chair delivers 3 basic massage types:

Kneading
The Kneading technique is an upward and downward movement, designed to target the pressure points on your back and alleviate pressure build-up. Kneading massages help to maximize the circulation of blood to and from the heart.

Rolling
The Rolling technique runs along your spine in a curve. Rolling massages stretch the spine to temporarily relieve pressure on the discs in your back. Not all massage loungers have this feature.

Tapping
The Tapping technique consists of rapid movements (up to 500 per minute) delivered to your back. Tapping helps dissipate stiffness while easing tension on your muscles. Not all massage loungers have this feature.

What makes the Real Pro™ Massage Chair Unique?

In addition to over 150 square inches of your back and neck being massaged, the Real Pro™ features a 22-airbag system for massaging your feet, legs, and seat. Compared to other chairs that use some kind of "stiff" mechanism to massage your feet and legs, an airbag system contours to your leg, fitting your individual size and shape. You are able to adjust the air pressure, thus enabling the type of foot/leg massage you want.

The Real Pro™ also incorporates Body Scan Technology to determine the curvature of your spine, your height, and the location of your shoulder blades, so that the massage is automatically customized to fit tightly on your back. It has four pre-programs, allowing you to create one customized self program. You can also save up to 15 programs and settings in the massage lounger s memory.

Does the massage lounger have pre-programmed or manual massages?

Panasonic massage loungers let you to choose between pre-programmed massages and manual massages, depending on your needs.

Pre-Programmed Massages:

Our massage loungers come with 2-4 pre-programmed massages, which focus on the upper back, lower back, or the entire back. The massages vary in intensity (which can also be controlled manually), and combine the kneading, tapping and rolling massage types. Each pre-programmed massage lasts approximately 14 minutes.

Manual Massages:

You can use the manual section of the massage lounger remote to tailor a massage to your body's needs. Massage just one area of your back, move the rollers up and down, select Rolling or Rolling/Tapping massages over select areas of your back, or adjust the width of the massage heads to hit various points of tension around your spine.

The Regional button in the manual mode allows you to massage 4" of an area on your back or neck.

Can I adjust the intensity of the massage?

Yes. There are three ways to adjust the intensity of a massage:
Intensity adjustment button - this button electronically moves the heads back up to 2" from their most intense point (available on most massage lounger models).
Back Pad - adjust massage intensity by keeping the back pad in the massage lounger to dampen the effect of the rollers.
Reclining angles - the less the chair is reclined, the less body weight is put on the rollers, which reduces intensity.

Are there any health benefits of massage? 

Yes. Massage can help increase circulation, reduce tension, release endorphins, and relax your muscles. You may also experience warming in the areas that are being massaged, which is due to greater circulation.

Can anyone use massage loungers?

Children under 16 should not use massage loungers, because their spines are still forming. Pregnant women should not use massage loungers. Anyone who has had back problems or back surgery should check with their physician before using a massage lounger.

The massage lounger is only specified to hold up to 264 pounds. Applying any weight greater than this may strain the massage heads and mechanism, which could cause damage to the massage lounger. Damage from excessive weight is not covered by the product warranty.

What is the warranty on Panasonic massage loungers?

The massage lounger warranty covers the product as follows:
Repair Coverage:
- Parts and Labor: 1 year
- Electronic parts: 3 years
Providing Service:
- During the first year following purchase: Panasonic will either fix the massage lounger in your home, or will pay for it to be removed from your home for servicing.

Following one year after purchase: You should take the massage lounger to a local servicer or have it shipped to the nearest servicer.
There is a 1,000-hour cap on the massage chair warranty. 1000 hours is equivalent to one 15-minute massage a day for 11 years.

How long does the massage lounger last?

The lounger should last for up to 1,000 hours, which is equivalent to one programmed massage per day for over 11 years.

After 1,000 hours the chair may need greasing and some servicing adjustments. Heavy use of the lounger, or placing a lot of weight on the lounger on a consistent basis, may result in the need to have the lounger serviced earlier.