My first encounter with a massage chair was many years ago at the local mall.
While just browsing, there it was. You know, the ones in the middle of the mall that looked so inviting? I just knew I had to try it out, and that was all it took.
I was hooked.
And back then, zero gravity position was not a feature yet. But that is where my fascination began with these wonderful inventions.
Now, after a hard day at work, I could kick the shoes off, have a seat, and enjoy a massage in the comfort of my living room.
But at the time they were basically reclining chairs with basic massage techniques. Very basic.
Today, they have many advanced features, like S track and extended L track rollers, foot and calf massagers, heated seats, and more.
But one of the most beneficial features is the Zero Gravity Position.
A Little Background
So what is Zero Gravity Position?
In the early days of NASA, space capsules were extremely small. There was not a lot of room to move about.
Designed for function, they were not very comfortable. For most of the time, the astronauts would stay strapped in their seats. They did not get out until the mission was over.
Fast forward to the 1980s with the development of Skylab, our first space station.
Astronauts would float freely around in the near zero gravity conditions, and NASA observed how the astronauts were physically relaxed and how they took on different postures without the gravitational pull normally found on Earth.
Referred to as neutral body position (NBP), this position their bodies took on was a specified range of angles and positions of human joints and limbs that represent what our bodies do when relaxed in a weightless environment.
Although they did not find a universal position, they did find common denominators to be a natural curvature to the neck and spine, and a slight bend of the elbows and knees.
So What Is Zero Gravity Position?
Zero Gravity Position can be defined as being in a state or condition of weightlessness.
Although we cannot eliminate the effects of gravity to zero here on Earth, we can reduce its effects to reduce the pressure on the body as much as possible, and therefore maximize the health benefits achieved with it.
Seating that mimics the posture found in space can facilitate circulation and relieve stress on joints here on Earth.
In the Zero Gravity Position, the body reclines to a position where the legs are above your heart level.
This reclined position, as designed by NASA engineers, supports a neutral posture,and relieves the strain on joints and muscles caused by gravity.
The weight of the body is evenly distributed , and we are able to take advantage of the health benefits.
Why You Want This Feature In Your Massage Chair?
In the early days of massage chairs, although comfortable, would only lean back in the same position as a recliner, if they reclined at all.
They had limited functions and gave you a very basic massage.
This would be similar to the type of massage chair you see when you go shopping at the mall.
You know the type – usually 2 to 4 of them, lined up in the center aisles, you put your money in and get your 10-minute massage.
A massage chair with a Zero Gravity Position can recline all the way back to the neutral body position, so your legs are above your heart and your weight is evenly distributed along your entire body.
In this position you able to take advantage of the many health benefits that it provides.
These health benefits are even greater when combined with a massage. And the addition of heat functions found on many models today, the health benefits are even further enhanced.
Benefits Of Zero Gravity Position
Postural Improvement
When you’re under stress or tense your muscles can go into a contracted state, or what is commonly referred to as “in knots”.
This can cause them to pull down and compress the spine, preventing you from straightening up and putting your posture out of whack.
Massage therapy can reduce muscle tension, which allows for spinal decompression, and help you to move more freely, encouraging good posture.
The neutral position achieved with Zero Gravity Position enhances the effectiveness of the massage and postural improvement.
Reduction in Back Pain
Our backs take a lot of abuse due to the stress it is put under every day.
Zero Gravity Position allows for spinal decompression and disc rehydration along the back which helps heal torn tissue and can reduce lower back pain.
When placed in a neutral position, it promotes the healthy alignment of the 3 curves found in your spine – the cervical (upper), thoracic (middle) and lumbar (lower).
This may be especially helpful if you suffer from back issues like sciatica.
And this helped me a lot with the back pain I had while I was pregnant with my first child.
Increased Circulation
A massage increases blood flow to muscular tissue.
Zero Gravity Position, with your legs and head elevated, allows more blood flow to reach your heart, which in turn allows more blood circulation to reach your extremities.
This has many benefits, including:
- Faster recovery time from injuries
- Quicker elimination of toxins
- Stimulates endorphin release, a hormone that helps us cope with stress and pain
Pain and Headache Relief
Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by your body, and increased levels can cause inflammation and pain over time.
These increased levels may also trigger headaches.
Serotonin, on the other hand, is a hormone that is believed to be a mood stabilizer. It is sometimes referred to as “the happy chemical”.
A study in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that massage therapy can decrease the levels of cortisol and increase the levels of serotonin, which can help to reduce pain and give headache relief.
With the additional benefits of increased circulation found in Zero Gravity Position, these effects are enhanced.
Increased Flexibility and Mobility
Massage relaxes your muscles, stimulates blood and oxygen flow, and stimulates the body’s production of natural lubricants.
It also helps to keep cartilage free of contaminating toxins.
This helps increase flexibility and mobility, which can decrease the risk of sports injuries and lessen healing time.
And the effects are enhanced due to the increased circulation found in Zero Gravity Position.
Reduced Blood Pressure
It is well known that everyday stress and tension can raise blood pressure.
But blood pressure is reduced when you are calm and relaxed. This is why your doctor will have you sit down and relax before they take your blood pressure.
The Zero Gravity Position reduces the tension in the muscles, which in turn can help to reduce blood pressure.
Helps relieve reflux
In the Zero Gravity Position your torso has a slight tilt.
This can help to alleviate, or sometimes even prevent, the acid in the stomach from working its way back into the esophagus.
This can be very helpful in people who suffer from GERD.
Some Concluding Thoughts
Considering many massage chairs today come with the Zero Gravity Feature, I hope that you have a better understanding of what the Zero Gravity Position is and why you would want to have it in a massage chair.
Some chairs today actually come with 2 or more Zero Gravity Positions.
In these second or third positions, the chair is just put back into a more reclined position, which does help to increase circulation, however, in these positions, your body weight is no longer in the ideal balanced position.
So just remember, there is only one “true” Zero Gravity Position. The other positions are not necessarily bad, just not the standard position created through NASA research.
We have come a long way from those early days with the upright massage chairs in the mall, and I hope you now understand the importance of this feature in your purchase of that perfect massage chair.