A massage chair can put a significant dent in your wallet so being aware of what to look for can be a time-saver and can help you avoid any pain in the neck mistakes (couldn’t resist the pun). Everyone has his or her own set of criteria and price point in mind so this article will offer some pointers to be aware of when choosing the best massaging chair for you.

1. How much room do I have?
   Let’s be realistic. Massage chairs are not small purchases – they can be quite massive. The larger chairs, when in the reclined position, can occupy up to seven or eight feet in length which is how much room you’ll need to allow the chair to stretch out. That’s why you want to make sure that there’s enough space behind the chair without worrying about it hitting a wall behind you.A lot of people I know start out wanting to place the chair in front of their TV set but not everyone at home might be happy about that arrangement. Quite often I’ve seen these chairs end up in the bedroom or den where it wasn’t originally intended or where it might not be in the best spot to relax with a massage. In many homes, it’s an advantage to get a chair with wheels which makes it easier to roll it back to it’s storage location.
2. Will the chair fit my body type?
   We’re not all built the same and that’s why massage chairs have to accommodate for a variety of different shapes and sizes. Most quality chairs have four rollers on the back that move in three dimensions. Some chairs have more rollers and some have as few as two. The length of the massage stroke is a important since some backs are longer than others and a stroke of 28-30 inches is recommended.On a lot of chairs you can adjust the length of the rollers to suit your height which is a big advantage and some chairs can adjust to your body height automatically. This is a big convenience and some chairs do this by sensing where your shoulders are.
3. Does the chair offer the features I need?
   
   Most quality chairs offer the following conveniences

   -Compression
   - Steady pressure to loosen tight muscles
   - Percussion – The drumming or tapping action that soothes and relieves tired and painful muscles increasing blood flow.
   - Kneading – Somewhat similar to what a baker does to bread dough
   - Rolling – An action similar to when a masseur uses the thumbs or knuckles to alleviate tightness
   - Vibration – a feature that most handheld massagers offer
   - Heat – to further increase blood flow and comfort levels

In addition, you might consider if a chair provides these next few things

- Air compression – to massage the hamstrings and gluteal muscles as well as the calves and feet. This can be especially helpful for sufferers of diabetes as it aids in blood circulation.
- Air compression can also be featured to massage the arms while even taking your blood pressure.

4. Is the warranty a good one?
   These massaging chairs have a lot of moving parts so you should definitely find a warranty that covers parts as well as labor.
   Some common complaints include noise, so you should make sure there are no squeaks or squeals and that the warranty covers these issues as well.
   You’ll also want to research whether they will service a faulty chair in a timely manner as some people have complained of wait times as long as 30 days.
5. Could a massaging chair be hazardous for me?
   Although massaging chairs offer a number of health benefits, you will want to be aware of any risks to your health so I definitely urge you to check with your doctor to make sure you don’t stay on the massage chair for too long or misuse any of the features.

Well, there you have it. Once you’ve set your budget, using some of the guidelines in this article, you should be ready to do some research and find the right chair for you. Happy shopping!