What Is Inversion Therapy on the PHP-2022?

Inversion therapy is one of the unique body therapy positions available with the PHP-2022. Inversion therapy stretches the spine and connective tissues, allowing for increased circulation. In inversion mode, the PHP-2022 actually reclines past horizontal so that your head is actually lower than your feet. This allows the spine to expand with the gentle help of gravity. By also massaging your back simultaneously, this massage chair delivers a double benefit.

Inversion mode is the perfect compliment to another one of the PHP-2022's unique body therapy positions, the Zero Gravity mode. Zero Gravity therapy was first developed by NASA in order to take pressure off of astronaut's spines during flight. What makes this therapy such a great compliment to inversion therapy is that, rather than utilizing gravity to stretch the spine like inversion therapy does, Zero Gravity simply puts the spine in a neutral position. Inversion therapy stretches the spine, allowing for better circulation, and then zero gravity allows the spine to relax, making the simultaneous massage program much more effective. When you add it all together, the PHP-2022 Zero Gravity Massage Chair is by far the most advanced massage chair in its price range.

What is the Zero Gravity Therapy Feature on the PHP-2022?

Zero Gravity is a biomechanical position that was first developed by NASA for use on the space shuttle. Designed to take pressure off of our hardworking spines, the Zero Gravity position elevates the knees to the level of the heart, and brings the spine parallel to the ground. By eliminating all vertical pressure on the vertebrae, the connective tissues surrounding your spine are able to relax. These tendons and ligaments work hard all day, and the Zero Gravity position allows these important stabalizing muscles to relax and repair themselves.

There are lots of Zero Gravity chairs on the market, but they don't deliver massage; they're just chairs. While the Zero Gravity position is therapeutic in itself, the real secret is in the integrated massage programs. Zero Gravity therapy helps to relax the spine, making massage far more effective. Vertebrae relax and separate, allowing for increased circulation, and as tension disappears, the muscles can be manipulated more effectively. Click to learn more about the PHP-2022 Zero Gravity Massage Chair...

Sanyo Massage Chair's Stiffness Sensor

We've been getting quite a few calls lately about the Sanyo HEC-SA5000K and its stiffness sensing technology. Although this technology, which integrates a heart rate monitor with the massage, has existed for a few years, Sanyo has been getting a good amount of attention since they started marketing this feature.

The secret is in the heart rate monitor that can be attached to the chair. Here's how it works: as the massage rollers contact an area on your body that is sore or tense, your heart rate increases. This is your body's natural reaction. When this happens, the attached heart rate monitor notices a jump in heart rate and tells the chair to concentrate on that area.

While this sounds like a great feature, in some ways, it can make for a less therapeutic massage. For a massage chair to truly do its job, it needs to be used on every part of the body. Technology like this, if it works like it's supposed to, will focus your massage only on sore or tense areas, neglecting the rest of the body. A good massage program covers all areas of the body, and provides evenly distributed therapy to all muscle groups.

Some chairs, like the PHP-2026, are already compatible with a heart rate monitor.
Click to learn more about the PHP-2026...