TOUCH Issue 8: Massage Chairs Will Never Replace Humans
When we make
physical contact with
one another, more
than just pressureinformation is
conveyed.
restrictions are a n d t a i l o r i n g
the massage specifically
t o t h e t e n s i o n profile of your
body. Not only does this mean
that you get a better massage
with the perfect amount of
pressure, we also find greater
tension release. Often the areas
we feel pain in are actually not
the original source of tension, so
the ability of a human to follow
and find the original issue isn’t
replicated in massage chair
technology.
Human massages also provide
many different forms of sensory
input, where chair massage does
not. When we make physical
contact with one another, more
than just pressure-information
is conveyed. Temperature,
te xtu re , c o n s is t en c y , f i r m ne ss
and emotional information are
all conveyed and interpreted by
human contact. These
factors significantly
influence our internal
biological response to
touch, and (at least at
this stage) machines
cannot replicate this.
As humans, we are social
creatures and we need
the contact of others ( b o t h
p h y s i c a l a n d otherwise) in
o r d e r t o thrive. Even though it
might sound a little funny, the
relationship you build with your
massage chair will never equate
to the relationship you have with
your massage therapist. Even
though it doesn’t talk back, or
give you exercises to do at home.
Does this mean we should get
rid of massage chairs? No, they
have their place in providing a
relaxing, kneading pressure for
anyone on the run. Just know
that a massage by a machine will
never give you the same benefits
or experience as a massage by
another human.
Drew.