I'd never encountered a massage chair until I came to Japan.
In stores, the demonstration chairs are a good place to locate husbands who've strayed from the family shopping expedition. The basic format of a massage chair is a recliner with wheels inside that roll, tap and vibrate up and down your back. It sounds painful, but usually isn't.
Not all chairs are created equal. There's one in my local bath house that looks like a torture device--covered in peeling, carmel-colored vinyl, the coin slot is bunged up, and you can see the tracks the rollers inside have made over the years. I've never tried it.
Last night I met a massage chair to love. It gave an amazing massage--not only the back and neck but the legs and "oshiri" too. Some of the movements felt like a live masseuse was working on me. We were at a party and throughout the course of the evening, everyone gave the chair a try. It was funny to watch the bodies flexing and vibrating in the chair as they were kneaded into relaxation.
There might be a new piece of furniture in my house soon.
Posted by kuri at May 05, 2001 11:03 AM