Massage Chair Relief

Massage Chairs Help Your Golf Swing!!

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:39:15 +0000

I knew that would get your attention. Well, a couple of weeks ago we were preparing to do a segment on KSL’s Studio 5 television program. The plan was to measure the rotation of a client from left to right to see if there was any decreased range of motion. We noticed that our client did not turn to the right as easily or as far as he did to the left. Then we put him in a massage chair (the Sogno Plus) for 15 minutes. After the session was over, I had our client stand up and turn from right to left again. This time his rotation was equal to both sides.

Now, this client is a big golfer. So, I got to tell him that this increase in the range of motion to his right would help his golf swing. How, you may ask? Well, this is how it works…The power that goes into your golf swing is determined not so much by the strength of your muscles as it is by the heigth of your backswing. The higher your backswing, the greater power transfers to your swing and follow through. If you have ever looked at Sergio Garcia’s or Tiger Wood’s swing in slow motion you will see that the club, on the backswing, pretty much goes to 12 o’clock which is directly over the head. For the rest of us, it is not nearly as high as that. That is why they hit the dang ball so far! You can’t get a high backswing if you are inflexible or if you have lousy range of motion. This is where a massage chair comes in.

What I am telling you is that if you sit in your massage chair regularly, particularly before a round of golf, you will find greater flexibility in your muscles and joints which will help you increase the power of your golf swing, which will give you a longer shot. Of course, you still have to be able to hit straight and have a good short game (massage chairs can’t do everything!!) so don’t blame the massge chair if that doesn’t improve.

Happy Golfing

Dr. Alan Weidner
www.massage-chair-relief.com

Cliff Levin from Inada USA visits Massage Chair Relief!

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:07:11 +0000

We had the distinct pleasure of having Cliff Levin, President of the Family Inada USA, spend the day with us at Massage Chair Relief. The day started with 18 holes at Mountain View Golf Course, with Cliff beating me by 4 strokes (I could have sworn that I was ahead!! - I will keep score next time). The clouds were out, but we only got drizzled upon once. Otherwise a beautiful day for golfing. If you would like to know what kind of golfer I am, two words - Happy Gillmore!

Then it was off to lunch at Cafe Rio, a wonderful local chain of mexican restaurants. My wife, Mona, met us there and we got to talk even more about massage chairs and Massage Chair Relief with Cliff. The food was spectacular. Cliff gave us some advice for our business plan and then we discussed the Sogno, the i2A, the recently discontinued D-5 and D-6, and the soon-to-be-discontinued Sogno Standard model. We also touched on future projects at Inada that may come to the USA.

Then Cliff came to our Massage Chair Relief showroom where we got to sit with Steffanie, my office manager and corporate sales manager, and chat for the next 3.5 hours. Cliff went over the Inada Sogno with her in detail while I fell asleep on an Inada prototype chair. We learned that the stretch program is best used with the cervical traction unit lifted up and out of the way, leaving just the rollers of the chair to work the head and neck. Steffanie said it was the best suboccipital lift that she had ever experienced on a massage chair (suboccipital means under the head). You see, there is something to be learned every day.

Cliff left us at 5:30 to head to the airport, but not without a photo as you can see to your right (he’s the tall one). It was wonderful to have Cliff here. He is a very good man with integrity. We have known that from the get-go of our relationship with Inada over a year ago. But, getting to know him better has been a great experience. We look forward to a strong relationship with Inada Massage Chairs for years to come. Thanks for the visit Cliff. We thoroughly enjoyed (except for that golf score thing!).

Speaking of golf, Massage Chair Relief has been invited back to the Longest Day Golf Tournament in Midway, Utah this weekend (golfers love massage chairs…they help their game). Hope to see you up there.

By the way, one last reminder…this weekend is Father’s Day. If you haven’t got anything yet, get a doggone massage chair today or tomorrow. You won’t have the chair for Sunday but at least you can tell your father, husband, grandfather, son, self that you have one on the way. Now, get on the phone and call me right now to get the order in before the big day. Dads, TVs, and massage chairs just seem to go together really well!

Happy Father’s Day!

Dr. Alan Weidner
www.massage-chair-relief.com

Massage Chair Relief on FOX in SLC

admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:39:55 +0000

We had a blast yesterday morning as the local FOX affiliate on channel 13 filmed their remote bits from our Massage Chair Relief showroom. Big Buddah is the host and came here to broadcast at 1/2 hour intervals on the TV channel. We had reps from Rockwell Watches, Uinta Golf, and Orson Gygi also here pitching their wares for up-and-coming Father’s Day. I have included a few pics for your enjoyment.

The highlight of the broadcast was Big Buddah trying to pretend that he was using an egg beater as a massager. Well, it caught his shirt and twisted up in his shirt material. He couldn’t get it untangled and he had to finish the broadcast with it on his shirt. Hilarious!!

By the way, I had a question this morning about whether the warranty for an Inada chair is valid if the chair is shipped to Canada. YES, the warranty is good if you, as a Canadian, by a chair from a US company, like Massage Chair Relief, and have it shipped to Canada from the US. Good news, eh? (I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and know how to use “eh” if I have to!!)

Sogno Standard Massage Chair To Be Discontinued July 1, 2009 + Better Warranty + A Personal Note!

admin — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:12:02 +0000

We just received notification from Inada on Friday that they will be discontinuing the Standard version of the Sogno massage chair. The success of the Sogno PLUS and lack of sales of the Standard version facilitated this action. To be honest, I have never sold a Standard model in the year or so since the chairs were released. And, I must say that we sell many, many of the Inada Sogno PLUS models. To quote their newsletter, here is what Inada had to say about the massage chair change:

“We have learned that having two similar models of Sogno has caused some confusion for dealers and consumers alike. We expect this confusion to abate rapidly with the discontinuation of the standard model.”

So, the bottom line is that in the last month, Inada USA has discontinued 3 chair models: the D-5 Robo Massage Chair, the D-6 Robostic, and the Sogno Standard model. Let’s see what chair they come out with next. I know, for a fact, that they have been working on some different models, one of which I have seen…and I’ve got to tell you, it is cool! Can’t wait!! I’ll keep you posted the moment I can tell you anything without getting in trouble.

Another important thing that Inada alluded to in the newsletter was that their warranty has changed…FOR THE BETTER!! Here are the changes:

1. On-site service has been increased from 3 months to one year.
2. Factory service has been eliminated and replaced with upgraded on-site service.
3. Customers receive full coverage when they purchase a floor model that has been on our store floor for 6 months or less.
4. On-site service has been added for floor models that have been on display for more than 6 months.

Not bad, eh? Good company…good warranty. Makes sense!

ON A PERSONAL NOTE: I hope you don’t mind this personal tidbit, but at the showroom yesterday I received a special delivery from my wife for our 27th anniversary (June 12, 1982). So, I sat down on my favorite Sogno PLUS massage chair, holding the fruit bouquet from my favorite person, Mona, and had Steffanie, our corporate sales manager take a pic of me with both in tow. I thought I’d share it with you.

Have a great weekend!

Dr. Alan Weidner
President
www.massage-chair-relief.com

Electric Massage Chair…For The Pool?!?!

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:43:40 +0000

Man, when I first read this I almost burst out laughing imagining using an electric device the size of a massage chair in the water. I can hear my mother’s voice in the caverns of my brain telling me to not have the radio too close to the tub when I was a kid for fear of electrocuting myself (even though, deep down, I think she was hoping it would happen…I think I was a tough kid to raise!).

Well, I thought I’d share this product with you for your day’s enjoyment. I think the funniest part is the comment section and all the funny, clever responses the readers are making:

http://gizmodo.com/5286300/a-floating-electric-massage-chair-for-your-pool-what-could-go-wrong

Apparently, this is a device that massages your spine while you float in your pool. Hhhmmm…I wonder if I could bring it to the public swimming pool if I don’t have a pool of my own! It looks like it is only a vibrating massage chair …no rollers or air bags. It might look good in your living room.

Dr. Alan Weidner
www.massage-chair-relief.com

Difference Between HT-135 and Panasonic 1285 Massage Chairs

admin — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:17:06 +0000

Some of the best material for my blog comes from questions that shoppers, like you, ask about different massage chairs. It actually challenges me to make sure I know the models well enough to offer constructive input on a chair, alone or in comparison to another. I had another email request for information about the differences between the HT-135 massage chair by Human Touch (same family as the HT-125 and HT-136 massage chairs….exact same chairs except for the looks!) and the Panasonic 1285 massage chair. Below is the question, as asked by the shopper, and my response to him. I hope this assists you good folks in your massage chair buying decision:

Question:

Hi I have spent much time on your website looking at massage chair info. I am considering the Panasonic ep1285 and the Human Touch HT135 and wondered if you had a preference of one or the other and if so why?
Thanks for any info you may be able to offer.
Also your web site is very informative.

Gary

Answer:

Hi, Gary
Thank you so much for your email. Two great chairs you are looking at. Here are the differences and similarities as I see them (we have both chairs in our showroom):

1. both chairs have leather upholstery
2. the HT-135 has a swivel base, where the chair can be swivelled 60 degrees, whereas the Panasonic 1285 is fixed on the ground.
3. the Panasonic 1285 has a calf AND foot massager ottoman with a 6 inch extender for taller folks, whereas the HT-135 has just a calf massager (which can be rotated so that the calf wells do not show when not in use).
4. the HT-135 has 3 main auto programs: full back, low back, and upper back. The Panasonic 1285 has 4, more sophisticated, auto programs: Shiatsu, Swedish, Chiro, and Quick.
5. neither chair has an intensity adjustment for the rollers.
6. both chairs have vertical roller height adjustment for taller and shorter folks.
7. the Panasonic 1285 has the following manual functions: kneading, compression, swedish, hawaiian, soft shiatsu, tapping
8. the HT-135 has the following manual functions: kneading, compression, percussion, roller width adjustment.
9. the HT-135 has a stretch function, whereas the Panasonic 1285 has a leg stretch feature.
10. neither chair has thigh/buttock massage.
11. neither chair has heat function.
12. generally speaking, the HT-135 has a more vigorous roller massage on the back than does the Panasonic 1285.

Except for the less vigorous massage, I would prefer the Panasonic 1285 massage chair over the HT-135. The HT-135 model has been discontinued so will only be available until stock runs out.

Well, that about does it. I hope this helps in some way. Let me know if I can be of further assistance. You can always reach me on my personal cell phone, 801-651-2026.

Dr. Alan Weidner
President
www.massage-chair-relief.com

How About A Massage Chair For Father’s Day? Hhhmmm…

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:12:59 +0000

Yes, it is Father’s Day this month and, yes, you probably think that your Dad already has everything and that you could never think of something else to give him. Well, we hear that a lot and I will tell you right now, your Dad will LOVE a massage chair. Think of the benefits:

1. Pain relief - aches and pains can be washed away with a few short sessions on a massage chair.

2. Reduce muscle tension - those dang muscles spasms, not to mention scar tissue from years of body abuse by the old man, need a good massage chair to work out the fibrosis.

3. Increase flexibility - ’tis the golfing season. Improve your Dad’s swing.

4. Improved circulation - his feet will tingle like never before.

5. Can watch TV and be massaged at the same time - with basketball and hockey playoffs, what a better way to spend time in front of the TV than by sitting in a massage chair?

6. Another reason for your Dad to love his son or daughter even more!!

SO, there you go…a great Father’s Day gift idea. A massage chair…from Massage Chair Relief (of course).

Dr. Alan Weidner
President
www.massage-chair-relief.com

A Bunch of Massage Chair Bull!!

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:14:28 +0000

I had a phone call from Clearwater, Florida yesterday morning, from a massage chair shopper. We had a wonderful conversation, but he said one thing about his massage chair shopping experience that stuck in my head all day and night and has been progressively driving me nuts (and I am a little nuts to begin with!). He was told by an employee/owner at a brick-and-mortar store in Clearwater that they didn’t have any massage chairs to try out because since the recession began no one is buying massage chairs. So, because of that they do not carry any massage chairs in their store now.

That bugged me so dang bad that I just had to write about it. Our experience has been completely and totally opposite of that. Since the recession began last summer, our sales have been better than they have ever been in the 5+ years I have been in the massage chair business! Granted, we have less people visiting the website, but the true buyers are still out there and massage chair sales are flourishing during this recession. It has totally surprised me, to be honest with you, but I am so excited to say that sales have never been better and we continue to grow. But, having said that, I believe that I am a street-smart and fiscally conservative business owner…and that is something we must all be to thrive in this challenging economy.

So, the “bull” to me is someone saying that no one is buying massage chairs when, in fact, sales are exceptional. I think comments like those speak to marketing effectiveness and responsiveness to the market. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and taking care of our clients LONG AFTER the sale is completed. I don’t buy into the doom and gloom. I just buy into giving the customer exactly what they want….and that is to be taken care of! Call me old-fashioned, but that is exactly how I like to be treated. You know the old “Do unto others…” addage. Or “The Golden Rule”. Old fashioned? I don’t think so. I just think people nowadays expect everything without giving an effort. The concept of reciprocity is lost on a lot of our up-and-coming generation. I know my kids have, at times, bought into the entitlement mentality, where they feel things are owed to them. That really bugs me. “You reap what you sow”; “What goes around comes around”. It’s all the same thing.

Oh well, enough of that soap box. We are old fashioned, we are thriving, we love what we do, we enjoy every assocation with every person who calls or emails us, we are exceedingly optimistic about the future. Massage chairs are awesome!!

Have a wonderful (and prosperous) day!

Dr. Alan Weidner
President
www.massage-chair-relief.com

Massage Chair Relief Showroom 1 Year Anniversary!

admin — Wed, 27 May 2009 21:41:43 +0000

It just dawned on us, here at the Massage Chair Relief showroom, that our store in Utah has been open for 1 year! Although we have been online for 4 years now, the brick and mortar store that many of you have visited, is now a year old. It has been a great year. We have put out some wonderful television commercials, we have been in all kinds of trade shows and golf tournaments, and we have made many, many friends in the community and around the country.

The massage chair business has been more than I could ever have imagined. We have met so many wonderful people and helped so many folks, like you, to feel better. This has been a business that many members of my family have become involved with, including my sweet wife, Mona. We absolutely love doing what we are doing….and we absolutely love that we have met so many great clients who came into our our store.

What can we expect for the next year? Well, I’m not sure, but I have a couple of ideas I plan on looking into. For example, we are seriously looking into opening another store. One thing I have learned over this last year is that there are not enough massage chairs on display around the country for people to try out. We get so many calls from shoppers just wanting to experience a massage chair before committing to buying it. A showroom is the way to do that.

I am also considering moving to a location where we have more walk-by traffic. We are in a good location, but our walk by traffic is virtually non-existent. Everyone comes in from finding us on the web or by seeing our commercial or through a friend’s referral. We just need to get more butts into our massage chair, and a busier store front would help. But, I sure don’t want to overextend us with an expensive space. Leasing can be very, very expensive. But, we’ll keep you posted!

Thank you for your fantastic patronage and support over the last 4 years. We love what we do and we truly appreciate our clients and visitors.

Hey, I just had a brilliant idea!! I should have some sort of an anniversary special. Since I can’t advertise any price discounts (the manufacturers don’t like that too much!), why don’t you send me an email to my personal email address, alan@massage-chair-relief.com, and put the words “anniversary special” in the subject line and I will send you special offer on massage chairs. How does that sound? You can even leave your phone number in the email and I will call you and give you the info over the phone if that is what you want. But, send the email and I will have something special for my blog readers.

Thanks, again.

Dr. Alan Weidner
President
www.massage-chair-relief.com

A Raving Review About The Sogno PLUS Massage Chair

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:00:42 +0000

I was thrilled to get this email from Jun Roxas, a new client who purchased a brand new Sogno PLUS massage chair by Inada. I thought I would share it with you before I put it on the website, in our testimonial department…

Dr. Weidner,

Received my chair on Friday. It’s AWESOME!!!! It did take some adjusting to get it just right but the more I used it and explored, the more comfortable I got with it.

A few observations:

1) Holding the control is a bit awkward, I might install it on a gooseneck (like the Panasonic chair) so I can see it while reclined and have easy access to it.

2) The chair does so much more than the instructions, the combinations are endless.

3) It can be reclined to the Zero Gravity position yet they don’t advertise this.

Over the weekend, I had to walk away from it or I would have had too many massages!

Thanks again for the great service. You have a customer and reference for life.

Best of regards,

Jun Roxas

RW CREATIVE_15A Marconi_Irvine_CA_92618_rwcreative.com_+1_949_305_7077
Thanks, Jun. We are so glad that you are happy with this awesome massage chair.

Dr. Alan Weidner

President