A massage chair comes in various shapes and sizes. And while each may be designed to perform the same basic function, to assist in making our bodies more relaxed and free from tension, they actually help to get this done by quite different means. If you are like most people with tension or tightness in your muscles, it doesn't matter what the means are, you just want relief. A massage chair can help. Lets take a closer look at three types of chairs.

The first type of massage chair is used by a massage therapist when a full table isn't needed or practical. They look like you have to be a contortionist to get into them. They actually remind me of a praying mantis the way the cushions are designed to be minimal but adequate, as they perch on a sprawled out leggy-looking frame. The design of this type of massage chair is actually pretty ingenious. It allows the therapist to position their client in the way best needed to get at those tight spots. The body is an amazing work of art, a mechanical wonder really. With a chair like this, the therapist can position the body just right for the most effective massage. There is a cushion for nearly every part of the body. Arms, knees, face, seat and chest. If you are lucky enough to have a therapist work you over while in one of these chairs you'll see just how nifty they really are.

The second type of massage chair is what I think of as a 'wanna be', or at least certainly a cheap version of a more deluxe chair. This chair is relatively inexpensive and doesn't have all the bells and whistles that the more deluxe models have. However, for the money they can still be pretty effective for general purpose massages. They can be found at most home supply stores, and in big box discount stores. These have kneading mechanisms that try to replicate the human touch. Some do it well enough to feel okay, but aren't really all that great. They usually just don't apply enough pressure to do the job. Still, they are relaxing and can be easily moved to whatever location in your home or office that works best. They typically recline and have options for massage speeds and vibration patterns.

The third massage chair type is the real thing. These can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars and provide the maximum satisfaction and benefit to the user.

Think luxury and relaxation. With these high end chairs you position the body into the chair so that the feet, legs, buttocks, back, arms, nape of your neck all receive the much needed attention they require. Life is full of stress and pains, and these chairs can be set to vibrate, kneed, roll, and even grip and release the different parts of the body. All of this attention to the muscles helps improve blood circulation and helps the body heal itself by enlivening the natural immune system. I can't give you the chemical processes involved, but I can tell you that whenever I've experienced a few moments of bliss in this sorts of massage chair I feel like I've died and gone to heaven.

A massage chair can be simple, complex or just functional. If you have tension, pain or stress in your body, a massage chair, of any sort, can help in delightful ways.

MJ is a freelance writer for ClickShops Inc., where you can find the perfect massage chair to relieve your aches and pains at www.massagechairs.com.