Most people, when they think of massage. Think about an afternoon at the spa, being pampered with a mud bath and taking in the heat in a sauna. Perhaps refreshing and rejuvenating your skin with fresh peels and wraps. This is great if your going to be lounging about. However, is there a massage geared toward sports enthusiasts? For athletes there is a sports therapy massage. Sports massages are used to warming up and stretch muscles prior to sports activity. Don't happen to have a masseuse, no problem massage chairs are can perform many sports related massages. Amazingly shiatsu massage chairs are have a vast array of massage therapies built into their chairs. Athletes know the benefits of massage. Many athletes obtain sports massages to prepare their bodies for more strenuous exertion. These massages are more than just feeling good after the match. Today's massage chair manufacturers are have many massage features specifically for both amateur and professional athletes. Athletes are always looking for ways to minimize injury and enhance faster recover from injuries. Many athletic trainers utilize sports therapy massage for their athletes before, during and after a game. They have found that sports therapy massages loosen muscles increasing their flexibility. Also, massage increases circulation enabling athletes to metabolize fuel faster leading to enhanced performance. Further benefits is increased range of motion, enhanced circulation and releases of endorphin. Sports massages can help reduce sports-related injuries such as sprains, fractures and pulled muscles. Many of the high end massage chairs from Sanyo, Panasonic, and Omega have built in features specifically for athletes. These shiatsu massage chairs come with a variety of massage therapies including Reflexology, Swedish, Shiatsu, Acupressure and Deep Tissue massage. Sports therapy massage for athletes is as integral to a serious sport regimen as lifting weights. Massage increases fluid circulation, reduces pain, and speeds recovery after an injury. You may not be a professional athlete, but a weekend warrior. Weekend warriors are more at risk since they play more intermittent. If your passion is any type of active sport such as tennis, golf, basketball, or softball, then you know the importance of warming up and warming down your muscles by stretching. The Omega Montage Premier massage chair has a lower body stretch function. This lower body traction functions by using air pressure to hold your feet in the footrest. The footrest is first raised and then lowered down in 3 steps. As the footrest goes down to each lower position, it stretches and elongates your muscles from the hips down. Proper stretching helps you perform better and reduces the chances of injury. Sport Massage is a blend of Shiatsu and Swedish techniques. Shiatsu uses the stimulation of acupressure points in conjunction with applying a gentle squeezing action to particular points in your body to relax the muscles and relieve tension. Swedish techniques use longer, flowing strokes to enhance circulation and blood flow. Robotic massage chairs use these techniques plus air compression to gently squeeze, hold and release many areas of your body. These shiatsu chairs are built with air compression systems and airbags that can stimulate the muscles in the lower body. The Panasonic EP-3222 massage recliner has 33 airbags positioned in the seat and footrest to perform lower body massages. If you are looking for a great way to get ready before your strenuous activity, these chairs can be a very practical alternative to getting a professional masseuse. Even sports like golf, which do not seem too strenuous, actually put significant stress on the body. In golf, for example, one swings using the muscles on one side of the body in a singular direction. This causes you to over-utilize some muscle groups and under-utilize other muscle groups. How many golfers complain about bad backs? Too many to count! That simple swinging motion done repetitively can cause muscle and tendon damage if you do not warm up and warm down properly. An invigorating shiatsu massage before and after golf will make you feel better and might even take a couple strokes off your game. The premier massage chair recliners give a thorough sports massage therapy helping to reduce tension, relax and warm up the muscles. Is all this warming up really worth it because shiatsu massage chairs are not cheap. How much is it worth to avoid an injury? Certainly, that would lower the perception of cost. There is no substitute for a good warm up. If you are a Weekend Warrior or a Professional Athlete, your shiatsu massage chair recliner may be the most valuable player on your team.