The Long Beach Business Journal recently selected our CEO, David Wood, to feature in a special segment titled “The Executive.” In his interview, David shared his expertise and insight as the CEO of Human Touch as we celebrate our 40 Year Anniversary, as well as our new Chairs for Charity program, what gives the company a competitive edge, and more.

Click here to read the full article.

Guest post from our friends at Massagers-And-More!

Are you interested in buying a massage chair, but confused silly with all the different options out there? Not to worry, I was in your shoes about a year ago. With not enough resources and information, I’d find myself tirelessly scavenging the net comparing one chair to another. Safe to say that all paid off!

Since then my fascination for massage chairs has grown tremendously. I’ve written detailed reviews on 30 odd chairs, and continue to do so as new chairs get released.

The below 6 considerations are what I personally used/followed when I purchased my massage chair. Whenever friends or family ask me “what to look for when buying a massage chair,” these are the points I recommend.

Even though some items on this list may seem subjective, it’s worth paying attention to. Without further ado!

What To Look for When Buying a Massage Chair 

#1 Price $$$$$!

Massage chairs aren’t exactly cheap, and even the cheapest of chairs will run you a solid $400-500 easy. The higher end chairs can go up to the $10K mark!

With these kinds of prices, you definitely need to know how to buy a massage chair.

And if you haven’t purchased a chair before or even know what features to look for, you can spend a lot of money on a chair that you don’t really need.

Which is why it’s so important to get a handle on budget!

You must ask yourself the following questions specifically:

1. How much am I willing to spend in total? Total means everything i.e., shipping, install fees, taxes etc.
2. How do I wish to pay? Typically, you can either finance the chair (most places offer 0% interest) over a period of several months, or you can pay the entire amount in one shot.

It’s important that you have a clear understanding of this before even looking at anything else. If you’re having difficulty coming up with a budget, just remember there’s no right or wrong answer. It’s about what you’re most comfortable spending.

If you’re okay spending $3K, fine. If you’re okay spending $6K, awesome. If you’re okay spending $500, swell!

If you have your budget nailed down, that’s it. Many people tend to budge from their set budget. Don’t be one of those people! Set yourself a budget!

But also, be realistic with what your budget will get you.

A $500 chair is going to have the most basic features. You’ll definitely still have a chair that gives you a nice massage, but don’t expect the same features in a $500 chair you’d find in a $3,000 chair. It's just not going to happen.

Set yourself a budget and tame those expectations if your budget is low.

What Do You Get When You Pay for a High-end Massage Chair?

High-end chairs fall within the $2,500 - $4,000 range, and when you sit in one of the more expensive chairs, you really notice the difference of:

• Smoother massage
• Additional massage functions
• Advanced roller systems

You really need to know what to look for in a massage chair when focusing on the high-end market because they have a ton of additional features, such as lumbar heating, massage programs, leg and foot massage and so much more.

And you’ll find a lot of different roller systems, too.

#2 Roller System: 2D, 3D, or 4D?

Once you’ve determined your budget, next step is to decide on a roller system. As of 2022, there are 3 types of roller technologies to choose from:

2D Rollers

2D rollers are the oldest technology you can find on a massage chair. They move in 2 dimensions i.e., up and down along the length of the back, and side to side across the width of the back.

3D Rollers

Basically, a step up from 2D rollers. In addition to the horizontal and vertical movements, 3D rollers can also protrude in/out. This additional dimension makes 3D rollers capable of performing deep tissue massage.

4D Rollers

The most technologically advanced roller system you can find on a massage chair. 4D rollers are the exact same as 3D, but with one major difference: roller speed control is automatic in a 4D system. In a 3D system, roller speed is something you must manually adjust.

So, does that mean you should only buy a chair with 4D rollers?

Absolutely not! 4D is the best money can buy, no question, but 3D and 2D chairs are not far behind. What’s more is the incredible industry experience around 2D rollers. Because 2D technology has been around for decades, massage chair manufacturers truly understand how to get the most out of this technology.

What’s the catch?

It’s simple. It all boils down to intensity. If you’re specifically looking for a chair capable of massaging at high intensities, consider a 3D or 4D chair. If intensity isn’t a concern for you, pick a 2D chair!

Human Touch Super Novo: Our first 4D chair. The Super Novo offers 3D and 4D massage, fingertip controls, virtual therapist, S- and L-track massage and much more!

Want to learn more about rollers and what you can expect from them? Be sure to read through our in-depth guide on 2D vs 3D vs 4D rollers.

#3 Roller Track

In point #2 we discussed the different roller technologies, that’s only one half of the equation. The other half has to do with roller track. What is roller track anyways?

Roller track talks about the distance a set of rollers will follow.

For example, there are some massage chairs with rollers that can only travel from neck to tailbone (30-32’’), and then there are other chairs whose rollers can travel all the way to the hamstrings (47-52’’).

The longer the track, the better the massage!

If you’re able to afford it, I recommend you always go for a chair with an extended roller track. The extra roller coverage makes a world of difference when it comes to massaging the glutes and hamstrings.

Human Touch iJoy Total Massage: A perfect option for anyone in the under $1,000 massage chair range!

#4 User Flexibility

This is something that often gets overlooked. If people paid more attention to this one thing, they’d end up saving so much time and money!

User flexibility is about how well a massage chair can accommodate users with varying heights and weights.

If you’re buying online, this becomes especially important to consider. If you’re buying offline, it’s still important, but not as much because you would have sat and tried the chair out.

No 2 chairs are the same!

And as such user flexibility can tend to vary from one chair to another. For example, chair X may be designed to fit in small, tight spaces, so as a result, it can only accommodate a height range of 5’0-6’0 ft. Chair Y on the other hand is designed to fit taller folks and has a height range of 5’2-6’4 ft. The same thing applies for weight.

Remember to check the height and weight limits before you buy!

The Novo XT2 is an example of a massage chair that has incredible user flexibility!

#5 Number Of Auto Modes!

Auto modes are preset or preprogrammed massage routines. They’re incredibly important for a few reasons:

1. Auto modes take away the guesswork from the user. In other words, the user doesn’t have to mess around with manual settings trying to figure out the optimum parameters for massage.
2. They keep things fresh. This is especially true for chairs that have 10+ auto modes! Because you have so many choices, massage is never repetitive and boring.

Most massage chairs generally tend to have on average 5 auto modes. Some of the better ones have 7-10, and some of the high-end ones have 30+!

#6 Massage Technology Other Than Rollers

The main roller system is arguably the most critical component to a massage chair, but it doesn't end there. There are several other components that also play a role in determining how good/bad a chair is. These are the airbags, calf rollers, and foot rollers.

Why are each of these components important?

Airbags and calf/foot rollers are important for 2 reasons:

1. They provide a massage technique different from the main roller system. For example, airbags inflate with air to provide a compression style massage.
2. They provide a massage to areas of the body where the main roller system can't reach. For example, the feet is one area where the main back rollers cannot reach.

That being said, one should always consider:

1. The number of airbags in a chair before buying. Look for a good spread across the chair!
2. The presence of calf and foot rollers. Foot rollers are a must have as far as I'm concerned. Calf rollers on the other hand is a feature you won't find in most massage chairs. After a long day, foot massages are pure bliss.

You'll also want to consider the reputation of the seller. Are they a good company that backs their product with a warranty? Is it easy to get a hold of customer support if you need help with anything?

You may never need to use your warranty or reach out to support. However, if you do have an issue with your product, you’ll be happy you researched the company to see how responsive and helpful they are.

Now that you know how to choose a massage chair, the next part is narrowing down the options in your budget range. Human Touch offers a wide range of options that will fit into every realistic price range.

We hope you enjoyed this guest post from our friends at Massagers-And-More!

Lets start out with the chair: it is very solidly built and easy to use. It takes up about the same space as my old recliner. The automatic adjustment (with manual controls too) for shoulder height makes the chair fit my 5' tall wife and my 6'3" height too. In the automatic modes the chair self-adjusts for height (in manual mode you set height yourself). We both use the chair for 20 minutes in the morning and evening.

Why did we get the chair? My wife has sciatica. I have had chronic pain for over 20 years. Initially just hand pain, but in the last 7 years in all joints (osteoarthritis, most noticeable in my ankles, knees, hips, hands, and back). In the past year or so I have also developed some numbness in my feet. My doctors had me take Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs for years, which helped but, I ended up with a bleeding ulcer 4 years ago. Since then I've been taking prescription pain relievers to keep pain levels low enough to allow me to work, and to be able to sleep. I kept up exercise, but over time that too suffered.

Last month my wife and I basically just stumbled on a demo of the [Novo] XT2 at Costco . After a short demo my back pain was reduced, and her sciatica noticeably better. So we ordered it. We figured if all it did was help her sciatica that would be well worth it. The chair arrived (white glove service is great) and we set about understanding how to use it for our best results.

It took about 10 days to figure out what worked best for us, and then things just started getting better. My wife's sciatica pain is largely gone. The pain in my ankles, hips, and back are much better, also almost gone. I am now pain medication free for the first time in years. In fact yesterday I was able to mow my yards for the first time in years without suffering hours of pain.

I think the proper ending for my review is to say ... thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU Human Touch.

- Charles W.

We were pleased to recently receive this customer feedback about one of our Costco Roadshow representatives, and wanted to share his story with you here. Our Costco reps are truly an amazing group of individuals, and an asset to our team here at Human Touch! To learn more about our Costco events, please click here.

To Whom It May Concern,

I have been off work for both my mental and physical health since Jan 23, 2019.  I have lived with Bipolar Disorder and Anxiety for twenty years. A recent traumatic experience at work exacerbated both conditions and caused me to seek treatment in a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) starting in late February.  Concurrently, I have been focused on caring for my physical health by participating in three physical therapy sessions and two separate sessions with a personal trainer each week. My work related injuries are associated with my right glute, lower and middle back, shoulders, neck and left bicep.

I began physical therapy in February and the initial assessment caused the pain to spread.  I had several episodes of bursting into tears during therapy and even forbid the physical therapist from touching me on one day for fear he would cause more pain.  My workers comp rep assigned a nurse to work with me to find a new place for treatment.

I was not in a good place mentally or physically when I walked into Costco last Friday.  On my walk to the register, I saw the display with your chairs. The salesperson greeted me warmly and set me up in a chair. I didn’t tell her about any of my problems because I was scared she wouldn’t let me try the chair.  After the five minute program, she allowed me to try another sequence. I thanked her, grabbed my other purchases and headed for the register. She called after me to let me know that the display would be here all week and I could come back any time.

I went back to Costco six of the next eight days.  Angela was there every day and she always seemed excited to see me.  I opened up to her about my mental health issues first. She shared that several people in her life had dealt with mental health struggles.  That disclosure made me feel like less of a freak and allowed me to trust her. She programmed a thirty minute session for me that day and every day after.

Since the chairs were located next to an area that was under construction, not many people stopped by.  This led to Angela being able to provide a listening ear during most of my time spent in your chairs. I shared about my struggles in the PHP and PT programs.

I spent time in all your chairs. My favorite was the one Angela refers to as "The Lexus." I found my experience to be restorative on so many levels.  The zero gravity eased my back pain. The foot/calf massage left me feeling fully relaxed. Angela ensured my glutes, shoulders and biceps received treatment daily as well.

I was so touched by Angela’s willingness to help me any way she could. When I told her I performed direct care for the disabled and was making even less now because I was receiving workers comp, she continued to treat me like her best customer.  

The sessions in the chair helped my body heal enough to approach physical therapy with a new physical therapist.  Christine was very gentle with me and we developed a bond as well. I saw her three times a week for six weeks. At the same time, the YMCA provided a personal trainer, Tanner, for me two times a week.  She made me work so hard.

Last week I received medical clearance to return to work on Monday, April 22, 2019. I’m so excited and I hope you can find out how to get in touch with Angela and let her know.  I had to return to work by the end of April or I would have been let go from the organization. I just want to thank her because I know she would be proud of how hard I worked to get back to the job I love.

I needed the support of "The Lexus" and your employee to return to work.  Thank you providing me with both.

Sincerely,

Dave S.

Human Touch, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® Recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to announce that they will be exhibiting at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, taking place from January 8-11, 2019. Human Touch will be exhibiting in Booth #36700, inside South Hall 4 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Celebrating 40 years of business this year, Human Touch is continuing a long history of innovation with the introduction of their newest member to the groundbreaking Ascent series massage chairs, the Super Novo. The initial unveiling of the chair will be at Digital Experience! held on January 7, 2019 at the Mirage Hotel the evening before CES opens.

The Human Touch Super Novo massage chair offers a new and distinctive user experience technology called Virtual Therapist™. By pairing the power of a Human Touch massage chair with Amazon Alexa’s voice recognition, the Super Novo is the first chair of its kind to implement Alexa capability. This feature is an experience unlike anything else – understanding and anticipating the user’s preferences for a truly unique and personalized massage.

Some of the other unique offerings of the Super Novo include a set of meditation programs that combine with a soothing soundtrack and massage to help users focus on their breathing and achieve a new relaxed state of being. The programs in the Yoga Studio use deep stretching and pressure to loosen tight muscles and relieve pain. The built-in Altec Lansing Premium Sound System provides a fully immersive experience that adds the enveloping melody of any music via Bluetooth connection. The Super Novo also offers eight calming built-in nature tracks allowing the user to easily unwind and de-stress. The downloadable and intuitive Novo App turns an Android or iOS device into a seamless controller for the chair.

“The Super Novo massage chair is the culmination of advanced technology and engineering, striking design and the best in innovation. The team at Human Touch has worked hard to create a product that will ultimately set industry standards,” said David Wood, CEO of Human Touch. “I cannot think of a better platform to showcase the Super Novo and present Virtual Therapist than CES – where the best and most innovative technology is showcased every year.”

More About the Super Novo Massage Chair:

 * Advanced Multi-Dimensional Massage Technology with S and L-track systems extend massage coverage from the shoulders and spine down to the thighs.

* 38 Auto-Wellness Programs, including full body immersion, deep tissue, and an effective collection of therapeutic relaxation and recovery programs.  

* Three 4D massage programs designed to soothe, stretch and rejuvenate your entire body.

* Dual lumbar heat is adjustable and has targeted heat that gently soothes the back to loosen tight muscles and helps relieve pain.

* Cloud Touch Acupressure uses strategically-placed air cells to apply pressure to key healing points and manipulate the body to stretch the muscles.

* Zero-Gravity positioning cradles your back and elevates your legs above your heart, moving the body into an optimized neutral-posture position for a more soothing and refreshing massage experience.

* Full-body stretch provides unprecedented leg and spine relief, enabling a more rapid full-body recovery with an expansive “bend and stretch” functionality.

* The space-saving design of the Super Novo requires only 2” of wall clearance in order to pivot seamlessly from the upright to the reclined position.

* The built-in USB port can charge your favorite hand-held device while you listen to music, watch videos, or read an eBook.

* Narrated demo walks through the features of the chair and describes the health benefits of each function.

* Heated foot and calf massage with under-foot rollers and reflexology that automatically extends to fit the height of the user.

The Super Novo and the Novo XT2 massage chairs will also be showcased at the Altec Lansing Booth #16029 inside Central Hall.

The Super Novo will be available in Cream, Saddle, Red, Gray and Black, and will sell for a retail price of $9,999. It will be offered in stores nationwide at the end of March 2019.

About Human Touch
Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that have been delivering indispensable, life-changing benefits to an ever-growing number of consumers. Entering its 40^th year in the wellness landscape, Human Touch has been making people feel better by developing state-of-the-art massage products containing patented massage systems that replicate the hands and techniques used by massage professionals, thereby helping to reduce pain and stress caused by today's hectic lifestyle. Products are available at fine furniture stores, back care specialty stores, and mass-market retailers across the U.S., through international retailers and distributors in more than 40 countries, and online at www.humantouch.com.

Media Contact: 
Delia Alvarado
Direct Ph: 562-733-7314
Direct Fax: 562-424-7846
Corp. Ph: 562-426-8700
dalvarado@humantouch.com
www.humantouch.com

Human Touch, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® Recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to announce that they will be exhibiting at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, taking place from January 8-11, 2019.

Human Touch will be exhibiting in Booth #36700, inside of South Hall 4 of the Las Vegas Convention Center. During the show, Human Touch will be sharing the newest and most advanced wellness solutions on the market today, and featuring their revolutionary Human Touch Ascent Series® massage chairs.

Since its debut this earlier this year, the Ascent Series Novo XT2 massage chair has quickly established itself as one of the most modern massage chairs in the industry. It is unlike any other wellness solution with its selection of innovative and custom–tailored massage options that help the user to recover from the strains of the day. It captivates with its unibody design, delivering three-dimensional massage along the entire length of the spine and all the way down to the thighs. Its narrated demo option walks you through the features of the chair and describes the health benefits of each function. In addition, the chair has an accompanying downloadable app that allows you to control the chair from your Android or iOS device.

To make the user experience even more engaging, you can enjoy the enveloping melody of your favorite music through the Altec Lansing Premium Sound System, or play one of eight calming nature tracks with the built-in Sound Soothe. The Novo XT2 will also be showcased at the Altec Lansing Booth #16029 inside of Central Hall. This year on its 40th anniversary Human Touch will again have the pleasure of unveiling a new Ascent Series massage chair.

“There is no better way to welcome the new year and celebrate our 40 years in the industry than with our Novo XT2 massage chair and the unveiling of a new Ascent Series massage chair,” said David Wood, CEO of Human Touch. “CES is the global stage of innovation and has a highly regarded reputation of presenting the best technologies of tomorrow. Our newest launch will be nothing short of delivering on this promise.”

CES showcases more than 4,400 exhibiting companies, including manufacturers, developers and suppliers of consumer technology hardware, content, technology delivery systems and more, and draws over 182K industry professionals, including more than 63,00 from outside the U.S.

Join Human Touch in Booth #36700 at CES 2019 to experience these amazing wellness products for yourself, and find out what massage can do to help you be your best and feel your best. Learn more about the Novo XT2.

About Human Touch

Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that have been delivering indispensable, life-changing benefits to an ever-growing number of consumers for 40 years. Human Touch has been making people feel better by developing state-of-the-art massage products containing patented massage systems that replicate the hands and techniques used by massage professionals, thereby helping to reduce pain and stress caused by today's hectic lifestyle. Products are available at fine furniture stores, back care specialty stores, and mass-market retailers across the U.S., through international retailers and distributors in more than 40 countries, and online at www.humantouch.com.

Media Contact:
Delia Alvarado
Direct Ph: 562-733-7314
Corp. Ph: 562-733-7300
dalvarado@humantouch.com
www.humantouch.com

Well race season is wrapping up and it’s time to review the inner workings of each race and the mechanics of the racecar. But just as important are reviewing films and contracts, team recovery and racecar rebuilding. Not only is the racecar rebuilt but the entire crew needs to take time to rest, refresh and reenergize. It’s during off season that I spend my mornings in the shop, and then head to the office.

In my office I have the iJOY® Massage Chair 2.1 by Human Touch®, and that is where I spend most of my time. This chair is stylish, comfortable and perfect for any space of any size. It is not unusual to see car parts around my office, limiting the amount of room space, plus we also use my office for crew meetings. There is not much room and for that reason the iJOY chair is the perfect size. The iJOY is a smaller portable size massage chair, so it is ideal for my office. The funniest thing about my massage chair is it is NEVER EMPTY!  It is not unusual to see my crew fighting over who gets to sit in it.

After getting some heavy work done in the shop, it is nice to have a chair where I can enjoy the benefits of massage.  This chair uses long strokes, kneading, compression, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize me while I review race films, post to social media and answer emails. The positive effects of the iJOY massage chair are that it reduces my stress level, back pain and muscle tension.   

Outside of the massage effects, the iJOY chair is a comfortable chair. It provides a great place to just sit and relax. I can be found watching TV in it after my workday has ended. The chair has convenient side zippered pockets where I keep the chair remote, tissues and my TV remote. It truly is the perfect chair to unwind.

Human Touch, the U.S. market leader of innovative massage chairs, Perfect Chair® recliners, and other wellness solutions, is pleased to announce the addition of the elegant Gravis ZG Chair to the Human Touch family, launching November 2018. With the introduction of exciting and upgraded features, the Gravis ZG Chair combines the benefits and comfort of zero gravity seating with air massage technology. The chair’s seating positions are easily customizable with an intuitive handheld control and for additional customization options, a downloadable app available on iOS and Google Play.

“The Gravis ZG Chair is in a class of its own,” said David Wood, CEO of Human Touch. “We’re thrilled to introduce this revolutionary new chair which combines comfort, design and innovation so elegantly and seamlessly. I can see consumers truly enjoying and reaping the wellness benefits Gravis offers.”

Meet the Gravis ZG Chair:

* The Gravis ZG Chair by Human Touch features One-Step Zero Gravity Seating, enabling you to recline instantly into a neutral body posture chaise position that reduces the forces of gravity acting on your spine and vertebrae, thus helping reduce pressure and relieve pain.

* It offers targeted massage benefits, including lumbar massage and stretch massage. It’s also fully adjustable, which means that you can use the remote to individually power-adjust the headrest, backrest and footrest for optimal support.

* You also have three targeted heat zones on the back, seat, and leg areas that can be turned on separately or simultaneously.

* The chair’s downloadable iOS and Google Play apps are equipped with even more customizable chair features. Included is the memory setting feature which will allow you to create up to nine custom memory settings so that you can find and save your ideal seating position and massage program.

* You can also enjoy the pre-programmed positions for TV watching and napping, which can be further customized to personal preference. The smart motion feature will let you know when you’ve been sitting in one position for too long through subtle chair movements. Lastly, the smart sitting position will wake you up when desired by restoring the chair to the upright position.

Gravis retails for $4,999 and will be available through the Human Touch website and retailers such as Relax the Back. Chair wood base colors include: Beech and Mahogany. Either base can be combined with one of three leather pad options: Saddle, Sand or Bone.  

About Human Touch
Human Touch is the leading provider of high-quality, innovative lifestyle products, massage chairs, and experiences that have been delivering indispensable, life-changing benefits to an ever-growing number of consumers for almost 40 years. Human Touch has been making people feel better by developing state-of-the-art massage products containing patented massage systems that replicate the hands and techniques used by massage professionals, thereby helping to reduce pain and stress caused by today’s hectic lifestyle. Products are available at fine furniture stores, back care specialty stores, and mass-market retailers across the U.S., through international retailers and distributors in more than 40 countries, and online at www.humantouch.com. Follow Human Touch on Facebook and Twitter @HTFeelBetter.