Roller massage and stretching in a massage chair

In roller or stretching massage, the massage rollers move up and down the entire length of the back. This is the simplest of the techniques and often serves as an introduction to a program, because it begins by loosening up the back.

What the mechanics do in this process

The rollers do not run along the spine, but on a track parallel to it, to the left and right of the spinous processes. On most chairs, the distance between the two rollers can be adjusted: closer together for narrow backs, farther apart for wide ones. This is the most important adjustment of all, because if the rollers are positioned too far outward, they put pressure on the ribs instead of the muscles.

When extending, a mechanical mechanism is activated that simultaneously moves the chair backward. While the rollers are positioned in the lumbar region, the backrest tilts backward, so that the back is stretched along the rollers. In chairs with a split guide system, such as the iOpen design, this extension is more pronounced.

How it feels

Rolling is the gentlest technique. It warms the body without going too deep and is well-tolerated even by people who find kneading too intense. The stretching that follows feels like a long exhalation in the back.

What the Technology Is Good For

Rolling is ideal for warming up before more vigorous techniques, for cooling down, and for anyone who prefers a gentle approach. The stretching aspect is especially beneficial for those who spend a lot of time sitting and whose lower back tends to slump as a result.

In cases of herniated discs and spondylolisthesis, the reclining function should first be evaluated by a doctor. An armchair exerts more force than it feels like it does.

Try it for yourself

It’s hard to tell which technique suits you best. Some people find tapping comfortable and kneading too intense, while for others it’s the other way around. At our showrooms, you can try out the programs one after another: Take a test seat and give them a try.

Related techniques: Kneading massage, Tapping massage, Rolling massage. For information on how the rollers move, see 2D, 3D, 4D, and 5D; for information on their range of motion, see S-Track, L-Track, and iOpen.

Back to the overview: Massage Chair Technology Explained in Simple Terms