When to Exercise Caution with a Massage Chair

If you're looking for massage chairs, you'll find plenty of information about what they can do. There is significantly less information, however, about when it's best not to use them. This page compiles what the medical literature has to say on the subject.

The short answer

For healthy adults, a massage chair is considered safe. In the largest systematic review to date on massage for back pain—which analyzed 25 studies involving 3,096 participants—only minor side effects were reported. The 2023 study on neck and shoulder pain among office workers also reported no adverse events over a six-week period. However, four cases have been described in medical journals in which people suffered serious harm after using a massage chair. In all four cases, there was a pre-existing medical condition: one case of osteoporosis, one case of a blood clotting disorder caused by medication, one case of polycystic kidney disease, and one case of a pre-existing stress fracture in the lumbar spine. These are individual case reports spanning decades, not representative of overall incidence rates. However, they highlight what matters most: the physical condition of the person sitting in the chair. Anyone with osteoporosis, taking blood-thinning medication, who has recently undergone surgery, or who is pregnant should consult their treating physician before trying out the chair for the first time. For everyone else, the rule is: start at a low intensity, 15 to 20 minutes per session, and stop if a specific area hurts instead of feeling relief.

What is described in the literature

Vertebral Fracture in Osteoporosis

In 2019, doctors described the case of an elderly woman who suffered a thoracic vertebra fracture after using an electric massage chair. In osteoporosis, bone density is so reduced that even minimal stress is sufficient to cause a fracture. The authors note that the rollers of a massage chair operate through friction and rhythmic tapping, and advise people with osteoporosis or an increased risk of the condition to exercise caution.

Hematoma in the spinal canal

In 2025, a case was reported from China in which, following a session in a massage chair, a hematoma formed in the cervical spine region and pressed on the spinal cord. Such hemorrhages occur almost exclusively in people whose blood clotting is inhibited by medication.

Rupture of a Kidney Cyst

A 77-year-old man with polycystic kidney disease suffered a ruptured cyst after a strenuous workout. The case was documented in 2011. In this condition, the kidneys are riddled with fluid-filled cysts that are sensitive to pressure.

Inflammation of the Spine

In 2022, doctors described a spinal abscess that developed in a patient with pre-existing stress fractures following the use of a massage chair, resulting from a urinary tract infection.

When You Should Talk to Your Doctor First

This list is not a list of prohibitions. It outlines the situations in which the issue should be clarified before the first test fitting:

• Osteoporosis, or what is commonly known as reduced bone density. The clearest example from the literature.
• Blood-thinning medications such as Marcumar, Eliquis, or Xarelto, as well as known coagulation disorders.
• Recent surgeries, especially on the spine, abdomen, or joints, and anything that hasn't healed yet.
• Herniated disc, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis. Not necessarily ruled out, but this should be discussed with the treating physician.
• Pregnancy. Most manufacturers advise against it because there simply hasn't been any research on it.
• Pacemakers, defibrillators, and other implants. Ask your cardiologist if vibration is a concern.
• Acute inflammation, fever, thrombosis, open wounds, and fresh injuries. The same rule applies here as with any manual massage: let the condition subside first.
• Cancer. There have been studies in which massage chairs were used during chemotherapy, with good results. These studies were conducted under medical supervision, and this should be discussed with your doctor as well.

What Matters in Everyday Life

Most of the unpleasant experiences our customers tell us about aren't due to damage, but rather a matter of dosage. The most common mistake is choosing the highest setting the first time. The next day, your back feels like it does after a tough workout. This is harmless and will pass, but it takes away the desire to try it a second time.

So: Start at a low intensity and work your way up. Fifteen to twenty minutes is enough for one session; any more than that won't help. If a spot hurts instead of loosening up, stop. And if you experience discomfort after use that doesn't go away within a few days, see a doctor instead of just waiting it out.

Why This Page Exists

A massage chair costs between 2,000 and 20,000 euros. Anyone who spends that much money has a right to know all the facts. At our seven showrooms, we regularly tell people that a massage chair isn’t the right choice for them right now and refer them to a doctor first. That information should also be included on the website.

If you're unsure whether a massage chair is right for your situation, just bring your question with you when you come in for a test sit. You can find our locations on the " Test Sit" page.

Sources

• Yeoh CJ, Kwan MK, Chan CYW. Case report: Use of an electric automated massage chair can cause an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. 2019. View study
• Qiu X, et al. Electric massage chair-induced cervical spinal epidural hematoma. 2025. View study
• Acute cystic rupture and hemorrhagic shock following a vigorous massage chair session in a patient with polycystic kidney disease. 2011. View study
• A Rare Case of Spinal Epidural Abscess Following a Urinary Tract Infection Caused by Escherichia coli. 2022. View study
• Furlan AD, Giraldo M, Baskwill A, Irvin E, Imamura M. Massage for low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015;(9):CD001929. View study
• Kim JW, Lim AR, Lee JY, et al. The clinical effect of an electric massage chair on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients. 2024. View study

You can find an overview of all the studies analyzed—including their design, number of participants, and results—on the " Studies on Massage Chairs" page.

This article summarizes research findings and is not a substitute for medical advice. If your symptoms persist, consult your doctor.