Chair massage (also called seated massage) was developed by American David Palmer in the early 1980s.
This 15-minute massage is performed with the recipient seated and supported in an ergonomically designed chair. Although chair massage is mainly used for relaxation and stress relief in the work environment, chair massage is also suitable for pregnant women who find it difficult to lie in a proper position on the massage table. The elderly and infirm can also benefit from seated massage.
A rare and unexpected side effect of seated massage can be nausea and fainting. This “blackout phenomenon” occurs with people (mainly women) who are predisposed to low blood pressure. Typical cases of clients failing include pregnant women and women experiencing menstruation. Diabetics who have allowed their blood sugar to drop may also be affected. Skipping a meal or snack before the massage puts the diabetic person at risk of passing out in the chair. Sometimes a regular seated massage client may experience a ‘one off’ blackout for no apparent reason. A person who has bouts of nausea or fainting may also be at risk for this side effect. For example, a person who feels dizzy and nauseated when donating blood. So what is the masseur to do?
During the intake interview, the physician should ask about the recipient’s blood pressure and any history of fainting. The therapist should always prompt the client to report the slightest feeling of dizziness or nausea during the massage. If the client passes out in the chair, the therapist can support the client to prevent injury or help the unconscious person get up from the chair and raise their legs. Consciousness will soon return. There will be no negative effects from the experience once it passes. However, fainting can be a source of embarrassment for the client. The therapist should reassure the person that fainting can occur during a seated massage, but there are no after effects.
It may be helpful to give a simple explanation of the phenomenon of fainting. One of the well known benefits of massage is relaxation. When the body relaxes, blood pressure drops. When this occurs during a tabletop massage, nothing happens until the client sits down after the massage. The client may feel a little ‘spaced out’ or ‘heady’. If the client gets up from the table too quickly, that is when he may feel dizzy. However, during a seated massage, the effect of decreased blood flow to the brain is immediate. Therefore, dizziness and nausea may occur.
In summary, then, it is critical that all seated massage therapists are aware of the phenomenon of blackout and take all necessary steps to prevent it from happening to their clients.