Interactive Health Recliner Provides Revolutionary Human Touch Technology™

Furniture World Magazine

Technology has come in out of the cold and curled up inside a sleek, surprisingly affordable chair that sets the stage for a new home furnishings niche with unprecedented sales potential. When millions of Americans go furniture shopping in the new year, why should they buy an ordinary recliner when they can choose an extraordinarily handsome chair with the capability to literally massage away their stress and back pain? Defining a whole new category of furniture that delivers far more than comfort, the HTT-7 massage chair from Interactive Health incorporates revolutionary robotic massage™ advances. "We've been impressed with the evolution of their design and technology over the years. Interactive Health has definitely set the industry standard," said Richard Thalheimer, founder and CEO of The Sharper Image. Carolyn Perrier, president of Interactive Health, noted that the company's introduction of an affordable chair that is not only appealing to the eye, but actually delivers health benefits, signals a dramatic new trend in home furnishing concepts. "Robotic massage furniture could eventually become as indispensable to the American home as a TV or refrigerator," she said. A hand-held control transmits electrical impulses to the heart of the system, consisting of wrist and arm-like mechanisms that work together with three dimensionally moving massage discs. The discs, both soft and firm, simulate the sensation of thumbs, knuckles and palms massaging the back and paraspinals. "The public has consistently demonstrated strong interest in massage products," said Matt Wollman, CEO of Interactive Health, the company that introduced robotic massage to the American market two decades ago. "The HTT-7 massage chair represents a revolutionary breakthrough in technology and aesthetics that goes far beyond the vibration chairs currently on the market. At just under $1000, the new chair is also positioned in the price range of traditional recliners." Successive design enhancements by the Interactive Health team of engineers over the past three years resulted in the multi-patent pending design of Human Touch Technology. The chair is so effective it is the only one of its kind endorsed by the American College of Chiropractic Orthopedists (ACCO),* a distinguished group of chiropractic doctors. The HTT-7 chair, which will be launched nationwide January 1, 2000, is available in black and brown. Optional accessories include an ottoman and headrest pillow. Interactive Health has been a leader in the development and manufacturing of innovative massage products designed to enhance health and well being since 1979. For more information on the HTT-7 chair, call 1-800-742-5493, or visit the company's web site at www.interhealth.com. Interactive Health Human Touch Technology: In 1979 Interactive Health introduced the concept of Robotic Massage( and eight years later launched its first multi-function massage system with advanced computer controls. In the 1990's, Interactive Health set new industry standards by introducing Quad-Roller Technology(, a massage system so powerful it has dominated the category for nearly a decade. Consultation with experts in chiropractic and orthopedic medicine and massage therapy, and close study of their techniques, led to the development of the company's breakthrough Human Touch Technology(. Interactive Health will continue its leadership role, as partnerships with the furniture, automobile and aerospace industries, coupled with the support of the medical community, lead to the development of healthier, more comfortable seating solutions. HUMAN TOUCH TECHNOLOGY: The culmination of three years of research and development, HTT( emulates techniques used by massage and chiropractic professionals for back and spinal care. A hand-held control transmits electrical impulses to the heart of the system, which consists of wrist and arm-like mechanisms that work together with three dimensionally moving massage discs. The discs, both soft and firm, simulate the sensation of thumbs, knuckles and palms manipulating the back and spine. HTT FUNCTIONS: HTT delivers four massage modalities. A compression mode, only available with HTT, is the one used most by doctors for spinal and back treatment. The rolling mode delivers a gentle massage that warms up and loosens muscles to prepare the back for a deeper massage. The kneading mode is designed to ease soreness and work out "knots" with a circular motion that lifts and stretches back muscles. The percussion mode provides an invigorating massage that emulates the sensation of hands rapidly tapping on the muscles of the back. THE HTT-7™ MASSAGE CHAIR: The chair delivers a total massage stroke length of 18 inches. The stroke takes 43 seconds to travel the full length of the spine. Weighing in at 77 pounds, the chair has a recline angle of 110( to 150( and a rotation (swivel) angle of 30(. Overall dimensions are 20.4" L x 8"D x 12"H. The chair is upholstered in a glove-soft material more durable and stain-resistant than leather. Its compact, low profile design folds down for storage.