All the furniture in your home should be both beautiful and practical, but some pieces can be put to more uses than others. For example, there are the furnishings that are especially designed for wellness, and they include lift chairs, zero-gravity chairs, massage chairs and adjustable beds.

These items are especially helpful for people with physical limitations and chronic medical issues, but you don’t need a diagnosed condition to take advantage of them. They are therapeutic for stiff joints, everyday aches and pains and even poor circulation, stress and insomnia. Consider gifting yourself a stylish yet practical piece of furniture that’s designed to promote your wellness ahead of the busy holiday season, and you can enjoy it over the busy next couple of months - and for years to come.

Chairs That Give You a Lift

You may have walked right past a lift chair and not even known it. That’s because it looked just like a standard recliner, perhaps with fine genuine leather and smooth, sleek lines. The difference is in the inside, in additional electronic and mechanical components.

A lift chair is one that helps you stand up when you’ve been sitting. It raises you to a vertical position, and all you need do is finish straightening up and walk away. Lift chairs aren’t only for seniors. They’re good for people with chronic back pain, folks recovering from injuries or surgery, and individuals with swollen joints or nerve pain.

The most basic lift chair is an armchair with two positions: it goes up, it goes down. It looks like a typical living room easy chair. A more advanced variation is the three-position recliner that also lies all the way back. With these basic chairs, the footrest flips up automatically and cannot be controlled separately. There’s a gap between the seat and footrest, which is usually covered by a drop cloth to hide the lifting mechanism.

Many people want to have their feet raised while they’re sitting up. This requires a second motor, a feature found in the infinite position lift chair.

An Infinity of Positions

An infinite position lift chair has a chaise leg rest which closes the gap between seat and footrest. It fully supports the legs whether you’re upright or reclining. The footrest is controlled separately; it can be in any position, no matter where the seatback is.

The back can fully recline or stop anywhere on the way down. It’s ideal for the person who would rather nap in their chair than go upstairs and find a bed. When nap time is over, they can sit up briefly before the chair stands them and sends them on their way. For added comfort, many lift chairs come with heaters and massagers.

Zero-Gravity Lift Chairs

Sometimes lying flat isn’t enough. A zero-gravity lift chair is one that raises the lower legs above the level of the heart. This evenly supports the weight of the entire body and reduces pressure on the spine and ribcage. It produces a stress-free feeling of relaxation that simulates weightlessness. Most of these chairs allow you not only to lie flat with your feet elevated but also to sit partway or all the way up.

Choosing a Lift Chair

Some factors to think about when selecting your chair:

• Fit. If the chair is too tall, your feet will dangle when it stands you up. If it’s too short, your back may not get enough support. Most models come with a recommended height range and a weight capacity. Most support 500-700 pounds, but petite chairs may stop at 300-400.
• Size. Most lift chairs are large and heavy, but there are smaller models suitable for a cabin or a less sizable room. Wall-huggers sit as close to the wall as four inches; they slide forward as they recline.
• Features. If you spend a lot of time in your lift chair, it makes sense to invest in features such as massage, heat and possibly zero-gravity. Also, people with arthritis might want single-push remote controls rather than buttons that must be held down.
• Materials. Lift chairs may be covered in fabric or in genuine or faux leather. Some manufacturers can custom-cover your chair in upholstery that blends with your other furniture. Be aware that some leathers are slippery and may not be safe for everyone in the upright position.

Other Zero-Gravity Chairs

Most zero-gravity chairs are not lift chairs. Many of them come in chic designs that are at home in a living room or family room. Most of these chairs sit upright and some can actually lean forward.

What they all do is evenly support the body in any position. While they won’t have you floating in space, they do mimic the body position of a weightless astronaut. Because of their support, zero-gravity chairs allow spinal decompression, which can alleviate back pain and sciatica. They may improve circulation. Even people without back issues can benefit, as the chairs can reduce stress, promote relaxation and often lead to better sleep.

Many of these chairs are portable outdoor furniture with metal frames and mesh backs. You can “go weightless” in your back yard or take them to the beach. Others are upholstered and have wooden legs and armrests for indoor aesthetics. Some of these add heat and massage.

Massage Chairs

Many recliners offer massage as one of their features, but massage chairs are more like a trip to a professional therapist. Most of these chairs are oversize recliners that envelope your entire body, including the arms and legs. These large furnishings have motorized rollers and airbags that apply pressure from the neck to the feet.

The most advanced ones feature programmed robotics that mimic a masseur’s fingers. They can offer multiple programs for different massage experiences. You can often customize your routine. Massage chairs might roll, tap, knead or even perform shiatsu. Many add heat therapy, and some are zero-gravity massage chairs.

They’re excellent for back pain and muscle tension. Some athletes use them after workouts. Even if your body isn’t sore, massage chairs can relieve stress, provide relaxation and promote overall wellness.

As with other kinds of wellness furniture, you can select pieces that will blend with your home’s design aesthetic.