What to Do If the Power Cuts Out Mid-Session

The first time my massage chair went silent mid-recline, my instinct was to push against the footrest. That was a mistake. Now I pause, keep my weight centered, and give my eyes a few seconds to adjust. The chair is not going anywhere, and neither am I.

If the backrest is reclined and the footrest is raised, I do not try to force either one down. I check the owner’s manual for the manual release procedure, because some chairs have a lever or a clutch, and some do not. Forcing a motorized footrest can damage the mechanism or tip the chair. If I cannot reach the release safely, I stay put and ask someone for help rather than twisting out.

Once I am stable, I reach for the wall plug if it is within easy reach and unplug the chair at the outlet, not by pulling the cord. This prevents a surprise restart when power flickers back on. If the plug is behind the chair or hard to reach, I leave it alone and wait.

I use a surge protector rated for the chair’s electrical load, and I do not daisy-chain it with other high-draw appliances. A hypothetical protector might cost $30, but the exact rating matters more than the price. I check the manufacturer’s current terms for what is approved.

To get out, I slide forward slowly, put both feet flat on the floor, and use the chair arms for support. I never stand on the footrest. After the power returns, I let the chair sit for a minute, reset the protector if needed, and test one function at a time. I also keep a short note taped nearby with the steps I need, including the zerogravitymassagechair power outage safety page I reviewed. A little patience is the main tool.

— Kevin Brooks