The technique of Amma massage is an ancestral art of touch that originated in Asia and, centuries later, has found its way into our modern workspaces. From its traditional origins to today's seated Amma massage, let's discover the evolution of this age-old practice and the role of key players - from ancient Japan to David Palmer in California, from the Xavier Court school in France to the social enterprise AlterMassage in 2025.
The Japanese origins of Amma massage
The Japanese term anma (or amma) literally means "to calm with the hands". Derived from traditional Chinese medicine(anmo), anma massage was introduced to Japan over a thousand years ago. Considered the ancestor of shiatsu, it draws its techniques from practices dating back thousands of years.
Historically, Amma developed as a therapy designed to rebalance vital energy(qi) through rhythmic pressure, stretching and percussion, bringing relaxation and inner well-being. As early as the Edo period, it was popularized in particular by blind practitioners - a tradition established in the XVIIᵉ century when the practice of massage was reserved for the blind. This ancestral art of touch has survived the centuries and laid the foundations for modern massage techniques in Japan.
David Palmer and the birth of modern seated Amma massage
The contemporary renaissance of seated Amma is inextricably linked to David Palmer in the 1980s. Trained in traditional Japanese massage, he is the acknowledged 'father' of contemporary chair massage.
-
1984: Palmer introduces chair massage in the workplace. Seduced by this approach, Steve Jobs instituted up to 350 chair massage sessions a week for Apple employees.
-
1986: together with French craftsman Serge Bouyssou, he designs the first modern ergonomic massage chair.
-
1989: he founds the TouchPro Institute in San Francisco, dedicated to the teaching and development of chair massage.
This landmark success in Silicon Valley was the starting point for the widespread introduction of seated massage in the workplace. Even today, recognized as the "father of chair massage", David Palmer continues to promote the practice worldwide.
Xavier Court: the professionalization of Amma seated massage in France
In France, seated massage began to spread in the 1990s. One of its main pioneers is Xavier Court, a practitioner and trainer for almost 30 years.
-
He founded Xavier Court Ressources, a company offering wellness services for companies and events.
-
He founded Xavier Court Formation, the only school in French-speaking Europe certified to teach David Palmer's official method.
-
He presides over the Fédération Française de Massage Amma (Fedefma), working for the recognition and ethics of the profession.
Under his impetus, chair massage has gained in credibility, visibility and professionalization in France.
AlterMassage: democratizing seated Amma massage in the workplace
Since 2014, the social enterprise AlterMassage has taken a new step in the spread of chair massage, combining well-being at work, social inclusion and innovation.
Its main commitments:
-
Democratization of seated amma massage in the workplace: hundreds of organizations and communities have welcomed its practitioners, enabling employees to discover the benefits of seated massage.
-
Inclusion of disabled practitioners: certified as an Entreprise Adaptée and Entreprise Solidaire d'Utilité Sociale, AlterMassage employs a majority of visually impaired or blind practitioners, perpetuating a long-standing Amma tradition.
-
Innovation: in 2022, the first chair massage salon opens in the Westfield Les 4 Temps shopping center (La Défense), a first in France.
AlterMassage has thus become a major player in the field of chair massage, making the practice accessible both in the workplace and in public places. In 2025, AlterMassage announces the acquisition of competitors including Zenest.
Transmission and the future of Amma: AlterMassage continues the tradition in 2025
In 2025, David Palmer and AlterMassage join forces to create AlterMassage École to professionalize and democratize chair massage. AlterMassage École acquires the Xavier Court school to continue the professional training activity (Qualiopi certified) and guarantee the transmission of David Palmer's official method. To find out more, read the announcement of the creation of alterMassage École.
At a time when health issues in the workplace are crucial, chair massage massage provides concrete answers to the prevention of stress,musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and psychosocial risks.
From its ancient Asian roots to its rapid expansion into the corporate world, chair massage has evolved with the times. Thanks to committed players like AlterMassage, it will continue to combine tradition and modernity for the well-being of as many people as possible.
Sources: AlterMassage (official website, Westfield press release), École Xavier Court (official website), TouchPro (David Palmer) and Wikipedia.
