Panasonic Household Massage Lounger Epma51 Operating Instructions

							Operating Instructions
Household Massage Lounger
English 1
Español S1
Français F1
Instrucciones de UsoMode d’emploi
Sillón de Masaje Doméstico
Fauteuil vibromasseur
Model No./Nº de Modelo/Nº de modèle  EP-MA51
Before operating this unit, please read these instructions completely.  
Specifications and shapes of massage loungers may vary depending on the model.
Antes de utilizar esta unidad, lea compleatamente estas instrucciones y guárdelas para referencia futura. Las especificaciones y el 
tipo de las mecedoras de masaje podrían variar dependiendo del modelo\
.
Avant d’utiliser cet appareil, nous vous recommandons de lire l’ensemble de ces instructions et de les ranger dans un endroit 
accessible pour une consultation ultérieure. Caractéristiques et f\
ormes des fauteuils de massage pourraient varier selon les modèles.
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English IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Basic precautions should always be followed when using an electrical unit, including the following.
Please ensure that you read all instructions before using the Household Massage Lounger.
DANGER – To reduce the risk of electric shock:
1.   Always unplug this unit from the electrical outlet immediately after using and before cleaning.
WARNING – To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock, or injury to persons:
1.   Always insert the power plug all the way into the outlet to reduce the risk of short-circuit and fire.
2.   The unit should never be left unattended when plugged in. Always unplug the unit when not in use.
3.   The unit is not to be used by people who cannot move or communicate on their own.
4.   Only use the unit for the purpose described in these instructions.
5.   Do not stand on the unit.
6.   Do not use any accessories other than those recommended by the manufacturer.
7.   Always return the seat to the upright position and make sure the legrest is completely retracted. Be careful that 
nothing is obstructing the legrest while retracting. Keep children away from the legrest.
8.   Nev

er operate the unit if it has a damaged power cord or plug. Return the unit to the nearest authorized service 
center if it is not working properly, if it has been dropped or damaged, or if it has been immersed in water. 
9.   Keep po

wer cords away from heated surfaces. Do not carry the unit by the power cord.
10.  Never block the air openings during operation and make sure that all air openings are kept free of lint and hair, 
etc. Do not drop or insert anything into any of the openings of the unit.
11.  Do not use the unit on top of heating appliances, such as electr

ic carpets, etc. Do not operate the unit under 
blanket or pillow. Excessive heating can occur and cause fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
12.  Do not use the unit in bathrooms or other damp or humid places as this m\
ay cause electr

ic shock or cause the 
unit to malfunction. Do not spill water, etc. onto the controller.
13.  Do not use the unit outdoors.
14.  Do not use or oper

ate where aerosol spray products are being used or where oxygen is being administered.
15.  When unplugging the unit, turn off all controls before removing the plug from power outlet. Do not use the unit 
with a transformer as this may lead to malfunction or electric shock. 
16.  Connect this unit to a properly g

rounded outlet only. See Grounding Instructions.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS 
						

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English
 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
CAUTION: To avoid the risk of injury:
1.   Persons with any of the conditions listed below or who are undergoing medical treatment or suffer from medical 
conditions should consult with their physicians before using the unit:
a)  Pregnant w

omen, people who are ill, in poor physical shape.
b)  People suffering from back, neck, shoulder, or hip pain.
c)  People who have a pacemaker, defibrillator, or other personal medical devices prone to electronic 
interference.
d)  P

eople suffering from heart disease.
e)  People who are prohibited from receiving massage by a physician due to thrombosis or aneurism, acute 
varicose veins, or other circulatory disorders.
f)  P

eople with irregular curvatures of the spine.
2.   This unit should not be used by children. Remove the key when not in use and store out of reach of children.
3.   Sit down slowly after checking the position of the massage heads. Never put any part of your body between the 
massage heads as the squeezing action of the massage heads may cause injury. Never put your fingers or feet 
in the gap between the backrest and seat, the backrest and the armrest, the seat and cover under the armrest, 
or the gap between the legrest and the footrest. Do not place your fingers or any part of your body in the 
mechanism below the legrest, or between the legrest and footrest.
4.   Do not use the unit against bare skin.  

While thin clothing may increase effectiveness, exposing the skin directly 
to the massager may irritate the skin.  
Do not use the unit while wearing anything hard on your head like a hair accessory, etc. Do not use the unit for 
massaging the head, abdomen, front neck, elbows or knees.  
Do not use excessively strong massage action on the back of the neck.
5.   When using the body scanning function, alw a

ys ensure that the shoulder position is correct. If the shoulder 
position is not correct, use the POSITION button to adjust it properly. Or stop the massage function and re-try 
the body scanning function. You can adjust the shoulder position in this way in the auto program and manual 
operation. Failure to align the shoulder position correctly can lead to injury. 
6.   Do not stretch the bac k m

uscles for more than approximately 15 minutes at a time. To avoid overstretching the 
muscles which may result in discomfort, do not use the unit for more than 5 minutes when first using it. You can 
gradually increase the duration and strength of the massage as you become used to it.  
Do not massage an y one point f

or more than 5 minutes at a time.  
Excessive massaging can overstimulate the muscles and nerves and result in an adverse effect.  
To prevent excessive massaging, do not use the massager for more than a total of 15 minutes each session.  
After approximately 15

 minutes, the massage heads will be retracted and stop moving.  
The back cushion can be removed if you want to experience a stronger back massage. Exercise extreme care 
when you use this mode in order to avoid back pain or injury. Use only for short periods of time (no more than 
15 
 minutes). Reinstall the back cushion if you want to restore to normal massage intensity.
7.   While using the massager, if you start feeling sick or if the massage seems painful, stop using it immediately. 
While using the massager, if the pressure seems too strong, the movement of the massage heads can be 
stopped at any time by pressing the Quick Stop button.
8.   Do not go to sleep while using the unit.  Do not use the unit after dr

inking alcohol. 
9.   When the seat back is in a reclined position, do not sit on it or sit with your legs resting on the headrest.   
Do not sit on the legrest as the unit may fall over.
10.  Do not allo w children or pets to pla

y on or around the unit, especially during operation. 
11.  Do not unplug the unit or turn it off during operation. Unplug the unit immediately if there is a power outage. 
12.  Be sure to start on the gentle massage program if using the massager for the first time. The shiatsu massage is 
stronger and should be enjoyed after one has gotten accustomed to the chair.
13.  Do not allow children to pla

y on this mechanized furniture or operate the mechanism. Legrest folds down on 
closing so that a child could possibly be injured. Always leave in an upright and closed position. Keep hands 
and feet clear of mechanism. Only the occupant should operate it.
14.  Remo v

e hard objects, such as false fingernails, wristwatches or rings, when massaging hands or arms.  
Empty pockets of hard objects when massaging the area of the seat or thighs. 
						

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English
15. Always raise the pillow and back cushion to check that the fabric of the unit itself has not been ripped before 
using the unit. Please also check other areas to ensure that the fabric has not been ripped. No matter how small 
the rip, if you find one then immediately stop using the unit, unplug the power cord and have the unit repaired at 
an authorized service center.
16.  People with an

y of the conditions listed below should not use the Stretch program:
1)  People suffering from acute lumbago, spinal disc herniation, or misalignment of the vertebrae
2)  People with hip joint problems such as hip osteoarthritis
3)  People with osteoporosis
4)  People who felt numbness or listlessness in the legs
It may worsen the symptoms.
17.  Sit on the unit after confir ming there is no f

oreign matter between the parts of the unit. (Confirm that there are 
no foreign objects stuck in the back cushion, leg/sole massage section, hand/arm massage section, or under 
the seat.) 
Failure to observe this precaution may result in accident or injury.
18.  Alw a

ys return the legrest to its original position before moving the unit. 
Failure to observe this precaution may result in injury due to the legrest returning to its original position when 
the unit is being moved.
19.  Do not lea v

e the removed attachment screws lying unattended. 
Accidental ingestion may occur.
20.  Do not stand, jump on, or place objects on the seat until the air is com\
pletely e xtr

acted for the Stretch program.
 OPERATING PRECAUTIONS
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the chair, follow these precautions:
1.   The chair is designed for a maximum user weight of 264 lbs (120 kg). Exceeding the maximum weight may 
cause permanent damage to the massage mechanism and/or other components of the un\
it. Any such damage 
is deemed to be user abuse and is not covered under the Limited Warranty.
2.   Do not sit on or drop the controller.

 Do not pull the controller cord or the power cord. Be careful not to catch the 
cord of the controller between the armrest and the chair back.
3.   Do not treat the chair roughly , such as tur

ning the chair on its side, turning the chair over or standing on it.
4.   Do not treat the covering roughly.
Keep sharp or pointed objects away from the covering of the chair. Be careful not to drop lit ashes, lit cigarettes 
or matches on the chair.
Exposure to direct sunlight can cause fading or a change in color of the covering.
5.   If the massager functions abnor mally

, immediately turn off the power and have the massager checked by an 
authorized service center.
6.   Do not repeatedly oper ate an

y switch at short intervals. Such action may cause the switch to malfunction.
7.   Some noise may be heard coming from the massager while in use. This is due to the structure of the massager 
and is normal.
8.   Mak e sure there are no obstacles behind the chair bef

ore reclining it. The chair can be reclined to a maximum 
angle of 170˚. If the back hits a wall or pillar, the chair may malfunction. Be sure to have ample space behind 
the chair. Recline the chair slowly in order to avoid contact with an obstacle.
9.   When e xcessiv

e pressure is applied to the massage heads, they may stop moving for safety. When moving the 
heads up from the lowered position, one’s body weight may stop the heads’ movement. In such a case, slightly 
raise your body and allow the massage heads to move up.
10.  After each massage , slide the po

wer switch, which is located on the right side of the chair, to the “off ” position 
and turn its lock switch to the “lock” position.
11.  Do not sit on the chair with w et body or hair

.
12.  The unit must not be used in “wet rooms” (sauna, swimming pool) or outdoors.
13.  Do not attempt to open or disassemble any part of the unit. Only use an authorized Panasonic servicer to fix 
your unit. •
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English
 SPECIFICATIONS
Power Supply:
AC 120 V 60 Hz
Rated Current: 1.6 A
Upper Body Massage
Massage area (Up-Down): Approx. 28.7 in. (73 cm) [The massage heads move a total of approx. 24.4 in. (62 cm)]
Massage area (Left-Right): Distance between massage heads during operation (massage width adjustable)
Neck, Shoulder, Back, Lower back: Approx. 2 in. – 8.3 in. (5 cm – 21 cm)
Massage area (Forward-Back): Projected amount of massage head (Intensity adjustable)
Approx. 4 in. (10 cm)
Massage speed: Tap: Approx. 250 cycles/minute – 450 cycles/minute (single side)
Full roll: Approx. 33 seconds – 84 seconds (both ways)
Other than the above: approx. 5 cycles/minute – 50 cycles/minute
Vertical travel: Vertical travel (Long): Approx. 28.7 in. (73 cm) up-down auto return
Massage width: Full roll, Vertical Movement: Approx. 2 in. – 6.7 in. (5 cm – 17 cm)
Other than the above: Same as massage area (left-right)
Air massage
Air Pressure (Calf): 5: Approx. 32 kPa
4: Approx. 30 kPa
3: Approx. 28 kPa
2: Approx. 25 kPa
1: Approx. 15 kPa
* It may vary with the area slightly.
Reclining angle: Backrest: Appro
x 120° – 170°
Leg
 rest:   Approx 0° – 85°
Automatic shut-off: Automatically turns off after approx. 15 minutes
Dimensions
When not reclined (H × W × D):
When reclined (H × W × D): Approx. 46.1 in. × 32.2 in. × 49.6 in. (117 cm × 82 cm × 126 cm)
Approx. 24.2 in. × 32.2 in. × 76.8 in. (62 cm × 82 cm × 195 cm)
Weight of Unit: Approx. 168 lbs (76 kg)
Dimension of box (H × W × D): Approx. 28.3 in. × 30.7 in. × 65.4 in. (72 cm × 78 cm × 166 cm)
Weight in box: Approx. 201 lbs (91 kg)
Maximum user weight: Approx. 264 lbs (120 kg)
Minimum distance from wall: 16 in. (40 cm)
 GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS
This product must be grounded. If it should malfunction or break down, grounding provides a path of least resistance for electric 
current to reduce the risk of electric shock. This product is equipped with a cord having an equipment-grounding conductor and 
a grounding plug. The plug must be plugged into an appropriate outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with 
all local codes and ordinances.
DANGER
Improper connection of the equipment-grounding conductor can result in a risk of electric shock. Check with a qualified 
electrician or serviceman if you are in doubt as to whether the product is properly grounded. Do not modify the plug provided 
with the product – if it will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician.
This product is for use on a nominal 120-volt circuit and has a grounding plug that looks like the plug illustrated in Figure A. 
Make sure that the product is connected to an outlet having the same configuration as the plug.
No adapter should be used with this product.
Figure A
GROUNDED 
OUTLET
GROUNDED 
OUTLET BOX
GROUNDING PIN 
						

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English Part names and functions
Main unit
*  
Specifications and shapes of massage loungers may vary depending on the model.
9 1
3
4
6 2
7
10
5
8
Front
9 
Legrest
10 Legrest Slide Lever
Extendable length to approx. 
4.7  

in. (12 cm).
•
1 
Retracted position of massage 
heads
2 Pillow and back cushion (pillow 
part)
3 Pillow and back cushion (back 
cushion part)
4 Backrest
Includes integrated massage 
heads.
Air bag for Lower Back massage 
is built in.
5 Hand/Arm massage section
Includes integrated air massage 
function.
6 Armrest •
•
•
7 Seat
Air bag for Seat/Thigh massage 
is built in.
8 Leg/Sole massage section
Includes air massage function.
Sole Reflexology Plates“Creepers” are provided on the 
back side.
Fine adjustment of position 
possible.
Removable.
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English
1112
13
18
14
16
1519
17
Back
16 Power Cord
17 Power Plug
18 Safety Precaution Label
19 Leg Cover
11 Back Cover
12 Controller Tray
With a nonslip surface.
13 Controller
See page 7 to 8.
14 Child Safety Decal
15 Power switch section
Lock Switch
Power Switch
Lock Switch Key
Lock Switch Key Tag
For preventing children from swallowing it by 
accident.
•
Lock switch is set to “open” and power switch is set to “on” prior to leaving 
the factory.
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English
Controller
Cover closed
9
8
11
10
12
13
14
15
16
2
4
3
5
1
6
7
Cover open
1 
Off/On button
2 Program Selection buttons
See page 17.
3 Massage intensity adjustment 
dial
Intensity of the massage 
(pressure of the massage heads 
pressing onto the body) can be 
adjusted.
Intensity of the Stretch program 
can be adjusted.
4 Ultra Deep Mode Off/On button
See page 19.
5 Region Off/On button
See page 20.
6 User Memory Registration 
button
See page 21.
7 Manual Operation Selection 
button
See page 25.
8 Display
This illustration is when all lamps 
are illuminated.
See page 8.
9 Quick Stop button
Press this button to stop the 
massage immediately.
10 Stretch Program Selection 
button
See page 23.
11 Reclining Angle Adjustment 
button
See page 32.
12 Ottoman Angle Adjustment 
button
See page 32.
13 Air Massage button
See pages 20, 27 and 28.
14 Add Tap button
See page 27.
15 Leg Stretch Off/On button
See pages 20, 27 and 28.
16 Position button
See page 27.
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English
Display
15
4 3
2
4  Massage Area Display
Current general massage area 
will flash.
5 Body Detection Notification 
Display
This will light up when the body 
scanning is completed.
•
•
1 
Time Remaining Display
(During massage)
(After finishing massage)
2 Massage Intensity Display
Current massage intensities 
(pressure of the massage heads 
pressing onto the body) for each 
region are displayed in 8 steps.
•
3 Operation Display
Current massage operation is 
displayed while massaging.
Currently selected operation is 
displayed when Manual 
Operation is selected.
FULL ROLL
ULTRA KNEAD
SHIATSU
KNEAD
SWEDISH
TAP
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							9
English Setting up the massage lounger
1 Where to use the unit
Ensure there is adequate space to recline.
Do not expose the massage lounger to direct sunlight or high 
temperatures, such as in front of heating sources, because this can 
cause discoloration or hardening of the synthetic leather.
Place the unit on a mat to prevent floor damage.
When placing a mat under the unit, the size of the mat should be 
sufficient [at least 47.2
 

in. × 27.6 in. (120 cm × 70 cm)] to cover the 
areas where the unit touches and where the legrest could touch the 
floor, as shown in the diagram on the right.
Install the unit near a power outlet.
 See Warning No. 11 and 12 on page 1.
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Keep at least 4" (10 cm) away from the wall.
Approx. 77" (195 cm)
Width approx. 32" (82 cm) Approx. 13" 
(32 cm)
Approx. 15" 
(37 cm)
Mat Area where legrest  could touch the floor Area where unit 
touches the floor
2 Removing everything from the box and installing the unit
Do not drag or push the unit in an installed state. 
Do not move the unit using the wheels on the floor. (Always place a mat or similar object underneath.) 
The floor may be damaged.
Fabric Section
Groove
Hold the cloth 
section on the  backside
Mat
Legrest Back cover Place your 
fingers in the 
groove Since the unit is very heavy [approximately 168 lbs 
(76
 

kg)], be careful to avoid back injuries. (The unit 
must be carried by two persons.)
To put the unit down on the floor
Put the unit down slowly and carefully watch your step.
Put down the legrest by holding it with your hands until 
it has been set on the floor completely. If you release 
your hands before the legrest is fully extended, the 
legrest will forcefully return to the initial position.
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