<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"><tr><td><img src="" /><td></tr><tr><td><td></tr></table>I used to get a weekly massage to help me unwind from work, but lately I’ve been looking to save some money so I switched to the Wahl heath Therapy Complete Heated Massage at Home.  This little guy can give me a massage whenever and wherever I need it without having to make weekly payments.  The reason it works so well is its flexibility: it comes with eight attachments that let me customize my massage.  Two speed settings and two heat settings also let me choose exactly the type of massage I want without any fuss.

At first I wondered what I would do with eight different attachments, but I realized pretty quickly that each one has its own strengths.  For example, the heat attachment helps me when my neck starts to hurt, and the kneading and deep muscle massage attachments loosen up my back and help me relax.  After a stressful day I like to pop in the facial or scalp attachments for a gentle, stimulating massage.  The package also comes with a knuckle and joint attachment, a spot application attachment, and a general body massager.  Add all this customization to an easy to hold ergonomic handle and there’s no ache it hasn’t been able to soothe.

Pros:

• Different Heads for Lots of Customization: The biggest perk of the Wahl massager is definitely its ability to be customized.  With all its different attachments and speed and heat settings you can have a completely different massage every night!  No matter what’s bothering you, you’ll be able to customize a massage that works for you perfectly.
• Strong Vibration: For such a small device I was shocked at how powerful the massage it delivered was. Even my toughest muscle aches were soothed.  If the power felt like too much, it was easy to turn it down to a lower setting.
• Compact Design: The small size of the Wahl massager makes it very easy to give yourself a massage wherever you need it.  You don’t have to worry about lifting a cumbersome machine and contorting yourself into uncomfortable positions.  It’s easy to manipulate and is not tiresome to use.
• Different Speed and Heat Settings: Not everyone wants the same amount of pressure in a massage, or the same amount of heat.  The variable speed and heat settings made it easy for me to create the right massage for the moment.  I like the slower speed for the most part, but my husband likes to use the high speed on his legs after a run.  It’s another one of those features that makes customization really simple.

Cons:

• Heat Takes a Few Minutes To Warm Up: The heat attachment is one of my favorite features of this massager, but it does take a few minutes to warm up.  This doesn’t bother me too much – I usually just turn it on a few minutes before I want a massage and use the time in between to brush my teeth and wash my face.  Once I’m done the massager is ready!
• Has a Cord: This massager uses a cord instead of a battery to work.  The cord can sometimes be a bit of nuisance, but only rarely.  The plus side is once I bought the machine I never had to spend any extra money on batteries.

I’m so glad I made the switch from a masseuse to this personal massager.  I’ve saved tons of money so far and I’ve never had a problem getting a massage exactly where I need it.  The eight different attachments and varying speed and heat settings let me easily get the massage I’m looking for.  I love it so much I’m thinking of getting my sister one as a birthday gift.  It seems like there’s nothing this little machine can’t do.

Click here to get the Wahl 2-Speed Hand-Held All-Body Massager with Heat from Amazon.com

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"><tr><td><img src="" /><td></tr><tr><td><td></tr></table>I tried out the Oster Professional 103 Stim-U-Lax Massager at my sister’s house the other day and was immediately hooked.  This massager hearkens back to a different time where things were made of a much higher quality.  You can tell just by looking at it that this massager is built to last. It is made of 100% ball bearing construction that will hold up to a lot of abuse.   The massage itself is heavy duty and comes at a single speed, but that one speed is enough to get rid of all my aches and pains.

The most notable aspect of this machine is how it looks.   It follows a traditional design that has a special frame contour that fits my hand perfectly.  The outside housing is made of chrome with a rubber hand pad. I’m able to use it comfortable both on my head and elsewhere on my body.  It’s a solid piece of machinery that I’m confident will hold up to years of use.

Pros:

• Heavy Duty Design: I’ve tried drugstore massagers in the past, but they’ve always died on me within a few months.  This isn’t the case with the Ostler Stim-U-Law.  Everything about its design screams quality.  It’s modeled after the massagers used in barbershops decades ago, many of which are still working today.
• Great Hand Grip:  This massager has a grip that gives you a large amount of control over where it goes.  Instead of holding onto a stick, you’re directly holding the massager itself.  This lets you move it to where you need it to go.  You get much better accuracy this way, making for a shorter amount of time until your aches are relieved.  It only took a few minutes for me to get a major knot out of my back.
• Looser Springs for Easier Holding: Older models of the same massager were very tightly wound, making for a difficult device to hold.  This model is a little more lose, which lets me hold it without feeling like my bones are going to shake right out of my hand.
• Deep Massage: With such a heavy duty design, it didn’t surprise me at all how powerful the massage itself was.  I didn’t have to use it for very long for it to take care of all my pains.  Because you’re holding onto the device directly it’s very easy to control how powerful a massage you get, so if very deep massages aren’t what you’re looking for you’ll be able to change the pressure to suit your desires.

Cons:

• Cord is Short: The cord that comes with the charger isn’t as long as it could be. If you want to use it far away from an electrical outlet this may cause some problems.  It didn’t bother me too much, though, especially if I used an extension cord with it.
• Can be a Little Hard on the Hands: The vibration this machine gives off is very powerful, and I found my hand getting tired after a while.  However, by the time my hand started getting tired I was ready to turn it off anyway since it had already finished the job I needed it to do!

The Oster Stim-U-Law is a sturdy massager with a great design.  It’s made quick work of my aches and pains and is a soothing addition to my day.  Its chrome and rubber design make it both attractive and easy to use, and its ball bearing construction assure me that it will be working for years to come.  I couldn’t be happier with it.

Click here to get the Oster Professional 103 Stim-U-Lax Massager from Amazon.com

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"><tr><td><img src="" /><td></tr><tr><td><td></tr></table>I love Shiatsu massages, so when I saw Homedics Therapist Select SP-10HD Shiatsu Pillow, I had a feeling it would give me exactly what I was looking for. After trying it out I couldn’t be more pleased.

First of all, the pillow is so soft and plush that I felt more relaxed before the massage even started!  As soon as I sat down I could feel it conform with my body. Once I turned it on it got even better.  The rotating massage mechanism soothed whatever muscles it was used on, whether it was in my neck, my back, or my shoulders.  I tried the spot shiatsu feature on a particularly sore spot in my back and it worked like a dream.  The pillow is heated, which makes it a perfect companion for a chilly night.  This massager is soft and comforting, but at the same time it packs quite a punch when it comes to a massage.  The best of both worlds, no?

Pros:

• Very, Very Strong Massage: I wondered at first whether or not this little pillow would be able to give me the strong Shiatsu massage I was looking for.  Believe me, I didn’t wonder about that very long!  The rolling massage mechanism works very deeply, getting to all the sore places in my back and neck.  It worked especially well when I placed it between my back and the chair I was sitting in.  I even tried holding all of my body weight against it and it kept on going without a hitch.  The motor is very powerful and can give a great massage.
• Soothing Heat: While a strong massage is the number one thing I was looking for, I was pleasantly surprised by the heat feature.  Having that warmth behind my neck or back really helped to soothe my muscles.  It made a nice complement to the strong massage I was getting.  The two components worked together very well.
• Can Be Used in Many Places: While the manual says it can be used on the neck, back, and shoulders, I’ve found that it’s equally effective against other parts of the body.  I liked using it against my side.  It also worked wonders on my feet after a long day in heels.  The massage may be too strong for some sensitive parts of the body, but for the most part it will work wherever you need it.
• High Quality Pillow: It’s not all about the massager – the pillow itself is very high quality and comfortable.  It’s plush, soft, and conforms to the body.  I start to relax as soon as I lean up against it, even before I turn it on.

Cons:

• Heavy: This device is a little heavier than your average pillow.  There’s a lot of equipment inside it, which gives it a bit of heft.  This hasn’t been a huge problem, though, as I like to have my massage in the same chair every night.
• Can’t Control Heat and Massage Levels: This pillow has a “one size fits all” attitude.  There’s no option to change the intensity of the massage or heat.  However, it’s very easy to adjust the pressure of the pillow against your neck or back, giving you the ability to decide how deep you want the massage to be.

For me this Shiatsu pillow is almost as good as the real thing.  The massage is very powerful and the pillow is cuddly and soft, giving me the best of both worlds.  It goes a long way towards helping me relax and get to sleep.  I think it’d be a great pillow for anyone who likes a firm massage and is interested in fewer aches and pains.

Click here to get Homedics Therapist Select SP-10HD Shiatsu Pillow, Beige from Amazon.com

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"><tr><td><img src="" /><td></tr><tr><td><td></tr></table> Within the past year I’ve been experiencing some pain and stiffness in my muscles after I worked out.  I’d heard that percussion massagers are a great way to deal with post-workout pain, so I decided to give the Thumper Massager Handheld Percussive Sport Massager a try.  After the first time I used it I was hooked.  The patented percussive technology really worked its way into my muscles, soothing the pain I felt in my shoulders and my back.

The entire device feels solid and the heavy duty DC motor has yet to slow down a bit.  It even has a “True Speed” feedback system that keeps it from stalling at low speeds.   I’ve never experienced anything like it – it’s allowed me to work out longer and feel better afterwards.

The thing I like most about this massager is its compact size.  It’s so easy to throw it in my gym bag before I leave.  It’s also very light, weighing only three pounds.  The small size doesn’t mean it’s lacking in capabilities, though.

There is a variable speed control that you can adjust so it works in a way that feels best for you.  Even the ergonomic handle is designed so anyone can use it comfortably.   The massager comes with an Instructional DVD, making it easy to become familiar with all of its functions.

Pros:

• Ergonomic Handle Makes it Easy to Use: Let’s face it – the parts that ache aren’t always the parts that are easiest to get to.  The handle on the Thumper Massager is designed to be easy to hold on to, which allows you to move the massage to where it needs to go.  I’ve had no problem using it to massage my back and neck, which are often the spots I need the massage the most.
• Variable Speeds: Not everyone likes a massage at the same speed or intensity. The Thumper makes it very easy to switch between massage speeds to find one that works best for you.  I find that a higher speed is great after a workout, while a lower one helps me relax to go to bed.  No matter what you prefer you’ll be able to get the massage you’re looking for.
• Percussion Massage Goes Deep: The Thumper uses percussion massage to help relax your muscles instead of vibration.  This has given me a deeper massage than what I’ve gotten with other products.
• Heavy-Duty Motor: There’s nothing worse than getting halfway through a massage and having the motor die on you.  I’ve never experienced a problem like that with this massager.  The motor has never stalled on me, no matter what speed I use it as.  Should something go wrong I wouldn’t worry about it, as the machine comes with a two year warranty.

Cons

• Heats Up a Bit: After twenty or thirty minutes of consecutive use the massager does tend to heat up a little bit.  This has never bothered me, though, as I usually like to take a break after that amount of time.
• Not the Most Forceful Percussion: While the percussion massage the Thumper gives is more than enough to ease my muscles, it’s not the most heavy-duty massager out there. This a massager for home use.  If you’re a professional athlete you might find that it doesn’t quite do the job for you.  However, for the average gym-goer (or just someone who likes a good massage), the percussion is more than enough.

I’ve noticed a huge difference in my post-workout comfort after using the Thumper Massager.  Since it’s compact enough to take with me, I can throw it in my gym bag and use it when I need it.  It’s easy to use and the motor won’t quit.  I can’t imagine working out without it!

If you’re looking for a post-gym massage, want to increase your circulation, or reduce any other kind of muscle pain, the Thumper Massager Handheld Percussive Sport Massager has the right size, power, and price to get the job done.

Price Alert: Right now Amazon.com is offering a 13% discount for the Thumper Massager Handheld Percussive Sport Massager. This means their current price is $20 cheaper than the usual retail price.

Click here to see the Thumper Massager Handheld Percussive Sport Massager on Amazon.com

Example of a back massager for chairs

It’s exactly the shape and size of a chair: this means you can easily carry it around the house and put it on your favorite chair. This is extremely convenient because it doesn’t take up much space. Unlike massage chairs which are big and bulky, a chair back massager can be very space-friendly. It’s usually just two pieces of cushion and a built-in machinery which moves to massage your back.

Most of the back massagers for chairs are shiatsu back massagers, this means they have knobs that move in circles and other pre-determined directions to simulate the kneading motions of a human hand. Some of these chair back massagers even come with heat and vibration. A heated back massager can be a joy to use, especially during winter or cold nights.

Back massagers for chairs have an additional benefit: they can be used in cars as well! Because they are simply massage cushions, they can be placed within a car easily. This makes it very comfortable for long rides, especially if it has a heat and vibration option.

The Best Back Massagers for Chairs

Homedics SBM-500H Therapist Select Shiatsu One Massaging Cushion I love this back massager cushion for chairs. Not only does it have separate massage mechanisms for my shoulders and back, it also has a height adjustment feature for a customized fit. This massage cushion utilizes traditional Japanese massage therapy that applies gentle pressure to my back and shoulders. It also has rolling and spot massage features, so I can have the type of massage that I want. I can choose from six different massage programs, depending upon how I feel. I especially look forward to using the heat option, after a long day at work. It completely relaxes my back and shoulder muscles, and I feel wonderful.

What I like the best about the Homedics SBM-500H massage cushion, is that I can have a massage at my convenience, in the privacy of my own home. Because the cushion weighs only 18 pounds, I can move it from room to room. After work, I usually watch the news while getting my “personalized” massage. I de-stress, and then head out to the gym, or do things around my house. I can’t say enough about the Homedics SBM-500H Massage Cushion. It makes my life better, at a great price.

Click here to read my full review of the Homedics SBM-500H Therapist Select Massaging Cushion.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a smaller chair back massager for targeted relief, you may want to consider the iNeed Lumbar Massage Pillow. This is a small cushion that you can strap to the back of any chair. It uses a velcro and can be easily attached to all chairs with a back rest. This is a small pillow but very effective if you’re only interested in massaging your lower back or upper back.

All in all, there are many different types of back massagers for chairs and when choosing the right chair back massager, you should consider buying one that will fit all types of chairs so you can maximize your use of it. Back massagers for chairs can easily be shared with loved ones as well. Just unplug it and carry it over to your husband or wife’s favorite chair.

I hope this helps you to find the perfect back massager for chairs!

If you are suffering from backaches or tired and sore muscles, hand held back massagers may be the answer to fast pain relief. Hand held back massagers are ideal for targeting problem spots on the back. A good hand held back massager can also help relief chronic back pain.

Although the seat type massagers may be ideal for a relaxing overall back rub, hand held back massagers work better for treating chronic pain and trouble areas. Hand held back massagers offer orthopaedic methods of pain relief at the convenience of your own home. With a hand held back massager, you can save on massage parlour expenses while treating your back problems.

Hand held back massagers comes in all shapes and sizes. They are countless brands and types of hand held back massagers available in the market today. One of the ways in which you can tell if a hand held back massager is suitable for you is to try them out for yourself.

A more efficient way is to read user reviews and find out the public’s general response to the product. Reading user reviews provide a vast information on the product and highlights the product’s strength and flaws. If you are shopping online, it will be a safer bet to buy from merchants with a 30 day back guarantee. You can try it and unless you are satisfied with it, you can exchange it with another model.

Types of Hand Held Back Massagers

Example of a manual handheld back massager

There are basically two types of hand held back massagers – manual and electrically powered. Manual back massagers are made of wood or plastic and you need to exert force on your own in order for them to massage your back. Electric back massagers are powered by a motor which causes it to vibrate or move in a specific direction, thereby massaging your back without any work on your part.

An example of an excellent manual back massager is the classic Body Back Buddy. It’s a marvelous tool that is ergonomically designed for you to massage every possible part of your back. All you need to do is to position it on the right spot and press!

For electric hand held back massagers, consider getting the awesome Thumper Mini Pro2. It’s a little heavier than the usual handheld back massagers but that’s because this is a very powerful professional grade back massager that ‘thumps’ your back. My body feels like jello after a session and I always get incredibly relaxed and peaceful after using it.

A more light-weight hand held back massager is the multi-purpose Hitachi’s Magic Wand Massager. It has duo motor speeds of 5000 rpm and 6000 rpm and is corded for ultimate performance. Ladies will love this massager for obvious reasons.

Another popular light-weight corded model is Panasonic EV2510K Easy Reach Roller. Panasonic’s Easy Reach Roller boost a flexible head and comes with various vibrating massagers including an acupressure head for versatility.

All of these hand held back massagers are all affordable while providing effective means of delivering fast pain relief. Just be sure to read more back massager reviews to figure out which type of hand held back massager is most suited for you.

The Body Back Buddy has got to be one of the most obscure looking contraptions that I’ve ever come across. I have to admit, I really didn’t expect it to be all that effective and only bought it on a whim, thinking “what the heck”.

My first impressions were okay. For what you get I thought it was a bit expensive but I’ll let you decide whether it’s “expensive” or not based on what it achieved. At the end of the day, I wasn’t buying “stuff” here, I was buying results.

It’s definitely unusual looking. It’s in a large “S” shape with various knobs spawning off it. Most of the knobs are regular, rounded balls but there’s also the odd “shoulder like” shaped knob.

I gave the instruction manual a quick skim over then put it to the test. Boy, was I impressed! It’s great! I tend to suffer from aching, “tight” shoulders – probably from working on a computer all day – like a lot of people do, as well as a pain in my lower back every now and then. I applied the device to my shoulders, first standing up, then by lying on my back with it underneath me. It took a little bit of tweaking and adjusting to get the hang of, but boy, after a few attempts it just hit the spot perfectly. I must of spent only about 10 minutes with this thing before I felt re-energized. It really is surprisingly effective.

My favourite thing about the Body Back Buddy has got to be the ease of use. Obviously, shoulders aren’t the easiest place to reach by yourself but with the BBB is was a cinch. The lower back is also another awkward area to reach by yourself but with the BBB it’s just so much more accessible. It just flat out works.

In a nutshell, here’s an overview of the Body Back Buddy:

Pros:

• Relieves muscle aches and pains all over the body
• Incredibly easy to use by yourself
• Allows you to treat hard to reach muscles

Cons:

• Awkward shape and size (for travelling)
• A tad over priced for what you get (but can you put a price on pain relief?)

As you can see, the fact that it does actually work (incredibly well!) definitely makes up for the initial impression of seeming expensive for what it is. As mentioned earlier, with a device like this, you’re paying for results here, not a fancy “thing”. If you experience any sort of muscle pain on a regular basis, and even serious muscle conditions such as fibromyalgia, then without any hesitation: get this product! Highly, highly recommended!

Click here to see the Body Back Buddy on Amazon.com

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"><tr><td><img src="" /><td></tr><tr><td><td></tr></table> I’m about to make a very bold statement, and that is: the Thumper Mini Pro2 Massager is probably better than a professional massage! Now, that partly depends on personal preference, but seriously, the Thumper is very good.

It has three speed settings, all of which are quite intense so that’s something to bare in mind, but it’s definitely effective. It offers a very deep massage with almost more of a thudding motion, so it’s by no means a gentle experience. But saying that, it’s soothing in it’s own way and relaxing for the very fact it eases any muscle pain.

One thing I especially like about the Thumper Mini over other massage solutions, is that it can be used on your entire body. Many massage cushions and what not are only really designed for your back but this one provides relief for numerous muscles. I’ve used it on my legs, my shoulders and my lower back all with great success.

The unit is quite heavy so I did find it quite difficult to use it on my shoulders for any length of time by myself, and I actually enlisted the help of my wife to apply it to my lower back, so that’s something to think about. You’ll likely need the help of someone else at some point. It’s also obviously on the higher end in terms of cost. This brought with it a lot of expectations but I think it’s fair to say, it lived up to them well. At the end of the day, if a product can provide me with the relief that I’m looking for then it’s likely going to be worth it, no matter what.

Here’s a condensed overview of the Thumper Mini Pro2:

Pros:

• Offers a very deep, effective massage
• Has different speed settings
• It can be used on muscle pains all over the body
• Generally very well made

Cons:

• Ideally you need someone else to use it for you
• Quite heavy
• Quite expensive

As you can see, the Thumper Mini Pro2 Massager definitely does what it’s designed to do. If you want relief from muscle pain as fast as possible, then this is the product for you. I’d say it’s not for the faint hearted, but the fact is, it works. I personally wouldn’t accept anything less now. Highly recommended, with a shadow of a doubt.

Click here to get the Thumper Mini Pro2 Massager from Amazon.com

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"><tr><td><img src="" /><td></tr><tr><td><td></tr></table> As an avid exerciser, I’ve been through a few massage cushions in my time with always very mediocre results. You’d think they wouldn’t be so difficult to design, but I can now appreciate that it is hard to design something that will work for everyone. There are a number of reasons why I opted for the Homedics SBM-500H Therapist Select Shiatsu One Massaging Cushion, having used many similar products before.

Firstly, it has two separate massage mechanisms for the shoulders and back. In my opinion, this is mandatory, so don’t accept anything less. Secondly, the shoulder massage pad is height adjustable. Again, this is a must have yet so many other products don’t offer it. It covers my entire back perfectly, seeing to the areas which are most important.

It has 6 different settings which I like the fact can be altered by a remote control. I nearly always use the device on it’s maximum setting and it does a good job of a shiatsu style massage. The level of heat is just right and the pressure really does give a “deep tissue” experience. It’s obviously not as good as a professional massage at the massage parlor – I still resort to them every so often – but then it’s a heck of a lot cheaper! And more convenient of course. So overall, it does do what it’s designed to do.

As for downsides to the product, it’s honestly quite hard to find a fault with it considering it’s cost. I do think that it can feel a bit “cheap”, but as I say, it essentially is. It’s not like it feels cheaper than it is. It’s quite hard to explain. It’s built well and it works, but it does feel that little bit cheap.

Another thing worth pointing out is that this massage cushion probably wouldn’t be suitable for very tall people. Although the shoulder massage mechanisms are height adjustable, there’s obviously a limit and I think anyone above 6 ft wouldn’t get the most out of it.

Overall, here’s a summary of the Homedics SBM-500H:

Pros:

• Two separate massage pads
• Height adjustable shoulder massage pad
• Very “deep” style massage
• Very good heating elements

Cons:

• Probably won’t offer best results for very tall people (6ft 2” +)
• Doesn’t feel of amazing quality (but perfect for the price)

As you can see, the Homedics SBM-500H does do what it’s designed to do, and given the price, it does it to a very acceptable standard. If you’re seriously wanting an affordable massage cushion for home use, then this is definitely your best bet. Highly recommended.

Click here to get the Homedics SBM-500H Therapist Select Shiatsu One Massaging Cushion with Heat from Amazon.com

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"><tr><td><img src="" /><td></tr><tr><td><td></tr></table> I’d never actually come across the iNeed brand before so didn’t know what to expect from the iNeed Lumbar Massage Pillow. I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt though and I have say, I’m glad I did!

The problem with a lot of the massage cushions is that they’re advertised as being able to give effective “massages”, but they do little more than just vibrate. The iNeed, however, gives an impressively deep and effective massage. Frankly, it’s fantastic for such a low price. It’s obviously not as good as the “real thing” but I have to say, it sure is effective.

It has “four dual-rotating massage nodes” that are perfectly positioned to hit just the right spots of my back, and relieve any stiff muscle tension. I mostly use it on my lower back and it works wonders but I’ve also used it on my upper back too. The motors behind the nodes are strong enough to give a deep massage but they’re nice and quiet. I did find the nodes a little too hard on the back of my neck which is obviously a sensitive area, but I just placed a towel in between the unit and my skin. I think this is more designed for your back muscles, especially lower back, of which it works perfectly.

One thing I especially like about the iNeed are the straps that allow you to attach it to a chair. I’ve found with a few similar models, while they may work well, unless you’re leaning against them they usually topple over or are hard to keep in place. On top of that, the other thing I like about this model is that it’s great for travelling. It’s a convenient size and you even get a free travel case!

Here’s an overview of the iNeed:

Pros:

• Perfectly positioned massage nodes
• Portable – comes with a free carrying case!
• Adjustable strap for keeping it in place
• Very quiet but gives a strong massage

Cons:

• Almost too strong a massage for sensitive areas

As you can see, it’s quite hard to find a downside to the iNeed and to be honest, it’s perhaps a little harsh saying it’s not great for sensitive areas such as the neck considering it is designed for the back, the lower back especially. So overall, the Lumbar Massage Pillow is a fantastic product and does exactly what it‘s designed to do. Highly recommended.

Click here to get the iNeed Lumbar Massage Pillow on Amazon.com