All of us experience body pains and aches at some point. But as we stay active or busy, or as we age, it’s likely that such pains would become more frequent and/or more intense. You can also experience pains from spending long hours in front of the computer or laptop. People who are also engaged in different types of exercises or types of sporting activities often end up sleeping in an incorrect position. The neck or back pain may be caused by injury or a chronic condition.
According to recent studies, 85% always experience neck, shoulder or lower back pain during their lifetime. It’s common to experience such pains after a long day of hard work. Those pains can be quite bothersome and distract you from accomplishing the things you usually do. They may be difficult to get rid of such pains, but it’s otherwise possible. There are ways to relieve neck, shoulder and back pains, and one of the proven methods is to use neck and shoulder massager.
What is a Neck and Shoulder Massager?
A neck and shoulder massager, as the name implies, is a device that is used to massage the neck and shoulder to provide relief from soreness and tension. There are several massagers which are equipped with various features, depending on the model, to release tension from the shoulder and neck.
There are many people who want to get rid of pain and soreness around their neck and shoulders but may not have the time or the money to visit spas or to sign up from a professional massage therapist. That’s why massagers for the neck and shoulder have become popular because people find them as a perfect alternative to a spa or a professional therapist. These massagers are cost-effective and provide almost the same benefits as going to the spa, in the comfort of their own homes. These devices can work out knots in your neck as a result of strain, illness or injury. If you are suffering extreme and chronic pain, you can use neck and shoulder massagers to get relief.
Massagers come in manual or electronic models. You can always choose either of the two, depending on your preference or how severe the pain is. While manual models are definitely cheaper, they otherwise require flexibility from your arms in order to achieve the best results. However, people who suffer arthritis and other joint pains may find manual massagers difficult to use, that’s why electronic massagers are popular. Aside from the fact that they run automatically, electronic massagers have lots of features which include various massage modes that range from percussion to shiatsu. And you can do all these with just a click of a button.
You should take note massagers are different from each other, employing their own different functions and techniques to release tension and to provide relief on your neck, shoulder, and back. Some massagers have features that you really want to take advantage of, especially if the pain is chronic and severe. These features include vibration, heat, rollers, and acupuncture.
Benefits of Having Your Own Shoulder and Neck Massager
One of the benefits of having your neck and shoulder massager is that you can use it anytime, whenever you need it, in the comfort of your own home. They are designed to massage even hard-to-reach areas like the sides of your neck or the entire back. You can operate the massager by yourself or you can ask someone to use the massage on you if you want. Not only neck and shoulder massagers are ideal for home use. Since they are mostly compact and portable, you can also use them whenever you’re at work or you’re traveling, to get instant relief from chronic neck and shoulder pain. You can also use the massager whether you’re standing or sitting down, depending on your own preference.
Neck and shoulder massagers provide the following benefits:
- They speed up muscle recovery.
- They relieve pain in the muscles.
- They reduce the heart rate.
- They help in boosting flexibility.
- They help in improving sleep cycles.
- They promote good blood circulation.
How to Choose the Right Neck and Shoulder Massagers
There are five points to look out for when choosing massagers:
- Price
- No brittle plastic
- Ability to massage several body parts
- 8-ball massagers have an advantage over 4-ball counterparts, especially if you’re looking for wider massage coverage.
- Manufacturer’s warranty
If you’re thinking of getting neck and shoulder massagers, here are the products available in the market today.
Body Back Company’s Massage Tool
This is an effective tool for people who want to treat some specific sore spots and knots in their shoulders or back. This cane-like tool features 11 massage knobs, which can be used on sore muscles to loosen knots and reduce spasms on the trapezius muscle.
Pros:
most affordable
made from hard plastic
ideal for letting trigger points go
Cons:
lacks a mechanism to make it more portable
doesn’t feature shiatsu functions
Zyllion ZMA13BK Shiatsu Pillow Massager
This massage pillow product provides a wide range of features and benefits for an incredibly reasonable price. This is also a great choice for those looking for a small device which can be used at home, in the office, or even inside your car.
Pros:
charger included
durable construction
affordable
ultra-slim
heating feature
Cons:
lacks heat adjustment options
quite noisy
too much weight slows it down
LiBa Shiatsu Massager Pillow
If that annoying neck pain prevents you from doing your daily tasks or doing the things you like, you’re definitely going to love the LiBa Shiatsu Massager Pillow, which combines the shiatsu massage technique and heat. In the massager, there are heated balls which work as shiatsu rolling, which helps sooth neck pain. Plus, it can effectively penetrate deep into the area especially where the most painful part is located.
Pros:
ideal for home
car and office use
advance heating option
portable
Cons:
a little bulky
Gideo Shiatsu
This massager offers you an infrared 4-points of the heated massage to relax and soothe your muscles, in order to relieve your neck, shoulder, and back pain in a short time. Available in soft gray color, this model allows you to relax and enjoy the pleasures of massage in the comfort of your own home, in the office, or in your car.
Pros:
lifetime warranty
premium quality leather
portable
Cons:
not ideal for small necks
HoMedics HHP-350
This is a hand-held massager which gives you a different massaging experience. It’s because it uses a percussion massage technique where it applies a “tapping” method rather than vibration. The massager’s pivoting heads hit your pained and sore muscles just like a hammer.
Pros:
minimum noise
2-year limited warranty
rubberized handle
versatile
Cons:
can take a while to warm up
a bit too large to fit in most luggage
PUREWAVE™ by PADO CM-07 Dual Motor Percussion & Vibration Therapy Massager
This massager comes uses the percussion massage technique. It comes with a speed dial which allows you to adjust the percussion or vibration as needed. This is powerful cordless massager that is used not just for the face, head and scalp, neck and shoulder, but for other parts of the body as well. If you want an all-around massager, you may want to consider this product.
Pros:
cordless
6 massage sticks
designed scalp and facial attachments
easy to reach
Cons:
limited use
poor customer support
heavy for use on the lower back
WAHL 4290-300 Deep Tissue Massager
This is massager effectively goes deep into the affected area. With this massager, you do not have to exert to effort or put too much pressure in order to feel and enjoy a deeply penetrating massage. It runs in 3500 pulses per minute (pps) making it one of the most powerful massagers in the market.
Pros:
generate more power
excellent long handle
larger round head
Cons:
corded massage which some might find annoying
Shiatsu Back Massager
This massager comes with a bi-directional movement which ensures a smooth transition whenever positions are switched and mimics the hand movements of a shiatsu masseuse. This massager also massages deep into the tissues, which means you do not have to apply too much pressure by yourself.
Pros:
easy to maneuver
3-year replacement
15-minute auto shutoff feature
Cons:
heat isn’t noticeable
must plug in to use
Naturalico Shiatsu Massager
This massager gives you heat and kneading for your whole body. You will be longing for the soothing relaxation you get for your sore, tight and knotted muscles in your feet, ankles, hips, calve muscles, lower and mid back, scapula, shoulders, side of neck and neck.
Pros:
auto shutoff feature
car adapter, handheld
lightweight
bi-directional
Cons:
little bulky side
not cordless
not a lot of movement choices
New Five Star FS8801 Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager
From this massager, you will get eight rollers for a maximum shiatsu massage application. It has wrist support and a heating function which is a great addition for melting the pain and soreness away, although you cannot adjust the temperature.
Pros:
Auto-shutdown feature
portable nit
4 massage zones
4 massage programs
Cons:
not cordless
rollers make an annoying sound
Viktor Jurgen
This massager’s design is unique because you can manually adjust its roller rotation, either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Compared to other massagers though, Viktor Jurgen’s design is rather obsolete.
Pros:
uses the assistance of multiple massage nodes
Cons:
Some have complained the unit melted within one hour’s of use
Gideon Shiatsu Deep Pillow
Unlike other massagers, the Gideon Shiatsu Deep Pillow has eight rollers that give you maximum massage coverage and increased massage intensity and stimulation. This cushion can be fastened to a car seat or to an office seat.
Pros:
speed dial to adjust percussion
motor runs up to 3700 M
Cons:
awkward for some
poor customer support
Neckteck Shiatsu Massage Pillow
One of the advantages of this massage pillow is that it has three-speed modes of shiatsu nodes, allowing you to tweak the speed of the massage to your liking. It also has eight rollers, which means double the massage intensity.
Pros:
auto shutoff
lightweight
Cons:
cordless
the cord is too short
Regardless of the cause of your shoulder, neck or back pain, these massagers relive it using heat and vibration. People who don’t have enough time or money to get professional massages on a regular basis always rely on these massaging devices, the reason why these became popular. With these neck and shoulder massagers, you can get rid of the pain comfortably, wherever you are.