Homedics Back and Neck Massager, Portable Shiatsu All Body Massage Pillow with Heat, Targets Upper and Lower Back, Neck and Shoulders. Lightweight for Travel

Had a severe pulled muscle in my neck, extreme tightness and pain. This definitely helped loosen it up, though I also had muscle relaxers and steroids as well. The heat feature along with the massage helps to relieve tightness and spasms. Time will tell as far as durability. Good value for the product, and appreciate the fast delivery.

This massage machine works very well. For my lower back, I sit in a recliner, place it up about 2 or 3 inches above the seat, lean back some, and turn it on. It has three settings: massage, vibrate, and both, plus a separate button for heat. I put it on the third setting and add the heat (which is not hard when doing the lower back). I lean back just a little because the muscles want to strain at first. As my muscles relax, I lean the chair back more, and finally after my back is relaxed enough, I am all the way leaning on it. It lasts about 15 minutes, and the directions say to not use it longer than that because it can damage the machine, so I wait at least an hour to do any further massage.The upper back and neck are harder, because it tends to slip down when I recline the chair or lean back. I usually have someone help me put it in place, but I use the same technique to lean back. I find that my back is always at least 50% better, with less pain and more mobility, after the massage is over for either the lower or upper back. This pain relief lasts most of a day, so if I use it two times a day, it is very helpful. My pain is from arthritis, so I don't know how it would help other problems, but I believe it would be useful to anyone with back pain. I bought another one for my daughter, who also has back pain, and she loves it.I think if someone just leans all the way on the machine right away, it would be more painful, so I recommend leaning slowly while you get used to the massage.I also have the foot massage machine from the same company, and it works even better, so I have around 70% less pain after use with it.

Why did you pick this product vs others?:I had a vibrating heated pad that I loved for soothing pulled muscles! But it died… This was the closest thing I could find to what I had, and it’s great so far! The massage nodules are a little hard to lean back on, but when you are in the right position it gives you a killer massage.It also takes a good 15 minutes to really heat up, but after about 35 minutes of use, I was so relaxed! This item is a keeper.

I used this product for 6 years until it stop functioning. Its worth every penny of it. The functionality is awesome. My family uses it too.

Why did you pick this product vs others?:Massager was bulky and heavy. However, it really did feel like a masseuse was actually digging hard into my back. It was just too intense for me. But a good friend of mine bought it from me and loves it. He likes how intense the massage kneading is.

This massager was a God sent. I have suffered with upper back pain a long time and this is helping me. I love it

Rarely do I write Amazon reviews, but I felt the need to write this one. I purchased this for my chronic pain per a friend’s recommendation and it has helped—when it’s actually worked.Unfortunately, after a few uses of the massager, vibration button stopped working; only the heat and massage/rotation portion would work *sometimes*. I used this while laying on a wedge pillow, laying on my adjustable bed while reclined, and while laying flat on the floor with some pillows for neck support. To get the vibration to work again, I had to jiggle the pillow and push the buttons around to get it to work, as if the wires were disconnected or faulty. I ended up having to unzip the case to adjust the motor of the vibration component and it was VERY hard to zip back up, plus all of the memory foam was flaking apart and getting everywhere. When I got it to actually work again, the vibration was extremely weak compared to when my initial use of the pillow. Overall, I feel very disappointed with this purchase given the price vs lack of durability and functionality. I will look for an alternative.

So far it’s great - not as deep or intense as others such as the NekTek but very efffective. I thought it had stopped functioning a month and a half after purchase, however I unplugged it, moved it to another room, plugged it in again and Eureka - not sure what the real issue is but glad it works again!