It’s not always convenient or cost effective to visit a massage therapist.
In fact, I usually advise my regular patients to invest in a massage machine anyway.
Why? Because there are numerous health benefits associated with having regular massages.
Whether you have back, neck, leg, or foot pain, I’m confident that you’ll find a suitable massager below.
To show you what’s available I’ve selected a wide variety of machines that include: chairs, handheld devices, cushions, spas, and more.
I’ve chosen these products based on my own experience, what customers say, their quality, and overall value.
Handheld Massage Machines
Everyone has different opinions and experiences with handheld massage machines because it’s quality that counts.
Still, these machines are a great alternative to professional massages, especially if going for a massage regularly is becoming too expensive.
The benefits
These machines can help with muscle recovery, reduce the intensity of your muscle pain, and improve your blood circulation.
What areas can you massage
Handheld massagers can be used to massage your legs, feet, shoulders, and back.
Recommended products
TheraGun Pro Plus Deep Tissue Massage Gun
This machine uses a percussion vibration of up to 3000 strokes per minute and applies over 30 pounds of pressure. It is portable, cordless, and has 5 hours of battery life.
The machine is so compact it can be carried to your job or the gym, making it perfect for traveling and to break up your muscle knots or recover from a strenuous workout session.
Sonic Handheld Deep Tissue Massager
The Sonic deep tissue massager is another great option to consider. It has 5 levels of intensity and 5 massage heads to choose from.
The machine is portable and very quiet with up to 6 hours of battery life. It also comes with a lifetime warranty, free access to an online video library, and live support.
This massager is a very popular product, and most customer reviews are excellent. The best features according to reviews include the extended battery life and the ease of use.
Many people have also reported back pain relief and a significant improvement on tight muscles after using the massager.
Foot & Calf Massagers
Your feet and calves are very sensitive compared to the rest of your body. That’s why just giving yourself a massage with your fingers alone can work to relieve tension.
Now imagine what vibration and a massager can do. These machines are the easiest, most effective way to relieve the tension in your calves and feet.
The benefits
Foot massages improve circulation in your lower extremities and provide an excellent way to feel relaxed and comfortable.
They may also uplift your mood and help you fight fatigue, which will improve your sleep and reduce the sensation of pain in your feet.
Recommended products
Human Touch Reflex Foot and Calf Massager
The Human Touch massager does a great job on your feet but the best part about it is that it also triggers your calves in the process.
It promotes blood circulation and soothes your feet, which makes you feel remarkably rejuvenated and much more comfortable.
The machine works with massage rollers and has two intensity settings, two auto-massage programs, and two types of motion.
Customer reviews on this massager are overall excellent. Customers say it is very easy to use and worth the money, especially if you have plantar fasciitis or another foot condition.
RENPHO Foot Massager Machine with Heat
The RENPHO foot massager is great for those dark winter nights when your feet are not only tense but also very cold.
It delivers a shiatsu foot massage using a rotation ball with heating to improve your blood circulation, soothe your feet, and make you feel better after a long day at work.
This machine works for your feet only and has an intuitive touch panel and enlarged foot room to fit both small and large feet.
What customers are saying
Most customer reviews on this massager are very favorable. Satisfied people say that it is very easy to use and helps to manage pain symptoms in your feet.
It is also worth the money spent and is highly recommended for plantar fasciitis and other foot conditions.
Massage Chairs
There are several types of massage chairs on the market, but before buying one you need to know what type of therapy it offers and the features you should look for.
Therapy types
Swedish massage: This type of massage features kneading motions and long gliding strokes. It is great for promoting circulation.
Shiatsu massage: This type of massage mostly features rotating motions, applying pressure, and using different types of rollers to release tension in the body.
Finding a massage chair
Consider the type of massage you’re getting with a given chair, but also the following features:
- Comfort: It should be comfortable to sit on, even when turned off.
- Strength: Chairs with vigorous movements are often more protruded and have stronger movements. Less intense massagers have smaller rollers instead.
- Adjustability: Great massage chairs offer different preset programs.
Recommended chairs
Real Relax 2022 Massage Chair
The Real Relax 2022 massage chair is a full-body massager with airbags on the hips, feet, calves, and shoulder area.
It features a neck, back, and foot roller with 6 automatic massage modes and three levels of intensity. It also has a bluetooth audio function and a weight limit of 400 pounds.
People who bought this chair say it’s very easy to assemble and will only take around 30 minutes. It is also very comfortable and works great to relieve pain, especially in the back.
Some people complained about having certain difficulties after buying this massage chair but also mentioned that those issues were quickly solved by customer support.
Kahuna LM-6800 Massage Chair
With an interesting zero gravity function and a smart body scan technology, this massage chair is an interesting choice for relieving stress and muscle tension.
It offers a full-body massage with 4 roller systems that target your back, shoulders, waist, hips, and arms.
Customer reviews are excellent with most people praising the comfort the chair provides. There are also many testimonials of significant relief felt by those with back or foot pain.
The only downside reported was that the instruction manual is apparently not very helpful but their customer support is very responsive and only a call away if you need any help.
Head Massagers
Are they effective
According to customer reviews, head massagers really work and make you feel relaxed. Moreover, research has shown that a scalp massage can also improve hair growth.
Therefore, these machines are truly effective as long as you find a good product.
The benefits
- They help you reduce the severity of a headache or migraine pain
- They release tension in your body and reduce perceived stress
- They promote relaxation throughout the body and may lower your blood pressure
- They also promote hair growth
Recommended products
Breo iDream5s Rechargeable Head Massager
This Breo iDream5s massager doesn’t just look like a high-tech helmet, it actually has some interesting technology and can be connected with your mobile phone.
It uses heat for better results, comes with a 12-month warranty, and provides a complete massage on your neck, scalp, eyes, and temples.
LATME Electric Scalp Massager
This electric scalp massager comes with 28 nodes and gives you a very powerful shiatsu-style massage.
It was designed for your scalp, but can also be used to massage other parts of your body.
The machine has 4 modes and features waterproof technology, so you can enjoy a relaxing massage in your shower, bathtub, or spa.
Most people that bought this scalp massager left an excellent review. Satisfied customers say it works fantastically, and they are very happy with the waterproof option.
Massage Cushions
Why use a massage cushion
Instead of buying an expensive massage chair, you can just order a massage cushion.
Massage cushions can be adapted to any chair including your couch which enables you to have a relaxing massage at any time.
Similar to massage chairs, massage cushions have different massage techniques and features to choose from.
Where can you use a massage cushion
One of the best things about massage cushions is that you can use them almost everywhere. This includes your couch, armchair, office chair, car, and even your bed.
Recommended products
Comfier Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager
The Comfier massage cushion uses a combination of Shiatsu massages, air compression, rolling, heat, and vibration.
The heat function is optional, but it delivers a gentle warmth, unlike a heating pad. It also has special rotation nodes that recreate finger movements throughout your body.
Most people have had an excellent experience with this massage cushion, they say it is very easy to use and ergonomic in almost any situation.
Foot Spas
If you liked the idea of foot and calf massagers, you will probably love foot spas. Here’s what you need to know and two recommended picks.
How they work
Foot spas are detox machines that pull toxins out of your body by cleaning your feet.
They are very relaxing and use ionized water with a positive charge that attracts foreign substances and heavy metals in your body to get rid of them through your feet.
The benefits
Foot spas are very relaxing and improve blood circulation. Other benefits include increasing your energy levels and improving your overall health by releasing body toxins.
Recommended spas
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This foot spa combines ionized water technology to bring out the toxins in your body with traditional massage rollers to make your experience even more pleasant and relaxing.
It also features heating therapy with an adjustable temperature of 35 to 48ºC and an adjustable massage time of 10 to 60 minutes.
Most customers are very satisfied with this product and say that it is very easy to use and also easy to clean.
They love the temperature control and recommend the foot spa to anyone who needs a good foot massage after a long day at work.
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This is an all-in-one solution that combines oxygen bubbles, vibration massages, and heating therapy to provide a unique foot massage experience.
It uses the Qi system to smoothen the meridians of the body plus improve your energy system and overall health. It also looks elegant and feels fantastic.
Most customers have left a positive comment and say it’s easy to use and clean. The rollers at the bottom are relaxing, and the warm temperatures are excellent for winter days.
However, some people encountered problems adjusting the heat, which continuously goes up until shut off.
Leg Compression Devices
Leg compression devices are the easiest way to get leg compression therapy at home.
This type of therapy applies pressure to stimulate your veins and deep muscles, encouraging circulation and improving wound healing.
The benefits
- Improves blood circulation
- It is appropriate for patients with lymphedema
- Reduces inflammation and swelling in your feet and lower extremities
- Reduces muscle tension and joint pain
Recommended products
Rapid Reboot Recovery System
This leg compression system provides 2 compression modes, 10 pressure settings, and 3 duration options to choose from.
You’ll be able to deactivate the compression system in very specific chambers.
The device is also portable, easy to activate, and comes in different sizes depending on your leg length.
Customers say they’ve had a fantastic experience, and the device has sped up recovery times, improved leg symptoms, and helped them recover faster from strenuous workouts.
FIT KING Leg Air Massager for Circulation
This model looks a bit simple compared to the above but it has 3 massage intensities and 2 modes you can choose from, using up to 10 massage techniques.
It is not only a compression therapy device, but also a very complete massager for your lower extremities, including your calves and feet.
Compared to the Rapid Reboot, this air massager is much more popular, with many positive customer reviews.
Satisfied customers say it is very easy to use and has an intuitive remote control. However, it does not have any massage rollers and only works with air compression.
Red Light Therapy
What it is
Red light therapy is a photostimulation therapy that uses red wavelengths to stimulate growth in the skin and deep tissues.
The benefits
It is useful for cosmetic purposes, especially skin health, but may also speed up healing and facilitate pain relief.
Recommended products
TENDLITE Red Light Therapy Device
This portable device allows you to receive light therapy wherever you go.
The Tendlite comes with a charger, two rechargeable batteries, a wristband, protective eyeglasses, and a storage sleeve.
The device fits perfectly in your hand, and can directly target pain, promoting relaxation, and reducing stiffness.
What customers are saying
Most customer reviews are excellent, and some positive reviews come from experienced people in the field who found this light therapy device very useful.
It has an interesting timer function you can program, and it is highly recommended to improve joint pain.
Quantum Rejuvenation® Introductory Device
This is a medical-grade, FDA-registered device that uses red light therapy to reduce pain and rejuvenate your cells.
It comes from a high-selling brand, with batteries guaranteed for one year of use, a 5-year warranty on the LED bulb, and a 1-year warranty on parts and labor.
It is also portable and comes with a battery charger and protective dark glasses. People who bought this device say it is easy to use and works as intended to relieve pain.
Some customers even saw improvements in their skin and wrinkles. However, one of the few complaints reported is that the device heats the skin a bit more compared to others.
