Name: Kate McMurry
Location: United States
Date: 2007-10-22
Customer Rating: -
Summary: Help for your sore back
Comment: The Shiatsu massaging cushion is shaped like a chair pad. It is portable and can be placed in any type of chair, including, I would assume, the front seat of a car. You'd need the proper plug adapter, though, because it works by plugging into an outlet, not by batteries. The only caveat for what chair you can place it in comes from the product's manual. It says to be careful of upholstery, so I put a towel over my padded recliner when I placed the cushion on it. That chair, by the way, was a great choice for using the cushion because I could recline while being massaged. To add to the relaxation experience, the cushion has a convenient, hand-held control which allows you to access with the touch of a finger the three different massage programs the cushion offers: (1) shiatsu spot massage, (2) regular shiatsu massage, and (3) rolling massage. When you choose the latter two programs, you can select movement up and down the full length of your back, or have the cushion focus on your lower or upper back. For all three programs, you can add heat, which amplifies the healing effects. You can also control the width of the massage so it conforms to your particular body size. There is also an automatic timer within the cushion that shuts it off after 20 minutes, but it feels so good, I did it for a full hour the first night. Be careful, though, that you don't do it too long. The automatic 20 minutes are about right for most people, because you can get, as the saying goes, "too much of a good thing," and give yourself a pain flare the next day if you have the cushion massage you too long.
I rate this product 5 stars for ease of use and portability, 5 stars for looks, 5 stars for how good it feels, and definitely 5 stars for value for the money. While a simple, electric cushion like this can't take the place of a human masseuse, I found it felt almost as good as a very expensive, electric massage table I have used in my chiropractor's office--and a comparable 20-minute treatment by that table costs almost as much as the price of this cushion.
By the way, you don't have to have a chronic back problem to find good use for this cushion. It would make a great gift for most of the adults on your Christmas list. I plan to give one to both of my children. At ages 19 and 22, they don't have the middle-aged aches my husband and I suffer, but they periodically get acute back pain from overdoing it in sports.
Name: Christian Book Reviews
Location: Philadelphia, PA United States
Date: 2007-12-05
Customer Rating: -
Summary: Good Bang for the Buck
Comment: There are a few things you need to know about these massage chairs, First of all, they are not a complete replacement for a professional masseur/masseuse or physical therapist. Second of all, you generally get what you pay for...for better or worse. Thirdly, general use models are fine for releaving the tenseness that can come from a hard day's work or a poor night's sleep but are not designed for chronic problems that may require more serious relief. In other words, don't expect an inexpensive massage chair to substitute for the very expensive therapist in relieving the pain associated with the car accident you had a few years back.
With those restrictions in mind, the Homedics SBM-200H is an excellent inexpensive low level massage chair that does exactly what it is designed to do - relieve back tension with a combination of rotating massage and heat to basic areas of the back. The two rotating heads can be set to do the upper, lower, or full back and has the additional option of applying heat from the rotating heads. Depending on your sensitivity, the heat may become a little uncomfortable for some and it may help to use it until it begins to reach your tolerance, turn off to let it cool, and then reapply the heat again. Given the very competitive pricing, it is an excellent investment for the relief of back tension and pain due to normal levels of stress.
Name: Zachary Hackett
Location: Reno, Nevada
Date: 2007-11-15
Customer Rating: -
Summary: Oh the Joy! Oh the Pain! Use as Directed
Comment: Follow the directions and you'll have a wonderful little massager with this product. It's about as easy to set up as anything I've ever seen. Open the box, set the massager on an easy chair -- I used a recliner -- turn it on and you're good to go.
From the first massage I was hooked. I couldn't get out of that recliner, not to refill my coffee, not to get the remote, not for anything. I just shouted out for Sara to supply me with whatever I needed. I was never getting up, not even to pee. But after my forth or fifth cup of coffee, I had to go so bad my bladder felt like a blowfish about to blow. That baby was stretched to the limit. I forced myself up. But as soon as I was finished, I came straight back to the back massager.
Then I got an idea. If it's so great in the chair, imagine how great it'd be if took it to bed and stretched out on top of it.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Sara said.
But what did she know. She's a woman.
I got a good book, took the shiatsu massager to the bedroom, laid on the bed, plugged it in, laid on top of it, turned it on and I was styling.
But now I'm hurting. My back is good and sore, all bruised up. I'm sitting up straight as I'm typing this. I don't dare lean back. The pain, oh the pain. I guess this is why they have directions. But heck, I'm a Mac guy, we don't read directions. However, sometimes we learn the hard way. Use this baby as directed and you will love it. Use it like I did and you'll probably wind up like me. Still, though the massager destroyed my back, I can't take any stars away from it, because it wasn't its fault. My wife loves it. My son does do. So do the neighbors, the UPS man and the babysitter. So five stars from me. Just be careful.
Name: Harold McFarland
Location: Florida
Date: 2007-11-19
Customer Rating: -
Summary: Surprisingly effective massage unit
Comment: I've had Homedics products before including a couple of their other models of massage cushions. Without exception I have not been happy with the results. That is why this particular model was a real surprise to me. It is in a league of its own compared to the other models I tried.
Not only does it work well but it has options for heat as well as the ability to concentrate the massaging action on the lower back, upper back, or the entire back. Two heated rotating units move up your back on either side of the spine and then down again producing a deep massage effect. The unit is timed for fifteen minute sessions before automatically shutting off.
The other Homedics units I tried basically had between five and ten vibrating "motors" and for me produced an increase in blood circulation without any muscular benefit. If you are looking for one that will really help sore, tired muscles then this is the unit you want. If you have not been happy with the results from Homedics massage units before then give this one a try before giving up on them. This one really works and I could not be happier with it!
Name: Amy M
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Date: 2007-11-03
Customer Rating: -
Summary: GREAT for my chronic back pain
Comment: I recently purchased this product. I have chronic back pain related to bulging discs and bone spurs in my thoracic spine. Being on my feet all day at work exacerbates the pain.
I get a sharp pain just to the left of my spine in the mid-upper back area. The Shiatsu Massaging Cushion with heat does relax my muscles and helps to alleviate the pain.
I prefer to use the heat setting with the massage, but it is optional. The roller mechanism is spaced well for my frame, and it exerts a good amount of pressure. If it's too much, you can always put a towel between your back and the cushion.
I'd definitely recommend this product. I'd suggest that anyone with a chronic health problem consult with a professional before using it. However, I don't see any major contraindications for most people.
I'm very glad I've found something that finally helps with my back pain.
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