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Nowadays, it’s difficult to bring to mind an occupation that doesn’t put some kind of stress on your back. A trip to a professional masseuse will get you feeling better, but many full-time workers struggle to find the time, not to mention the money. Luckily, back massagers, can be used from the comfort of your own home and offer a satisfactory substitute for a trip to the massage parlour.
These days there are so many massage products vying for consumers’ attention it can feel impossible to know which one to choose. So, before you fork over your hard-earned money, read our handy buying guide on massage chair pads and pillows to make sure you’re picking the right product for you and your muscles. We've even ranked the top 10 best back massagers in the UK on Amazon, eBay and Argos!
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Many people put pressure on their back every day. Manual labourers lift and carry heavy objects, office workers put their backs at risk with bad posture, and shop workers often experience lower back pain after being stood on their feet all day. Read through our buying guide to learn how to pick the best chair back massager for relaxing at the end of a hard day.
It’s sensible to start your search for a massager by answering one simple question; which areas of your body need the most attention? It's a question worth asking, as some massagers will focus primarily on certain areas of your back, while others can be used across multiple areas of your body.
Full-chair back massagers, often known as seat cushions, sit comfortably on top of a regular office chair. These will usually cover the backrest, as well as the actual seat itself.
As you sit, a series of nodes spread throughout the massager, will rotate (or vibrate, depending on the model) to gently massage your back. These can be set to massage one area at a time, or several simultaneously. You can even find ones that massage your thighs too!
For a comprehensive full back massage, without having to worry about changing positions, a full-chair massager in an excellent choice. Just be aware that although they can easily be folded to fit in your car boot, it's quite a hefty piece of kit, and one that you’ll be more likely to keep at home.
The other style of massager available is the much smaller massage pillow, or neck and back massager. Simply place one behind your head and it'll give your neck and shoulders a lovely massage. Despite the name, these massagers can be used across all areas of the body, and can be moved to ease tension in the lower back, and even the calves.
If you want versatility and the option of massaging lower down areas, such as your legs, you’ll want to consider a smaller massager. Massage pillows are also much easier to carry with you, meaning you’ll be able to receive a soothing massage, wherever you are. Just know that using it in certain places may earn you odd looks from strangers!
But how many nodes does your massage chair really need? The answer comes down to how many areas of your body you’d like to have massaged at the same time. A massager with more nodes will be able to massage several muscles simultaneously, meaning you're likely to reach a state of relaxation much quicker.
However, more isn’t always better. Many full chair massagers feature fewer nodes that travel progressively up and down your back. While you won’t be able to have several areas massaged at the same time, it will more closely resemble an authentic massage with a professional masseuse - after all, unless they have super powers, a masseuse is only able to massage two points at one time!
Many chair massagers offer a number of unique programs. These are a series of tailored massages, which use different motion patterns and levels of pressure to create unique relaxation experiences.
Some programs will focus specifically on a single area of your body, which is particularly useful if you’ve been doing a lot of lifting and carrying that day. Others will allow you to experience different massage styles, such as a deep kneading, or rolling massage.
Massagers that don’t feature programs will do the job more than adequately. However, programs can impart extra levels of relief as you are able to choose a massage that focuses specifically on a problem area. These will also allow you to switch things up and keep your daily massages interesting!
Many massage chairs use vibration therapy to help give your muscles relief. Vibration is a commonly used massage technique, which uses small trembling motions to increase circulation, stimulate nerves and decrease muscular tension. Particularly when done at a slower pace, vibration therapy can also have a calming, soothing effect on recipients.
Owing to these benefits, most massage chairs have some form of vibration feature. Often this is on the base of the seat, where it'll gently soothe your thigh muscles as you sit comfortably. When used in conjunction with a shiatsu massage, vibration therapy offers one the most deeply relaxing experiences available, without a visit to a professional masseuse.
As if the idea of a tension-relieving massage wasn’t enough, many massagers for chairs now offer additional heating modes for extra levels or relaxation. Heat is an effective measure for combatting back pain because it helps to boost your circulation, which, in turn, repairs damaged muscles and relieves inflammation.
In fact, heat is so effective that it’s becoming increasingly common to find massagers that utilise it. So sit back and relax as the 3D nodes knead your pressure points while a comforting heat loosens and soothes your tired muscles. What could be better?
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | HoMedics Shiatsu Max 2.0 | £120.91 High Mid | Supreme Relaxation at an Affordable Price | ||
2 | Comfier Back and Neck Massager With Heat | £199.99 High | A Spa Day in a Massage Chair | ||
3 | Snailax Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager | £43.99 Low Mid | A Clip on Massage Pillow for a Secure Fit | ||
4 | Snailax Shiatsu Back Massager With Heat | £93.98 Mid | The Closest Thing to a Professional Massage at Home | ||
5 | Naipo Neck and Back Massager with Heat | £41.99 Low Mid | A Portable Massage Pillow for All Areas | ||
6 | Naipo Shiatsu Back Massager Chair Seat Cushion with Heat and Vibration Function | £74.99 Mid | An In-Depth Massage Experience for Your Back and Thighs | ||
7 | Zyllion Shiatsu Pillow Massager With Heat|ZMA-130-BK | £119.99 High Mid | A Compact Pillow That's Perfect for Relieving Pressure | ||
8 | HoMedics Shiatsu Back and Shoulder Massager | £64.99 Mid | A Massager That Simulates the Hands of a Professional Masseuse | ||
9 | MaxKare Neck and Back Massager Shiatsu Massage Pillow | £29.99 Low | An Affordable Way of Soothing All Areas of the Body | ||
10 | Snailax Memory Foam Massage Seat Cushion | £59.99 Mid | A Vibrating Massage for Your Whole Back |
HoMedics Shiatsu Max 2.0 is the ultimate chair for targeting individual areas of the body, featuring separate massage sections for the upper back, lower back, and upper legs. It's also incredibly comfortable to sit on and comes with a headrest.
It's certainly versatile, coming with an impressive 14 massage modes. These include deep kneading and rolling vibrations, as well as a soothing heat mode. All these amazing features come at a great price too, making this our favourite massage chair currently available in the UK!
This is one of the most versatile massage chairs out there, with adjustable settings including 2D and 3D finger pressure shiatsu massage, air compression and a variety of vibration settings. Use these features together to make it feel like you're having your very own spa day!
This seat has enough modes and settings to keep everyone happy. So if you don't enjoy the more intense features, you can always adjust the settings for a softer massage. For those willing to pay the premium price, this really is the seat that has everything.
It can be difficult to attach a massage pillow securely to your chair. Unlike those that use straps, this one clips firmly to the top of your chair to ensure that it doesn't loosen with your movements.
Its nodes rotate in opposing directions, mimicking the motions of a real massage therapist. Not only does this ensure that you'll feel rejuvenated after every use, but makes it suitable for use on several areas of the body.
Perhaps not for the faint-hearted, this full shiatsu massage chair pad from Snailax offers relief comparable to that of an intense professional massage. The results are totally worth it, as afterwards you'll feel more relaxed than you ever have before.
It's incredibly versatile with massage nodes that can be moved up and down until they're at the perfect position for you. Throw in a load of extra features, such as heat and vibration functions too, and you've got one of the best back massagers out there!
Naipo's massage pillow won't target multiple areas of your body at the same time, but its small size means is can be easily moved around to focus on specific areas that need extra attention. It's highly portable, so you can take it with you to work or while travelling.
Its ergonomic design makes it extremely comfortable, and should you desire a deeper massage, you can simply lean back into the pillow to increase the pressure. It can also be heated up to 40 degrees.
This massager uses the latest in massage technology to ensure an intensely relaxing experience. Its 3D nodes mimic the hands of a masseuse, and provide a deep shiatsu-style massage that kneads your muscles to relieve deep-seated tension. It also has three massage zones to ensure that your entire back gets full attention.
The nodes can be heated to 40 degrees, which is the perfect temperature for improving your blood circulation without causing you discomfort. This seat isn't just for your back, it vibrates beneath you to massage your hips and thighs for a truly thorough massage.
One of the most impressive things about Zyllion's massage pillow is its size. It's compact enough to carry with you wherever you might need it, something that is particularly useful for office workers.
However, don't let its small size fool you! It provides a deep massage that alternates its direction every minute to mimic a professional massage. It also offers the perfect amount of pressure for relieving stubborn neck pain. It's a little on the pricey side, though, especially when you consider there are similar products available for a third of the price.
HoMedics have been providing quality products since 1987, and today are one of the most popular manufacturers of massage technology in the UK. It's easy to see why when you consider how much they offer, for a such an affordable price.
This chair features dual nodes that simulate the motions of a real massage therapist to target all areas of your back - particularly the lower areas, which are especially prone to aches and pains. It doesn't have as many features as the Max 2.0, but use this massager for just 15 minutes a day and you will notice a difference.
MaxKare's Shiatsu Massage Pillow is perfect for soothing your neck and shoulders while sitting. It can be used for soothing several other areas of the body as well, such as the lower back or legs.
Its gentle heat and soft, undulating nodes are great for easing pain after, or even during, a hard day's work. Unfortunately, its power cable is rather short, meaning you're restricted as to where you can sit while using it, but it's hard to argue with the £29.99 price tag.
Rather than a shiatsu massage, this massage cushion from Snailax uses vibration to ease your tired muscles. It utilises a series of 5 nodes, spread evenly across the chair, offering you simultaneous relief across all areas of your back and your thighs.
It's soothing heat and plush memory foam are so comfortable that you'll feel like you're sinking into a nice hot bath. It also features 5 programs, so you can target whichever area of your back needs the most attention. It's a shame that there's no option for a shiatsu massage, but for £59.99, this massager isn't bad at all.
When it comes to ensuring the health and happiness of you and your loved ones, you can never do too much. To make things a little easier for you, we’ve gathered together some of the best products available in the UK to help you relax and unwind. Get yourself comfortable and dive in!
Purchasing a back massager can be daunting, but we hope that after reading this article, you feel able to make an informed and confident decision. With the right back massager, you'll be feeling refreshed and relaxed in no time!
Author: Ben Willimett
No. 1: HoMedics|Shiatsu Max 2.0
No. 2: Comfier|Back and Neck Massager With Heat
No. 3: Snailax|Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager
No. 4: Snailax|Shiatsu Back Massager With Heat
No. 5: Naipo|Neck and Back Massager with Heat
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