For thousands of years, ancient humans have practiced the art of self-massaging primarily for therapeutic purposes using traditional massage tools.
Fast forward to today, and these ancient practices have become so popular in the West that they have created a cult sensation amongst millennials.
In fact, massage parlors are a booming business for young and fresh entrepreneurs entering the market.
Which is no surprise considering the large volume of customers looking to unwind after a long, tedious day at the office. (Jeez, anyone fancies a massage right now? ?)
The only problem is that these massage parlors cost an arm and a leg!
As such, we will be reviewing the top self massage tools to purchase in the market.
Before we begin, here are our top picks:
The 11 Best Massage tools for 2023
Resteck Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager
Massage the Soreness Away
Considered one of the top electric back massagers in the market, you can use the Naipo Shiatsu on your neck, feet, shoulders, back, and stomach to reduce the effects of soreness on your body.
This device further comes with a high-tech control panel that enables you to perform a variety of functions. The most notable ones include varying the speed and direction of the massager for maximum therapy. You can also keep yourself warm by varying the heat that the Naipo radiates.
For enhanced back and neck comfort, the Naipo Shiatsu has a U-shaped design fitted with soft flexible straps which quickly but gently apply pressure on your neck to sooth tensed-up muscles.
Worried that you might doze off while giving your back and neck a therapeutic session? Well, the Naipo massager has a 20-minute automatic switch-off function to prevent the device from overheating or getting damaged.
Pros
- Great for relieving muscle tightness and improving blood circulation
- Easy to use thanks to a well-structured user-interface panel
- Comes with soft, flexible straps for enhanced comfort around your neck and back.
Cons
- The device’s functional buttons are quite difficult to access once you’ve placed it around your neck.
Thera Cane Massage Tool
An Effective Manual Massager
This might come as a bit of a surprise to many, but the Thera Cane Massager is actually a great massaging tool that does wonders for your neck and back.
Why is this so hard to believe?
Because of the tool’s simplistic manual design—it’s literally just a cane having six massage treatment balls fitted together—whose sole objective is to loosen the tightened knots between your muscles. So that you’ll feel rejuvenated after using the tool for a couple of weeks!
The treatment balls are actually placed there to enhance oxygenation and circulation of blood within your vessels.
Pros
- Ideal for eliminating tight and agonizing knots in your neck and back
- A simplistic design for ease of use.
Cons
- It can take you a while before you know how to properly use the massager and experience its therapeutic benefits.
SNAILAX Shiatsu Massager
Soothe Your Back With This Portable Massage Tool
Are you looking to treat your back even when you’re at the office? Then simply carry the SNAILAX Shiatsu Massager along with you!
And to have maximum space while carrying essentials such as the SNAILAX to the office, you can check out our detailed review of office bags in the market.
This light and portable back massager is fitted with specialized gel nodes to massage your back and relieve any tension and strain. It mainly targets your shoulders, your lower back, and your bottom.
Its instant massage relief feature will lighten your mood and make you appreciate your day even more!
Pros
- A portable back massager that can be used anywhere as long as you have a chair.
- Provides instant relief in case you were suffering from back pains and tensions.
Cons
- The design does not compensate individuals with short stature.
Five S FS8812 Back Massager
A Quality Massager for Enhanced Pain Relief
Question; what’s more invigorating than having a masseuse on standby to massage your back and shoulders whenever you feel tense? Answer: The Five S FS8812. It’s no surprise that this piece of engineering ingenuity is our premium choice on the list. Granted it’s not pocket-friendly, but the amount of justice it does to your back is certainly worth it!
Once you purchase this back massage tool, all you have to do is plug it up and place it in your chair. Voila! You’ll have a massage fit for the gods!
The device also comes with a range of massage options programmed into it. And you can select whichever you desire, depending on the body or region you plan to have massaged.
There are also three massaging speeds to select depending on what your preference is.
Pros
- A versatile massaging tool to which you can tune your massaging preferences
- Comes with a car adapter so that you can get a great massage while you’re driving.
Cons
- The heating feature is not that great in this product.
- Can be uncomfortable for people above 6’1
TheraFlow Dual Foot Massage Roller Tool
Keeping it Simple With Your Massaging Technique
Over the years, foot massage tools have gradually lost their popularity, especially in the West. Yet we use our feet on a daily basis but rarely give them the love they deserve! Thankfully, you can transform this neglect into admiration with the TheraFlow Dual Foot Massager Roller.
What makes this product a must-have in any household is that it provides your feet with the much-needed stress-relief thanks to the 10 self-rotating rollers that come with it.
Simply stand on the device and move your feet to experience its therapeutic properties.
Each roller contains miniature nubs that create pressure points on your feet; a classic case of acupuncture.
Pros
- Effective in dealing with stress and strain that affects the feet
- Enhances blood circulation
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not an ideal remedy for solving advanced feet conditions and chronic disorders
Nayoya Wellness Massage Ball Roller
Let Your Hands Massage the Pain Away
A hand massage tool that thrives due to its simplicity, the Nayoya massage roller set takes you back to the manual days. You only need the power of your hand to massage your body and release tension from your muscles and nerves.
The product comes as dual massage rollers which you can use on pretty much any part. However, you might require an extra-hand for those hard-to-reach massage areas like your lower back.
We highly recommend you use these rollers especially if you’re suffering from arthritis.
Pros
- The rollers are light and portable meaning you can easily transport them
- For durability, the rollers are encased in a tough casing of plastic
- Two massage rollers that come at an affordable price.
Cons
- The plastic casing can scrape your skin if you push the rollers too hard.
- Not designed for athletes looking for deep tissue massage as they are ineffective.
Wahl 4290-300 Therapeutic Handheld Massager
Fast and Intense Massaging Tool
If you would like a versatile massager that can be useful for different massaging procedures, then the Wahl 4290-300 is the perfect device for you. A handheld accessory, it comes with four distinct heads that vary the intensity of massage therapy.
The standout head that most people like to use is the ‘Acupoint,’ which serves as a deep massage option to improve blood circulation in muscles.
Conversely, if you are looking for medium-intensity massages, you can access the ‘muscle-ball’ and ‘flat-disc’ heads that are ideal for a soft and gentle therapy.
Pros
- The device comes with 4 different attachments which you can use to modify the intensity of therapy.
- The device can be handheld for flexibility while massaging
Cons
- You have to be careful with the device as there is a nylon-like section of it that breaks when too much pressure is exerted on it.
HoMedics Action Massager
Derive Pleasure from Therapeutic Massaging
For individuals that prefer using handheld therapy massage devices, the HoMedics Percussion Action tool is also another great option.
While percussion massaging might not be the most pleasurable experience, it can be quite therapeutic.
It comes with two massaging heads to make therapy more relaxing, whilst releasing the tension and strain acquire from a sports or accident-related injury.
You can also adjust the warmth of the device to further soothe your muscles.
Pros
- Has adjustable settings for heat and massage
- Ideal for percussion massaging
- Comes with a lightweight design
Cons
- The vibration can feel a little rough at times
VIKTOR JURGEN Handheld Massager
An All-Purpose Massaging Tool
Considered one of the most commanding electric massage tools in the market, one of the most impressive features about this massager is its intense speed, vibrating at 3350 pulses.
Fortunately, you can adjust the speed thanks to the device’s modifiable settings.
The VIKTOR JURGEN further comes with a set of different heads, one dedicated to all-purpose massaging while the smaller heads are designed to loosen deep-tightened muscles.
Pros
- The speed of the massager can be adjusted for your preference
- Ideal for both general and deep-purpose massaging
Cons
- The device does not come with any vents so it might overheat after 15 or more minutes of use.
Health and Yoga Palm Urchin Massager
Affordable Massaging Tool on A Slim Budget
Are you on a tight budget but still looking for a great therapeutic massage tool? If that’s the case, then the Health And Yoga Palm Urchin is an ideal muscle-pain reliever.
The device is manufactured from acrylic making it a tough and durable accessory for extended massage use. That being said, ensure you’ve cleaned it thoroughly after every wash.
Pros
- It comes with 4 angled knobs to regulate the type of massaging intensity you’d like to have.
- A durable device due to being manufactured from acrylic
- Can be washed after every use.
Cons
- The massager easily breaks when carried from one place to another so you have to be careful when packing it.
Gua Sha Massage Tool
Master the Ancient Massage Technique
This is a tool that takes a different massaging strategy compared to other tools on this list. The Chinese technique of using Gua Sha stones means that you scrape your skin until redness or bruising occurs. The idea is to minimize stress, strain, as well as muscle tension with such bruising.
The tool is crafted from Jade Stone making it a high-quality massager ideal for scraping your body effectively. Nevertheless, it is advised that you work with a licensed chiropractor before engaging in Gua Sha on your own.
Pros
- Known to have highly therapeutic properties
- Great quality Jade Stone
Cons
- You have to dedicate your time to learning the Gua Sha technique extensively.
How to Choose the Best Massage tools
A massaging tool is an enhanced product that enables you to provide therapeutic properties to your body through self-massaging without hiring the services of a professional masseuse. You have the option of selecting either an electric or manual massaging tool.
Here are the two essential features you need to consider before purchasing massage tools:
Type
When it comes to selecting massage tools, they fall into two main categories: manual and electric. In most cases, you will find that manual tools are less expensive compared to their electric counterparts.
Nevertheless, manual tools tend to be slower and require users to exert their own force to use the device.
On the other hand, electric massage tools are automatic but costly because they require an electrical power source to operate.
Hence, such devices can prove useless if you’ve gone camping outdoors.
But if you just want a hands-free kind of massage while enjoying a glass of wine, then an electric massage tool is your go-to option.
An Easy-to-Use Design
Most of the high-tech massage tools come with a myriad of settings to make them easier to use. That being said, you should always go for one that clearly outlines its usage with an easy-to-understand manual.
Skin Comfort
Ideally, a massage is meant to be therapeutic for your body. Hence, you should select a product that doesn’t result in any discomfort (especially on the skin) when using it to massage your back, neck, or core.
Effectiveness
One thing most people fail to realize is that a massage tool is not a long-term solution to chronic back, neck and shoulder pain. If you have an underlying problem that might be plaguing your health, it’s wise to first consult a medical professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
On the other hand, if your pain is a result of a physical injury, then a massage tool might be an effective remedy. Ideally, you should purchase a massage tool that soothes the pain on the injured body part.
Does it soothe your back pain? Does it relieve your muscle and joints?
Moreover, you should purchase a massage tool that is made from quality material and comes with a durable compact design.
Longevity
In this modern age we live in, life can be pretty stressful and hectic. As such, the proverbial struggles of daily life can make you develop chronic joint, back, and muscle aches.
Indeed,the sedentary lifestyle that most of us live today is having a detrimental toll on our posture, muscle joints, and muscle nerves. The pain can be so unbearable that you might find it difficult to resume your day-to-day activities!
To remedy this issue and stay healthy, we advise you to purchase a high-quality massage tool that lasts for years on end. Ideally, you should avoid massage tools that are brittle and become flawed after a couple of sessions. A tool with a robust structure is a great option to have.
In fact, we have noticed that most manual tools tend to be more study than their electric counterparts.
And The Winner Is…
We picked The Naipo Shiatsu as the best massage tool because of its user-friendly interface, versatility, seamless control, and the effective therapeutic relief it provides. The device is further portable, meaning you can sooth any pain whether you’re at the office or in the comfort of your home.
