Back massagers have been around for a long time and come in different types. You can think of, for example, a back massage cushion, massage belt and massage chair. All these different types of back massagers all have the same goal, which is to reduce back pain.
In this article I will tell you everything you should pay attention to when buying a back massager. I will discuss the most important functionalities that you should pay attention to.
What is a back massager and how does it work?
A back massager is made to reduce muscle tension in the back. This makes it very helpful in removing stress and back pain. It imitates the movements a professional masseuse makes.
The most popular massages that a back massager can give are a shiatsu massage, vibration massage and a tapping massage. Both massages are different from each other but have the same goal, namely to loosen the back muscles.
During the back massage, blood circulation is increased. Due to the better blood circulation and the loosening of the back muscles, a back massager helps with many complaints such as:
- It works very well in reducing muscle soreness.
- Reducing stress
- It improves your body flexibility.
- It encourages a good night’s sleep.
- Reduce back pain.
Reviews of the best back massagers
I have done extensive research for my website relaxthuis.nl into the best back massage devices and tested them extensively. Based on my experiences, I have compiled a list of the best back massage devices of the moment.
I hope that after reading this article you have got a good idea of which back massage device suits you.
1 Medisana MC 825 back massager
The best back massager that gives the most complete body massage. The device has the best price-quality ratio.
Most important features:
- In addition to your back, also massages the neck, shoulders, buttocks and thighs
- The most popular back massage device of the moment
- It gives a shiatsu, vibration and acupressure massage
- Adjustable body zones (upper back, lower back, shoulders, seat and full body massage)
- Four intensity settings
- including remote control
- Works very well against back pain and reducing stress
Are you looking for a back massager that can give a full body massage? The Medisana MC 825 is a massage cushion that perfectly meets your needs. During this massage, not only your entire back is massaged, but also the neck, shoulders, waist, buttocks and thighs.
What we think is a big advantage is that you can adjust the height of the neck pillow. Both taller and shorter people can therefore also enjoy a tailor-made neck massage.
How does the Medisana MC 825 work?
The Medisana is a back massager that is easy to use. You can easily place the device on a chair or sofa. Then you sit on it and select the massage program and the intensity.
Three different types of massages
The Medisana MC 825 is a back massager that can perform three different types of massages. Below we briefly discuss the different massage techniques:
- Vibration massage: it is a less powerful massage that feels especially relaxing. It is actually mainly a comfortable massage that is intended to completely relax your body.
- Shiatsu massage: is a more intense massage that aims to loosen the muscles in the deeper tissue. Choose this massage if you suffer from back pain.
- Acupressure massage: the massage focuses on massaging the nerve points of the body.
After selecting the massage program you can choose to set the infrared heat massage. When you turn on the heat massage, the heat spreads over your back, neck and shoulders. The effect is that your muscles loosen up faster. The heat function also has a relaxing effect.
Who is this back massager suitable for?
We recommend the Medisana MC 825 for people who are looking for a device that can give a full body massage.
2. Qumax is a compact shiatsu massage device for the back
The most compact back massager for a very affordable price (59 euros)
Most important features:
- Very compact
- Inexpensive
- Shiatsu, vibration
- Infrared heat
- 4.8 star rating
If you are looking for a compact back massager , the Qumax shiatsu pillow is a good choice. It is a shiatsu massage device that is small and light, making it easy to fit in your backpack. The back massager is therefore ideal to take with you to work or on vacation.
Due to the smaller surface of the pillow, you cannot massage the entire back in one go. With this pillow you can only massage one body part at a time. The Qumax is equipped with four intensity settings so that you can adjust the massage to your own personal preference.
At the back of the Qumax you will find an elastic band with which you can attach the cushion to the chair . In addition, you can also use the cushion in the car because it comes with a car adapter.
3. Northwall massage gun
The best choice for the athlete (muscle recovery and muscle pain relief). It is also the most portable back massager because you can use it wirelessly for five hours.
Most important features:
- Works wirelessly for up to five hours
- Very effective for muscle pain
- You can massage the muscles in a very targeted way.
- Klopmassage
- Four massage cups (unique massage experience)
- Including storage case
- Most popular massage gun on bol.com
The Northwall massage gun made to help your muscles recover faster.
Are you looking for a wireless back massager that you can also use during exercise? The Northwall is then a very good choice. The device comes with rechargeable batteries so you can use the device anywhere. The battery can last up to 5 hours and that is more than enough.
A very strong motor that performs a deep tissue massage.
The massager performs the treatment by giving a tapping massage and it is powerful. The device can make up to 3200 knocking movements per minute. Thanks to the intense massage, the deeper muscles are also reached and loosened well. For example, if you suffer from severe back pain, a firm massage is very effective to reduce the pain. If the massage feels too hard, you can easily lower the intensity. You can choose from 20 positions.
Four attachments
The device comes with four different attachments and each attachment is made for a specific body part. The included attachments allow you to massage every body part in the most effective way.
Who is this back massager suitable for?
The Northwall is ideal if you exercise regularly. Muscle pain often occurs after an intense workout, so it is important to let your muscles relax. By massaging your body after exercise, the inflammatory reactions are counteracted and blood circulation is improved. The effect is that the lactic acid is removed faster and this ultimately ensures that the muscles recover faster.
4.Lifeproducts rug massage tape
The only back massage band that you can use wirelessly.
Most important features:
- You can use it up to two wirelessly
- Very effective for low and high back pain
- Performs a vigorous shiatsu massage.
- Infrared heat function
Are you looking for a massage device that you can use everywhere? The Lifeproducts massage belt is then a very good choice! It works on rechargeable batteries. The Lifeproducts is the only wireless massage belt that you can use wirelessly.
In addition, the quality of the massage is also very good. The back massager gives a strong shiatsu massage. This ensures that the muscles are properly loosened.
If you find that the massage feels too soft or too strong, you can easily adjust it. You can choose from four different intensity settings.
5. Beurer MG 300XL back massager
The only back massager that can perform a personal body scan and compose a personal massage program based on that.
Most important features:
- The back massager does an automatic body scan and composes a personal massage program.
- The device provides shiatsu, roll and tap massages.
- Adjustable body zones (back, neck, shoulders, seat and thighs)
- Extra large size
- Four speed settings.
- Remote control
What makes the Beurer MG 300XL unique: personalized massages
What makes the Beurer MG 300 XL unique compared to other back massagers is that it has an automatic body scan. When you start the back massager for the first time, the device will analyze your body. Based on this scan, the device composes a personalized massage program.
Which body parts does the Beurer MG 300 XL massage?
The Beurer MG 300 XL is not only intended for back massages. The device can also massage the neck and waist. With this shiatsu massage device you can completely relax after a long working day. Thanks to the larger surface, all body parts are massaged at the same time and you don’t have to do anything yourself.
Who is this back massager suitable for?
We recommend this device for people who want to enjoy a full body massage. For more information, check out the Beurer MG300XL review.
6. Sanbo massage gun
The best back massager to massage the muscles in the deeper tissue very effectively thanks to the strong motor.
Most important features:
- It works wirelessly making it easy to transport.
- You can massage any body part
- Very powerful tapping massage up to 3600 vibrations per minute
- Including a nice storage case
- 20 intensity settings
- The most powerful back massager
- Includes eBook
- Relieve muscle aches, stress and back pain.
What is very nice about the Sanbo massage gun is that it is very compact and light. In addition, it comes with a nice storage case so that you can transport the massage gun safely and easily. The great thing is that you can enjoy a back massage anywhere. In addition to massaging the back, you can actually massage any body part with this massage device.
It comes with six different massage heads and therefore you can effectively massage every part of the body. If you want to massage the back well, I advise you to place the U-shape head on the Sanbo.
A strong motor for an effective massage
The Sanbo massage gun is equipped with one of the strongest massage motors that you can find in a back massager. At the highest intensity, the device generates up to 3600 vibrations per minute. Due to the firm massages, the blood circulation is extra stimulated.
It results in the muscles being loosened faster. Of course you can also set the intensity to a lower setting if you want a more relaxing massage.
7. Backstretcher
It promotes better posture and it helps to relieve low and high back pain.
Most important features:
- Promotes good posture
- Helps with back pain
- Inexpensive (22 euros)
- Including Dutch manual
- Makes the back muscles more flexible.
- Including storage bag
Do you want to get rid of back pain? A good non-electric back massager that helps with this is the backstretcher. The backstretcher is best used by lying down. You will then achieve the maximum effect.
It actually works very simply. Position your buttocks and lie back so that your back touches it. When using the back stretcher for the first time, I recommend that you remain in the same position for three minutes. It is necessary to stay in the same position for so long because this allows the back muscles to stretch.
When you get used to it, you can increase the time of the back exercise to 10 to 15 minutes. For maximum results, I recommend using the backstretcher daily. You will find that it helps against back pain and that it promotes good posture.
What should you pay attention to when buying a back massager?
Today there are so many different types of back massagers on the market. How do you choose the right device? I explain exactly what you should pay attention to when buying the right back massager.
What types of back massage devices are there? Which do you choose?
There are different types of back massage devices. I’ll go into the most popular back massagers below. Below you see a table from which you can see exactly the benefits of each back massager. This way you can better determine which type of back massage device suits you best.
Massage pillow: the most relaxing back massager
The massage cushion is actually the most popular back massager. They are available in different sizes. You can attach the larger massage cushions to the sofa or chair, for example. Then you sit on it and your entire back is massaged.
The smaller massage cushions can only massage a certain part of your back. The advantage of the small back massagers is that they are easier to transport.
Massage gun: the most portable back massager
The big advantage of a massage gun is that you can massage the back muscles in a very targeted way. You hold a massage gun in your hand and then move it over the muscle groups you want to massage. The big advantage of this device is that the back massages are very powerful.
The deeper and difficult to reach back muscles are also massaged very well. The disadvantage of this type of back massager is that it is difficult to properly massage the middle back.
If you do a lot of sports and also want to massage other body parts, this back massager is a very good choice. If you are really looking for a device that massages your back, the massage gun is not the best choice.
It is then better to opt for a massage chair or massage cushion .
Massage belt: the most affordable back massage device
The massage band is a band that you put around your body. At the ends of the strap you will find two handles. You put your hands in that and then you can put pressure that way. Precisely because you can put pressure you can massage the muscles of the back very well.
If you do not want to hold the ends and want to relax during the massage, this is also possible. Sit on the chair or on the couch and place the massage band behind your back and your body will be massaged.
A disadvantage of this back massager is that you can only massage one specific part of your back. It is therefore not possible to massage both your upper back and lower back at the same time.
Massage chair: the most luxurious and best back massager
The massage chair is by far the best and most luxurious back massager on this list. However, it is a lot more expensive than any other back massager. For a massage chair you quickly pay 600 to 3000 euros.
Most other types of back massagers are priced between 50 and 200 euros. So a very big difference.
What really makes the massage chair different from other devices is that the massage experience is really completely different. The massage chair really massages your entire body in addition to the back. You also have by far the most setting options.
It is by far the best choice if you really want to relax after a long and stressful working day.
It is by far the best choice if you really want to relax after a long and stressful working day.
An electric massage mat: the best back massager for complete relaxation at an affordable price
The massage mat is actually the most relaxing back massage device. Place the mat on the bed, sofa or chair. Then you lie or sit on it and your entire back is massaged. It gives a wonderfully relaxing feeling because your entire body is massaged.
The disadvantage of a massage mat is that most mats are limited to giving a vibration massage. The massage therefore does not feel very powerful, so that the muscles in the deeper tissue are not properly reached.
As far as I know there is one massage mat on the market that can perform a powerful shiatsu, namely the Tecktake. For more information about this product, see this link.
The massage mat is by far the best choice if you really want to relax and don’t want to spend too much money.
Nail mat: the best non-electric back massager
In terms of treatment, the nail mat is completely different from the aforementioned back massagers. It is in fact a non-electric back massager that works on the basis of giving an acupressure treatment .
There are all kinds of small sharp plastic dots on the mat. When you lie on it, your entire back comes into contact with the mat. Because the dots are sharp, a pain signal is sent to the brain. In response, the brains go the “happiness hormone” endorphin creation .
The production of this hormone also reduces many pain complaints such as back pain and muscle pain . It also has a very positive effect on mental health. It makes you happier and you look at everything from a more positive perspective. It is also because the production of the endorphins hormones removes the stress hormone cortisol from the body.
What type of back massages can a back massager perform?
- Shiatsu massage: this type of massage is the most powerful massage. With this massage, the muscles in both the surface tissue and the deeper tissue are well reached and massaged. The shiatsu back massage is ideal for loosening stuck muscles and stimulating blood circulation.
- Vibration massage: it is a less powerful massage that mainly focuses on massaging the surface muscles. A back massager performs this type of massage by generating vibrations.
- Tap massage : this massage is very powerful and the only massage device that can perform this type of treatment is the massage gun. The massage is performed by generating up and down deep movements. As a result, the back muscles are intensively massaged.
- Pressure points / acupressure: as I mentioned, this massage is completely different from the other massages. With this massage the nerve points of the body are stimulated and that hurts a little. The nervous system then sends pain signals and in response the brain starts to produce endorphins. This reduces many pain complaints such as back pain and muscle pain.
I would always choose a back massager that can perform a shiatsu massage or tapping massage. Both massages are a lot more powerful and therefore more effective in relieving back pain.
Can I adjust the intensity of the back massage?
With most back massagers you can set the intensity of the massage. I do recommend that you check this when you plan to buy a back massager. With some cheaper models you cannot adjust the intensity.
I always recommend that you buy a back massager with an adjustable intensity.
You have more control over the massage. You can completely adapt the massage to your needs by adjusting the speed.
Can you also massage other body parts with it?
Ask yourself if you want to massage other parts of your body besides just your back. In this case, it is better to opt for a massage device such as a massage band or massage cushion. In addition, a massage gun can also be a good choice. You can massage any part of your body with it.
Does it have an infrared heat function
When you activate the infrared heat function, the body is made wonderfully warm. It provides an extra relaxed feeling.
It is also very healthy because it stimulates blood flow in the muscles. This also reduces the back pain faster.
I therefore always advise you to choose a back massager that is equipped with an infrared heat function. So always check this carefully.
For more information, take a look at the infrared massage device page .
What are the benefits of a back massage?
A back massager has many benefits for both your health and your wallet. Below we discuss the main advantages.
It helps in reducing back pain
A back massager greatly helps in reducing back pain . With a back massage, the blood circulation is stimulated. Due to the better blood circulation, important oxygens and nutrients can be better transported to the back muscles.
It actually means that the muscles in the back get more oxygen. At the same time, waste products are also removed from the body via the bloodstream. As a result, the muscle tension decreases, which also greatly decreases the back pain.
When the back muscles are massaged, endorphins are also produced. We also call them natural painkillers. Due to the production of the endorphin hormone, you will quickly feel less pain. It also contributes to a significant reduction in back pain.
Reducing stress and it makes you happier
A back massage ensures that you really relax! It gives a very relaxed feeling and you really relax.
The reason why people feel so much better and more relaxed after a back massage is because the muscle tension is greatly reduced. It ensures that the nervous feeling disappears so that you calm down in your head.
In addition to the decrease in muscle tension, the production of endorphins also ensures that you are less stressed. These hormones provide happiness and make you relaxed.
At the same time, these hormones are responsible for greatly reducing the stress hormone cortisol. These hormones are removed from the body during the production of endorphins.
In this way, a back massage provides peace of mind in your life and helps to reduce stress.
A better night’s sleep
Did you know that you also sleep much better deeper if you enjoy a back massage before going to sleep? During the massage, the brain produces serotonin and melatonin hormones. They are also called the sleep hormones.
The production of these hormones makes you sleepy and you fall asleep faster.
The nervous system is also calmed during the massage. It also ensures that the muscle tension decreases and therefore you become calmer.
In these ways, a back massage helps with a better night’s sleep.
It helps in lowering blood pressure
A back massage can lower your blood pressure because it lowers stress. During the massage, muscle tension decreases and stress hormones such as cortisol are removed from the body.
After the massage you will notice that you are less stressed. When you manage to keep stress under control, it naturally also has a very positive effect on blood pressure. I can therefore definitely recommend that you enjoy a back massage every day.
It makes you more vital and flexible
When you use a back massager on a daily basis, you will notice that your muscles become more flexible. It is because the muscles are less tense and thus loosened. It is precisely this that ensures that muscle elasticity increases. Older people in particular will feel more vital if they regularly enjoy a back massage.
Frequently asked questions about back massagers
What are the advantages of a back massager compared to visiting a massage parlor?
A very big advantage is that a back massager is much cheaper than visiting a massage parlor every month. The one-time price of a back massager is between 50 and 200 euros, depending on the type you choose. Visiting a massage parlor monthly is of course much more expensive and the costs keep coming back.You can use it at any time of the day.
Another great advantage is that you can use a back massager at any time of the day. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night with back pain. It is very nice that you can also massage your back.
Does a back massager really work for back pain relief?
A back massager really works in relieving back pain by loosening the muscles. This also reduces the muscle tension in the back muscles, causing the pain to disappear.
In addition, endorphins are also produced. We also call it natural painkillers. These hormones also ensure that the pain in the back is greatly reduced. We can therefore say that back massagers help to reduce back pain.
I would also like to refer you to this study for more information. This study examines in detail the effects of a back massage on reducing back pain .
Are back massagers covered by insurance?
Unfortunately, back massagers are not reimbursed by health insurance. Fortunately, these massage devices are not very expensive. In addition, it is also a one-time investment, it is a lot cheaper than visiting a massage parlor every month. You really get value for money with this device.
Are back massagers safe?
You can use a back massager completely safely. Be careful not to over-massage the muscles. So always start with a lower intensity and increase the speed slowly. If you cannot set the intensity with your back massager, you can also put more pressure yourself, which will make the back massage feel more powerful.