Customer Reviews

Homedics SM-200 Therapist SelectTM Shiatsu Massager, Headrest

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

About 3 years ago I went to a small neighborhood yard sale where I found a Homedics shaitsu... It was almost new and I figured I would give it a try. Best... investment I ever made.
I have degenerating discs in my lower back, arthritis and a slightly twisted spine. Pain is something I live with every day and medications can only do so much. When I started using the Homedics massager it made a tremendous difference in the level of pain. I found that I could move better and actually get some decent sleep at night.
I loaned the massager to a friend for a couple of months and never got it back. The pain got worse and I wrote to the Homedics company to find where I could purchase another one like my old one. The new SM-200 Shaitsu massager is all the old one is and more. Their products are reliable, durable and the company support is great. Thank you so much.

I have tried a lot of massagers and this product really stands out from the pack. I am only in my 20's, but I have always suffered through back pain. Sports injuries have caused a damaged nerve that makes my lower back occasionally ache and my leg to go numb, and as a graduate student I spend the entire day in front of the computer which can cause tension pains in my neck and back. I am always looking for a backrub. My boyfriend bought this for me so I would stop asking him constantly, and I am extremely glad he did. I don't think this product helps neck pain very much since it just rubs the sides, but it more than makes up for that fault with its ability to help back pain. The only other thing that has ever really helped my back is a [expensive] massaging chair that a few high-end stores sell. While this product may not be quite as good, for a savings of [alot], it is a close second. It comes with straps to mount it to a chair which makes it easier to manuever the device around your problem areas. This also allows you to better direct the proper pressure. I like to be massaged very hard (like deep-tissue massage) and this machine is one of the only I've seen to be able to replicate the intense pressure of human kneeding without breaking. The pressure is something to keep in mind. You can vary the feeling of pressure by not pressing into the machine as much, but for those people who prefer a light touch this machine may be a little too rough. The spacing of the massaging heads is adjustable but nothing else is. For individuals like myself who prefer medium to hard pressure this device is amazing. It's like an end-of-the-day treat. Less than five minutes and you can feel all of the tension and pain draining out of your system. PS: My friends think it looks a little strange, but once they try it they want to [take] mine.

I have chronic neck pain due to vertebra problems and this machine has been awesome, if you are sensitive to deep tissue massage you should probably not use this. It penetrates very deeply and has a reverse motion which helps as well. If you suffer stiff neck or sinus/tension headaches just lay down and let the machine do it's job. I have held it to my forehead and scalp and let it work on the sinus tension that builds up.. I was sore on some bony places for a couple days after first using it but now it doesnt bother me. The only thing that Homemedics should consider is a remote switch to operate it that you can keep in your hand while lying down using the machine.

I have suffered recently from horrible spasms in my neck. My friends and family were getting tired of me always stopping everywhere from the pain and having them try and message it, but they just couldn't get in deep enough or the right motion. So one day in my gold box this appeared. I read the reviews and thought that I would give it a try. I have it right next to my bed and have used it for about 3 weeks now everyday. It is great for the neck. I have a very tiny neck and my Husband has a wide neck... the adjustment is nice so we can both use it and it is effective. I have not had any neck pain since I began to use it daily. I do also use it under my shoulder blades where stress knots seem to build. It is effective and not comfortable. It does come with an attachment so you can hang it on your chair at home or in the office. I am thinking it might be more comfortable. I hope this helps!

I'm completely amazed at how incredible this product works!! I cannot recommend it highly enough. I've been getting massages for years and no one could ever losen up the muscles in my neck. This product works like a champ, almost to the point where family members are waiting in line to use it!!

Don't give it another thought just click and order. Upgrade your shipping to overnight and thank your lucky stars you have found this product. I never (and I mean never ) write reviews But I love this product. Only one problem, I have to share. I may order another one for my husband.

I just don't like it!!! I tried it on my neck and I just couldn't get it adjusted to feel good. Adjusting is not easy...you have to get up and figure out where the thingy is and it's frustrating. The massage heads are HARD and not cushioned well at all and after a while it's just irritating. The noise...oh yeah...that's very relaxing...GRRRRR GRRRRRR!!!!!

I bought it for my husband (OK...it was a selfish gift), but he couldn't stand it and I swore I'd prove to him how great it was...well...I couldn't do it!

So, there it sits and sits and sits...til the day I throw it in the give-away pile.

Save your money!

I got this for my husband (to share with me, of course) since the other customer reviews were favorable and said this massager worked well. I've tried it out a few times and it just never felt that great. The massager heads feel like bulbous HARD plastic things covered with a thin fabric, that rotate around in circles. They are adjustable, but whatever I tried, they felt very rigid on the body and I could never get them in a position so that they actually massaged my muscles. It was really just a frustrating experience, hoping for some massage action that gave even a bit of relief, but never getting much of any positive effect. There is also a prominent mechanical noise that is not conducive to relaxation. The massager is now spending its time sitting on the floor next to the chair where I can feel a twang of buyer's remorse when I see it.

This massager does miracles.

It is advertised as a neck massager but I discovered it works best for my back. Especially for those stressed areas between scapulas (shoulder blades).It works well massaging feets and hands (acupressure). Don't expect this gizmo would ever replace proffesional human chiropractor, but it is much more affordable and accessible (I use it nearly every day after work, when I sit in the chair in front of my computer screen).

I found the harness attached to this "Deluxe" version pretty much useless for me - I use it on high leather chair and even if I don't press my body against it, it never has any tendency to move sideways, anyway. The same about the cushion- the vacuum fastener is not reliable, so I gave it up at once. I guess these two additions are the only difference between "Deluxe" version and regular one. I might buy the cheaper version as well.

There is an issue of durabiity: after two months of periodical use I started hearing a rather annoing mechanical noise, which originates from one of its "fingers", suggesting that its days are over soon.

But at this price I will simply buy another one, perhaps of a different brand, as soon as this one ceases its function.

Pros: excellent massager, very flexible for indyvidual needs

Cons: not a long-lasting device

My wife has frequent neck aches and occasional pains in her arms and feet. She LOVES this thing. She says it's the closest she has experienced to her bi-weekly professional massage sessions (though she's not giving up the real thing). It works very well. The only complaint is limiting the time to 15 minute sessions to avoid having the motors overheat (I guess).