Massage is a proven therapy for fibromyalgia, and it helps to alleviate not only the physical pain, but also the anxiety and stress associated with the condition. When looking for a massager to help treat fibromyalgia, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Quick Answer:
Our top pick as the best massager for fibromyalgia is the Deep Tissue 3D Kneading Pillow. It is a lightweight and portable massager with a car power adapter so you can use it anywhere, and a comfortable ergonomic shape that can be applied to any part of the body where a massage and soothing heat are needed.
Editor’s Pick: Best Massagers for Fibromyalgia
Massagers for Fibromyalgia: Buyer’s Guide
Massage is a proven therapy for fibromyalgia, and it helps to alleviate not only the physical pain, but also the anxiety and stress associated with the condition. When looking for a massager to help treat fibromyalgia, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Different Types of Massage
Many therapists recommend a trigger point massage and/or myofascial release massage for fibromyalgia. Both these techniques involve applying gentle sustained pressure to the targeted area, helping to relax and elongate muscles, and it’s great for relieving targeted pain.
Swedish massages, which knead and glide over the muscles, promote circulation and relaxation, and are preferred for general stress relief and a feeling of well-being. Different massagers are designed for different types of motion, so choose the type that delivers the kind of massage you need.
Power Supply
Some people prefer cordless massagers, so they can have their full freedom of movement in any position while using a massager. However, many cordless options have less powerful motors than those with a power cord.
Be Mindful of Your Body
Some massagers may require you to hold your arm up to target your neck, or use your hands and arms to apply pressure to your back. It’s important to consider not just what the massager does, but how your body has to move and hold while you use it. If you have pain or weakness in your arms and shoulders, choose a massager that doesn’t require you to strain those areas.
Massager for Fibromyalgia: Product Reviews
1. Deep Tissue 3D Kneading Pillow
The Deep Tissue 3D Kneading Pillow is a soft, ergonomic massage pillow that can be wrapped around any part of the body for a shiatsu massage anywhere you need it.
With 8 massage nodes, the Deep Tissue 3D Kneading Pillow is designed for the neck and back, but can also be used on the waist, abdomen, legs, feet, and anywhere else. It has a built-in heat function, and you can change the speed and direction of massage.
The attractive quilted leather design fits in any environment, and it comes with a matching carry bag to take it anywhere. It also comes with a regular AC adapter and a car power adapter. This massager is backed by a lifetime warranty.
PROS:
- Ergonomic and comfortable
- Heat function
- 8 massage nodes
- Adjustable speed and direction
- Lifetime warranty
CONS:
- May not be very durable
Best For:
This compact, convenient massager comes with an attractive carry bag and a car adapter, so it's perfect for use on the go. The Deep Tissue 3D Kneading Pillow can deliver targeted massage and pain relief anywhere you need it, and has a lifetime guarantee.
2. Body Back Buddy Back Massager
Trigger point massage is often recommended for relief of fibromyalgia symptoms. The Body Back Buddy Back Massager is a rigid self-massager with a curved shape and different nodes so you can reach every trigger point and deliver just the right amount of pressure.
The Body Back Buddy Back Massager is made of a single piece of medical-grade high-density glass-filled polypropylene, giving it great strength and durability. The curved, ergonomic shape can be angled to reach every part of the body, so you can effectively massage your own back, neck, and shoulders.
It has 6 rounded knobs for soft tissue massage, 3 pointed knobs for deep tissue massage, and 2 rounded nubs for lower back massage. Using these knobs allows you to administer your own trigger point massage to ease the pain and tension of fibromyalgia.
This massager is recommended by experts, and comes with an instruction booklet to teach you how to effectively massage your own trigger points. It is made in the USA to US health and safety standards.
PROS:
- Durable, sturdy massager
- Allows you to reach and massage the whole body
- Targeted, trigger point massages with different knobs for different tissues
- Made in the USA from medical-grade materials
CONS:
- May tire the arms during use
- May not be the correct size and shape for every body
Best For:
The Body Back Buddy Back Massager is a great way to deliver just the right amount of pressure to massage targeted trigger points on the body, and relieve symptoms of headaches and fibromyalgia.
3. Wahl Lithium Ion Deep Tissue Cordless Percussion Therapeutic Handheld Massager
The Wahl Lithium Ion Deep Tissue Cordless Percussion Therapeutic Handheld Massager is a compact cordless massager with the power to penetrate deeply, alleviating pain and stiffness and promoting circulation.
The Wahl Lithium Ion Deep Tissue Cordless Percussion Therapeutic Handheld Massager plugs in to charge, and takes 3+ hours to charge to capacity. However, it has an impressive 7 hour battery life, and cordless convenience with just as much power as many corded massagers.
The motor delivers up to 3,350 pulses per minute, with adjustable intensity so you can get the right massage for you. It comes with four massage heads for different kinds of massage, including a spine attachment, a deep muscle attachment, a triad attachment for joints, and a flex X attachment for a wide surface area. It has an ergonomic handle so you can use it comfortably, and it is backed by the Wahl quality guarantee.
PROS:
- Cordless and battery powered
- Long battery life
- Four massage head attachments
- Powerful motor
- Adjustable speed
CONS:
- No heat feature
- May be too heavy or vibrate too much for people with sensitive hands or shoulders
Best For:
The powerful motor and interchangeable heads of the Wahl Lithium Ion Deep Tissue Cordless Percussion Therapeutic Handheld Massager mean that you can have a deep tissue massage whenever and where ever you need it.
4. Chi Vitalizer Machine
The Chi Vitalizer Machine gently moves the legs back and forth, promoting circulation and stimulating the nervous system.
The Chi Vitalizer Machine has a powerful 40-watt motor and a hand controller for easy speed adjustments. The padded ankle cradles let you relax in comfort and relieve tension and stress. It has a gentle wave action that increases the range of motion of the device, and automatically shuts off at the end of each 15 minute session.
PROS:
- Easy to use
- Comfortable padded ankle cradle
- Boosts circulation and promotes relaxation
CONS:
- May be hard on the knees or ankles for those with reduced motion or pain in those areas
Best For:
The Chi Vitalizer Machine is a great option for people with limited mobility who still need to promote circulation and relaxation in the lower body.
5. uKnead Shiatsu Leg Massager
Reflexology has been studied and shown to help alleviate many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia, and the uKnead Shiatsu Leg Massager is a great way to get the benefits of this therapy at home.
With the uKnead Shiatsu Leg Massager, you sit and place your legs inside the massager, which uses powerful rollers to massage the feet and lower calves at the same time. The combination of rolling and compressing massage techniques, along with heel tapping vibration, completely stimulate and relax the lower legs and feet. This massager has three automatic modes, two intensity levels, and three vibration speeds.
You can also adjust the tilt angle of the massager for your perfect position. It comes with a removable liner that you can easily take out and clean, or open to insert (included) additional foam padding for greater comfort.
PROS:
- Simulates the pressure and motion of a real massage
- Adjustable settings
- Massages feet and calves at the same time
- Durable, quality construction
CONS:
- Fairly large and bulky device
- May be too narrow for those with larger calves
Best For:
The uKnead Shiatsu Leg Massager really simulates the sensation of a shiatsu and reflexology massage on the feet and calves, which can benefit those with fibromyalgia. If you know this therapy works for you, it's a great way to get the benefits at home
FAQs:
Q: Is massage good for fibromyalgia?
Massage has been proven to help reduce the pain, anxiety, and depression of fibromyalgia, but the positive effects are usually experienced over the course of 5-6 weeks, with a cumulative effect. That’s one reason why people with fibromyalgia often want to have a massager at home, since the therapeutic benefits accumulate over time, but the cost of weeks of massage therapy can quickly add up.
Conclusion
The Deep Tissue 3D Kneading Pillow is our top pick for a massager for fibromyalgia, because it is lightweight and ergonomic, easy to use on any part of the body, and has soothing heat as well as massage.
However, if you need a trigger point massage to fight targeted painful areas, consider the Body Back Buddy Back Massager, with pointed nodules that can work on specific muscles.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
