Product Reviews for HoMedics BKK-100 Therapist Select Shiatsu Spot Massaging Cushion

HoMedics BKK-100 Therapist Select Shiatsu Spot Massaging Cushion

	List Price: ~~$39.99~~ Category: Health Care See more product details

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Product Reviews of HoMedics BKK-100 Therapist Select Shiatsu Spot Massaging Cushion

Product Review: A bit rough but avoids the spine.
Summary: 4 Stars

For whatever reason, whenever a human gives me a backrub/massage, they enjoy rubbing my spine. I tell them that it hurts a lot and yet they continue anyway. This little machine is not a human and the two rotating discs are far enough apart to not get anywhere near my spine.

I'm a bony person, so I have to lay down protection to use this device (a blanket folded to create 2-4 layers works pretty well). In the simplest terms, it consists of two stationarily positioned rotating discs with two "ball bearing"-like attachments on the surface of each disc beneath a stretched, yet flexible cloth. The device is not supposed to be laid upon for two likely reasons - first, it hurts - second, heat dissipation from the motor is significantly reduced. The device is also supposedly not to run more than 15 minutes at a time.

There are two speed settings. Low and high. Since it plugs into the wall and doesn't run on batteries, the motor is fairly powerful so a gear ratio (probably a worm gear) is used to slow down the rate of rotation of the discs. I use low.

The "ball bearings" stick out a lot more than the photo indicates. I like a fairly rough backrub/massage but I prefer applying the balls of the thumbs to pressure points than constant movement. No one seems to have good enough "thumb strength" to apply to my back for more than a minute or two - very strong people have walked away whimpering from attempting to use their thumbs on my back. Anyway, while it does provide constant movement, anything is better than nothing.

This device is actually great for the neck area. It doesn't really apply pressure there (I hate that) so much as strokes the sides of the neck gently, which will be awesome for days when I'm sick. Keep in mind that I'm literally nothing more than skin and bones. Your mileage will vary.

The noise is pretty quiet. This device is significantly quieter than an electric shaver or hair clipper. It is still somewhat noisy though and may get louder over time (e.g. wear-and-tear on the gears).

This is my first electronic massager. In my limited experience, the average human version is about as reliable. The feeling varies from something very pointy that sticks in my back to something resembling human fingers - depends heavily on the area of the back, the amount of pressure being applied, and my imagination.

The device is about the size of a medium-sized pillow. Pictures don't seem to accurately depict the size.

Edit: There are many reviews here saying how "rough" this device is when laying on it/leaning against it even with layers of protection. I agree, it is likely to be pretty rough for most people as it was intended to be used. However, I've found a workaround for those who are of the more delicate persuasion and even I personally like this. Lay on your stomach and just let it rest on your back. Gravity and the device work together to provide just enough pressure to give a light-to-medium backrub that feels like real hands about 50-60% of the time - especially if you put it on the lower back and neck areas.

Product Review: A portable masseuse!
Summary: 5 Stars

I got this for Christmas because I wanted it based on all the stellar reviews. Yes, this does live up to the hype. Upon unwrapping it at my parent's house on Christmas morning, I sat it on a chair at our dining room table and plugged it in. It felt FANTASTIC. The rotating balls feel like the fingers of a masseuse carefully kneading the tension out of your back. Incredibly relaxing. Over the next couple hours, each member of my family tried it. All five of us all loved it. My brother asked if he could buy it from me, he used it on his lower back for almost an hour. My dad said he would use it as much as he could before I take it to my own apartment.

The massager is easiest to use on the lower back, but I also use it on my neck and shoulders. I really like that it has two different speeds: fast or slow. I prefer to slow speed for a more calming, yet invigorating, massage.

I would recommend this product instead of, or in addition to, a full chair massager because this is more portable. I can easily unplug it and take it anywhere: to my desk chair, the sofa as I watch TV, or a friend's house.

Product Review: Ahhhhh
Summary: 5 Stars

This is a massager for the frugal (most of the population). It's just as good as any massage chair that I've sat on in the mall, except it only works about 1/4 of your back at a time. So what you do is just strap it on to the chair, start on your lower back, and then stick a hand behind you and lift the pillow up when you want to go up higher. Is that slight inconvenience is worth $80 to you?. If you're looking for a VERY relaxing experience and to get all of the kinks out of your back and don't want to spend a ton of money, this is probably the best thing you can buy. If you're looking for the MOST relaxing experience possible and money is no object, I suggest forking over three times the money for a full back massager.

Product Review: Awsome
Summary: 4 Stars

I love this massager. It's fantastic. I have another one with this brand name, but the little massagers move up and down your back. It works really well, but I really needed something for spot work. This one fits the bill 100%. It was absolutely worth the money spent.