Homedics QRM-400H Therapist Select Quad-Roller Massaging Cushion with Heat
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List Price: Our Price: $159.98 You Save: $20.01 (11%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Product Reviews of Homedics QRM-400H Therapist Select Quad-Roller Massaging Cushion with Heat
Product Review: NOT RELAXING
Summary: 2 Stars
This is totally not what I expected. I had 'demoed' shiatsu massagers such as this in stores and liked the few minutes that I used them. But I was not prepared for this monster.
First, it is large and quite heavy and the massager is actually encased in a hard plastic shell. This makes it rigid and, unlike vibrating massage pads I've had in the past, cannot conform to your body easily.
Second, it's loud. It sounds like a can opener running. This is advertised as being appropriate for office use, but if a co-worker was using one of these things, that would start a war because listening to this thing running all day would drive me violent. When I used it I had to bump up the TV volume three notches and usually still watched it with closed captioning on, too. My husband tried it for three minutes, griped that he couldn't hear the TV, and then went upstairs to watch his show.
Third, the rollers are hard plastic shielded by nothing more than a very thin net material over them, and the instructions clearly state that *nothing* should be placed between you and the massager. They also glow bright blue even when the unit is turned off. Neat-o if you're fourteen and into Battlestar Gallactica, but not so neat-o if your house decor is Early American. The rollers are rough against the back, too, and don't even think about trying to lie down on it unless you have a sado-masochistic wish to cripple yourself.
Fourth, I bought this mainly for upper back and neck use. I'm not tall (5'5") but in order to get a decent massage against my neck, I have to slouch down into the unit because the rollers really only go as high as mid-shoulder blade. Well, if you sit like that then the rollers can't reach your lower back because you are sitting too far away from the device. And then your lower back hurts from slouching. Yikes.
Fifth, it's bulky. Not easy to store anywhere unless you've got a lot of room in your closet. And because the back of the thing is hard plastic, don't think you can wiggle it in between the ironing board and vacuum.
On the plus side: it does have a nice, long power cord. And the remote offers two modes-- shiatsu and rolling. The shiatsu setting also allows you to target the rollers in one spot which can feel pretty good for as long as you can stand it.
I've had this massager for a week and actually found myself hurting today. I was careful to use it only as directed but this is not soothing in the least. I just requested a return receipt from Amazon and because this product is not fulfilling my expectations, they are supposedly going to let me ship it back free of charge.
Product Review: Nice Massage, Nice Cushion, Nice Remote
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I recently had the pleasure of being able to enjoy the Homedics Therapist Select Quad-Roller massage cushion. I have tried similar products in the past but found them to be extremely painful and/or uncomfortable to my back.
The product comes neatly packaged and installs easily - remember to remove the screw from the back before operating the product! The cushion features both Shiatsu and a gentle rolling massage. I was wary of the Shiatsu given my prior experience but for the sake of science, I tried it anyway. Pushing the "full back Shiatsu" button on the remote control springs the cushion into action as the 4 rollers in the cushion provide a pre-programmed amount of massage. The result was invigorating massage without pain. My back felt better than I can ever remember.
Heat is an additional option. The rollers on the cushion are illuminated in blue and when the heat is active and operational, the rollers will turn red. The heat function provides the proper amount of warmth without being too warm.
The remote is (thankfully) attached to the chair by a cord and can easily be stored with the chair in the attached pocket. The remote control is easy to use and self-explanatory. It also feels solidly constructed so it is probable that it would survive if you accidentally sat on it.
There are 3 drawbacks to the cushion which stand in the way of a 5 star rating:
1. The cushion is not at all comfortable to sit on when not in use - meaning you are not likely to leave it on a chair that you use frequently.
2. The rollers STAY ILLUMINATED even when the power on the cushion is off. That's right. Inexplicably, the rollers will stay illuminated when the cushion is not in use as long as the cushion remains plugged into an AC outlet. While it may serve as an unintentional night light, it serves as another drawback of leaving the cushion plugged in on one chair.
3. If you are a human being slightly above average height, the rollers will not reach your upper back. If you are looking for a cushion to provide upper back and shoulder massage and you are above 5'8", this is not the cushion for you.
Product Review: Nice!
Summary: 4 Stars
I personally love this massage chair. I was injured in a car accident over two years ago and have had recurring back pain since. The "intensity" of the shiatsu massage isn't too much for me, even with a herniated disc and 2 disc bulges. This chair feels great, is deep-penetrating, and actually helps to relieve my pain. I can feel it working out the kinks in my muscles.
This chair is also well-made and seems like it will have a long life.
I didn't rate it 5 stars because I wish it had a higher back to reach my shoulders.
Product Review: Nice, but not wonderful
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I have long looked at items like this and wondered how they would feel. I suppose I would go so far as to say I coveted them...I grew up in a house that regularly traded "back scratchings" & my spouse isn't always willing. However, products like this have always been outside the range allowed by my wallet. I have used it now for two weeks. Bottom line of the review before I get into the particulars: I like it, but I don't love it.
First the good: It is very simple to set up. Basically, you slap it in your chair & plug it in. It has a couple straps to hold it in place. We watch television from small cushiony things on the floor called "back jacks" you can get those on Amazon too. This attached easily to my back jack. If it can do that, it can do any chair.
It's also very simple to use. The buttons are all self explanatory. It runs through a cycle of massage and then shuts itself off, so you can fall asleep on it without fearing being massaged black & blue (though you are warned by the small accompanying booklet not to do so especially with the heat on. You can tell when the heat is on by the color of the lights on the rollers (blue cool/red hot)...it looks nice & the smell (very stinky at first) does go away in a day.
Now the not so good: If you have a cat, the mesh fabric that covers the massaging rollers just screams "scratching post" So you'll have to put it away after every use.
The "upper back" setting actually only hits the mid back and the "lower back" doesn't go that low. My shoulders were barely approached & I am not a tall boy. The rolling massage width setting button didn't seem to go wide enough and I am not a wide boy either.
It's kind of loud. I don't like to use it when we are watching television or a movie for fear of covering the sounds of quiet scenes. I only used it when playing my Playstation, so I let it run through a whole shiatsu each time I used it...and though it felt kind of nice, it wasn't quite as wonderful as I was hoping. I do agree with some of the other reviewers that it hurt. I guess nothing beats the hands of a masseur...though I can't say that for sure since they're outta my price range too.
Product Review: Noise, odor are distracting
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
My cushion works as advertised, but it gives off this plastic smell and makes a noise that's just loud enough I can't concentrate that well when I use it. I bought the cushion for my computer chair, and soon learned that I can't use it when I write, which is what I do for a living.