Homedics SBM-200H Therapist Select Shiatsu Massaging Cushion with Heat
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List Price: Our Price: $79.99 You Save: $40.00 (33%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Health Care See more product details |
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Customer Reviews of Homedics SBM-200H Therapist Select Shiatsu Massaging Cushion with Heat
Customer Review: One Size doesn't Fit all, But for those it does, It is good
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
There is always a tension between what an item costs and what the options present are worth in terms of that cost.
This is precisely the tension, (no pun intended) that I've attempted to work out in terms of this review (ok ... so there is a pun intended ... please disregard my previous disclaimer.)
In terms of the cost of this unit, there really is a lot to speak for it. There are plenty of opportunities to pay more for more sophiticated cushions or even entire chairs. When you can obtain many of the benefits at a relatively low cost, that is something to consider and in that regard, I have to give this product high marks.
In terms of the use of the unit, I have been using it daily for the past week and sharing its use with family members who have given me their impressions. Overall the feedback is postive. Most report enjoying the strong massage that is given up and down the edges of the spine.
The optional heat which is conveyed directly through the roller units that move circularly up and down the back is helpful and comfortable with there being no discomfort reported in that regard.
Where the issues come in to play from our experience, the determining factor appears to be the size of the person in the chair and the relative comfort of the pressure exerted on the back by the unit.
I am a larger than normal person standing at 6' 5" and weighing about 295 lbs. For me, I found the experience overall postive but due to my size the massage did not go as high on my back as I would have liked and I also found that the circular motion of the rollers was closer to my spine than I would have prefered. The massage itself was vigorous but I didn't find it to be so hard that I felt discomfort. Indeed the coordinated motion on the rollers in some cases caused my spine to "pop" which for me was a positive.
The other members of my family however were varied in thise evaluation. They found the size of the chair to be just fine and the motion to be further away from the spine and focused more on the muscles. Their reports overall were positive but many more complaints of the power of the movements were made with an almost universal wish on their part for there to be a low and/or medium setting to make the movements less aggressive.
There are higher priced units out there similar to this where those types of options are available. Based on my experience, I'd recommend paying the extra cost to obtain those instead of this one.
However, that by no means qualifies this as a bad purchase. On the contrary, in terms of the cost and the benefit received this is in my opinion, a worthwhile purchase and I can recommend it. If you desire more flexibility and intend its use for several people of varying sizes and sensitivities, by all means, look to upgrade.
Bart Breen
Customer Review: This maturity thing is overrated
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Admittedly, this short intro has little to do with evaluation of the product however I think it assists in placing my exuberance for it in context. I rate it less than 5 stars due of a couple of factors that will be addressed below.
As is probably recognized by anyone reading this review, Vine participants receive products for evaluation at no cost. In this instance, I originally selected a different product but for reasons still not entirely clear to me, it turned out that item was no longer available. During the interim, two things occurred: I injured my lower back to the point where actions as benign as putting on socks or stooping to pick up a newspaper caused excruciating pain; and this massage cushion became available once again.
This episode is my first encounter with any sort of back pain and I now have experiential appreciation of the aches and pain so many others I know have endured. I found myself taking unnecessary car trips just to sit on the heated seats. Whether synchronicity or coincidence, the Homedics SBM-200H Therapist Select Shiatsu Massaging Cushion with Heat turned out to be nearly exactly what the doctor I refused to visit would have ordered. Let's be honest here, if I was going out to buy it, I would have chosen the SBM-400H with the rolling feature as well as the Shiatsu feature, but this unit is a utilitarian compromise.
The rollers work in a kneading fashion, moving progressively from the lower back to approximately mid-shoulder blade, and after a brief pause reverses direction. In order reach the upper muscles, you have to slump in the chair, and for someone with lower back pain like me that's not the best position. The user has the option of massage only or massage with heat. Personally, I would have preferred the ability to adjust the amount of pressure or tension exerted by the mechanism as it seemed to dissipate in the lower back region.
With the expandable straps, it can be placed in just about any chair although the instruction manual cautions against use in a wooden one. In my opinion that's nothing more than manufacturer's legalese since they claim the warning is due to the possibility of damage being caused by a barley noticeable,shielded nylon zipper running the length of the back of the upper cushion.
The unit has three preset programs; Full back, upper back and lower back although with this unit it is not possible to pause at the massage mechanism and concentrate on a problem area as is the case with more expensive models.
Customer Review: An interesting experience, but could be better
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Perhaps this is because this model isn't the 'best' out of the others that are being offered, but I have to say I was a bit let down by the experience. I came home and quickly opened up the packaging, took out the cushion, set it up and turned it on, immediately I hear a weird noise, one that I know shouldn't be there. I immediately turn it off and read through all the instructions (I know, should have done that before hand), and come across a screw that I was supposed to take out. Let this be a warning to others, a small screw on the back of the cushion has to be removed (it comes with a small tool with which to remove it, so no worries there).
After that was over I sat down and let it do it's thing! First thing I noticed is that you have to be sitting straight back in order for it to get to all the parts of your back, I'm 5'9" and unless my head is against the back of my chair I won't be feeling the rollers on my upper back. Second, is the fact that at some points these rollers are very HARD and will be poking into your back, which is the major reason for me giving this 4 stars out of 5. The company recommends putting a towel in between your back and the cushion, which I think I'll be doing from now on. Otherwise, I think for the money, this massager is pretty good. I think it works best for the lower back, you'll notice yourself moving with it as it literally goes into your back while moving up and down in circular motions, but again, these are hard motions with little cushioning. The middle of the back is when it starts to almost hurt!
I will say that having sat in one of those recliners, at sharper image, the difference is day and night. There is much more comfort in them, which probably explains the $2,000 price tag, than with this cushion which I think is actually lacking some 'cushion' for your back. Unless you like HARD massages, and I do mean HARD, I'd recommend looking elsewhere or at least getting a towel or two ready.
Customer Review: No, it's not like a professional massage, but it will relax you...
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
If you're looking for an all-over professional massage and serious attention to major back pain, then definitely go for a more expensive and complex massager. But if you want gentle every day massage on the muscles on either side of your spine, this simple massager will do just fine. I use it when I am sitting at my computer desk. The strap keeps the massager firmly in place on my desk chair, and it is quite comfortable. First thing I noticed is that it immediately makes you adjust your posture and sit up straighter, because you want your back to "reach" for the pleasure of the massage, so you bring your shoulders up to meet it instead of slumping. The wired remote (which tucks neatly into a pocket on the massager) has 6 simple button options, including "Demo" mode, full back, upper back, lower back, heat, and the power button. For me personally, the most relief is experienced in the center of the upper back, where I carry much of my tension.
The chair has some drawbacks. I wish that the massage mechanism actually dug a bit deeper and more intensely into your muscles--it's a very light and gentle massage. Also, the "heat" option doesn't really get all that warm. It could be the slightest bit hotter. Also, the massager automatically goes off every 15 minutes, so if you are sitting at your desk for a long session of computer work, you have to restart the massager with the remote every 15 minutes. And finally, it's hard not to feel like your neck is being neglected when you use the massager, because for an averaged height person, it truly does climb just to right below the neck.
Again, overall, this simple unit is good for easing every day back discomfort and tension, but by no means will it have a heavy impact on people with serious back issues.
Customer Review: Soothes Your Body, Relaxes Your MInd
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Ahh, the the overwhelming feeling of relaxation- how beautiful it is! The Homedics Therapist Select Shiatsu Massaging Cushion with Heat is a wonder. You take it out of the box, remove the security screw, place the cushion on a chair, read the directions, turn on the Demo button and see what happens. A delightful pulsing action is felt and the shiatsu massage starts up the back- you have several options, lower back, lower back with heat, upper back, upper back with heat, full back and full back with heat. Try them all and select the option that suits your particular need. I am partial to the full back with heat. I am 5'9" and this cushion is perfection for me. It hits all of the areas of my lower, mid and upper back. I have a stressful job and this cushion relaxes me completely and the heat adds the bonus. Love it, love it. Nothing beats a massage by a masseuse but this cushion shiatsu is almost as good.
"This deluxe shiatsu massage unit helps to relax muscles and relieve tension build-up by providing unique rhythmic pressure along key pressure points. Knead away deep aches and pains by combining the pleasure of a therapeutic massage with gentle physical manipulation." Homedics Instructions.
Over the holiday season this massage cushion will be used quite often.
Highly Recommended. prisrob 12-04-07
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