HoMedics, Shiatsu Elite Massage Cushion with Heat, MCS-840HA

This Homedics Shiastu massage chair really surprised me. I actually felt like I was sitting in one of those day spas getting a pedicure and sitting at a nail salon. This massage chair helped my back and shoulders release some tension. This neck massager has an adjustable height on the remote controller which is wonderful because I am five foot tall and I thought the height was going to be an issue but it was not. The heat helps sooth away sore muscles and makes what feels like a deep tissue massage more relaxing. You can literally get an entire back massage in a fifteen minute incremental massage. After I used it, I did notice my muscles a little sore but that is because those muscles have not been massaged in so long and they became sore but after another use the soreness went away for me. This massage chair has Velcro straps to strap onto a chair to help make it stationary. I placed mine on my recliner chair in my living room and I did not use the straps which were not long enough to wrap around my chair. The straps are intended for a regular chair, office or kitchen type. The remote has settings and options so you can focuse on upper back, lower back, full back, neck and you can use the heat or not if you choose. I really enjoyed this massage chair and I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

After using this complimentary product for over a week I am now 'hooked' into a everyday regimen of daily massage. Beforehand, I only thought of using a massage cushion to relieve sore muscles from overdoing it in the yard, garden, or other kinds of strenuous (honey-do) household chores. What a surprise to find that daily invigorating massage relieves not only minor muscle aches and pains, but eases everyday tension and occasional headaches. It reduces my stress, improves my blood circulation, increases my joint flexibility, and best of all, daily massage routine enhances my overall mood giving me a bang-up feeling of soothing relaxation. WooHoo! This HoMedics Shiatsu Elite Massage Cushion, MCS-840H, with Heat is phenomenal. It allows me to massage my back, shoulders, and neck with their uniquely designed, 'Perfect Fit' technology. By using the wired and attached remote I can set the upper limits of my massage to the height of my back, shoulders, and, or neck. Very few massage cushions offer shoulder and neck massage in addition to back like this unit does. The massage mechanism goes up your back to the limits you set and then reverses its rotation and goes back down for a real effective Shiatsu massage. The remote is very simple and easy to operate. The selection options, touch icons, all glow a bluish LED when activated. There is a handy built-in pocket on the right hand side of the cushion seat for storage of the remote. The massage cushion must be firmly attached to your chair to operate correctly. The unit has four straps, two upper and two lower with Velcro to securely fasten the cushion to your favorite chair. You only need to use any two of these straps to tie the cushion firmly. It is important that this massage cushion is firmly attached and does NOT slide or move in order to give you the full effects and benefits of a great massage. The attached two-prong electrical plug is 'polarized' and will fit into any three-prong electrical outlet. The included Instruction Manual warns against covering the unit with blankets, covers, etc., especially around the air openings, which allows excess heat to escape from the unit operations. This particular unit only has one speed, and at first I thought it was too intense. So, I used a towel initially to dull the profound strength. But after several days of use my body adjusted to the magnitude of the intensiveness. Be aware that this unit is primarily designed for a powerful and invigorating massage. It only has one speed. It may take you a little time to get used to its strength, but, the physical 'learning curve' is well worth the practice. It features three zones for lower, upper, and full back. It has a height adjustment to reach your shoulders and separate control for your neck. What is nice about this model is that it allows me to adjust it for my height, and my significant other can adjust it for her particular range also. The massage roller apparatus glows red from LEDs when the heat is activated. Overall the unit is constructed of good quality with PVC and one hundred percent polyester. It is cleanable, using a damp cloth, but cannot be immersed in water. After a brief 'break-in' period of three days, I physically adjusted to the massage pressure without a towel. YooHoo! Since I have arthritis I found using this unit early in the morning for fifteen minutes while listening to the morning news is very rejuvenating. And, again, for another fifteen minutes early in the evening for soothing relaxation. This unit has helped ease my arthritis aches, pains, and stiffness. It has enabled me to sleep better later on after my evening massage. Additionally it helps to clear my mind because I feel so good after fifteen minutes of Shiatsu 'finger pressure' stimulation emulated by this HoMedics Elite Massage Cushion. I highly recommend this cushion for folks, who want a thorough, exhilarating, and soothing, massage experience. Whether you use this daily or just several times a week, you will be invigorated and able to enjoy the numerous health benefits of massage therapy.