Home massagers are quite popular these days, and for good reason. We hunch over computers and sit in chairs for long periods of time, leading to stiff muscles and discomfort. Maybe you just have an old nagging injury that flares up from time to time.
We need a way to work out these kinks and ease the pain.
Today we’ll look at one of the most versatile and affordable home massagers on the market, the Zyllion shiatsu massage pillow with heat. It can be used to target any part of your body, even ones that typical massage chair pads don’t reach.
Read on to learn more about this amazingly compact machine or jump ahead by clicking the table of contents below if there’s a section that stands out to you. Let’s say goodbye to pain.
Best Features of the Zyllion Shiatsu Massage Pillow
Deep-Kneading Shiatsu Massage
This Zyllion shiatsu massage pillow features 4 deep-kneading shiatsu massage nodes, which change directions every minute. It works in 20-minute sessions and automatically shuts off after that. Because it offers a deep kneading massage, be careful not to put too much pressure on it.
The shiatsu massage nodes are heated, and you can choose to use the massage pillow with heat or without heat. It won’t provide you with an intense heat, since it only comes from the rollers balls, but it will help with healing and pain relief from sore, tight muscles.
Versatility
The great thing about this Zyllion pillow massager is how versatile it is, as compared to a massage chair pad. Because you don’t need to apply your full weight to it, it’s the perfect option for people of all heights, weights, shapes, and sizes.
Many massage chair pads don’t reach the areas you need if you’re not between the heights of five and six feet. This Zyllion pillow, however, can be adjusted to target the area you most needtargeted.
This Zyllion shiatsu back and neck massager doesn’t stop at the neck and shoulders. It can also work your arms, your lower back, your feet, and even your calf and thigh areas– pretty much all areas of the body.
The shiatsu pillow does have straps to secure it into place, but this is mainly good if you’re using it as a back and neck massager. If you need it to work on other areas, you may need to hold it in place.
Peace of Mind
This Zyllion shiatsu massage pillow features a 1 year warranty, a nice touch for an already affordable massager. Zyllion also offers a 90 day money back guarantee. If you decide you don’t like the product, or if you have any problems within 90 days, you can return it for a full refund.
This Zyllion pillow massager is made of 100% vegan leather, which not only looks great, it also holds up well over time. Not to mention, it’s cruelty-free and easy to clean. There is a breathable meshfabric facing over the massage nodes, and it comes with an overheat protection device which features a 20 minute auto shut off.
Massage Away Sciatic Pain
If you suffer from sciatica pain, you know sitting for long periods can be painful and uncomfortable. Because you are able to place this shiatsu neck massage pillow with heat wherever you want, you can really target the sciatic nerves to bring immediate relief.
Many users rave over the pain relief this shiatsu pillow provides for their sciatica,with one customer claiming her sciatic pain is less intense after using this massage several times a week for a month!
Although some users have sat on this Zyllion shiatsu massage pillow without a problem, use caution when applying your full weight to this device. It’s a small mechanical unit that isn’t designed to support a lot of weight for very long, and the deep kneading massage can be too intense this way.
Compact, Lightweight, Ultra Portable
The Zyllion shiatsu back and neck massager is stylish and streamlined, measuring only 13 inches long by 9.5 inches high. At only 3.5 inches thick, it’s ultra compact but still delivers an incredible punch.
This Zyllion shiatsu massage pillow only weighs 3.5 pounds, so anyone can transport it with ease. It fits perfectly in your bag, so you can take it with you on trips or carry it to and from the office. It’s small enough that storing it shouldn’t be a problem, regardless of how much space you have at home.
If you want to use it in the car, you’re in luck. It comes with a car adapter, but do not use this while driving. The massage can cause you to relax too much, and you’ll need your focus for the road. But if you’re waiting in the car or simply a passenger on a little road trip, this is a nice feature.
For Better or Worse: Here’s What Others Have to Say
While this Zyllion shiatsu massage pillow certainly offers a lot of great features, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. But what really is, anyway?
No Batteries
You can only run the Zyllion pillow massager by plugging it in – whether to a wall outlet or a car outlet. If you wanted to be able to use it anywhere, it would be nice to have the option to run off of battery power. The cords themselves are fairly long, with the six foot wall plug and five feet of cord for your car.
A few users complained that the power cord easily comes unplugged. You might consider securing the plug to an extension cord, which would keep the unit plugged in and give you more slack to move around.
Rollers Auto-Change
It’s nice that there are four massage nodes for an intense massage, but they automatically change direction every minute. If you liked the direction of the massage, you can’t control how long it stays there. It will simply rotate back and forth every 60 seconds.
Poor Button Placement
While not a major issue, it’s worth noting that the power button is placed on the top left of the pillow. Depending on how you use this massager, you could accidentally turn it off while applying pressure to it. It would be better if the button were less sensitive or on the side so you don’t bump it so easily.
Overall
Those are the few downsides to an otherwise great product. With so many 4.5-5 star reviews, the Zyllion shiatsu massage pillow really is an amazing massager for just about anyone. Users love the compact design that can be easily targeted to any part of the body, with one person even commenting that after using it once, his sharp lower back pains went away.
For right around $50, it’s an incredible value!
What Is a Massage Pillow?
A massage pillow uses round massage nodes or roller balls that move in a specific direction to work your muscles. They are shaped like small pillows, hence the name. Because they’re so small, they can be moved around to work all areas of the body, making them one of the most versatile types of home massagers.
The best chair massage pillows have a heat function and deep tissue kneading options. The massage nodes can provide heat, but not every massage pillow has a soothing heat function. Some shiatsu massage pillows use air compression to relieve tension and pain, while some may just have vibrating motors, which is less intense than a shiatsu deep-kneading massage.
Are Shiatsu Massage Pillows Good for You?
Shiatsu massagers offer many benefits, such as helping relax your body, easing stress, helping manage depression and anxiety, improving sleep, range of motion, and moods, improving blood circulation, and even decreasing inflammation and stiffness. But are they actually safe to use, and how long should you be using them?
Carotid Sinus Hypersensitivity
Your carotid arteries, the two major blood vessels that supply blood to your brain, neck, and face, run along each side of your face. The nerves at the end of the arteries respond to blood pressure changes. If you have carotid sinus hypersensitivity, massaging this area of your body too intensely can cause fainting due to decreased heart rate.
If this applies to you, you will want to consult a doctor before using any type of home massage unit. This condition could be triggered by any kind of pressure around your neck, even a tight sweater. So you will likely know before using a massager if it’s going to be a problem for you.
Managing Intensity
There is a chance of increased soreness, bruising, or swelling immediately after using a massager pillow. These effects don’t usually last long, but if they do, you should see a doctor before using it again.
Bruising would be caused by the deep tissue massage nodes, and this can be avoided by decreasing the amount of pressure you apply to the massage. If it’s too intense, add padding or back it off.
Overheating Precautions
Most massage pillows have an overheat protection device to prevent the pillow from overheating. The Zyllion ZMA-13-BK does feature a 20 minute auto shut off. If, for some reason, the unit powers down before the 20 minutes because of overheating, unplug the cord and wait at least fifteen minutes before using it again. The motor won’t operate until the device cools back down.
How Do You Use a Shiatsu Massage Pillow?
Here are some tips to properly and safely use your Zyllion shiatsu back and neck massager with heat.
- Read the instructions before operating.
- If you have any serious medical conditions, consult a doctor before starting the massage.
- Figure out what areas you want to target.
- Adjust any settings, such as intensity and heat.
- Apply enough pressure so you feel the massage working, but not so much it hurts.
- Do not exceed the recommended time and put it away when the device shuts itself off.
- Don’t overuse it.
- Unplug the device after each use.
How Often Should You Use a Massage Pillow?
You shouldn’t use this Zyllion shiatsu massage pillow for more than twenty minutes at a time. You can use it up to two times per day in shorter increments like 5-15 minutes. While you could use this every day to relieve tension and pain, it’s recommended to use it about 3 times a week, or every other day.
Verdict
If you want a deep-tissue massage you can control, you really can’t beat the versatility of this lightweight yet powerful Zyllion shiatsu massage pillow with heat. Its compact design fits perfectly almost anywhere, and it’s so easy to pack away and take with you. The ability to target your massage to any area you need, the 1 year warranty, and the very affordable price point is what makes this Zyllion ZMA 13 BK massager pillow worth buying!
If you primarily need a massage while working but want a few more features than a massager offers, we looked at some of the best massage chair pads here.
If you like work-time massages but don’t want to deal with the hassle of storing and unpacking a separate massage unit and would rather have an office chair with massage built into it, check out some of our favorites here.
Massages are a great way to reduce stress and alleviate pain, but always remember to use them with caution. Read the manuals before use and don’t overdo it. Twenty minutes just few a times a week is all it takes to start eliminating pain.