Customer Reviews
really, really good! 
2008-05-25
I've had the older models of homedics massagers before and always thought they make very good products but this one really takes home masssage cushions to another level! What a treat this is! Has everything I've always wanted in a massage cushion: choice of HEAT, which is such a treat for tired muscles, the MASSAGE GIVES A CHOICE OF SHIATSU OR ROLLING MASSAGE, they are both quite strong and really hit the spots that need rejuvenation after a day bending over on the computer. I like a strong massage and this is the perfect product for me. I use it almost every day, I can feel the knots within muscles being massaged away, especially around the shoulder blades and the lower back. The spot massage is available when you use the shiatsu mode and it too works those knots beautifully. I sound like a commercial but I'm just a consumer who is very happy with this product. Congratulations, homedics!
Help for your sore back 2008-05-16
The Homedics SBM-300H Therapist Select Shiatsu PLUS Massaging Cushion with Heat is shaped like a chair pad. It is portable and can be placed in any type of chair, including, I would assume, the front seat of a car. You'd need the proper plug adapter, though, because it works by plugging into an outlet, not by batteries. The only caveat for what chair you can place it in comes from the product's manual. It says to be careful of upholstery, so I put a towel over my padded recliner when I placed the cushion on it. That chair, by the way, was a great choice for using the cushion because I could recline while being massaged. To add to the relaxation experience, the cushion has a convenient, hand-held control which allows you to access with the touch of a finger the three different massage programs the cushion offers: (1) shiatsu spot massage, (2) regular shiatsu massage, and (3) rolling massage. When you choose the latter two programs, you can select movement up and down the full length of your back, or have the cushion focus on your lower or upper back. For all three programs, you can add heat, which amplifies the healing effects. You can also control the width of the massage so it conforms to your particular body size. There is also an automatic timer within the cushion that shuts it off after 20 minutes, but it feels so good, I did it for a full hour the first night. Be careful, though, that you don't do it too long. The automatic 20 minutes are about right for most people, because you can get, as the saying goes, "too much of a good thing," and give yourself a pain flare the next day if you have the cushion massage you too long.
I rate this product 5 stars for ease of use and portability, 5 stars for looks, 5 stars for how good it feels, and definitely 5 stars for value for the money. While a simple, electric cushion like this can't take the place of a human masseuse, I found it felt almost as good as a very expensive, electric massage table I have used in my chiropractor's office--and a comparable 20-minute treatment by that table costs almost as much as the price of this cushion.
By the way, you don't have to have a chronic back problem to find good use for this cushion. It would make a great gift for most of the adults on your gift list. I have given one to both of my children. At ages 19 and 23, they don't have the middle-aged aches my husband and I suffer, but they periodically get acute back pain from overdoing it in sports.
Good in theory, but loud and distracting in practice 
2008-05-13
I tested this out at the store before buying it, comparing it with two more expensive models - I chose this one because it had the basic features I wanted and was a good price. However on my chair at work it doesn't quite fit correctly - the back bad is very thick and my chair isn't adjustable enough to account for that. Also, the seat pad gets in the way in my opinion - I currently have it folded up behind the unit against the back of the chair.
I think this gives good massages, the pressure is good and the heat feels nice. I wish I would have gone with the model that allows for targeted pressure instead of the basic one with just upper and lower back settings. But, that was my choice.
The biggest problem right now is that the rollers squeak loudly as they move up and down. It's very loud and annoys my co-workers, making me self-conscious when I use it. I bought this mainly for work use, so this is a huge bummer.
No question - It works. 2008-04-21
There is no question about the power and back relief from this product. I scoot down in my office chair to get to the neck and upper shoulder areas. This is the shiatsu massager to get.
Works Good for only 2 months 
2008-04-15
My family members really enjoyed using this machine but unfortunately it started making loud noise after about 2 months and I returned it for refund (no shipping charge) but had to pay 25% restocking fee plus the original free shipping charge.
ooh....aah! 
2008-07-04
We love this massager! My daughter uses it daily. I would have given it 5 stars if the rollers in the massage cushion could reach all the way up to my shoulders (I'm 5'7"), but otherwise it gives a very relaxing and deep massage!
Worth every penny! 2008-07-02
I love this massage pad! I have used it every day since I got it and nothing makes my back feel better. It gives a very firm massage and the heat option is great for sore muscles. I wish I would've bought one a lot sooner.
Great for normal-sized people :) 2008-06-22
My only complaint about this item is that it does not reach above my shoulder blades. There is a more expensive model that may have, but I was trying to save a few bucks, so I bought this model instead. I'm 6'4", and the massager does not reach above a point just below the bottom of my shoulder blades. It does, however, work well on any chair I put it on, including the couch. The heat feels great! The rolling massage is not so great, so you may be happy enough and a little less poor if you get a model with just the shiatsu, as that is all I use. In all, though, a quality piece of equipment.
Homedics Massaging cushion 2008-06-02
Works great. At first I thought I wouldn't spend the extra money for the heat. I'm glad I did. It really does relax you after a long day. The heat just adds to the relaxing rollers. The rollers do a good job of running up and down your back, But be ready for a deep massage. This is not a toy. If you push your back into it it will hurt. So just lean back and let the rollers to the rest.
I would recommend this product.
Works great 2008-05-27
I bought one of these first as a gift, then asked to try it. It seemed fine, so I got one for myself. It does a great job. The only drawback I see is that it doesn't get the upper reaches of my back as I would hope it would. I get professional massages at times, and I notice that since using this device the masseur no longer finds very sensitive spots. The heat seems adequate when I turn it on, the pressure seems right. I recall that I read about problems persons had in some of the other reviews, but I had none of the problems I recall reading about.
