Body Back Mini Neck Massager - Travel Size Back Massager for Trigger Points

I was having some chronic pain in either my rhomboid minor, serratus posterior superior, or rhomboid major muscle... there was a tightness that just would not release. It got bad enough that it started to hurt to turn my head away from it. Over the course of several weeks, I tried self-massage, machine massage, heat, and an actual massage, but the only time it felt somewhat normal was in the middle of a workout after my entire back was nice and warmed up. I picked this up on a whim, poked around for about 5 minutes until I found the sweet spot and then really dug in with that "sharp" tip. Oh! The agony and the Ecstasy! I don't know if a human could do the same job unless a nice, sharp knuckle was used AND it was used in the exact, perfect spot. Anyway, several 10 minute sessions later that same day I could feel a major difference. I've developed a nice technique that works wonders: Find the spot, pull hard and hold for 10 seconds, release for about 5 seconds, repeat 6 times. Then pull with moderate pressure and kind of bounce on the spot for 60 seconds (remember those shake weights? [ Product ID: B00C2E1SH6 ] a motion kind of like that). Every once in a while that spot tightens up again and 2 minutes later I've self-treated and I'm back to work. Size of product: I'm 6', 185 lbs and this is barely able to reach that spot. People much larger than I will probably need a bigger version to hit reach that far down their back. I have an obese friend who is about 5' 6" and her front-to-back shoulder/chest width is about twice what mine is and she is able to reach a similar spot on her lats. I've tried it on my neck and some other muscles that have gotten sore, but I don't really like it for anything else. For me, this has become a specialized tool that fits a niche PERFECTLY.

I love the size of this body back massager. Perfect for travel. Easy to use. Great value for the size. Looks to be durable as well.

- This is a great little travel wand, for those shoulder/neck/back muscles, medium pressure (based on how much leverage it provides) - The pointy “nub” on the end is super annoying if you favor deep massages (vs just a shallow pressure point). However it was easy enough to saw it off and then use a nail file to smooth over the face to make it a normal ball like other massage wands. However that nub was clearly in the product listing, so just my personal option about whether I like that design feature. - The “seam” down the middle is a little uncomfortable directly on the skin (scratch plastic edge), but easy enough to file smooth with a regular nail file - For under $10, these flaws are acceptable and easy enough to modify for someone with handy skills

I wasn't sure how this would work for me (and it came with no instructions). As a massager, I was hoping it would help with my stiff neck and shoulder muscles. I also wanted it to serve as a back-scratcher. What I found was that it doesn't work well at both jobs. Just as it is, it makes a good back-scratcher, but when I used it on my muscles I found that the "bird beak" on the business end was painful to use—too hard, too small, and too pointy. Think about the massage tools we all came equipped with: fingertips, knuckles, and so on—they're all cushioned to some extent and they're much broader and more rounded. I filed the beak off, and now it's comfortable to use for pressing on my sore muscles. It's got reach and plenty of leverage, though I find myself choking up on the handle a lot, that is, grasping it further along the handle toward the bend. Having removed the beak, it's no longer very effective as a back-scratcher. The handle is very uncomfortable. I assumed from the photo of the product that the handle would be typical of the overmolded soft-rubber handles on tools of all kinds these days. No such luck (or luxury)—it's just a different color of the same hard plastic as the rest of it, and the little knobs make it worse; they dig into your hands and hurt. I'm planning to fix that with a coating of Lexel, but I think a thick layer of tape would work, at the risk of getting adhesive gunk on your hands. They really should redesign the handle and make it soft and comfortable and to extend further up the shaft. I bought this because it was cheap and looked durable. I'd have given it two and a half stars if that were possible. Now that I've modded it, it works okay for me, but I still need to rework the handgrip. This is okay for the money if you can modify it.

This is absolutely the worst massage product I have ever experienced. The knob is sharp and uncomfortable. The material is not sturdy enough to actually apply pressure to a trigger point; instead, it bends and feels like it is going to snap in half. I recently tried out a full size Theracane and I will be getting one of those. I will say, this has a backscratcher on one end and that is delightful except that you can buy a backscratcher at basically any gas station near a major highway. Also, mine came with a sticker of San Francisco on it which makes me think it is a cheap Chinese import (which might explain the quality) instead of being a helpful therapeutic device.

Portable, great to travel with and easy to use compared to the bigger ones because of the size

The Back buddy, the big, blue, s-shaped device, which I own, is a sturdy device that does not give to pressure. I've used it nearly two years now and it's amazing. A staple of my daily activities. This back buddy mini is made of a much shoddier, much weaker plastic that widens upon pressure, right out of the box. Imagine trying to apply pressure to a knot in your neck or back with a slightly flimsy piece of plastic... Exactly. I bought this as a gift, and I regret it. It isn't completely worthless, but comparing it to the deluxe model isn't even a contest. If you have the money, get the back buddy. You'll be grateful.

I have the large Back Buddy, which I like, but it is cumbersome and difficult to take with me. I can easily take this little tool anywhere I go, and can use it while sitting at my desk, reading, etc. The previous reviewer mentioned that it she thought it might break, but it seems to me to be very sturdy. I have no fear of it breaking from normal use, and I press down pretty hard with it at times. If you find relief from pressing pressure points, and don't want to have to bother with a huge tool, order this little one. You'll find it both effective and handy to use and take with you. The only con I find is that the knob is pointed rather than rounded. It's still effective, but I think I'd prefer a rounded knob, like is on its big brother. An extra bonus to this little gadget is the back scratcher at the other end, which is very effective in relieving an itchy back. :)

I would be absolutely lost without this wand I use it on my shoulder and I use it on my sciatic nerve in my hip it relieves the pain in both almost immediately!! It's the perfect size to get into my shoulder the tip of it has an action just like getting reflexology or pressure point. It's made very sturdy that would not snap you can put quite a bit of pressure I'm 130 pounds and I have used as much pressure as I possibly can with this wand and I am quite strong as I work out with weights.

Probably the best money I have spent all year! I get persistent back and shoulder (around the blade) tension and it was impossible to get with just my fingers. This little beauty gets them all! I actually shaved off the point as I found that too painful and not I do not travel anywhere without it. If only it was a different color as because of the size and shape you get some really odd looks! :)

I have seen similar bigger products and felt like trying one. This had the perfect size. I am not excited with the results but still, it is an easy when when you don't have a spare pair of hands available!

Great product for on the go. I use the larger S-shaped back buddy at home and this little one fits nicely in my backpack when I’m on the go. I use it while on the bus or whenever i’m sitting or standing around. I use it daily and it only took about 3 days to rid me of all of the shoulder pain I’ve carried for years. On the downside, the blue handle is poorly built and the cheap plastic feels like it will break if I ever pull on it too hard. Would be better if it were one solid unit or made from a more solid plastic. Also, because of the fragile build, i only use it on my upper back, shoulders and traps and I’m afraid to use it on my lower back and legs.

I did not expect much, but I was wrong. It's AWESOME. One of my favourite weird Amazon purchases. I can't get massage therapy right now and this thing has been saving me. I have a chronic condition that leads to constant muscle knots and tightness. This helps release the trigger points and has lead to less migraines and headaches. Now it doesn't replace therapy, but it helps in between appointments. I mostly use it on my back and shoulders, but you could use it on your legs. It's easy to control because you are using your own strength, so it'd be hard to over-do it but of course if you pushed on the wrong spot, it could be bad I guess... I think it'd be unlikely though! It's also great for soreness after exercising if the muscles lock up the next day.