Most people who are looking for shiatsu foot massager reviews typically have high expectations. They’re looking forward to a foot massage similar to what they usually get from a therapist–only more convenient.
However, there are a lot of things to know about shiatsu foot massagers than what biased and profit-driven review websites try to provide. This guide aims to give you the best information about shiatsu foot massagers so you can make the wisest buying decision.
Shiatsu Foot Massager: What It Is, and What It Is Not.
Shiatsu literally means “finger pressure.” It’s a Japanese bodywork with roots in traditional Chinese medicine.
Shiatsu practitioners use a combination of pressure points, stretching and gentle manipulation to remove blockages in the body’s energy flow called Qi or Ki (pronounced as “chee”). If not corrected, these blockages lead to imbalance of energy which manifests itself through a host of different illnesses.
Shiatsu foot massage is both a relaxing and therapeutic way to pamper your tired, sore feet after a long day. With a combination of thumb pressure, ankle rotation and mild stretching, your feet can experience a new level of relaxation.
You can reap almost exactly the same benefits by using an electric shiatsu foot massager or letting a trained professional do the work. However, there are things that a man-made machine simply can’t do because of the limitations of technology.
Therefore, the term “shiatsu foot massager” isn’t an entirely accurate way to describe what these products actually provide.
In contrast to a real-life massage, most shiatsu foot massagers aren’t capable of massaging the sides of the foot. They also can’t perform ankle rotation and stretching, although there are foot massagers now that work on the calves as well.
To put it simply, shiatsu foot massagers are by no means the most perfect product to get rid of foot pain. Nonetheless, they deliver the most basic of shiatsu foot massage techniques (i.e., thumb pressure and kneading) in a way that saves you both time and money.
As long as you don’t expect too much from a robotic pre-programmed massage, you’ll always find shiatsu foot massagers as a decent substitute for your massage therapist.
Also Read: Best Foot Massager Reviews – The Ultimate Guide
How to Choose The Best Shiatsu Foot Massager.
There are shiatsu foot massagers available for every budget. But regardless of the price tag you’re eyeing for, these criteria will help you distinguish quality products from their inferior counterparts:
Features and Comfort.
With a growing list of shiatsu foot massagers to choose from, it’s easy to get distracted by all the fancy features instead of sticking to the ones you actually need.
A good foot massager offers a variety of massage settings. It lets you choose the intensity of the massage–from soothing to vigorous–so you can have a satisfying foot rub that suits your needs.
Although they don’t perfectly replicate a therapist’s touch, some shiatsu foot massagers try to meet user’s expectations through air bags that squeeze the top of the foot. Look for foot massagers that give deep-kneading massage to the entire foot–including the soles, heels, toes and even foot arch.
Optional features include switchable heat (which might require a doctor’s recommendation, especially if you’re a diabetic) and calf or leg massagers for a complete massage experience.
Warranty and Portability.
One way to judge a product’s quality is to know whether or not the company offers a warranty. Any manufacturer that has built a good reputation over the years rely on their customers for their success.
For this reason, some of the well-known and trusted foot massage manufacturers ensure their customers are satisfied with their products. And they do this by offering 1- to 2-year limited warranty that guarantees their products will be free of defects within one year from the date of purchase.
Some even offer 60-day money-back guarantee to separate their products from other low-quality knock-offs proliferating the Internet.You can get all these information either on the product’s Amazon page or the manufacturer’s website.
Another thing you might want to consider when buying a shiatsu foot massager is the size and weight. If you’re a constant traveler who prefers to bring a foot massager with you, look for products that are light and small enough to fit in your luggage.
Otherwise, stick to wooden or manual massagers which are relatively more portable albeit lacking in features.