A few months ago my husband bought me one of those Homedics back massagers. They're black, sit on a lounge chair or even a couch, and have shiatzu as well as regular massage. Some have heat- mine does.

Anyway, I used it a few times, liked it, but as my foot is usually my focus and it didn't help that or my leg, I didn't pay it much mind. But in the past few days my old back injury seems to have returned, along with extremely tight muscle knots in my shoulders, scapula, lower back and upper.

I brought it out and plopped it on my chair, and OMG, it feels better than a personal massage! The shiatzu balls go pretty deep, and as I tend to lean into it, I've been able to break up several tight muscles and the excruciating muscle spasms/knots. I know it sounds silly, but in just a few hours I've been able to work on different areas in my body, from my neck, upper back, shoulders and shoulder blades to my lower back. I have massages regularly but this is like controlling the massage yourself.

All I know is that I feel silly for not remembering to use this. Along with abut a gallon of water (like any massage, one has to keep hydrated) this massage therapy aid has brought me out of a painful place and has worked with the muscle relaxant to bring a smile to my face due to the lack of pain and pressure in my back. I only wish I had one for my leg, though I don't allow anyone or anything to touch my foot.

If you have one of these and have back pain, give it a 2nd try. I'm not recommending it for people with non-muscle pain, but if your doc allows you to have massages for muscle pain, this might help!