Sharper Image Heated Foot Massager

Product Information

Foot massager mats are a portable and convenient way to relieve sore muscles. While we did not test this option in the real world, we are very impressed with the eight modes and 19 levels that knead, massage, hit pressure points, and even act as a cupping device. While the mat is designed for your feet and the open-concept design accommodates any foot size, you can also use the massager on other parts of your body. It also weighs less than one pound and rolls up, so it's easy to take on the go. But Dr. Feldman says that he does occasionally recommend foot massagers to his patients, because they can offer several different benefits: helping with blood flow, relieving muscle tension and relaxing soft tissue, decreasing chronic pain, decreasing emotional stress, and assisting with anxiety. Do foot massagers actually work?

At first glance, this wooden roller doesn’t look like much, but people with plantar fasciitis will thank us for putting the TheraFlow Foot Massager for Plantar Fasciitis Relief on our list as the best massager for this painful condition. Where many foot massagers can’t really get to the source of your woes, i.e. the band of tissue running along the sole of your foot called the plantar fascia, we couldn’t believe how well this unassuming massager worked. The TheraFlow Foot Massager Roller is not at all fancy, but it does a great job relieving foot pain and tension. In fact, it received perfect scores in both efficacy and overall value. We were surprised at its effectiveness even though it wasn't big or fancy and didn't heat up. Nonetheless, we found that this little wooden device delivered a great targeted massage.The Miko device features two separate foot chambers with washable cloth covers. Once you slip your feet in, you can operate the massager via the control panel on top of the machine or with the included remote—a great bonus feature, since it allows you to adjust settings, but still stay relaxed. These types of massagers work better for people with tired, achy feet than people with chronic pain conditions since they are more like foot baths with a massaging element than dedicated foot massagers. In other words, if you need targeted therapeutic massage, opt for a traditional foot massager and not a foot spa but if you need to soothe your feet after a long day at work, a foot spa with a little extra massaging action will probably give you what you need. The T.E.N.S. Foot Massager with Infrared Heat produced by Sharper Image uses a technology called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS.) to relieve and promote the healing of the muscles, your soles and the feet from pain, soreness and stiffness. The one area we felt this massager could improve is its heating function; while it does keep the water warm, we noticed that it doesn’t really heat the water, and there isn’t an option for increasing the temperature. We think it will work best with already-hot water added to the tub to start. Massage also improves the circulation of lymph fluid which eliminates lactic acid from the muscle tissues and metabolic waste products from internal organs and muscles.

With the above understanding of massage therapy, types of massage and their benefits, now let’s turn on to the Sharper Image Massagers. To operate, plug in your mat using the included USB and affix the controller to the mat. You can toggle between the modes with your feet for a completely hands-free experience. This option is also a lot easier to clean than traditional models—just wipe it down with a damp cloth. But, it's definitely not as durable or sturdy as other options on this list, so you'll have to be a bit more gentle.We found the controls and LED screen interface incredibly easy to use, but the device lost one point since it was on the heavier side compared to other foot spas on the market, weighing 6.7 pounds before adding water. The vibration option worked well but was less appealing to us than the traditional rolling massage feature. On the foot spa side of things, this massager offers a nice, deep tub that can accommodate all foot sizes, but it doesn’t take up much space. We also noted that this massager was a breeze to set up and use, with intuitive controls and smart storage. We felt relaxed and pampered by the time we were done with this massager, and we liked how it combines a traditional foot massage with a soaking spa element. While foot massagers can’t cure arthritis, they can act as a comfort device and alleviate some of your symptoms, says Dr. Feldman, who notes that many of them can decrease the inflammation associated with arthritis.