Donnerberg Shiatsu Neck Massager: Review

One of the major downsides of fibro is the pain. I can wake up one day with everything hurting, from my scalp right down to my feet. I have wondered from time to time if some sort of high-quality massager or massage pillow would help with pain relief.

Massage therapy can help improve blood circulation and relieve muscle tension. I’ve seen people using manual massagers, handheld massagers, massage guns and even massage balls, but is there anything else available?

So when Donnerberg got in touch about their shiatsu neck massager, I was interested to see whether it would help me.

The Donnerberg shiatsu neck massager uses eight rotating massage nodes and three different speed settings to help it get to those tight, sore neck muscles. It claims to relieve stress, aches, muscle tension and knots as it massages the neck. If you need a bit of heat therapy for the area, the unit also has an optional heating function with different heat settings. You can add infrared heat to your massage through the massage heads at the push of a button.

There is no need to worry about overusing the unit. After 15 minutes, it switches off to remind you that it is time to stop the massage. It even includes the ability to change between two settings of massage strength and a cloth for those with sensitive skin. I think this is one of its most essential features.

While it is billed as a neck and shoulder massager, it actually offers all-round muscle massage. You can use it in many different places, including the base of the back, stomach, legs, arms and hands. If you feel you need a bit of a massage in a specific area that isn’t listed here, it is worth trying the device there to see if it gives you some relief.

Charging the shiatsu neck massager

The Donnerberg shiatsu neck massager comes with an in-car adaptor. The car charger means that you can charge on the go. The mains charger includes an EU plug, and I did find an adaptor that works for multiple inputs and outputs included in the original box. However, when I tried to use it, it fell out of the wall, so I had to buy another before I could use the device.

My thoughts

With my Fibromyalgia, I had to be very careful how I used this. As the name suggests, this isn’t a nice gentle massage to relax you but more of a pummelling. Traditional shiatsu massage uses massage techniques like deep tissue massages. The movement is rotating and is supposed to help relieve tension deep down by targeting certain areas of the body.

Sadly, this meant it pushed into many of the pressure points that cause a lot of pain thanks to my Fibromyalgia. This meant that it was unbearable for me to use in many places.

Overall I think this is an excellent idea for the right person who needs a massager that can tackle those deep-down knots. It also means you don’t have to keep paying for a massage therapist. However, if, like me, you have issues with pain, you should think about getting something a little more gentle, at least to start with.

Next, I might try some massage chairs or a percussion massager.

The Donnerberg shiatsu neck massager costs £169.00 and is available on Amazon*, eBay and Donnerberg’s website where you can use LIFE10 to get 10% off at checkout.

*PR Sample