VibraBack gives your back a break!
Written: Jul 12 '02 (Updated Jul 12 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Gives short time relief to minor back ailments.
Cons: Vibrates too quickly.
The Bottom Line: This cushion is not a cure-all! It should be used as a means of relief from minor back pains, but is not for a relaxation therapy.
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| lorace's Full Review: Homedics Vibra Back Massage Cushion Bk 100 |
Back trouble. When a person's back aches, it seems everything aches, and one gets a painful outlook on life.
A few years back, working in a bookstore, I sprained my back. It was horrendous and took many weeks of therapy to ever get me to the point where I felt like myself again.
But, it seems a sprain can weaken your back so the least bit of unaccustomed activity can set up a continual string of problems with spasms, aches, pains, and you name it! You know it when it hits you.
Consequently, my husband thought of a helpful Christmas gift for me during that period of extreme discomfort. He saw, in a drugstore, a HoMedics VibraBack Massage Cushion. BK-100, wrapped it in red and green paper and proudly gave it to me (along with other not-so-practical gifts!)
I was really pleased to get it. This little number is black and looks like a seat cushion that you'd use on the back of kitchen or dining room chairs.
Parts
Massage Cushion
120 volt AC home adapter
12 volt auto adapter
Controller
Using the VibraBack
The cushion has straps on the back of it so you can slip it down over a chair back.
The Controller, attached directly to the cushion, has 2 switches. One for HEAT, with an ON/OFF switch and a red LED light, which goes on when the heat switch is turned on.
The other switch is the VIBRATION switch with HI/LO/Off settings.
Both switches can be run independently of the other or in conjunction with the other. In other words, you can have heat applied to your back without any massaging, or you can massage the back, either with heat or without heat.
A person needs to experiment a bit to find out which setting more effectively addresses the current problem.
My Experience with the VibraBack Massage Cushion
Truthfully, there have been times when it helped me and times when it did nothing.
I've tried using it on the living room couch while I watched TV and the vibrating action interfered with my enjoyment of the show.
The Low vibrations seemed better to me in that situation, but it still seemed to vibrate too quickly, setting up a pulsation in my ears which wasn't too pleasant.
Also, when I'd turn the vibrator on, it caused static interference in the television as there is no suppressor built into the unit.
The heat is centered in the cushion and the HEATING unit alone has helped me many times when my back was merely tired and aching. However, when I have spasms, I need both the heat and the vibrator.
The instruction manual says not to use it more than 30 minutes at a time, and I never have. Generally, I can take it no longer than 15 minutes.
I have never used it in the car or the van, but I do take it along with us, just in case I run into problems, and I used it several times in a motel room.
Storing and Cleaning the Unit
The book says to store the unit in a cool, dry place. I keep mine in the hall closet under a pile of bath towels. . You're told not to wrap the cord around it and not to hang it by the controller cord.
There's hardly any upkeep at all to this. I can wipe the control switch with a damp rag and the cushion, also.
Of course, you're told not to immerse the cushion or controller in water.
I can't believe that anyone ever would, but all manufacturers of electrical equipment seem to state this, so SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE, must have done just that and sued the manufacturer for damages. LOL. That's all I can figure out.
Telling us not to immerse the appliance in water protects the manufacturer.
My Recommendation
For minor back ailments, this inexpensive unit does a credible job. It really has helped me many times and I'm glad I have it.
However, don't plan on using it as a pleasurable, comfortable massage while watching TV. It's really better to set up a time when you have nothing else to do (read, perhaps) and get down to the business of relieving your backache.
I admit that many times it seems like too much trouble for me to get it out and set it up. It's not that attractive that I'd want to leave it in the living room all the time.
I've tried lying down on the bed with the cushion on my back and the heating unit on. However, I much prefer a heating pad as this cushion is not exactly comfortable when used that way.
I do recommend thisHoMedics VibraBack Massage Cushion. BK-100, if your back is a chronic problem for you. I would prefer something, though, with a slower, less throbbing vibrator.
Thanks for reading my Review. I do hope it's been helpful to you. And may your Back never give you trouble.
Lorace
www.homedics.com
Recommended:
Yes
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lorace
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Member: Lorace
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No matter how you spell it, L-U-V_still says_LOVE! Hope your day is full of it!
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