[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was able to try the Serenity Shiatsu Massage Cushion and provide my opinion on it.
I was surprised by the size and the weight of the cushion. Cushion implies pillow, light, and not heavy. This is heavy. It obviously would be heavier than a pillow because of the massaging properties.
The item is by Homedics. It weighs, in the box, about 30 pounds, approximately, if I am guessing correctly.
The height of the back of the massager is roughly 30 inches tall, 20 inches wide. The seat bottom folds up into the back to help with storage. The chair in and of itself isn't bendable, as the mechanics inside of the seat back.
The chair massages with rolling, thumping and kind of a kneading massage. You have back, lower back and neck/head massage options. You can always have all going or select just a part to be massaged.
You can have heat or just massage or both at the same time.
There is even an app that you can download through your phone on Android or Apple to have accompanying soothing music, meditation, and relaxation.
I found initially that it was a bit rough, and hurt a little. But, there is a removable piece that you can use to soften and lessen the impact of the thumping or rolling. But, that inhibits the heat from really soaking into your bones, as it is a shield between you and the chair.
I fine the remote handy and easy to use, knowing what you are massaging for more specific. The remote is attached to the chair so you won't necessarily misplace this in a drawer, get it lost in the cushions, etc.
The heat is a nice soothing heat, not over powering. The massages they run about 15 minutes. You won't want to use it longer. But, you can use it, take pause, evaluate where you still need help and be a bit more specific.
I found the massage back needs to have a firm chair behind you. I have a leather chair that I initially tried this on and it is more of a cushy chair and doesn't support the massager to keep it in line. If you don't have it more upright, leaned back, the massager will not hit you well for the head/neck area.
If you are shorter, you may want a pillow to put under your bottom to have the massager hit your neck/head area for massage.
I used the chair mostly for the lower to middle back area, and love being able to select the area, the type of massage. Rolling was great for just general relaxation. When I had a bit of pain, the thumping, drumming kind of feeling was great. The deeper kneading feeling sometimes really hurt. The removable pad helped reduce the discomfort for me.
Overall, this is a really nice, albeit a bit large, hard to store item. But, if you possibly feel that a good massage at home and can have a great storage spot for it, it would be awesome to have. The price is a bit steep at the outset, but if you look at having a massage anytime you want, and the price of massages in an office, tips, etc, you will make your money back quickly.
This is a very nice unit to have. I am not a fan of people touching me, so this provides me a wonderful massage and I can choose when, how long, how short, heat or no heat, and it is all on my discretion.