While all types of massage can help loosen your muscles and relieve pain, you might prefer one method over the others.

You also want to make sure it will target the muscle groups you are hoping to massage," she elaborates. A massage pillow is a budget-friendly alternative to a massage chair, which can not only be extremely expensive but also take up a great deal of space. It’s great for muscle tightness in your neck and shoulders, and digs deep to alleviate pain and knots. Too much and/or too aggressive massage may lead to soft tissue injury in a muscle, and if used incorrectly may even lead to a burn, if heat is used for too long, at too high intensity," she says.Unfortunately, this massage pad by Homedics cannot be used in an airplane or a car because of the corded design.

Percussion: Massage pillows that offer a percussion-style massage create an almost thundering sensation as they work your muscles.The Shiatsu Massager is arguably the closest thing you’ll ever get to a professional massage at home, without the added expense of course. However, some people note that it can feel a bit bulky, so if you want something on the sleeker side, keep reading.

Like most massager pillows, it comes with 4 flat shiatsu nodes that are engineered to deliver wider pressure that efficiently targets your body’s acupuncture points.While the majority of feedback is positive, some people wish they had more control over the intensity of the massage nodes. It’s also foldable and portable, making it a good choice for those who want to use it at work, home, or even while traveling.