Sharper Image Shiatsu Chair Destroyed My Back!

Oh, the agony of massage...

Published on November 15, 2005 By singrdave In Misc

Went to Sharper Image on Friday night after work. Relaxed for a few minutes in the shiatsu massage chair before moving on through the mall. Nice, especially on my lower back. I don't have back problems as such, but I do enjoy a good massage. The shiatsu chair was doing a great job...

Didn't feel any worse Saturday morning, went through the day as usual. No problems.

Sunday morning I could hardly stand up straight. Couldn't hold the baby, couldn't ascend or descend the stairs in our house. Pain pain pain!!!

Monday no better. Went to Wal-Mart after work and picked up a package of Icy-Hot back pads. Between that and Advil, I am feeling a bit better at this point.

Still suffering, and it is Tuesday evening. Better than it used to be, Sunday evening was the worst pain. With continued medication, I should recover by the end of the week.

All this from a MASSAGE CHAIR! Let the consumer beware.

Comments

greywar

on Nov 15, 2005

Wow, that is bizarre....

Spc Nobody Special

on Nov 15, 2005

You're not supposed to use those things for more than a few minutes at a time. Seems they can cause extreme lower back pain or something. Oops, should have brought that up in the vans sometime, huh?

singrdave

on Nov 16, 2005

You're not supposed to use those things for more than a few minutes at a time. Seems they can cause extreme lower back pain or something.

And your warning was timely?

Oops, should have brought that up in the vans sometime, huh?

I would have loved a shiatsu chair in the vans.

Still tender as of Wednesday morning, just for the record, but I am not using the icy-hot pad any more. I am, however, still doing the Advil.

KarmaGirl

on Nov 16, 2005

It's somehow doubtful that it would cause pain over 24 hours after you used it. They run on a timer appropriate for the massage that they are doing.

I have one of those chairs (not the identical one, but the mechanism works the same) and use it almost every day. I've never had any pain caused by it.

If the pain would have started within a few hours of using it (as muscle pains starts quite soon after it is injured) it might be the cause, but it really doesn't sound plausible since it was over a day after you used it.

I have had a similar back pain to what you described. It was caused by over exerted muscles that tensed up and wouldn't relax. If it doesn't clear up, see a Dr. and they can prescribed a low dose muscle relaxer. I lived with mine for days, then went to the Dr. and had it cleared up about 8 hrs after the first dose. They also recommend just ice to decrease the muscle swelling. Heat feels good, but the ice actually is what will help it start healing.

singrdave

on Nov 16, 2005

It's somehow doubtful that it would cause pain over 24 hours after you used it.

That's what I thought at first, too. But two bits of anecdotal evidence to submit:
1) after working out, my muscles don't hurt until at least 24 hours afterwards. I'm guessing this machine worked my muscles deeply, like a heavy lifting workout would have.
2) I had done nothing else to injure my lower back in the meantime.

Can I have the thing since you wont be using it anymore? ...I'm trying to get me a chair here!

Sorry, Whip. I sat in the chair while at the store. You think I can afford one of those things?!?!

KarmaGirl

on Nov 16, 2005

I'm guessing this machine worked my muscles deeply, like a heavy lifting workout would have.

The problem is that they don't work your muscles at all. What they do is extremely topical. They aren't even considered a "deep tissue" massage. The manual (and warnings, which as you know, have everything stated that could possibly at all cost a lawsuit) can be read at: http://www.interhealth.com/n/pdfs/UseNCareManuals/ht-125.pdf

I hope you get some relief from your back pain soon. Back pain bites.

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