Tension, stress and repetitive movements can all lead to the feeling of a sore and stiff neck. When you don't have the finances or time to see a professional massage therapist on a regular basis, the next best thing is to purchase one of the many types of neck massage tools that are available on the market.
Electric Percussive Massagers
Electric percussive massagers are one common form of neck massaging tool. These products work by mimicking the motions and effects of tapotement on your neck muscles. Tapotement is a type of massage therapy technique that uses tapping or slapping motions with the fingers, palms or fists. This form of neck massager can be purchased online and in many stores. It is powered by either batteries or can be plugged into a power outlet.
Electric Vibration Massagers
The electric vibration massager is also a popular neck massaging tool. Vibration masagers also mimic the actions of a massage therapist by vibrating the neck muscles. A vibration massager is also commonly combined with heat to help further increase blood flow to the muscle and enhance relaxation. Like the percussive massager, the vibration massager is also battery or plug-in powered.
Cold Therapy Massagers
A newer addition to the massage tool market are cold therapy massagers. A cold therapy massager uses a surface designed for deep tissue massage combined with ice to both work the muscles and provide cold therapy at the same time. Cold therapy works by decreasing fluid build up in injured muscles, which reduces inflammation in the shoulders. The cold also works to numb the shoulder tissue, reducing pain and muscle spasms, states the Merck Corporation.
Palm Massagers
The best bargain for a neck massaging tool is the palm massager. A palm massager is a small tool that typically has one or more finger-like projections with a round knob on the end. By pushing the knobs into the shoulder muscle tissue, you mimic the same sensation as a massage therapist as they press their fingers into your shoulder tissue. This increases circulation to the muscle tissue, supplying it with more oxygen and facilitating the removal of wastes, such as lactic acid or uric acid, from the muscle.
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