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I have talked recently about my experience getting a massage. I absolutely loved it and I always do when I get the chance to go and get one.
At the moment, though, it’s not something I am able to do all the time, which is a shame as I always seem to carry so much tension in my neck, shoulders and upper back and so I constantly feel achey and knotty.
I wasn’t aware that you could get any kind of decent massager to use at home so when I was contacted and asked if I would like to try the Donnerberg Neck and Shoulder Massager I was very excited to learn more about it and try it out.
Donnerberg is a German-based company, founded in 2007 that specialises in inventing and manufacturing high-quality wellness and relaxation products. You can find their products both online, as well as at fairs around Europe, including Ideal Home Show in London and Manchester.
The products are recommended by the German Olympic Association (DOSB), and the brand supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and they are committed to making a positive contribution to society.
The Donnerberg Neck and Shoulder Massager Premium NM089 uses the principles of Shiatsu massage to help with eliminating muscle pain, relieving stress, pain and tension and aiding relaxation, primarily across the neck and shoulders, but it can also be used effectively on the back, stomach, legs and feet too!
The box contains:
As soon as I had read all of the information on the massager I was excited to try it as it sounded amazing, but I was still doubtful that anything I could use at home would actually feel that good and be something I wanted to use regularly.
It is really easy to use right out of the box. You plug it in and connect the wire to the lead from the massager and then all you need to do is sit the massager over your neck and shoulders (or wherever you are using it), press the ‘on’ button on the control pad and place your arms through the loops.
You can change the speed setting – either low, medium or high, turn infrared on or off and on setting 1 or 2, turn on vibration as well as change the direction of the massage balls. The integrated infrared heat can potentially help improve your blood circulation and soothe muscle tension.
As soon as I turned the Donnerberg massager on it felt amazing. The firm balls (!) really work into your body so it really does feel similar to having hands massaging you and at times it’s almost better as the firmness and intensity is maintained.
The massage balls (OK, bidirectional massage heads) are differing sizes so it kind of feels like hands moving one way and then the other and I turn into Monica from Friends getting a message when they hit the perfect spot.
The massage heads have been specially designed to glide flexibly and gently (but thankfully not too gently) over the body to mimic the finger movements of the traditional Shiatsu massage. And it really feels so good.
The first time I used it was in between working and I had to really force myself to stop and turn it off and get back to work, and I honestly felt less achey afterwards and I’d only used it for about ten minutes.
I was honestly surprised by how good it is and how enjoyable using it is. It does take a little bit of getting used to getting it in the right place on your body, especially on certain areas like my calves but once you know how best to use it on each area it is so simple.
I’ve used it pretty much everywhere, including my stomach which I wasn’t planning on trying as I didn’t like the thought of it – but actually, it felt really good and like my stomach was sort of soothed. My stomach let out a gurgle after a few seconds so I could imagine it might help with digestion.
I love it most on my back and shoulders. I put it on and close my eyes and just enjoy the feeling of the massage on my body. I feel like it actually does help me to relax and switch off which is what I need right now and so I’m trying to use it for at least a few minutes every day, and extra when I’m feeling particularly tense or anxious.
I bloody love a pretty firm massage so I was a bit worried that this just wouldn’t cut it, but actually, it really kneads your muscles and gets to those knots which I didn’t think it would be able to do. Also, a great thing about it is that it not only has three speeds, but you have the ability to control the intensity yourself depending on how much you sort of pull on the arm loops.
I seriously can’t believe how good it feels especially across my back and particularly in certain areas it really does feel like there are hands massaging me – I love it.
If you notice a sore part of your body then you can change the direction of the massager and it really feels like it is working the knot out of you! It’s so bloody brilliant!
The Donnerberg neck and shoulder massager comes with a car adapter that you plug into the cigarette lighter so you can even take it out with you. I don’t think it’s something I would do often, but I can imagine it would be brilliant for a long car journey, especially if you were the driver and used it for five minutes during a service station stop!
You could even take it to work with you pretty easily as it’s not too heavy or cumbersome, and I can imagine it could be great for loosening you up when you’re sat at a desk all day.
I would worry that it’s the kind of thing that could go wrong pretty easily, but it comes with a great 7-year warranty so your massager will be repaired or replaced if there are any problems with it.
There is a vibration setting which you can use at the same time as the main massage balls (I can’t describe them any other way!) and I have tried that, but as I get migraines I feel like that can be a bit much and make me feel a bit sick. But it is said to help loosen up muscles and reduce pain so it could be a great addition for some people, and it does feel really good on any areas that aren’t too near my head.
Having said that, it does seem to add something to the massage and I am able to take the 5-second interval vibration more easily.
The addition of the vibration to the massage is said to help it penetrate into the deep-lying muscle tissue to promote blood circulation and as a result, can invigorate tight and overworked muscles, relieve persistent tensions and naturally remove toxins.
The only real negative for me is that it is a little noisy, although I do seem to switch off from the sound very quickly and sometimes it weirdly seems to help send me into a kind of trance so it seems to relax me more!
I do find the controls slightly hard to reach to change settings without changing position and ideally I think the control pad would be on the arm area, but then it probably wouldn’t be as comfortable as the connection would need to come further down.
I would still always prefer an actual massage from a therapist – nothing can really match a quiet and calming room, scented with oils, with qualified hands massaging all of your body as you lay comfortably on a bed.
But, I currently can’t afford to go for a regular massage, nor do I have the time and realistically it would never be something I could do every week.
With this at home-massager I can have a massage every day and really relax and enjoy it. I think it’s a brilliant thing to have at home that works so well and I love it!
You can get £10 off the Donnerberg Neck and Shoulder Massager with the code: LILLIES10 (note the two L’s) here: Donnerberg Neck and Shoulder Massager
I was sent the Donnerberg Neck and Shoulder Massager to review but all words and opinions are my own. See my full disclosure policy here.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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