Homedics Shiatsu Foot Massager Review for Runners

I had no enterprise signing up to run a marathon as I’m not a runner. Really, contemplating I bought minimize from each sports activities crew I ever tried out for, I’ve by no means been any type of athlete in any respect—so I had no thought what I used to be getting myself into after I dedicated to operating the well-known New York Metropolis Marathon this fall.

Had I achieved even 5 minutes of analysis forward of time, I’d have recognized what to anticipate throughout the training process, however as a result of I went in fully naive, I used to be genuinely shocked at how a lot my feet hurt after every long run. Apparently, had I achieved even one minute of analysis forward of time, I would not have been stunned at this—however there I used to be, six weeks out from the race with screaming, crying arches.

Fortunately, it was round this time that I bought my palms on the Homedics Shiatsu Air 2.0 Foot Massager With Soothing Heat ($99), which not solely elevated my self-care routine, but additionally made it a complete lot simpler to run 10+ miles regularly.

What makes the system so heavenly—notably for runners, like me—is how effectively it mimics an IRL Shiatsu therapeutic massage. “Shiatsu therapeutic massage might help relieve set off level ache and enhance circulation within the ft, and elevated circulations often means sooner restoration,” says Nam Tran, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist in Dallas, TX. Clearly, it is not fairly the identical as settling in for a 90-minute session with a therapist (Dr. Tran notes that the system lacks the data and personalization an precise human can supply), however by way of how good it leaves your ft feeling afterward, it is fairly dang shut.

It recreates the texture of somebody ironing out your knots through the use of a mix of kneading balls (like what you’d anticipate from the therapeutic massage chair on the nail salon) and air stress. “The kneading gadgets can work on stretching out smooth tissue buildings within the foot such because the plantar fascia,” says Dr. Tran, including that this can be a generally inflammated construction in runners. The air stress takes this to the following degree by squeezing your ft—in a great way, I promise—in order that the kneading instruments can get approach down deep into your muscle tissue.

It takes issues up one other notch with the addition of warmth, which Dr. Tran says is a good way of accelerating circulation to the ft. “As circulation will increase, it brings therapeutic components to the areas which are in want of restore, which may be extremely helpful for individuals affected by foot ache,” he explains.

Not solely is the instrument useful for runners (“after a long term, stretching and massaging can significantly lower signs of ache and achiness,” says Dr. Tran), however it’s additionally nice for anybody who spends time on their ft. “If you’re employed in your ft, utilizing a foot massager might help you recuperate on the finish of the day so that you’re prepared for work the following day,” says Dr. Tran. “Additionally, these massagers may be a good way to wind down and chill out on the finish of the day.” 

Talking from expertise, I can affirm that that is one hundred pc true. Although I began utilizing the system within the lead-up to the marathon, I completed the race virtually a month in the past and have nonetheless been sticking my ft in it each day (… typically twice). It is a type of pretty self-care practices that you may interact in when you’re sitting on the sofa—I like to make use of it after I’m engaged on my laptop computer throughout the day or watching TV at evening—and leaves your ft feeling higher and higher after each use.

Although there is not probably one other marathon in my future, the Homedics Shiatsu Foot Massager is completely right here to remain.