Electronic Pulse Massager is a handy little tool. At a glance, it look like a piece of equipment you might expect to find in a hospital clinic or even a Sci-Fi movie. They use adhesive pads on wires, which are placed throughout the body and controlled by a handheld device. The device sends electronic pulses to the pads, which stimulate the muscle tissue to provide massage-like relaxation benefits. This process is called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, which is often abbreviated to TENS. It should be noted that TENS has proved effective in numerous clinical studies, but there is controversy over which conditions devices like this should be used to treat. Always consult your doctor before trying something new.
About Electronic Pulse Massager
Among some of the benefits of Electronic Pulse Massager is improvement to blood circulation. Some studies have determined that the pulses stimulate the body in such a way that the circulatory system works more smoothly as a result.
Other studies have claimed that the stimulation to the nervous system can actually retrain the nervous system after it is damaged. Some test subjects who have suffered strokes have regained reflex and feeling after trying a TENS therapy routine.
Other common uses for the TENS machine is to get rid of deep muscle pain.
Devices like this should be used with caution, however. If you suffer from any acute disease, tumor, infectious disease, skin condition, heart condition, are pregnant, or suffer from abnormal blood pressure, using electronic pulse massager is not advised.
Factors to Consider when buying Electronic Pulse Massager
When looking into purchasing an electronic pulse massager, there are certain factors that should be considered to ensure that the model you are buying will provide effective and worthwhile treatment. The factors are:
- Price
- Durability
- Effectiveness
- Ease of Use
Factor #1: Price
TENS electronic pulse massager comes in a pretty wide variety. As a result, the budget on a machine of this type can be as low as a few dollars or up into the thousands, depending on the price, functionality, and the reputation of the manufacturing brand.
While you would certainly want to steer clear of anything that is priced too low (these products typically perform poorly), there is usually not much need in budgeting too high, either. Most electronic pulse massagers priced in the $20-$50 will suffice quite nicely. Of course, there are extenuating circumstances where your physician may recommend something outside of this price range. The physician’s recommendation should always come first.
Factor #2: Durability
There are few things as disappointing as making a new purchase, finding out it works great, and then finding out that it wasn’t built to last. When researching your purchase, you should always pay close attention to user reviews. These are often the most honest answers you will receive when it comes to determining the manufacture quality of any product. If a product tends to wear out fast, that’s good information to have up front. After all, a $30 unit might seem like a bargain when compared to one in the $50 range, but if the lower-priced unit wears out in half the time, you’re going to wind up spending more in the end anyway.
Be smart with your money and you’ll generally find more happiness in the quality of your purchase.
Factor #3: Effectiveness
The overall effectiveness of a product will be the greatest determining factor in whether or not the product is worth your while. Again, you will want to pay close attention to user reviews to find out if past-purchasers of the product are satisfied with the quality of the massage it provides.
After consulting your physician, look online for reviews from individuals who have similar ailments or disorders to you. Obviously, if someone is using an TENS to re-train their nervous system, but you need it for deep tissue relief, their review won’t mean much in regards to how well the product will benefit you on a personal level.
Factor #4: Ease of Use
Nobody wants to invest a lot of time or frustration into learning how to use an electronic pulse massager that is supposed to provide relief and relaxation. If online reviews say the product is hard to use, it might be a good idea to overlook it. When gauging ease of use, make sure that you are not only looking at the simplicity of the product’s instructions, but also its maneuverability and any added features that might make the product work more smoothly for your individual circumstances.
Best Electronic Pulse Massager Reviews
Below, we will look into three of the leading models of electronic pulse massagers on the market. By comparing them in regards to our above-listed factors, we will determine which of these products provides the best overall quality.
While this review is meant to determine which product is the best electronic pulse massager, in general, keep in mind that some devices will work better than others when it comes to individualized care procedures and needs.
These models are:
- truMedic TENS Electronic Pulse Massager
- PurePulse Electronic Pulse Massager
- Santamedical Electronic TENS-Unit Handheld Pulse Massager
Let’s take a look.
1. TruMedic TENS Electronic Pulse Massager Review
Feature #1: Has five auto-stimulation program presets
Sometimes it can be hard to know exactly what you need. Thankfully, this model comes equipped with five auto-stimulation programs preset into the device. As long as you know where your trouble areas are, chances are you’ll be successful in determining which preset will be the most help for you.
Feature #2: Is fully adjustable with speed and intensity
Although the presets are a great feature, you are not limited. If none of the presets are helpful, you still have full control over the adjustment of speed and intensity. This is a great feature because, while most devices are limited to either no presets or only presets, this massage machine actually allows its user to use both. Find the preset that is most helpful and tweak it to your liking.
Feature #3: Has 3 selectable massage settings
As if you didn’t already have enough choices, you can also choose the kind of massage you would like. Again- a great feature for the pickiest among us or a household that shares one device.
Pros
- This machine is fully adjustable, so it can suit almost any need
- This machine works very well overall according to Amazon reviews
Cons
- The machine is very bulky and difficult to carry around
- Some reviews complain that the machine is underpowered
2. PurePulse Electronic Pulse Massager Review
Feature #1: Has a Comprehensive LCD Display
A detailed LCD display provides comprehensive information about the individualized therapy that the machine is delivering at any given moment. These details include treatment time, pulse speed, intensity, treatment areas, and more. Because the LCD screen provides such clear information, a user can easily track progress with their therapy regimen and alter their treatment if it’s not quite working right. Because the screen lights up, it is easy for almost any user to see and understand.
Feature #2: FDA Approved for Worry-Free Use
This product is labeled FDA approved, which means it has been through a tough testing process to be sure that it works safely and effectively. When the FDA approves a medical device, they test the product thoroughly to weed out any potential safety issues and determine whether or not the product is performing appropriately to its claims. When you purchase this product, you can do so with the knowledge that a team of experts has decided that, not only does it work, but it is also 100 percent safe.
Feature #3: Comes with a warranty
PurePulse is so convinced that they have created a high-quality product that every unit purchased comes with a free one-year warranty included in the purchase price. This means that if your massager does prove defective, ineffective, or harmful in the first year of use, you can return it to the company for a full refund or replacement. This is a pretty big promise to make considering the low purchase price that the product sells for initially!
Pros
- Is a very compact machine
- Reviewers say it is very powerful
Cons
- “Beat” setting can be TOO powerful and even hurt
3. Santamedical Electronic TENS Unit Handheld Pulse Massager Review
While Santamedical is not a well-known brand in the massage product industry, as of yet, they are well trusted among those that have had experience with their products. This makes this model a serious contender in this comparison review.
Feature #1: Six Auto Modes
There are six auto-modes programmed into this machine to save the user time and trouble of finding the perfect combination of speed and intensity. High-frequency stimulation is available in every mode to help relieve pain, which seems to be the greater focus of this unit.
Feature #2: Claims to be most advanced system on the market
It’s a big claim, but without any evidence to prove otherwise, one has to wonder if it shouldn’t be taken seriously. While the advertising puts a lot of emphasis on the massager’s benefits in regards to pain relief, there are also some insinuations that it is beneficial for those suffering from nerve damage, restless leg syndrome, migraine headaches, and anxiety, among other things.
Feature #3: Lightweight
This is the most compact and lightweight product of the three. The entire unit weighs only 5.3 ounces and can easily fit anywhere for easy carrying. Most users seem to like to wear the remote within their shirt pocket so that they can adjust their massage easily while still moving around throughout the day.
Pros
- Easy to use and assemble
- Lightweight
Cons
- Stickiness in pads wears off
Comparison between All 3 Models
Now is the fun part. By this point, you probably already have a pretty good understanding and idea of which of these products would work best for you, but my job is to determine which works best overall. Without further ado, let’s find out.
Comparison Factor #1: Durability
We immediately know that the Santamedical device loses this category based on the claims that the pads don’t stay sticky. A strong adhesive is a must-have on a product such as this where the same pads will need to be removed and reapplied countless times during the life of the device.
The truMedic device as a whole holds up, but there were some concerns about battery life. If the machine is eating its own worth in batteries, there is no point in keeping it. Most people will replace a device that is costing more than the benefits it provides are worth. This, too, affects a durability rating.
The PurePulse machine is so convinced that you will be blown away by its durability that it promises a full refund or replacement if the machine stops working in the first year. This would be a pretty bold move for a company to make if they weren’t sure their device was durable enough to not break their bank account.
Comparison Factor #2: Effectiveness
The truMedic model had a lot of great reviews, but unfortunately not enough. The machine was too bulky, according to several. Effectiveness was inhibited by the need to hold the remote in the hand for carrying rather than being able to slip it into a pocket or out of the way. Additionally, the machine was accused of being underpowered. If the machine can only be felt on its highest setting, then there is no way to adjust the machine to be stronger than just “felt.”
Unfortunately, truMedic just fell way too short to be considered effective.
The PurePulse had its share of problems, also. While the massage was plenty strong enough, the “beat” setting was too strong for some. There were claims that the setting was actually uncomfortable to the point of painful. If a device is causing someone pain instead of relieving pain, then it is the opposite of effective.
The Santamedical device takes the cake here. Despite some concerns with the stickiness of the pulse pads, the massage was overall enjoyable and benefited those who suffer from a vast number of ailments including restless leg syndrome, migraine headaches, anxiety, and chronic pain.
This is a huge redeemer for the model.
Comparison Factor #3: Ease of Use
The bulky remote rules out the truMedic device. When purchasing an electronic pulse massager, most don’t want to have to carry a bulky control box around throughout their treatment.
The Santamedical device comes with clear instructions- a pleasant bonus for many who reviewed the product on Amazon. The written instructions, however, don’t compete with the LCD control screen of the PurePulse.
The PurePulse comes equipped with an LCD monitor that helps you keep track of every aspect of your treatment regimen. Not only is this highly beneficial in knowing how your body is improving or declining in response to the pulse treatments, you are also given the opportunity to fully adjust the treatment according to the monitor’s findings.
When you have full control over your treatment, you are able to see the results you want at a faster pace.
Final Verdict
After reviewing each product individually, there is one clear winner.
The PurePulse Electronic Pulse Massager takes a landslide victory thanks to its FDA approval rating, included year-long warranty, comprehensive LCD screen, and advanced programming.
Despite the fact that some reviewers find the “beat” setting too strong, the majority were overall impressed with the effectiveness of the treatments offered- even claiming it works “like magic!”
Pair that with a competitive price and you have yourself a winning combination.
