This at-home shiatsu massager is the best $60 I've ever spent on Amazon — it relieves my tension and feels amazing

• I experience awful tension build up in my shoulders and back, but just can't always justify the cost of regular professional massages (which cost upwards of $300 for 80 minutes in New York City).
• Roughly two years ago, I decided to buy this shiatsu massager on Amazon for $60, and it's been a godsend in helping me find daily relief.

As a combined result of years of living in New York City and suffering from TMD, I deal with a severe amount of physical tension in my shoulders, jaws, and neck. I routinely experience migraines and tension headaches, which likely isn't helped by the fact that I don't always remember to drink enough water.

The only thing I've found that gives my back and shoulders immediate relief from the tension is this $60 shiatsu massager I bought on Amazon two years ago.

How it works

This massager features four rotating, heated nodes that knead away stress and tension and get deep into the knots in my shoulders and back. The nodes switch directions every few minutes just like they would in a massage chair, which prevents bruising and helps to melt away muscular tension from different angles. The heated element, which can be turned on or off, also warms the muscles and keeps them limber throughout the massage.

It's the closest thing I've experienced to a professional massage at home, minus the $250 price tag. I also like the convenience of being able to watch TV while using it as it doesn't drown out any audio or make it hard to focus.

The base has two elastic straps that Velcro together in the middle to allow you to secure it around a chair or head-rest. I find it's better to just keep the straps hanging from the side so you can use them to adjust the positioning of the massager when it's in use.

Any purchase of the massager comes with a car adapter that allows you to plug it into a cigarette lighter, but I personally don't advise using this in the car — it's not particularly comfortable when placed right behind your head, and the strength of the nodes forces your head to move around in a way that may be unsafe while driving.

It's important to note that one cycle lasts 20 minutes, and 20 minutes really is all you should do at one time.

My experience

Because my knots are so deep and intense, I used to keep the massager going for two or three cycles, hoping that I'd completely release all tension in just one sitting. Unfortunately, this always ended up giving me bruises and leaving me in even more discomfort for the days (and sometimes weeks) that followed.

I've since learned my lesson, and even though I'm always tempted to let it go for a second cycle, I only use it for 20 minutes a day — moderation is key.

You don't have to have severe tension to enjoy using this massager, either. Regardless of how chronic your discomfort is, you might find that it's the perfect way to release some stress at the end of a long day.