I purchased this "Back Wedge With Massage" pillow as a Christmas present for my girlfriend. Now... I've bought a lot of Christmas presents in my lifetime. I like giving gifts. It's what really makes the holidays something special for me. Ideally, a good gift should make a lasting impression on the recipient; something to remember that Christmas by... and in that regard the "Back Wedge With Massage" passed with flying colors.
In all fairness, I probably should have read the product description a little more thoroughly. If I had read "Requires 4 AA batteries (not included)", I probably would have passed on the massage feature, because in my experience, battery power does not provide adequate run-time for something like a therapeutic massage. For that, you really want something you can plug into the wall. But I didn't notice that the pillow required 4 AA batteries, so I blithely ordered the product, never for a moment imagining what was about to befall our quaint, traditional family Christmas.
The model of the "Back Wedge With Massage" that I received, despite the product description listed here, actually required 2 C-cell batteries, not 4 AA. We found this out when my girlfriend, having unwrapped her present and (looking at me somewhat quizzically), asked what the round plastic cap on the side of the pillow was all about.
"That's where the batteries go for the massage feature" I said confidently. "I think you just take that cap off, and put the batteries in."
She then tried to unscrew the cap, and in the process managed to pull the entire massage "Unit" out of the "Back Wedge With Massage". It's easy enough to do. It slides right out.
"Unit" is a good word with which to label the electrical device employed in the design of this particular "Back Wedge With Massage". To describe it clinically, one would say that it is a smooth, beige, plastic tube. It's about the length of a standard flashlight, rounded on one end, with the diameter equivalent to a C-cell battery, and it vibrates when switched on. A smooth, rounded tube that vibrates.
It helps to keep that image in mind, my girlfriend holding the "Unit" in one hand like a candle, as it vibrates. It's that image that helps explain why I was convulsing with hysterical laughter over what I had just given my girlfriend for Christmas.
As for the pillow, the "Unit" is simply not long enough to provide a good massage. When the "Unit" is slid back into the pillow and switched on, the vibration is felt only on one side of the pillow, not throughout the whole back surface area. If the design included two "Units", one on either side, the massage experience would be improved somewhat, and I would also prefer 110vAC over battery power. Otherwise, the pillow seems fairly well made, is a good shape, provides a comfortable support against the headboard, and as a bonus it includes a convenient storage receptacle for long, cylindrically shaped objects.
The first review by JB-Also is absolutely one of the best product reviews I have ever read on Amazon. I must say it actual contributed to my final decision to purchase the Contour Products Back Wedge With Massage.
Let me clarify my reasons for the purchase, and I swear they are honorable. The main reason being for post Thoracic Outlet Syndrome decompression surgery so I could sleep upright. I learned this the hard way, and I cannot begin to explain how essential sleeping upright has helped. The second reason was it was cheap, yeah I said cheap. Honestly I could not rationalize spending hundreds of dollars for a wedge of foam I would use for a short time. All in all it is a decent product, nothing special unless you get the removable "unit" version. Although I venture to say the model I received vibrates better.
As a side note my wife and I were rather disappointed to find the model we received was laking the infamous removable "unit". It would have been nice to have a convenient storage space for my iPhone or my wife's Lily Lelo.
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This is a very useful product for sitting up in bed. Laying out like in the picture is a good position to relax in. Switch it around, and you can read or watch TV in this position. Paired with one of the leg rests, it effectively takes strain off your back while doing something in bed.
Read Best Reviews of Contour Products Back Wedge With Massage Here
I needed the pillow ASAP for my husband's health issues. I was glad that it contained a massage feature that I did not expect.
It only worked for about2 hours, then has not worked again (changed batteries...). Did not return as he neede it to sleep properly.
I paid for it with points, but am still very disappointed.
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I use this item to relieve stress from my lower back...I'm 5' 2" and my legs hang perfect when it's laying down flat and scooted up under me! The foam keeps its shape and is well made! My boyfriend uses it to stretch out his back...great item!
They made these unnecessarily large. You have to physically hold them to keep them from falling off your face. If they reduce eye puffiness, you wouldn't know it. They smell good, though.
