Updated: Soothing after you get accustomed to the sensation
[[VIDEOID:28b41da2dec2d1153a4fb0e3d8f14dab]] **TLDR pros/cons at the end of this review**<br /><br />I have a lot of hand/wrist pain and weakness from my chronic illnesses and am constantly looking for tools to provide some relief. This will be a nice aid when I'm in flares or am unable to manipulate manual tools.<br /><br />First impression aesthetically: The massager is a bit bulky and looks like something out of a "futuristic" cartoon. It will take up some space for storage, particularly since the instructions advise keeping it in the original box.<br /><br />Practicality: This item has very specific and limited usage, which makes the current price feel a little high. Additionally, the charger form factor is a bit limiting and you'll need an adapter if you don't have USB specific charging ports available.<br /><br />Usage: The instructions are simple to follow and describe the three modes, although the names for each aren't too helpful in understanding their effects. It would be more practical if they described what function they serve. If you have small to averagely large hands, there's enough space to rest them comfortably, with room for your thumb on either side. The inner lining is smooth and feels nice against your skin. It's simple to select the mode you'd like or to add heat.<br /><br />Sensory: This may take some getting used to, depending on your sensory needs. I experience discomfort when things press stop my cuticles/nails, so I may not use the refresh mode as much. The compressive aspect is a bit bizarre initially and made me internally squirm a bit, but after a few minutes you get accustomed to the feeling and it becomes relaxing. I was able to close my eyes and enjoy the pressure and heat as the little nodes did their thing. I particularly enjoy the feeling on my wrists, as their norm is to feel loose and pained. This provided at least some temporary relief from finger stiffness.<br /><br />My doughy EDS skin takes on texture impressions (so don't worry, you probably won't see the pattern of the nodes when you remove your hand), but I figured I'd include a photo to give you a better idea of the internal workings. The size of each massager remind me of the side of an small pony bead.<br /><br />Overall, I can see this having some positive benefits regarding relaxation and relief from general discomfort. It's a good tool to make hand massage more accessible for those of us with mobility/grip issues and/or disabilities. I'll be sure to update this review if further usage causes concerns or additional benefits.<br /><br />Pros:<br />-Different modes and levels, plus heat<br />-Helps enliven stiff/cold fingers.<br />-Easy to operate, can fit variety of users<br />-Relaxing, good self care to add to your routine<br />-More accessible hand/wrist relief option for the chronically ill or disabled<br />-Fairly quiet when running<br /><br />Cons:<br />-Bulky<br />-Cost may be tough to budget for<br />-Charging form factor is limiting<br />-Specific usage<br />-May trigger sensory issues or initial flight reaction due to compression sensation (start at the low setting, you may adjust quickly and find it relaxing)<br /><br />Update: Originally 4/5, now 3(3.5)/5. I've used the hand massager for 45 minutes to an hour total after fully charging it when it arrived. While it's convenient to not be tethered to an outlet, it's disappointing that the unit turned off just now when I tried using it. For the current price, I thought the battery would last longer before needing a recharge. Also, I usually use this with headphones on and my eyes closed, so I didn't see the warning light flashes when the battery died during use. It doesn't seem that the nodes are repositioned prior to shutting down (the machine just stopped during a compression cycle).
Rating: 3 stars