Massage Away the Everyday Stress--by Yourself!

What's more relaxing or therapeutic than a massage to help relieve built-up tension or sore muscles? And you don't necessarily have to rely solely on a massage therapist to reap the benefits. There are plenty of massage products flooding the marketplace. Our beauty and wellness contributor, Dayle Haddon, has an assortment to show us.

Massage is defined as the rubbing or kneading of parts of the body to aid circulation or relax the muscles. It's pleasant, effective, and therapeutic. Anyone can turn stress into relaxation thanks to the many massage products on the market. In fact, the average massage product only costs $40. The following are just some of the do-it-yourself products flooding the marketplace.

Electric Massager

The 15-speed professional percussion massager reaches deep stress layers to work away knots. It has two acupressure nodes that pivot up and down and adjust to three widths to fit various body areas--with a choice of soothing, stimulating, or therapeutic programs: $125.

Nonelectric Massagers for Problem Spots

The backnobber II is a steel rod bent into a nicely shaped S with knobs on each end designed as a do-it-yourself pressure point massager for the back. This is effective for problem spots in hard-to-reach areas such as the back. It comes in regular, long, and "big bend" sizes (www.pressurepositive.com, www.go2relaxnet.com, www.momentum98.com): $35.

Bongers

Bongers are popular massage tools that mimic the rhythmic pounding of massage to relax muscles. Used on back and shoulders. $15

The Thumb-ease

The thumb-ease is probably the smallest massager on the market for doing your own hands, feet, neck, and so on. The nubby devices fit on your thumbs to enhance their power (www.momentum98.com): $5.

The Pain Eraser

The pain eraser is a spiky rubber ball (the size of a golf ball) used to stimulate any part of the body. You palm the pain eraser with your hand, with fingers outstretched, and then start rolling. Your hand gets the best workout of its life. You can use two hands by putting the ball in the middle and starting to rub your hands together. Carry the pain eraser with you and use during idle moments like when waiting in line (www.momentum98.com): $8.

Body Balls

Body balls are spiky rubber balls inflated to about 6 inches in diameter (with one-third-inch nubbins). They serve as therapeutic massaging devices designed to relax sore and tired muscles. They give a tingling massage penetrating deeply into nerve and acupressure points. They relieve tension in the neck and back and dig deeply into cellulite and other lumps and bumps. BODY BALLS were created and invented by Ann Marie Bennstrom, MD, owner and developer of the Ashram Healthort in Calabasas, California, who is also the yoga teacher Shirley MacLaine mentions in her book Out on a Limb (www.momentum98.com): 25.

Electric Massagers for the Office

The therapeutic mouse pad offers massage therapy for the office or home computer user. This vibrating mouse pad invigorates overworked wrists and fingers (www.redenvelope.com): $20.

Mat Massager

The mat massager is a full-body massager. It sends rejuvenating waves throughout the entire body. Five high-quality massaging motors are strategically placed to treat the major muscle centers of the body (www.walmart.com): $49.86.

Equalizer Foot PRO Massager

It gives a deep percussion massage for your feet. Simply place feet on the ergo pad so the nodes can massage the entire foot based on reflexology principles. There are four massage programs. All controls can be operated with a toe (www.sharperimage.com): $160.

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