Dealing with a bad back can be a nightmare on a daily basis, restricting your movements at home and at work. But rest assured that there are ways to loosen up your body to improve flexibility and reduce back pain – our recommended products can help.
The muscle-soothing accessories on this page are all on offer for £40 or less. Ultimately, that’s a small price to pay in exchange for relief that can get you back up and running. We’ve picked a mixture of handheld massage tools and wearable equipment to help you out.
In our guide on products to reduce back pain, we’ve rounded up some effective cordless massagers and heat patches that come recommended by masses of satisfied Amazon reviewers. Keep scrolling for more.
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What are the main causes of back pain?
The best way to find out the cause of your back pain is obviously with a trip to your doctor, but often the pain is made worse by:
- Bad posture – this can put additional strain on your spine over time. Back support belts can help in this instance.
- Awkward sleeping positions – it’s thought that sleeping on your stomach is bad news for your back. Advice online suggests sleeping on your back with a pillow positioned underneath your knees. A memory foam cushion could help.
- Strenuous physical activities – if you’re pushing your body to its limits on a regular basis and aren’t giving yourself enough time to recover, problems are inevitable.
According to the NHS website, medical conditions that contribute to back pain include a slipped (prolapsed) disc, nerve irritation, swelling of the joints in the spine and spondylolisthesis, a condition where a bone in the spine slips out of position.
How to reduce back pain
In most cases, back pain will improve in a matter of weeks if treated correctly. If you’re still struggling with back pain over long periods of time, see your GP or a physiotherapist for a valuable, professional opinion.
The NHS website explains that staying active can reduce back pain. It says: “One of the most important things you can do is to keep moving and continue with your normal activities as much as possible.”
Your GP may be able to provide information about back exercises if you’re unsure what to try, or you may want to consider seeing a physiotherapist for advice – NHS
Stretching is also key, and activities such as walking, swimming, yoga and pilates are popular choices. Below, you’ll see five affordable products available on Amazon that’ll help you on the road to recovery.
The best products to reduce back pain
1.MaxKare Neck and Back Massager
Price: £29.99
This portable, handheld massager acts as your own private massage therapist, soothing tight muscles to improve flexibility. It’s a heated, pillow-shaped toy that uses rotating nodes to provide deep-kneading relief.
Because of its size, you can position this massaging tool exactly where you need to. It’ll fit perfectly behind your neck, by your shoulders or nestled against your lower back. You may also find it soothing for sore legs, which is ideal if you’re a keen jogger.
The MaxKare massager features elastic, adhesive straps so you can attach it to a car seat or office chair. Being able to feel the effects of this massager without having to keep it pressed down with your hands is brilliantly convenient. Chargers and attachments come in the box.
This cheap massager is backed by hundreds of positive reviews on Amazon. If you’re looking for an affordable way to reduce back pain, give it a go.
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2. Back Support Belt and Lower Back Brace
Price: £23
This back support system comes in sizes S to XL. According to its makers, it’s well-suited to those suffering through sciatica, herniated discs, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, hip pain and post-surgery aches.
Once you’ve strapped this device around your waist, it’ll reduce back pain by keeping your lower back straight and supported. It’s just about thin enough to wear underneath winter clothes and is fully adjustable – you may want to tighten it to feel the full effect.
The inner neoprene wrap of this back support belt retains heat and keeps you feeling secure at the same time. It’s lightweight enough to be worn while travelling or during sleep.
Clever Yellow, the manufacturer behind the belt, claims that this belt ‘doesn’t ride up or fold over-so you feel secure and supported during any activity’. We think this is a great budget buy to reduce back pain.
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3. Renpho Hand Held Deep Tissue Massager
Price: £31.99
This deep tissue massager will relax and relieve pain all over your body, whether you’re using it on your feet, shoulders, neck or back. A long handle helps you hit those hard-to-reach spots.
The powerful motor tucked inside sees the Renpho massager pulse around 3,600 times per minute. Renpho says the movements of the massager will speed up muscle recovery to get you feeling your best. You can use the buttons on the side of the gadget to adjust the strength of the vibrations.
Grab this cordless massager from Amazon and you’ll get five different massage heads included in the box. Each of them offers a different experience, but they’re all designed to break down knots. A cordless design means you can use the massager wherever you are, which is a nice bonus. It’s portable enough to tuck into a travel bag, too.
According to the manufacturer, this massager’s rechargeable battery will last around 140 hours on a single charge. Note that after 20 minutes of use, the Renpho massager will turn itself off to prevent overheating.
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4.Lumbar Support Memory Foam Cushion
Price: £15.99
A memory foam cushion like this will help you sit comfortably at work or at home and reduce strain on your back. It’s a tried and tested way of getting results, and you can grab one for a great price.
The shape of this sub-£20 cushion from Ziraki will support the natural contour of your spine, moulding to your exact shape. Sitting in a position that’s beneficial for your back will obviously improve your posture, too.
This support cushion features an adjustable extender strap so you can keep it in position, along with a convenient zipper for easy washing. There’s a carry handle on the side of the cushion, which will effortlessly fit in an office chair, dining room chair, wheelchair or car seat.
This cushion comes bundled with a useful carry bag that keeps the cushion protected when it’s not in use. The manufacturer promises a full refund if you grab this cushion and aren’t satisfied.
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5.Cura-Heat Back and Shoulder Pain Patches
Price: £9.33
At the time of writing, you can grab 14 Cura-Heat back and shoulder pain patches for under £10. These small, discreet patches provide targeted relief to the areas that are causing you grief. They’re said to last around 24 hours before they need replacing.
To use these Cura-Heat patches, you simply open the sachet and ‘apply to clothing or underwear where the heat radiates through to the source of pain’. Doing so is meant to improve circulation, reduce stiffness and relax your sore muscles.
According to Cura-Heat, you’ll feel the warming effects of the patch within 30 minutes of applying it. If you’re looking for a cheap and simple product to deal with muscle pains, this is a sound purchase.
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