Great question – no, it is not broken and it working exactly the way it was designed to.

To explain: Even in the Off position the MedMassager is still on Stand By mode. Why is that, you ask. Well, you’ll notice that you are able to turn the speed switch from Zero to Eleven directly. That is because our unit is primed and ready to go immediately. Most electronic devices are designed to slowly ramp up their speed, not the MedMassager – it is always ready to go directly to 11 if necessary. The reason for this has to do with a requirement that certain therapists have in using the massager for specific treatments. Note that this is only relevant for the foot massager.

Like all electronics manufacturers, we ask you to always unplug any device from the wall that is not being used.

All manufacturers who wish to market medical devices in the United States are required to register with the FDA. Once registered, companies are then subject to periodic audits to maintain certification. The registration certification classifies the medical device. Our massagers are certified as “Medical massagers for physical medicine”.

Our massagers are considered Class I: Generally, these are simple devices with minimal risk to the user. Almost all of these devices are exempt from FDA clearance or approval.
Class II or Class III items and all medications MUST have FDA clearance or approval.

Private insurance MAY reimburse you for all or part of the purchase of the massager depending on your specific plan. Any reimbursement would usually require a condition necessitating therapy provided by our massagers and a doctor’s recommendation. Medicare will NOT cover these massagers at this time.

We have traditionally sold these massagers exclusively to doctors and therapists for use in their practices. Our massagers are very well known in the medical community. After overwhelming requests from patients and their families, we have decided to make our massagers to the public also for in home therapy.

The American Diabetes does not endorse or promote specific medical devices. We are, however involved in research, advocacy and the support of the American Diabetes Association and have been a member in good standing for many years.

It depends on how long and how often you use the massager. Like any electronic device, it does have a lifespan. We have engineered these massagers to provide years of trouble free service. An average physical therapist using our massager on patients daily, will usually see 10 years of service. Using the massager occasionally at home – who knows… forever? For extra peace of mind, we do offer several affordable extended warranty plans.

This is called the “Arch Bar” and is specifically designed to massage the inside of your arch when the foot massager is used barefoot. It provides direct stimulation to the plantar tendon and can help alleviate the pain and foot cramps associated with plantar fasciitus.

This bar can also be used to massage the bottom of your toes and for direct stimulation of the heels.

Our massager has a unique 6 foot design. The 4 feet on the bottom of the massager hold the unit in place and feature rubberized ‘bullets’ that allow for better traction on smoother surfaces. These feet are molded with a special curved design that allows the massager to be rocked back and forth. This motion allows for a more intense massage experience up the legs and helps with stretching exercises. The two additional feet on the upper front side allow the massager to be tilted into the forward position. Once in the fully tilted position, by placing ones calves on the footplate you can massage your calves. Very good for helping with leg cramps.

Just as you wouldn’t run your vacuum cleaner all night or longer than you need it, so too it is with these massagers. Once you’ve finished using the massager, switch it off and unplug it from the wall. This will avoid any tripping accidents.

Yes, If you have an older massager please contact us at 877-501-6334 and we would be happy to provide you the details of our trade in program. We want you to be happy and have the newest and most powerful model available.

If you have seen our massagers at a trade show or special demonstration venue, any discount price offered at that time is ONLY VALID AT THE VENUE.

The foot massager is able to be used by anybody up to 600lbs if used properly. That means sitting in a chair and placing the feet only or calves on the massager. Neither massager is designed to be stood on. If you stand on your massager IT WILL FAIL! A massager that has been abused in this way have very characteristic damage. This abusive damage will void any warranty on the massager.

We are not looking for additional distributors or sales reps at this time. If you wish to be considered in the future, please email us at sales@medmassager.com and we will place you on a waiting list.

We only manufacture two massage machines: the Chiropractic body massager and the therapeutic foot massager. We make a pad cover for the Chiropractic Body Massager and offer many complimentary accessories recommended by our on staff Physical Therapist, Carl Marino.

Although you may feel heat generated whilst using the massager, it does not in fact create any artificial heat. The heat that you will feel is your increased blood flow in the area. Your blood temperature is around 98 degrees.

Yes. A 300W power inverter will run either the foot or body massager without any problems. Be sure to purchase a good quality inverter with a power interruption switch.

Any non-bleach cleaner will work. We suggest using anti-bacterial baby wipes.

The foot massager weighs 12 lbs and the body massager weight 3.9 lbs.

Our massager are available in 110/120V 60Hz and 220/240V 50Hz models. These models are power exclusive.

The 220/240V models are available in two power plug configurations:

•  EU type CEE 7/16 2 pin type. This version is compatible with all of Europe, Africa and South American countries that use 220/240 Volt appliances.

•  UK type BS 1363 3 Pin type. This version is compatible only in the United Kingdom and some parts of India.

•  We also have an adaptor for Australia, New Zealand & Asia that will fit the EU type plug. It is similar to the AS/NZS 3112 type plug.

The American Diabetes does not endorse or promote specific medical devices. We are, however involved in research, advocacy and the support of the American Diabetes Association and have been a member in good standing for many years.

You can use the massagers several times a day, and we recommend not to use the body massager over one particular area more than 15 minutes, but if it is being moved around this timing is about 30 minutes. The foot massager may be used up to 30 minutes at a time. This is the approximate time it takes (20-30 min) to achieve maximal benefit from the massage treatment.

Since a pacemaker is an electrical device, the massager should not be used in the area of the pacemaker. This is to prevent any jostling of pacemaker itself. There are no electrical waves such as microwaves produced by the MedMassager body massager.

Both MedMassager units are safe to use with MS or Parkinson, however with MS the symptoms of spasticity can be so varied that it would be a subjective comfort decision on the part of the patient. With Parkinson’s, since one of the symptoms is rigidity, both massagers can be used with the result being to relax the persons skin and muscles. It does not positively or negatively affect the disease itself.

One of the contraindications for anyone with blood clots or who is prone to have more clots or DVTs (deep vein thrombosis) is deep massage of the area. Therefore, it is something you should ask your medical doctor. We do not recommend using any massager over areas with or have potential for blood clots!

If you are speaking of a dog, they basically have the same physical makeup as humans so a problem such as arthritis in the hips could be helped. A horse or cow could be helped as well with a muscle pain or spasm. Just like with human, it is usually best to ask the veterinarian about it but basically it would be the same for any larger mammal as a human.

It is a virtually universal contraindication to use any device on pregnant women mainly because a miscarriage could happen at any time or a problem with pregnancy so as a rule all companies say at least “Should not be used over a pregnant uterus”. Since some women have blood clot issues during pregnancy, it is also a concern. Therefore we always opt for safety and say that it should not be used by pregnant women.

The MedMassager body unit should not be on the face, back or top of the head. You can use the massager up to the base of the skull, but as a general rule, never on the skull. The body massager can be used over the heart (as long as there is no pacemaker or internal defibrillator present)

It is safe to use during your menstrual cycle. Most women have found the best relief can be stimulating the low back (see low back techniques) and that the massaging over the tummy area would be subjective on the person’s comfort level.

Technically, there is no difference although, as expected, the stimulation is stronger without shoes or socks, but you will still get a good increase in circulation.

If you are wearing compression stocking just for edema (swelling) there is no problem but if you are prone to blood clots or have one, we recommend not massaging the legs.

We describe our machines as having oscillations rather than just vibrations. Oscillations are circular movements as opposed to up and down (pistoning) movements of other less sophisticated massagers; the oscillating movement stimulates the circulation with a smoother, more comfortable method which in turn relaxes the muscles as circulation is increased.

There is no medical basis for a massager of any type helping to lose weight. The only weight possibly lost might be through “water” weight as the MedMassager stimulates the cells of the tissues to be more efficient and absorb fluids more efficiently.

It is not recommended to cross your legs while using the MedMassager foot massager. Putting pressure on the back of the knee of the crossover leg can affect circulation negatively.

A bunion is actually an arthritic condition where the great toe drifts inward toward the second toe, thus creating what appears to be a bump on the inside of the foot at the toe joint. Just as with any arthritic joint MedMassager foot massager can give relief of pain and inflammation. However, it is more complicated than just giving relief and podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon can give you a valuable opinion of what else you can do to correct it.

When first using the MedMassager you may experience some itching of the skin. This can be simply dry skin but often this is caused by release of the built-up lactic acid which has accumulated within the muscles that have not been very active knot the surrounding tissues. For those users who like to have a more medical description: muscle metabolism (use) creates waste products which the most common is lactic acid. With inactive muscles, lactic acid builds up within the muscles. Then, during the oscillating action of the MedMassager, the lactic acid is released into the surrounding tissue and is an irritant. This causes a histamine reaction (inflammation) and until the surrounding capillaries absorb the lactic acid, which then sends it to the kidneys for elimination, the area can feel itchy.

We describe vibration as the motion of the pad up and down whereas we define our oscillation motion as a circular movement. An oscillating pad is much more relaxing than the “beating” up and down movement of vibrating pads on other less sophisticated massagers.

We recommend moving slowly across a sore area. An estimate would be about 12” each 3 seconds whether in a straight line or around a joint area.

We highly recommend clearing its use with your doctor (surgeon). In any case, we would recommend having at least 6 months of healing prior to any heavy massaging just to be safe in order to get a full healing of the bones and soft tissues in the neck.

Typically, compression fractures are a result of osteoporosis (weakening of the bones) of the spinal column (vertebrae), but also can be caused by a traumatic event. Follow the advice of your doctor, but usually it is safe to avoid massaging over the spine and limit it to at least 3” on either side of the spine. Always stop massaging if there is any unusual pain in the back.

This is a state of pain which is usually described as an area such as the low back has a painful condition. The brain responds to this pain by having the muscles in the area to go into a muscle spasm. This spasm is a tightening of the muscles (involuntary reaction) in the painful area. The muscle spasm tightens the muscles and which does not allow the free flow of capillary blood throughout the muscle and therefore products of muscle metabolism (from muscle activity) namely, lactic acid, builds up within the muscle tissue and lactic acid, being an irritant, irritate the muscle tissue which in turn creates more pain and therefore more muscle spasm. MedMassagers help dilate blood vessels which allows for the capillaries to cleanse the surrounding tissues and take away these irritants to the kidneys for elimination.

TENS is an electrical stimulator of the skin that helps reduce pain. TENS is short for transcutaneous (across the skin) electrical nerve stimulator. The typical portable TENS unit is about the size of a cell phone and has 2 channels that produce different electrical waves of stimulation to 4 electrodes which relax muscles and block sensations of pain to an area. TENS has been available to the public since the 1970s and is a well proven adjunctive therapy. See our accessory list as supply an excellent quality and reasonably priced TENS unit.

Massage is superficial in that it is treatment to the skin and muscles below the skin. However, minimizing its effectiveness is shortsighted and incorrect. Relaxing tight muscles is an essential part of breaking up the pain cycle (see the question for “what is a chronic pain cycle”.

Tension headaches are caused by tight muscles in the shoulders and back of the neck. Most people have tightness in the muscle between the tip of the shoulder and the neck called the upper trapezius muscle. Of course, there is one on each side of the neck. The very middle of this muscle has a trigger point or simply put, a tender area. Typically, this is a sore area even for people without pain. Many people have enough tension or stress to have this area become so tight that it shortens the muscle and pulls on the attachment of the muscle at the ridge on the back of the head called the occiput. This tension on the attachment of the upper trapezius muscle at the occiput can give you a tension headache or as clinicians call it, an occipital headache. Massaging the trigger point on both sides of the neck can give relief.

Achilles tendon tears are common especially for people who continue being active into their 40s and beyond. Unfortunately, aging tendons tend to have less elasticity and are more prone to tears. Younger people can have traumatic tears from skiing accidents or similar problems. Severe or complete tears need surgery, but partial tears sometimes will heal fairly well on their own. However, skin and tendons heal with scar tissue which is much less elastic than normal tissue and can cause tightness and discomfort in standing and walking. Both MediMassager models can treat this tightness and thus reduce the soreness in the tendon. See the “Techniques” section of this website for further technique ideas.

As a joint becomes worn down from arthritis the joint surfaces are no longer in full surface contact. This allows the joint to become unstable which in turn puts the muscles, tendons and ligaments in an abnormal position in the attempt to have the joint work as well as possible. In turn, these connective tissues become irritated and inflamed thus creating pain, swelling and other symptoms which is referred to as arthritic pain. The MedMassagers massage the muscles surrounding the joint and also help stimulate the swelling (edema) to be absorbed by the instead of stagnating around the joint. So the MediMassager treatment gives temporary relief to arthritic joint areas. These treatments for arthritis are maximized if you use some of the products we provide such a Biofreeze, Sombra or a TENS unit among other (see accessories).

Insurances will pay clinicians such as physical therapists, chiropractors or physicians that can bill insurance for therapeutic massage treatment using the MedMassager. However, we have not heard of any insurances that will purchase the units for their customers. This is typical for most equipment like this.

If you use the body massager unit over both entire legs or the foot massager at a medium speed you will typically get very good relief.

There is no unsafe intensity since our oscillating massaging is unlike to up and down piston effect of lesser quality massagers. However, all the precautions we have included in our website and literature must be taken into account such as over a known or possible blood clot, over an internal defibrillator or pacemaker, etc.

I would always check with your doctor first but the MedMassager is not a rigorous pounding like less expensive massagers. We say not to use either massager in the case of expected or diagnosed blood clot (which can be called DVT or deep vein thrombosis). Your doctor should make the decision whether you may be at risk using the massager. We always opt on the side of safety.

We never tell you to go against what you doctor tells you. Your doctor knows your medical conditions. Your doctor may be basing the decision on more than your neuropathy and thinking of your possible combined medical problems. More than likely, however, is the doctor is probably thinking that the use of basic massagers would tend to irritate neuropathy rather than help. But, the MedMassager foot unit is a different type and quality of massager and its oscillating nature does tend to make neuropathies feel better as well as tending to decrease the amount of swelling (edema) in your lower extremities and feet.

There is no guarantee that the MedMassager will bring back the feeling in your feet but most people who have tried it say that it does. The oscillating nature of the massaging effect tends to reduce the swelling in your feet which is a positive thing and just from that you may feel an improvement.

Inflammation of tissues is caused by an irritant which may be pain, infection and swelling. The response to this irritant is the tissues in the area becoming red, swollen, painful and hot. It is usually called a histamine reaction. The muscles surrounding the inflamed area tend to go into a protective muscle spasm which also produces pain. Although you should not massage over infected tissue, if the tissue is inflamed from the pain of arthritis, for example, the MedMassager treatment helps reduce swelling and relax the muscle spasms and pain. This helps break the pain cycle (see question on chronic pain cycle). Once the area is more relaxed, the inflammation tends to be reduced.

The discoloration in your lower leg is caused from the leaking of iron from the leg veins into the surrounding tissues which is caused by poor circulation or also called peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

FMS is, as anyone who has it can vouch for, a complex and often unpredictable nerve and muscle problem. There are numerous theories of why it happens but the latest seems to be it is caused by a hypersensitivity of the nerves which is turn creates pain and muscle spasms. Please see “Advanced Techniques” for a thorough explanation and treatment plan including what other products are helpful that we provide as “accessories”. Both MedMassagers can be helpful for reducing the pain and muscle spasm of FMS but for this condition, the FMS sufferer must play an active role in determining what feels best for them. That is, what speed and pressure on the body. This can vary day to day with the same individual. We have seen excellent results with pain manifesting in the middle of the thighs, around the shoulder blade, up on the top of the shoulder between the neck and shoulder joint, along the spine at any level, behind the leg on the hamstring muscles and the lower leg calf and on the lateral part of the shin. These are only some of the areas that are very commonly treated, however, FMS can be painful at any body area.

Recommendations:


•  Please see question on chronic pain cycle


•  Please see Advanced Techniques for treatment suggestion from our licensed physical therapist consultant

The demyelinating process of the nerves with MS is likened often to stripping away of the covering on an electrical wire and therefore the current or messages passing through the stripped nerve are interrupted. In MS this causes spasticity in the muscles as well as other neurological symptoms. There have been many people helped by the proper massage to the spastic muscles. Note: spastic muscles are not the same as muscle spasms although the outcome (muscle spasms) is the same. Generalized muscle spasticity is caused by nerves in the brain not functioning properly and can effect one extremity, one side of the body or all extremities and even the torso and spinal muscles. The MedMassager body unit is able to help relax some of the muscle spasms temporarily which in turn decreases pain and discomfort from those spasms. This massaging is a means of helping deal with the discomfort and does not have any healing effect.

Paraneoplastic pemphigus is a serious condition usually manifesting in blisters on the skin and it usually occurs in someone who has cancer. We don’t recommend MedMassager treatments with anyone with cancer and in this particular condition, the blisters can break and become open sores.

A licensed clinician who is able to bill your insurance may have it covered for them to perform as part of their treatment plan which would have to be more comprehensive than just the therapeutic massage. As stated in a previous answer, we have not found any insurance companies that will pay to purchase a unit. This is typical of all types of equipment with the exception of the TENS unit. It is up to you to call your insurance company and ask them.

Spider veins are mild varicose veins and are not considered dangerous in themselves although they made lead to more serious varicose veins if the stress on the legs continues. It is always best to ask your doctor if it would be okay to perform a superficial massage to your legs with spider veins. Because it is caused by poor circulation in the feet and legs, the MedMassager treatment can be very helpful. I would recommend the foot unit as it stimulates the blood flow in the feet and lower legs without directly massaging the affected areas.

The first question any clinician is going to ask is if you have cleaned the pad well without harsh antiseptics which could lead to a rash. A rash is a histamine (allergic) reaction to an irritant which could be anything from laundry detergents, harsh antiseptics, etc. The likelihood of the massager itself giving you an actual rash is small. You can get itching from the massaging effect releasing lactic acid from minimally used muscles but it usually is not enough to create an actual rash. Make sure that your “rash” is not just redness with itching which could be caused by the lactic acid release. A rash actually has slightly raised bumps or even blisters on the skin along with itching and redness. Speak with your medical provider if it continues more than a day or two.

Coumadin is a blood thinner that can leave the body at greater risk of bruising and bleeding so there are general precautions that your doctor or medical provider will give you. Since there is always a medical reason for having someone on Coumadin, it is always related to prevention of blood clots. Therefore, I would recommend the MedMassager foot unit if Okayed by your doctor. Since we cannot know all the medical problems you may have which could complicate the safety of use of the massager, we ask that you clear it with your medical doctor which you can tell the doctor that the massager is one you place your feet on, not rub on the lower legs.