I'm not quite sure how one would use it by the picture. Do you need someone to do the massage or can you use it alone. My mother is older ......
1644392
Yes it would be better for another person to give you massage. The only way you can use in your own is to massage feet , set on floor and place feet on top of massager. Not intended for self massage but it sure works great n feels great!
1644393
You really do need some one there---How frail is Mom?. I'm not joking. My husband and I went through numerous Maxi rub's. Not because they are bad---but it's the greatest and best gift I ever gave my construction worker husband. We used to do each others backs every night for 1/2 an hour each and it really did the greatest number on our backs. He's passed now and I really realize what a great deal of help that massager was doing for both of us. I miss him---and our 1/2 therapy with that maxi. It would be awkward if it was for your Mom to do on her own. If she had a lower back problem she might be able to "prop" it in a chair and lean against it. If she's elderly it might be a problem. I'm 64 and I bought myself a "Shiatsue" massager (sp). If your Mom has siatica (sp) that might be a problem too. Some women who have Calcium deficiancy in their bones might find this uncomfortable. There are cheap models under a 100.00 out there but they aren't much good---the one that's about 125.00 or so is great---My boss borrowed it and 4 friends---I had to threaten one of those to give it back. They are like a matte that you sit on with a back. The good ones have metal or hard plastic balls in the back part that go up and down---mine can go side to side along the spine---you can also use the remote to hit the button to make it stay in one spot. I love mine---If any of this is too much sometimes a plain old heating pad works Let me know if you need more help-I've had back problems my whole life with a handicap child
590757
Yes, you can turn the massage off and just use the heater. That is the benefit of the product because not only does it heal but it also gives you options. Great buy!!
2132636
You can...but it would be difficult. The machine was designed for someone to use on another, and it's heavy, so that person would need two hands to operate it correctly. It also depends upon the area the machine is used for...if it's for the soles of the feet, you can do it, but the company makes a foot massager that would be easier to use. If it's for the lower back, either you have to lay on it, or put it in a chair and lean on it as you're sitting down. You may want to look into the two handheld models the company makes; each has a long handle for hard to reach places on the back. Hope this helps you...good luck! You can...but it would be difficult. The machine was designed for someone to use on another, and it's heavy, so that person would need two hands to operate it correctly. It also depends upon the area the machine is used for...if it's for the soles of the feet, you can do it, but the company makes a foot massager that would be easier to use. If it's for the lower back, either you have to lay on it, or put it in a chair and lean on it as you're sitting down. You may want to look into the two handheld models the company makes; each has a long handle for hard to reach places on the back. Hope... » Read More You can...but it would be difficult. The machine was designed for someone to use on another, and it's heavy, so that person would need two hands to operate it correctly. It also depends upon the area the machine is used for...if it's for the soles of the feet, you can do it, but the company makes a foot massager that would be easier to use. If it's for the lower back, either you have to lay on it, or put it in a chair and lean on it as you're sitting down. You may want to look into the two handheld models the company makes; each has a long handle for hard to reach places on the back. Hope this helps you...good luck! « Show Less
614919
Actually, I would not call it any kind of a deep massage. You can attempt to push your body into the massage pieces, to attain a little deeper effect. Overall, it gives more of a "vibration" massage. Feels good, but does not compete with a licensed massage therapist!
259216
This can be used to massage when it used with a carrier oil. Please check with aromatherapy sites for concentration of number of drops to carrier oil or check into aromatherapy book.
1588965
It weighs 8 lbs, so is not really practical for someone to try to use on their own unless you are using it to massage legs and other parts you can reach easily. For single people I would suggest perhaps a device that fits over a chair. This will give a deep satisfying massage if used holding both handles. We gave massages to friends close to 90, and they loved it!
764731
I don't know how the size of a person would matter, unless the person besides being small is also frail!? Anyone who needs deep tissue massage can use this machine. It might be too heavy for a frail, elderly person to lift and control...or too vigorous to use on someone of that body type, but just being small, in itself, shouldn't matter.
2175277
I have had this divice a few years, you can operate it separately to a degree, the manual is very helpful. I started having numbness, pain, and tingling in my legs after a surgery which seemed unrelated to my legs, however there was some nerve damage, however this gadget is awesome for basic issues to major issues like mine. I don't know how I would make it without it. The foot massage portion is very strong so wear really thick socks if you have problems with your feet like I do with the severe numbness I have. Good luck, I hope you like it as much as I have the last 3 years.
1846616
There is no massage. The unit vibrates a little. I would not purchase this item again. The first unit sent to me didn't work. That was not really the problem. The company was miserably rude to me. Stay away from them!
1388360
It's the best deep tissue massager I've ever used. However, for the neck it is to heavy for one. It's not designed for one person for the back or neck.
2132639
It's quite difficult and clearly isn't designed to use it alone. It's rather bulky and heavy. That said, I have put it on my back and held it in place for my hips and gotten some relief. But it's best to have someone who can follow the instructions and give you a massage!
1416959
no. no. you must be lying down on top of the unit. your weight is required for the desired effect. you may need to pad the rotating massage gears with towels if it is to strong.
569549
It is very light "oily" smell, you can barely smell anything. I didn't use it for massage personally but I would say it would work for a massage.
2253760
Hm.. I would not do it. The oil is not that consentraited. Its more for massage than for smell.
441618
Actually, that is really why I bought it. However, it is very intense and I find that if I use it as designed, it makes my thumbs sore. So I do not strap it onto my hand very often which is counter to how it is designed to be used. It is supposed to vibrate the hand of the massager which would then be transferred to the massagee.
1588966
No, you can't use it by yourself. And I don't recommend it. The handles vibrate so much it is hard to hold, even for a strong person. I sent mine back.
441617
The vibration is transmitted from the unit though your hand to whatever part of the body you are massaging. So I guess by extension I guess it does massage your hand too. This is a strong unit, much stronger than the other massage units that work on batteries. To get a true massage on your hand, you could put the unit on one hand and actually massage the other hand. Hope this helps.