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History and Background
Massage preceded human development. Human civilization refined it into an art and science toward stress and pain management.

Electric vibrating massagers were introduced in the late 19th century as a medical tool as a less invasive means to treat hysteria. Many models are sold today to ease general stress, sore muscles, and aching bones.

"Touch" is probably the prelude to massage. The pleasure of touch was, among several pre-human species, part of relatedness to another. It was a basic communication. Observation of primate behavior demonstrates that animals groom one another in different ways - in health and in sickness. Massage is both an expression of intimacy and therapy.

It is believed that the earliest forms of therapeutic massage developed in China over 4,000 years ago. Egyptian wall paintings depict images of physicians giving massages. Greek and Roman civilizations used heat and massage for relaxation and to relieve pain. Hippocrates wrote of 'rubbing' as a therapy to relieve pain in the joints.

In Asia, however, a more focused massage technique was introduced to Buddhists around 1500 years ago. Around 300 years ago, therapeutic massage was practiced in France as a method of relaxing and comforting insane patients. Eighteenth century physician, Franz Anton Mesmer introduced magnetism and massage as an early approach to female hysteria.

By the 20th century, physicians used an electric vibrator as a treatment for hysteria, hypertension, and asthma. In the 1960's Esalen massage, borrowing techniques developed earlier in Sweden, became extremely popular as a purposeful approach to treating pain. Clinicians and physicians have explored the physiochemistry of therapeutic massage techniques. Research continues to discuss new possibilities of therapeutic massage for bone growth, muscular regeneration, and (of course) stress management.

Types of Electric Massage Devices
There are many different electric massage devices that avail massage therapy to nearly everyone.

Stick Massagers
The most common is the stick massager. It is stick-shaped, usually angled (to extend reach), with a vibrating device at one end. There are controls for vibration speed and pressure. In some cases, heat may also be applied. Though most stick massagers have one massage-head, some models have two massage-heads for greater coverage. In some cases, there are additional accessories to help simulate different massage techniques.

One variation of the stick massager placed the massage-head at the center between two handles. This is used, primarily, as a back massager.

Chair Massagers
Seat or Chair Massagers are placed on a seat or on a bed. Sitting or lying on this device offers localized massage that tries to simulate a 'real' therapeutic massage as closely as possible. Usually adjustable, it can have a massager that runs up and down your spine. It can have mechanisms that knead shoulder and side muscles. It may also offer general vibration and heat. The form of massage found in chairs is usually Shiatsu. Shiatsu, like acupuncture, uses focused pressure areas to treat aches and pains. A remote control often lets you direct the massage to certain areas. Truly practical, you can sit almost anywhere and enjoy a massage while at your desk, while watching TV, or lying in bed.

Local Massagers
These models have been developed to work specifically on a particular area. The most common type, in this category, is the neck cushion massager. A soft cushion loosely wraps your neck while gentle, sometimes heated, massage is applied. It can help soothe pains at the base of the neck and upper shoulders.

Foot Massagers
The foot is possibly the most used, abused, and neglected part of the body. It supports the entire weight of the body plus the inertia of walking and running. It's also the source of lots of pain and is prone to injury.

Reflexology is an ancient healing art that outlines areas of the foot to certain zones of the body. In a sense, one part of your foot might be linked to your sinus, while another might be linked to your stomach. An injury of the foot in a particular zone would affect the associated area. Using massage techniques, a reflexologist would focus on particular zones of your foot (feet) to help reduce foot (and, subsequently, body) pains.

Foot Massagers are usually incorporated into a device called a footbath. Soaking feet has always been helpful at reducing daily foot pain. Adding vibration and different types of electronic massage modes help increase blood circulation and restore neuromuscular balance. It also feels really great!