Gideon™ Neck and Shoulder Therapeutic Self-Massage Tool Adjustable Four Knobs Trigger Point

Well, I just got this in the mail and couldn't wait to try it. Rarely am I inspired to leave a review so quickly after receiving an item. This is my first impressions review which I will update if necessary.I suffer with chronic neck pain, TMJ, and headaches. A three-week tension headache prompted me to buy this, so I couldn't wait to use it. Straight out of the box, this thing went to work on my neck. I tested its different positions and was thrilled to find that it was able to get those knots and chronic areas no other device can -- and with so little effort! (No more sore thumbs!) I have a Thera Cane, which I love and use, but it's not adequate when it comes to the neck, only able to get one side at a time. This device, however, really does the trick! My occipital muscles, especially, are feeling immediate relief. But with adjustments, this device will get most of the muscle groups in my neck....But I have a rather slender neck. I suspect that those reviews stating that the device broke is because it had to be stretched too far to get around larger necks. My husband who has a much wider neck than mine (and most men), had trouble getting it into place. We adjusted the orange massagers and with a little effort he was able to work the muscles at the back of his neck, but not the sides. So, if you have a large neck, this product might not work for you. It does expand a bit by pulling the two arms outward, but I wouldn't push it too much or I'm afraid it will break.Again, I will update if necessary, but for now I give it a billion and a half stars!

I have a disk fusion on my cervical spine, which makes my neck hurt 24/7. I bought this in hope of some relief, but was pretty disappointed.--No directions come with the massager, which not just an inconvenience, but also dangerous. Incorrect use of this product can cause major injury.--Mine did not have the 'Gideon' label on the side, like it does in the pictures. This made the product feel unauthentic, and also I am unnable to tell when it is upside and when it is not. The label would've served that purpose.***--The handles are hard too hard to stretch outward. So not only is it already pretty difficult to hold this massager in the proper position when massaging the neck, but by the time you find a good spot or 2 to knead at, your arms and hands are so tired that a separate massager for them is desperately needed.--It doesn't massage the shoulders. Unless you get someone else to do it for you, there is no way to massage your shoulders. You can't hold both handles and massage one shoulder at the same time...I tried holding it and turning it every possible way, but even if i find a spot I want to get on my shoulder, I cannot hold the handles hard enough or long enough, with one hand, to put any pressure on the spot.I will be returning this item.

I took a chance on this based on the other reviewers' glowing praise, and my own need for a neck pain solution. I've owned Thera-canes and other 'S-curve' trigger/pressure point solutions in the past--and this little device far surpassed my expectations. As someone who frequently works 12-14 hour days on the computer, I tend to carry a lot of tension in my neck & shoulders; in particular, massaging behind the mastoid bones is a necessity to keep my sanity, but usually is easier said than done.This device does a fantastic job of both working my pressure points without causing topical pain (like a theracane does), and the ability to change the position of the rubber arms means that I can work flexible neck positions and deal with muscle knots as well as pressure points. Really like the ability to squeeze the handles together and provide extra--and personally controlled--pressure. As an interim measure to seeing a massage therapist or a chiropractor, this little $15 device is a treasure and *well* worth the investment. Tension and muscle headaches are easily dispatched with this massager. I'd recommend it for anyone who suffers from tension/stress headaches, muscle aches, and for whom neck pressure points are helpful but not easily worked. Wouldn't let anyone take this away from me without a fight. :)

So the design is great! I've tried heating pads, shiatsu massagers, topicals and a whole host of other products to help with my neck pain but nothing ever worked. This product works amazing! It actually relieves my neck pain and stops my muscles from popping and being stiff. I like that I can use the product without having to crane my neck. The only reason for the 3 stars is the seller F&W Trading LLC sent me the brand "Levin" when it should have been "Gideon" if you search the Levin brand it is actually cheaper and gets worse reviews than the gideon one. It just makes me a tad angry and feel a little ripped off. Product design is good but beware of seller.