[Updated on 8/7/24]
So, you’re on the hunt for a lower back massager.
Maybe it’s a gift for a family member, a friend, or a coworker who you know is in pain.
Or maybe it’s for YOU–because you’re tired of living in constant low back pain and ready to do something about it.
Either way–like most things in this day and age–buying a lower back massager is more complicated than it needs to be. There are TONS of options. Lots of decisions to make and variations to consider. Basically, way more research than you probably ever bargained for.
So in this article, I’ll share the results of my research on lower back massagers as well as my take on which one is THE BEST lower back massager for lower back pain (Spoiler Alert: it’s the QL Claw!).
I’ll cover:
- 5 Types of the Lower Back Massager: What to Look For
- Do Lower Back Massagers Really Work?
- The Lower Back Massager vs. Professional Massage
- The QL Claw Story
- How to Use the QL Claw
Lower Back Massager: FAQs
We’re Back Muscle Solutions–the maker of the QL Claw–THE BEST lower back massager for lower back pain out there. So, if you don’t have time for a long, drawn-out decision, and you wanna just take my word for it: be my guest.
You can learn more about the QL Claw HERE, and purchase one today!
Or if you’re more of the read-up-on-it type…you have my respect because that’s how I am. Keep reading. I’ll explain everything you need to know about lower back massagers.
5 Types of the Lower Back Massager: What to Look For
There are lots of lower back massagers out there! So, where do you start when finding the right one for you?
Let’s make it easy and break them down into types. I’ll explain everything you need to know about each type–as well as the pros and cons–so your decision can be easier.
Lower Back Massager Type #1: The Manual Lower Back Massager
I usually recommend manual lower back massagers more than a massage ball or a foam roller. That’s because typically, these devices have purposefully designed shapes to hit your specific lower back muscles and massage the HELL out of them.
These devices are different from lower back massagers with heat or electric lower back massagers because most of them don’t require any electricity to use.
Usually, all you have to do is apply the device to your muscles. And what’s great about manual lower back massagers is that many of them provide deep tissue massage for your muscles, specifically trigger point therapy. This type of massage is effective because it’s so deep, and it really reaches those muscles causing you pain. In other words, you can get to the heart of the issue.
These devices are also obviously going to be cheaper than repeatedly going to a massage therapist. Purchase once, and get as many massages as you need!
There are loads of lower back massagers on the market, including:
One downside is that many of these options are expensive and limited in the muscles they reach.
That’s why I consider THE BEST lower back massager for lower back pain:
- It’s affordable. It retails for just $69.99.
- It can reach ALL the muscles that contribute to lower back pain
- Just lay on it to get a massage
- It’s small enough to fit in your gym bag
Out of all of these options, the QL Claw is super affordable. Plus, it’s the ONLY lower back massager that hits all 6 muscles that tend to be the biggest culprits for causing lower back pain around the world:
It’s designed to reach your lower back, hips, and glutes. So, you JUST need one device for all the muscles that’ll cause you lower back pain.
And its specialty is hitting the QL muscle–a hard-to-get lower back muscle that’s so deep, most lower back massagers can’t even reach it.
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Lower Back Massager PROS |
Lower Back Massager CONS |
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- Some provide trigger point therapy for deep lower back massage - Cheaper than repeatedly going to a massage therapist. - No electricity required. |
- Can be expensive - Some options are limited in muscles they reach (except the QL Claw) |
Lower Back Massager Type #2: The Massage Ball
If you like to keep things pretty basic, you can always start with a massage ball.
How do you use it?
Most people will place a massage ball between their back and a wall and roll it out. You’ll, of course, want to identify which back muscles are bothering you first. To do this, you can refer to a trigger point chart.
Check out the video below for a quick tutorial on how to use a massage ball.
“Rhomboid Pain”: How To Fix Shoulder Blade Pain Quickly
The best part about massage balls? They’re cheap and easy to access.
The trickiest part? The first function of a ball is NOT back massage. It’s to throw around. So inherently, there’s gonna be a few roadblocks to you getting the best lower back massage when using a massage ball. It can also take a long time to find those trigger points and get the ball to actually massage those places.
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Lower Back Massager PROS |
Lower Back Massager CONS |
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- Cheap - Easy to access - Easy to use |
- Limited design for hitting muscles - Can take a while to find trigger points with a massage ball |
Lower Back Massager Type #3: The Foam Roller
Foam rollers are another option when it comes to choosing the best lower back massager for lower back pain.
Like massage balls–foam rollers are nice and simple. Most gyms have them readily accessible, so if you already pay for a gym membership, you could easily try them out there and see if this type of lower back massager works for you.
The foam roller provides more of a surface-level massage. Since it’s just one solid surface, you won’t get the deeper, trigger point massage that other lower back massagers offer.
When it comes to using a foam roller for your lower back, you’ll probably want to avoid rolling it directly on your lower back. What you’ll find is rolling on a foam roller on your glutes, hamstrings, hip flexors, quadratus lumborum, and TFL will end up helping your lower back.
One product that’s basically a step up from the foam roller is the Rollga. Its unique caterpillar shape helps you reach hard-to-get muscles in your back.
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Lower Back Massager PROS |
Lower Back Massager CONS |
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- Easily accessible at a gym - Simple to use |
- Not able to reach most trigger points in the lower back - More of a surface-level massage |
Lower Back Massager Type #4: The Back Stretcher
Some people prefer to use a back stretcher as their lower back massager.
This type of lower back massager is easy to use. All you have to do is lay it down on the floor and lay on top of it.
You’ll find that it gives your back a good stretch, which can help some people relieve lower back pain. Personally, when I used a back stretcher, I did find that I was uncomfortable while using it–and also that the device was too long for my torso (I’m 5’ 6”).
And similar to the foam roller, it is a larger, flat surface. So, it won’t get deep into those lower back muscles.
If back stretchers are your preferred lower back massager, there are loads of options to purchase online–such as the Acemend Refresh Back Stretcher.
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Lower Back Massager PROS |
Lower Back Massager CONS |
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- Several purchase options available - Simple to use - Provides a good back stretch |
- Can be too long for shorter torsos - Can be uncomfortable during use - Cannot provide trigger point therapy and reach deeper back muscles |
Lower Back Massager Type #5: The Lower Back Massager With Heat
Lastly, there’s also the option to go with an electric lower back massager with heat.
Some of these lower back massagers come in the form of a seat or a pillow, so they’re very comfortable.
Ever sit in a massage chair? An electric lower back massager feels just like that. It’s a soothing and relaxing experience.
Then, when you add heat–you soothe your muscles, improve circulation, and promote muscle healing. That’s part of what makes a lower back massager with heat such a relaxing option.
Compared to a manual lower back massager, you won’t get a deep tissue massage because you won’t be hitting trigger points in your lower back.
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Lower Back Massager PROS |
Lower Back Massager CONS |
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- Heat therapy increases blood flow and promotes relaxation - Many models come with adjustable settings for heat and massage intensity - Provides a good back stretch |
- Won’t get as deep as manual lower back massagers - Some models may not effectively target all areas of the lower back |
Do Lower Back Massagers Really Work?
Many lower back massagers work very effectively. In my experience, the best lower back massager for lower back pain is the kind that provides trigger point therapy.
Trigger points are basically just knots in your muscles. If your lower back pain is from muscle tension, this is most likely what you’re experiencing.
Trigger point therapy is a type of massage therapy that specifically targets those trigger points and goes to town on them! This usually happens through deep tissue massage AKA getting real deep in those muscles and massaging out the tension.
While a massage therapist will typically use their knuckles, thumbs, or elbows to do this–lower back massagers that have trigger points can accomplish the same thing!
For example, the trigger point on the QL Claw was specifically designed to reach ALL the muscles that tend to contribute to lower back pain.
Learn more about trigger point therapy in the article below:
“Trigger Point Therapy - How And Why It Works”
The Lower Back Massager vs. Professional Massage
Professional massage is a great option, and of course, you get the benefit of an actual person using their knuckles, thumbs, and elbows to massage your muscles.
Only thing is–I don’t know about you–but with the amount of wear and tear my back takes from working at my computer, holding my child, yard work etc., waiting to go get a professional massage is impractical.
Plus, it’s expensive.
Lower back massagers are a cheaper alternative, and they can provide the same amount of relief–especially when they have a purposeful trigger point design–like the QL Claw.
The QL Claw Story
Part of what makes the QL Claw so different from other lower back massagers is our story.
You see, we’re different from other lower back massager companies just trying to make money off of a product.
Our founder, Ben, actually suffered from 4 years of crippling lower back pain. He tried everything to solve his own lower back pain.
It was only when he learned about:
- Trigger point therapy
- And how muscles in our lower backs, glutes, and hip flexors can cause lower back pain
…that Ben was able to actually address his issues through deep tissue massage.
But then he ran into another issue. NO lower back massager out there could hit all of the muscles that tend to cause lower back pain. And Ben had pain from ALL of them.
So, he tapped into his biomedical engineering background and created the device that literally fixed his lower back. And he made sure it hit all 6 muscles.
One device to fix ALL the muscles and fix the pain.
Learn more about his story below:
“How To Get Rid Of Back Pain [My Story]”
Now, he’s helping TONS of other people out of back pain. In fact, we’ve got loads of testimonials from other people who have experienced lower back pain relief from the QL Claw just like Ben! Check some of them out below.
“The Best Ql Muscle Tool - Ql Claw Review”
“Jim's Back Pain Success Story - QL Claw Testimonial & Review”
Looking to get your claws on a QL Claw?
How to Use the QL Claw
You can start using the QL Claw on all of your pain points today! As I mentioned, you can use the QL Claw on your:
QL
Iliacus
Psoas
Glute Medius
Piriformis
TFL
Check out articles and videos on how to use the QL Claw on each of these muscles below.
QL
Article: QL Release
Iliacus
Article: Iliacus Release
Psoas
Article: Psoas Release
Glute Medius
Article: Glute Medius Release
Piriformis
Article: Piriformis Release
TFL
Article: TFL Release
Lower Back Massager FAQs
Are massage balls good for lower back?
Massage balls are a decent option for a lower back massage. For a better massage, go for a manual lower back massager that provides deeper massage through trigger point therapy.
Do back massagers really work?
Yes, many back massagers actually work–especially if they are reaching and massaging muscles that defer pain to your lower back.
Is a massager good for lower back pain?
A lower back massager is a great option for lower back pain. You get the benefits of going to a massage therapist from the comfort of your own home!
What is the best way to massage your lower back?
The best way to massage your lower back is through trigger point therapy, focusing on massaging the muscles that cause your lower back pain.
How to loosen tight lower back muscles?
To loosen tight back muscles, you’ll want to massage those muscles using a lower back massager.
How do you self-release lower back pain?
To self-release for lower back pain, try out a lower back massager that releases trigger points.
[1] Davies, Clair, and Amber Davies. The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief. 3rd ed., New Harbinger Publications, Inc., 2013.
[2] Donnelly, Joseph M. Travell, Simons & Simons Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: the Trigger Point Manual. 3rd ed., Wolters Kluwer Health, 2019.