Diabetic neuropathy is the situation where the peripheral nerves are damaged due to the presence of high sugar levels in the bloodstream. This makes the best foot massager for diabetic and peripheral neuropathy a necessity.
High sugar (glucose) levels in the blood can injure some nerves, mostly the peripheral nervous system. The nerve ending around the feet and hands are always more at risk.
Peripheral neuropathy is the type of diabetic neuropathy and the most common one. It affects the feet and legs first and if proper care is not taken, it moves to the hands and arms.
In this article, I will be writing about some of the best foot massagers for diabetic and peripheral neuropathy. It is not enough to just get a massage, it is vital to get the one that will be suitable for the condition.
Check also: Best foot massager for large feet
Contents at a Glance
What is the Best Foot Massager for Diabetic and Peripheral Neuropathy?
Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot Massager Machine
Key Features and Specifications
- Suitable for feet, arms, legs, calves, toes, and ankles
- Multiple settings for heat, air compression pressure, and vibration
- Foot / Calf area is 5″ wide and open-toed 11″ long
- Adjustable angle for comfort
- Air pressure cuffs deflated -fitting most foot sizes.
If you are in a rush to pick a good and suitable foot massager machine for diabetic and peripheral neuropathy, then we recommend this particular product for you.
Diabetics and peripheral neuropathy affect the legs and arms faster, therefore, it is important you get a foot massager that gives all-round massage to the feet and can also be used on the arm.
Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot Massager Machine is our overall pick for the best foot massager for diabetic neuropathy due to the massage type it gives that is very suitable to enhance blood circulation and its usage on both the leg and arm.
The massager improves blood circulation by giving deep-kneading shiatsu massage at the optimum comfort angle. Its massage covers larger areas of the feet like legs, calves, toes and even the ankles.
It is also very portable and light in weight to make it easy to carry from one place to another. The warranty program is also encouraging as you will get a full refund if you do not like the product.
Previous Buyers Feedback
It has good feedback from previous buyers who have been really satisfied with using the massager for various foot conditions. On Amazon, it has enjoyed great numbers of positive feedback and it’s even one of the Amazon choices for leg massager with heat category.
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How Does Diabetes Affect the Foot?
Diabetes which is the presence of high sugar level in the blood is capable of damaging the blood vessel, thereby leading to poor blood circulation to the foot.
When the blood vessels are damaged due to a longer period of the presence of sugar in the blood, the peripheral nerves will start getting damaged as there is no proper circulation. The central nervous system will find it very difficult to communicate with other nerves.
The damage can start at the feet, to the hands and arm and even in some severe cases, it can lead to situations where the patient is amputated.
Some other symptoms of Peripheral neuropathy include:
- The weakness of the muscle
- Numbness and reduced ability to feel pain
- Foot problems
How Does Massaging Help Diabetic/Peripheral Neuropathy?
The foot is the first part always being affected by diabetic neuropathy. To mitigate the effect, it is essential to look for a way to improve circulation to the feet.
This is where the best foot massager for diabetic neuropathy comes into play. Massage is needed to improve blood circulation to the feet. Also, it helps reduce pain, tingling and other effects it has on the feet.
Since it is not possible to visit a massage therapist every day due to the cost and other factors, it is essential to own a good foot massager for proper care of your feet.
Research has shown that 15-30 minutes of daily massage to the foot help improve blood circulation and reduce pain, tension, and stress around the foot. Read more on other positive effects of massage on the nervous system.
How to Choose the Best Foot Massager for Diabetic and Peripheral Neuropathy
Getting the best foot massager for diabetic and peripheral neuropathy is almost the same when you are choosing a good foot massager. However, for neuropathy, there are some features you should consider.
Low Heating Function:
Heat therapy can be very good for diabetic neuropathy but must not be too much. There are good foot massagers that give off the right amount of therapeutic heat, some you won’t even notice until after 5-10 minutes of usage.
The type of Massage given by the Foot Massager
There are different types of massage but the most important for diabetic and peripheral neuropathy are the deep kneading, vibration, oscillating massage, and the therapeutic heating function. We recommend you get a foot massager that can give these kinds of massage to your foot.
Size of the Footpad
This is very important and you don’t want to get a foot massager that is way too small for your foot. It is recommended you check the maximum shoe size the foot massager can fit and ensure your foot size falls within that range.
Open vs. Closed Design
Both foot massagers’ designs are very suitable for diabetic neuropathy. We, however, recommend closed design as most are equipped with airbags that get filled with air to give massage to other parts of the foot. The open design only caters to the sole while some close design can even massage the entire feet up to the ankle region.
Previous Buyers’ Review
After getting every quality needed in a particular foot massager for diabetic and peripheral neuropathy, it is essential to know what the previous buyers are saying about the product. You can easily go on Amazon or other online stores to read reviews. This will give you an insight into some other qualities like durability, customer care service of the manufacturer and other essential factors.
Price
If you can afford the high-price foot massagers, you can go for them. For folks with a lesser budget, there are several affordable foot massagers. You really do not have to break your wallet as there are lots of suitable foot massagers for neuropathy at an affordable price.
Read: Best Massager Scoliosis| Best Back Massager for Neck and Shoulder Tension | Best foot spa
Safety Precautions for using a foot massager for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
As beneficial it is to get foot massager for people with diabetes, it is also important that there are some risks involved in using a foot massager. Below are some safety precautions:
- If your condition has gotten to a stage of less sensitivity in your feet, it is essential you avoid heating function in a foot massager. This may result in burning your skin unknowingly due to a lack of sensitivity.
- Setting the right intensity is also very essential. This is because too much rigorous massage can also cause circulation issue which is not beneficial for diabetic and peripheral neuropathy.
- We also recommend visiting your doctor for proper advice and consultation before settling down to buying a foot massager for peripheral neuropathy.
- Checking the instruction manual will also be a good option to learn more about rightly adjusting each setting of the foot massager.
Note: This article aims to help your selection process, to help you choose the best foot massager for diabetic and peripheral neuropathy by suggesting the top products available. It is never a substitute for medical advice about the suitability of a foot massager for you. We recommend you visit your doctor for a proper medical check and you should only choose any of the listed products when you are sure you need a foot massager.
Top 10 Best Foot Massager for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Here is the list of our suggested manual and electric foot massager for diabetic and peripheral neuropathy:
Human Touch Reflex4 Targeted Relief Foot & Calf Shiatsu Massager
Key Features and Specifications
- Calf Massage Width – 4.5 inches. Calf Massage Height – 12 inches.
- 2 auto-massage programs, 2 massage speeds, and 2 massage motions.
- Figure-Eight Patented Technology
- The easy tilt bar unfolds for a perfect angle
Foot and calf massagers are very effective in massaging the whole feet and the calf region. This foot massager is also capable of housing the whole legs of the user, from the feet to below the knee region.
Diabetic and peripheral neuropathy requires good circulation to the entire feet and legs, this foot massager is to completely surround the foot and calf, giving a highly effective massage that completely simulates the hand of a massage therapist.
You will also like the mode of operation of this product. Its non-skid floor protector keeps the massager in position and ensures quiet operation. The massager has a stand that helps you adjust the angle of the machine to your perfect sitting position for better comfort
Human Touch Reflex4 Targeted Relief Foot & Calf Shiatsu Massager is very easy to carry through its handle. Its insert sleeves are very easy to remove and wash. Its adjustable features also ensure you can set its intensities to what you need per time.
Previous Buyers Feedback
The foot massager has gotten so many praises due to its numerous features and satisfaction by previous buyers. Many testified to its effectiveness for diabetic neuropathy, sore feet, ankles, and heels. It has an average rating of 4.0 from over 900 reviews on Amazon.
Read also: Best Foot Spa for Athletes | Best Foot Massager for Swollen Feet | Best foot massagers for bunions
RENPHO Shiatsu Foot Massager Machine
Key Features and Specifications
- 3 intensities and 3 pressure level settings
- Easily accessible control panel
- Fits up to men US size 12
- Removable washable cloth in the foot chambers
- 30 minutes auto shut-off function
In the search of the best foot massager for diabetic and peripheral neuropathy, you might also need to get a shiatsu foot massage machine. RENPHO Shiatsu Foot Massager Machine is one of the best that has served its purpose with many previous buyers for a long period.
Deep kneading shiatsu massage is very essential to improve blood circulation and the foot massager gives you the best of it. For just 30 minutes of massage sessions, you will definitely feel the difference it makes.
RENPHO foot massager, equipped with rotation ball, rolling stick, heating and compression. All these are adjustable to the user’s preference as the product is equipped with 3 intensities and pressure settings.
For diabetic patients, you can independently control the heating function. This means, you can decide to use it or not and you can also determine how much heat your feet receive.
The foot massager is proven to be a good fit for relieving foot pain from plantar fasciitis, improve blood flow, reduce physical exhaustion through foot nerve reflex, and promote better sleep.
Previous Buyers Feedback
The foot massager is one of the most purchased on Amazon and has been rated more than 1700 times by previous buyers. In all, it amasses an average rating of 4.4 of 5 stars with about 69% giving a full 5-star rating. It has also enjoyed positive comments from impressed buyers.
Miko Shiatsu Foot Massager
Key Features and Specifications
- Product: 43x40x20 cm
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Massage Strength: 5 Levels
- 15-minute auto shut-off timer
- 2 Wireless remote control
- Washable Foot Liners
Everybody loves something that looks beautiful and still does what it’s meant for perfectly. During our search for the best foot massager for diabetic and peripheral neuropathy, my team and I were attracted to this foot massager because of its beautiful look and the beautiful feedback from previous users.
Miko Shiatsu Foot Massager has a good range of adjustable features. It has 5 pressure settings and massage intensity levels. These adjustable features can easily be controlled through the use of remote control that enables the user to control the settings at the comfort of their sitting position without having to bend towards the control panel.
The foot massager combines deep kneading, shiatsu rolling, and heat functions to perfectly improve the blood circulation of the user. It is equipped with an airbag that inflates and deflates intermittently to massage every contour of the feet.
It gives an effective massage to the feet that in 15 minutes, you will feel relieved from muscle stress and tension. The 15 minutes auto shut-off function ensures the safety of the user.
Previous Buyers Feedback
Getting such a lovely product at a reduced price is golden and that has made it a favorite for many past users. It has a high customer rating on Amazon. The foot massager is rated more than 2500 times on Amazon and has an average rating of 4.4 of 5-star.
Read also: Best Massager for Fibromyalgia | Best foot massager for high arches
Naipo Foot Massager
Key Features and Specifications
- Equipped with 18 deep-kneading nodes
- 20 minutes feet massage session (auto shut-off function)
- Easy to operate – one-button control
- Optional infrared heat therapy
For diabetic and peripheral neuropathy, open designed foot massagers are also effective and you need to select the best of open designed foot massagers available.
Naipo Foot Massager is one of the best foot massagers for neuropathy. It helps relieve plantar fasciitis, toes, foot arch pain and stress from the foot muscle.
Open design foot massagers are always cheaper than closed designs. Though we recommend close designs for neuropathy, it is essential to note that open foot massagers are also very effective in ensuring blood circulation to the feet.
The heated shiatsu kneading foot massager features a relaxing heat setting that increases muscle relaxation and rejuvenation. For a diabetic patient, we recommend you get careful with its heating function; it is adjustable between 40 – 45° Celsius/104℉ – 113℉
The foot massager is equipped with 18 deep-kneading nodes that target acupuncture points on your foot, stimulating blood flow and relieving stress. It might not be suitable for folks with a high arch.
Previous Buyers Feedback
It is part of Amazon’s choice for massaging footrest and has enjoyed many purchases from buyers. It is highly rated and enjoyed beautiful comments from previous buyers.
Belmint Shiatsu Foot Massager with Heat
Key Features and Specifications
- 5 pressure and intensity settings
- Removable and washable foot liner
- Product’s weight: 9 pounds
- Anti-slip rubber grip to work on all floor types
Belmint Shiatsu Foot Massager is one of the best for increasing blood circulation and allowing the penetrating warmth to relax the foot muscles. It also gives therapeutic heat for subtle comfortable warmth to the cold feet which helps relieve inflammation.
The air compression feature gives pumping action to give massage to the hard to reach areas on the foot like the toes and arch. It is a very good choice for people with a high arch.
The massager gives deep-kneading shiatsu massage with rotating nodes designed to work as a therapist. Its removable mesh inserts are easy to wash; the mesh is made of a durable synthetic mesh fabric that is breathable to allow the foot to breathe for better comfort.
It has 5 intensity settings that help cater to different massage modes. The customization of each massage settings with various intensity of air pressure will give a therapeutic massage to a sore foot. The massager is very easy to operate as its control panel is located in an easily accessible area.
Previous Buyers Feedback
Best foot rub EVER; Great item to buy; Great foot massager…… These and many more positive feedbacks were given by previous buyers on Amazon.
Nekteck Foot Massager
Key Features and Specifications
- 6 massage heads with 18 rotating massage nodes
- Optional heating function to help relieve pain on fatigued muscles
- 3 levels of adjustable heights
- Easy to reach mode selection button
- Dimensions: 40.5 x 36.5 x 12 cm
- Weight: 3.3 kg
This is also one of the best and beautiful open design foot massager suitable for diabetic neuropathy and other foot conditions like plantar fasciitis, sore feet, pain, and muscle stress. It gives the best deep kneading massage to help improve blood circulation that relaxes the nerve ending in the feet.
Nekteck Foot Massager is designed to be very portable and versatile. The 18 massage nodes and 6 massage heads give the best kneading and vibration massage that relaxes the muscle, ease tension and ensure proper circulation.
It has a 3-level of height adjustment to allow the users to set to their preferences for better comfort and convenience while in use. Also, its portability makes it easy to carry from one place to another, just in case you want to take it along to the office.
Operation and adjustment are also very easy, you will not need to bend as the mode selection button can be easily reached with your toes. The massager is one of the best to help you ease tensions and relieve foot muscle pain.
Previous Buyers Feedback
A look at the review of previous buyers, you will almost have the best idea of the qualities of this foot massager. Apart from being the amazon’s choice for foot massagers, it has amassed over 2000 ratings with an average of 4.5 of 5-stars.
TheraFlow Dual Foot Massager Roller
Key Features and Specifications
- The product weighs 1.5 pounds
- 10 independently-moving rollers
- Bottom strips for anti-slip and floor protection
TheraFlow Dual Foot Massager Roller is one of the best manual foot massagers you can get for diabetic neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, foot ache, muscle stress, and tension. Manual foot massagers are very cheap, readily available and easy to use.
The roller of the foot massager comes with evenly distributed ridges. One lovely thing in this foot massager and other manual foot massagers is that you determine the intensity of the massage you get from it. It is also easy to concentrate to a point you deem fit on the feet.
It is very easy to use anywhere and carried wherever you are going. With a weight of just 1.5 pounds and such compactness in shape, you can easily put into your bag – portable enough to use while traveling, at work, or while watching TV.
Previous Buyers Feedback
The foot massager has more purchase than most electric foot massager due to the price. It has enjoyed more positive comments from buyers, even more than most electric foot massagers.
TISSCARE Foot Massager Machine with Heat
Key Features and Specifications
- Size: 19.6″ x 17.7″ x 17.7″
- Net weight: 24.2 lbs.
- Auto Shut-off Function
- Foot Massager Modes – Kneading, Vibrating, Rolling, and Heating
The nerves at the feet require good and thorough massage to help circulation, but in a more severe diabetic condition, you might need to get a good massager for the calf, legs and ankles region and this foot massager is one of the best for that purpose.
This electric shiatsu foot massager with heat is specifically designed to massage the feet and calves all at the same time. From the specification, it will safely cover the entire feet even up to few inches below the knee region.
The ability to combine different massage modes (Kneading, Vibrating, Rolling, and Heating programs) makes it suitable for various foot condition and it is also one of the best for neuropathy.
For safety, TISSCARE Foot Massager Machine might take up to 3-5 minutes before the heat is noticed. The massager also has 15 minutes of auto-off settings. Please do not consider it if your calf diameter is more than 4 inches and it will suit men foot size 11.
Previous Buyers Feedback
It is Amazon’s choice for foot and calf massager and has enjoyed many positive reviews by impressed previous buyers. It has an average customer rating of 4.3 of 5-stars on Amazon.
Foot Massage AREALER Kneading Shiatsu Therapy Feet Massage Machine
Key Features and Specifications
- 5 different working modes and pressure settings
- Detachable breathable cover
- Fashionable and lightweight design
- Fit up to US SIZE 4.5-11
- Easily accessible control panel + Wireless remote control function
One of the best foot massager for home use and highly recommended for tired foot, plantar fasciitis, diabetic and peripheral neuropathy. It combines kneading, rolling, scraping, air compression and heating function, to give comfortable feet massage and promote blood pressure circulation.
All these massage features can also be adjusted to different intensities. This gives you the freedom to combine different massage intensities to suit your massage preference.
AREALER Foot Massager is also one of the easiest to operate and maintain. All its functions can be easily controlled with remote, so you do not need to bend before adjusting it.
Its 5 different working modes and pressure settings help target acupressure points to release tightness, knots, ease away tensions to let your feet feel easy. It is perfect for those with diabetic neuropathy, plantar fasciitis, chronic pain, and arthritis.
Previous Buyers Feedback
You will be amazed at the beautiful comments from past users. An average rating of 4.5 of 5-star is an indication of great satisfaction it has given to previous buyers.
Check also: Best foot massager for metatarsalgia
Frequently Asked Questions
Is foot massage good for diabetic neuropathy?
YES! Foot massage is one of the best ways to improve blood circulation in the foot. This helps reduce pain, inflammation and ultimately rejuvenate the nerve ending in the foot through proper blood circulation in the foot.
Can diabetics use a foot massager?
For diabetic patients, it is essential that blood flows to their feet and this can be enhanced through proper foot massage which can be given by the best foot massager for diabetic neuropathy. It is, however, essential you contact your doctor for check-up and advice before going ahead to purchase a foot massager.
Do foot massagers help neuropathy?
Diabetic and peripheral neuropathy sure benefit from good foot massager. The vibrations, kneading, heating therapy help stimulate the nerves to mitigate nerve pain, reduce aches and pains. It also eliminates numbness and tightness and enhances circulation.
How long should you use a foot massager?
A daily massage of 15-30 minutes is recommended for neuropathy, either diabetic or peripheral.
Conclusion
Getting the best foot massager is essential for diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes destroys the peripheral nerves due to improper circulation to feet, calves, legs and even the arms.
We recommend any of the foot massagers on our list and we are sure they will be a great investment.
Further Readings: Best Massager for Knots | Best Hand Massager | Best Foot Spa Massager for Hard Skin