I MUST SAY....being a massage therapist of 15 years and trying to find something for myself and my clients to help with their pain in between sessions has been tough. I usually tell them and show them about the tennis ball therapy on the wall (not the floor, unless you're doing Trigger Point...too hard to roll around and 'massage' yourself) which IS actually really very effective and quite the life saver. However, there are not too many utube videos of 'the wall' technique. Now, some ppl cannot maneuver and get in certain positions to roll with the ball, much less on the floor. I saw this massager at a clients house and said "Hey! Let me see that!". I was actually looking for a massager that would massage my clients hands because he is a mechanic of 40 years. I put my hand on it and seemed to be the best massager yet for this application! I bought one and am AMAZED! Not even fellow therapists can get in my shoulders and neck like this thing! Now it says neck and back but I use it down the back, on my glutes (butt), legs, hands, feet, just not on the bones. And maybe don't push down on it or lean into it too hard or you may eventually wear out the mechanism that spins the 'knuckles'. I think I'll buy 2 for whenever I wear this one out! My folks took mine, then they got their own. I think I have sent the link to at least 7 people and they ALL bought one. I'm talking within the last 2 weeks AND it ARRIVES SUPER FAST!!! So many ppl with neck and shoulder pain...LOOK NO FURTHER! Coming from a licensed massage therapist, that is a BIG DEAL! Now...it does go deep so if it's too painful when you start off you could put a towel over the 'knuckles' or double up the towel (maybe check with the manufacturer...i wouldn't want to give bad advice). I would also turn the heat off if you do that. Also, you could try not putting your arms in the arm sling because the weight of your arms pulls in down harder on the neck and shoulders, maybe just hold the ends in that case. But I like it deep so I actually push down a bit with my arms and lean in on it with some pillows behind me sitting up in bed. If you are super sore at first (feels bruised) or if you've never really had someone rub on it, you could be hypersensitive. It may get less sensitive over the next few times you use it (if it is a muscular issue that is). I had a client love it so much and it felt so good to her that she sat with it the first night for an hour then she was super sore the next day. I recommend starting easy and work up to it like anything new. Sorry for the novella but I hope this is uber helpful! NOW GO BUY ONE (for a gift) and BUY 2 for yourself AND GET SOME RELIEF!!! Happy moaning LOL!