Review: Liba Massager

Pain and I have a little game we play: It strikes, I retaliate, it retreats (for a little while). Through years of trial-and-error I've accumulated a few therapeutic tools that can quickly squash my recurring aches, and they keep getting better and better. This knot-melting Liba Massager, currently $22 at Amazon, is my current MVP! With this ergonomic tool, massaging my own back, etc., is as easy as pie. I'm obsessed.

Over 23,000 five-star Amazon reviewers swear by this self-massage tool that relieves tension head to toe with ease.

I'm a very knotty gal. Because I'm hypermobile and have a connective tissue disorder, my muscles overcompensate by gripping, especially in my back, shoulders, neck and hips. If you've read this far, you're probably pretty knotty too. This massage cane can help.

Simply hook it around yourself and very lightly pull to apply counterpressure. This stimulates blood circulation, allowing more oxygen in for quick muscle relief and recovery. You can shift the position, intensity and duration with minimal effort, releasing muscles in spasm and hitting trigger points ergonomically anywhere on your body.

I've long loved my Thera Cane (a similar, pricier massage cane), but my husband keeps stealing it for his new foot pain issue. That's OK. When I picked up this Liba self-massager and found out just how awesome it is, I told him he can have my old Thera Cane, but hands (and feet) off my Liba!

The Liba has slightly different (better!) features than my Thera Cane. The two knobs just under the top, for example, work well to release the muscles in my neck, hips, feet and the backs of my thighs. Also, Liba's curved handles make it easier to rock the cane into prime position than do the Thera's straight handles. Several ways to use the Liba are illustrated in the free accompanying guide and videos, but you'll find your own ways as well.

The Liba is also sturdier than the Thera Cane, which I love. This makes it slightly heavier (1.34 lbs. vs. 1.05 lbs., respectively), but the ergonomic design of the canes makes this slight weight difference a nonissue.

Both designs have their upsides. I had grown fond of sleek, rounded feel of the Thera Cane's body, but the grip on the Liba is better, thanks to indentations on the flat surface that keep my fingers from slipping.

Budget-wise, the Liba is a no-brainer. At just $22 (down from $40) the Liba is a much better deal than the $40 (was $50) Thera Cane. And, as indicated by the Amazon ratings, the affordable Liba (boasting 23,300-plus five-star reviews) is twice as popular as the Thera Cane (with an also-impressive 11,800).

One minor disappointment: Because the Liba arrived in two pieces I got excited, thinking the 23.5-inch cane might easily split into two for travel. Alas, since snapping it together I have yet to succeed in splitting it back apart and it doesn't fit in my carry-on. Some reviewers claim the Liba easily breaks down for travel, but there is no mention of this capability from the seller on Amazon. On the bright side, the fact that it doesn't split is a testament to its sturdiness. (Note: Thera Cane is a bit longer at 24 inches and doesn't break down at all.)

My Liba now lives at my desk. I thank you, dear Thera Cane, for your service — the Liba just happens to do it better and at a better price point. So I'm planning to lean on my Liba from here on out, but I will never turn my back on the Thera Cane completely.

This ergonomic self-massager is BPA-free, hypoallergenic and made using environmentally friendly plastic. I'd put two thumbs up, but they are wrapped around my Liba.

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