Every middle-aged weekend warrior is plagued by aches and pains. Some of us desk jockeys get them too. Happily, in the last few years, a number of hand-held massagers have hit the market to help release that creaky neck, sore shoulder, tight as a drum hammy. At the top of many lists is the PureWave CM7. Billed as the “#1 Choice of Professionals,” the PureWave promises to deliver many of the benefits of a professional massage at home. Fifty Alpha set out to see just how good it is.
Frankly, it arrived just in time–as I was suffering from lower back pain. Yes, you guessed it. The cause was sitting too long in front of a computer. I sure hoped the Pure Wave could help. I unpacked it easily, plugged it into charge, then spread out all the six different massage sticks on my bed.
I screwed the stick on, turned the knob, used the long, curved handle to easily reach around my back and apply pressure. It felt good. I pressed harder without pain and held the massager against my lower right back for 30 seconds. Then I did so on my lower left back. I also worked the machine over my glutes and hamstrings–the big muscle groups the air cushion stick was designed to work on. After about fifteen minutes of continuous use on my lower back and the big muscles, I felt surprisingly relaxed and loose. It wasn’t the feeling you get after a professional massage, but it was pretty darn good, and I could do it myself, at home. I was hooked.
Over the course of the next week, I continued to run the machine on my lower back in the morning and in the evening, as well as on the big muscles. My back pain lessened, I felt overall looser. The Pure Wave was working and it was time to test the other five massage sticks.
I started with the intimidating black six-head stick, each nine-pointed head more resembling some next-generation torture tool than a massager. And it is powerful, best used over clothing (again as helpfully pointed out by PureWave’s instructional video). It felt a bit much at first but after some steady application, say three periods of applying pressure for 45 seconds, it really succeeded in loosening up my ultra-tight calves. They must get a lot of work walking back-and-forth to the office cold-brew machine.
The PureWave was now definitively part of my routine, and I began to experiment with the other attachments. The point stick was effective at getting at a sore point in my shoulder. Maybe my trapezius?! Anyway, I started to feel so good I decided to actually use my gym membership. I was overconfident. The next morning my neck hurt (poor lifting technique?), my left hamstring was tight, my right Achille’s tendon twinged with pain my first step out of bed. I put the PureWave to work, felt better fast, and I realized something with surprise. This massager might actually make me dread less the effort I would need to get in halfway decent shape.
My girlfriend noticed my new obsession (although she didn’t make any comments about my improving fitness. I hoped she jealous of how close I was getting to my PureWave. Nope, she just wanted to try the scalp massage stick. She loved it. Next thing I know she was firing up the body massage oil stick, and she even tried the facial massage. Unlike the other components, the facial stick actually uses the vibration massager found at the bottom of the handle. It’s very pleasant and bit odd, but not my go-to stick.
Rather, as I’ve continued to use the PureWave over the past month, I’ve found that I make the most use of the air-cushion, the point stick and the six-head massagers—not surprising given where I experience regular pain. Without a doubt, each of these different sticks brings real benefits, and I try to use the PureWave daily. It may be an exaggeration to say the PureWave will change your life, but it will undoubtedly make you feel better. And if you feel better, well, you know, you’re just plain better at everything you like doing most. If that’s not the very definition of a 50 Alpha product, I don’t know what is!
50 Alpha Test Score: 4.85 out of 5.00
Problem: Diminish the aches and pains of middle-age, athletic strain and loosen up muscles without going to a professional therapist. Score: 5.0
Solution: A hand-held, wall-charged massage stick with multi-sticks to work on all muscle groups for short-term relief and long-term benefit. Results are generally surprisingly rapid, although depending upon the muscle strain you will most likely need repeated use. Score: 5.0
Usability: Very easy to reach even difficult spots with comfortable curved cushioned hand grip. Swamping out one stick for another takes second and the different options allow you reach big muscles and small tender spots alike. Score 5.0
Competition: Several other electric hand-held percussion massager are available on the market, but Pure Wave is preferred by professionals. Drbodygadget also rated it the top product in its category. Score 5.0
Third Party Reviews: On Amazon, the Pure Wave CM-7 has a robust 3417 ratings, with 78% five star reviews and eight percent hitting four stars. Negative reviews criticize the Pure Wave’s battery for losing its charge too quickly and especially after repeated use. Fifty Alpha has not had this problem with the Pure Wave even after extensive use. Score 4.0