This Foot Massager for Neuropathy Has More Than 30,000 5-Star Reviews

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Those who suffer from peripheral neuropathy know it doesn’t manifest in just slight aches and pains. “Neuropathy refers to a process causing inflammation of the nerves, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and sometimes burning sensations,” explains Timothy Oldani, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist at Missouri Foot and Ankle. “The most common causes of peripheral neuropathy are diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, metabolic disorders, and alcoholism.” Although more research is required, preliminary studies show that using a foot massager can help alleviate nerve pain. The best foot massager for neuropathy can’t reverse the cause, but it can help lessen its symptoms.

According to a 2022 study, “massage can improve the blood circulation of local tissues, improve the body’s local pain threshold, enhance the range of motion of joints, and improve the blood supply and nutrition metabolism of peripheral nerves.” But getting someone to massage your feet regularly isn’t realistic for most of us, which is why purchasing a foot massager is a helpful solution. “Using a combination of vibration, kneading and sometimes even heat—foot massagers can boost blood flow to the feet and release tension in the foot muscles and plantar fascia,” says Liza Egbogah, B.S.C., D.C., D.O.M.P., foot expert and orthopedic shoe designer.

Meet the Experts: Timothy Oldani, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist at Missouri Foot and Ankle; Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute; Liza Egbogah, B.S.C., D.C., D.O.M.P., foot expert and orthopedic shoe designer.

Neuropathy can manifest in some seriously painful sensitivity—even from a mere brush of your socks against your toes. “On the other end of the spectrum, some people with peripheral neuropathy will not be able to appreciate light touch, pain, or temperature, putting them at risk for infections and wounds,” Oldani adds. That means that when searching for a foot massager, it’s important to look for something that can be adjustable—or have the right kind of pressure options for your specific needs. Whether you’re on the hunt for something to help with injury recovery, pain relief, swelling, hypersensitivity, numbness, or something else—the right foot massager for you is out there.

Keep reading to see the best foot massagers for neuropathy, according to podiatrists and reviewers.

Deep-Kneading, Compression, Shiatsu, and Heat Deep Foot Massager

If you’re on the hunt for a versatile foot massager for neuropathy that can attack different aches and pains and sensitivities with a wide range of sensations, this Amazon purchase is a must-have. Rotate through its multiple settings: air compression, shiatsu rollers, infared heat, or subtle vibrations (or use all at once!) for pressure that is highly customizable to your specific needs. There’s a reason it boasts a 4.6 rating and over 14,000 reviews on Amazon.

What a reviewer says: “The air compression happens in cycles of squeezing and releasing. The squeezing action also presses the front half of your foot harder against the rollers underneath to get a deeper massage…this is where the real action occurs. I’ve already tried about three 15-minute sessions at level four out of five, and it really helps relax the muscles and tendons in my right foot. I am able to walk around without arch support (socks only) in the house immediately after the session with little-to-no pain. I’m hopeful this could be a game changer for my plantar fasciitis recovery efforts.”

Myofascial Release Balls (Set of 3)

“Everyone should have at least one lacrosse ball to use as a foot massager,” Egbogah advises. “All you need to do is roll your foot back and forth on the ball for a great foot massage. They are portable, affordable and offer significant relief from foot pain.” We recommend this myofascial set, which features different sized balls to get into the different nooks and crannies of your feet, depending on where you need pressure (and the intensity).

What a reviewer says: “I have been using the largest ball to roll under my feet for the last three months to relieve severe plantar fascitis. It has been like a miracle after trying a lot of physical therapy with little success. I rapidly roll the ball under each foot for two to three minutes every morning. After a few weeks, it felt much better, and after six weeks my symptoms completely disappeared! I now use it every morning. The ball has a perfect amount of firmness. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.”

Classic Foot MMF08 Foot Massager Pad

Egbogah recommends a foot pad for those struggling with neuropathy. “This massager can be used for the feet and calves and also offers 30 different massage speeds, which is great for a custom treatment. It also has acupressure points which can be helpful with providing added pain relief.”

What a reviewer says: “It pretty much alleviates my neuropathy and foot soreness after my walk. It’s super simple to use—I always just put the knob on high. While it’s fairly expensive, I think it really is worth it. You can also easily flip it to massage your calves, especially if you put one leg on top of the other to increase the pressure. While it can’t really match those big commercial models with a shaking steel plate, I think it is as intense as a home model can get. And if you want a gentle massage, the lower settings will do that, as well.”

Air Compression Massager for Circulation and Pain Relief

If you suffer from oversensitive feet, a vibrating or kneading or heated massager is going to exacerbate that pain, rather than helping it. “Vibration can feel quite ticklish on sensitive feet so if you’re opting for an electric massager go for one with kneading or air compression,” Egbogah tells us. Reviewers enjoy this air compression massager booties, which you can slip on and enjoy. Among its other desirable attributes: an easy-to-use remote control, adjustable velcro straps for a perfect fit, and a breathable microplush fabric that won’t bother your sensitive feet.

What a reviewer says: “This thing is super easy to use, and the way it massages your legs is just perfect. You can adjust the pressure with the remote, so whether you want a gentle squeeze or a firm press, it’s totally up to you. One of my favorite features is that it stops automatically after 20 minutes. This is awesome because I often use it before bed and sometimes fall asleep. Knowing it will turn off on its own is such a relief and makes it really safe to use. The massager works great on both my feet and calves. It’s been really helpful for relieving swelling.”

Shiatsu Foot Massager Machine

“This massager boasts a large range of features and requires minimal effort from the user to get a great foot massage,” says Egbogah. “The combination of heat and various massage techniques make it as good for pain relief as it is for stress relief.” That’s because the addition of heat to the massage can penetrate deeper into tissue for pain relief. Combined with the shiatsu massage motion, this massager is excellent for those who need a heavier handed pressure. Reviewers warn, though, that if you suffer from sensitive feet, this one might be too strong for your liking.

What a reviewer says: “The product helps with plantar fasciitis, neuropathy, arthritis, and other foot conditions by stimulating the accu-pressure points and reflex zones of the feet. It can be customized to your liking by choosing from three massage modes, three heat levels, and three compression levels. It can be operated easily by using the touch buttons on the unit or the remote control that comes with it; It can be cleaned conveniently by removing and washing the cover that is made of breathable mesh fabric. The product also has some drawbacks, such as: It can be too intense or painful for some people, especially those with sensitive feet or low pain tolerance.”

Mini Pro Percussive Massager

Whether you need to massage on the go, or you simply want more control over where the vibrations hit, this mini massager is a versatile option. “This massager provides a clinical grade massage which is great for quick pain relief. Since it’s handheld you can use it on your feet, calves and the rest of your body,” says Egbogah.

What a reviewer says: “I purchased this on the advice of a chiropractor to help work out some scar tissue causing stiffness in a calf and hamstring tear injury. This Thumper Massager works wonders! After just two weeks of daily use, my constant daily pain has subsided and I now go hours each day without pain. My pain scale at the doctor has gone from a seven to a one in just two weeks! I would not have thought this possible! I highly recommend this massager to everyone who needs a deep tissue massager for old injuries. Yes, it is a little pricey but I am saving money in what I was spending in pain relief meds before purchasing this product.”

Foot Roller Massager

“If you have sensitive feet you should opt for a gentle foot massager. Manual massagers are a good option since you can control the intensity of the massage,” Egbogah tells us. This foot roller from TheraFlow has targeted massage rollers that you can press as much or little as you want. This is also a great option for using under your desk or sitting on the couch at the end of the day—and over 30,000 Amazon reviewers agree.

What a reviewer says: “I’ve had my foot roller since 2018 and use it every night before bed. Durability and quality has held up well! I have used it through two pregnancies and when plantar fasciitis flared up—amd honestly, it’s a great ‘toy’ to distract a young toddler while getting ready. It’s part of my nightly routine now, that when we travel, I miss it.”

What are the benefits of foot massagers?

According to our experts, foot massagers have a multitude of physical benefits—including increased circulation, which can help inflammation and reduce pain. It can also help reduce swelling and aid in injury recovery. But they also have mental health benefits, as well.

“Massages boost endorphins, serotonin and dopamine which are feel good hormones in your body associated with wellbeing and happiness,” explains Egbogah. “They also help lower cortisol levels (the hormone associated with stress), so you’re bound to feel better mentally and physically after using a foot massager.”

How to choose the best foot massager for neuropathy

Decide what type of foot massager for neuropathy you need.

• Manual. “These require physical effort to apply pressure and manipulate muscles during the massage,” says Egbogah and are good for someone who wants to be more in control of the pressure they’re receiving.

• Electric. This type of massage uses a roller or vibrations to massage your feet. It’s particularly helpful if you need a heavier hand or if you want to just sit and relax.
  

• Heated. If you want to take things up another notch, opt for a heated foot massager. Heat not only contributes to increased circulation, but it penetrates deeper into the muscle tissue than

• Air circulation. Unlike other electric foot massagers, which can be harsh on sensitive feet, air offers a gentle compression that can help with aches and pains without causing too many additional sensations.

Opt for an easy-to-use foot massager. If you’re already suffering from neuropathy symptoms, the last thing you want to do is struggle with a foot massager that has complicated instructions or set up. “You need to make sure the foot massager you’re getting is user friendly so that you can maximize the benefits from using it. Easily adjustable settings and uncomplicated instructions are features you may want to look for,” says Egbogah.

Consider your health needs. “With certain medical conditions there may be certain foot massagers that you need to avoid. For example if you have diabetic neuropathy and have difficulty sensing heat, a foot massager that heats up would not be recommended,” Egbogah tells us.

If unsure, start with gentle compression first. “If you have foot neuropathy you want to opt for a gentle foot massager, since you may have decreased sensation in your feet,” Egbogah says. “Vibration and air compression massagers with adjustable settings are ideal since they can gently increase blood flow and relieve tension without causing further injury.”

How we chose

When rounding up the best foot massagers for neuropathy, we retained expertise from Timothy Oldani, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., a podiatrist at Missouri Foot and Ankle; Anne Sharkey, D.P.M., a podiatrist at North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute; Liza Egbogah, B.S.C., D.C., D.O.M.P., foot expert and orthopedic shoe designer. We also evaluated countless personal reviews of neuropathy and foot pain sufferers.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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