This Heated Back Massager Is the Best Thing I've *Ever* Bought On Amazon

There are few things in life that actually help me relax. Sure, frequent yoga flows in the a.m. and meditation practices in the p.m. have proven themselves to be trusty techniques. But they still fall short when it comes to relieving the mounting stress in my neck and upper back.

I'll explain.

When I feel anxious (which is often), I tend to curve my body inward, clench my jaw, and tense my shoulders—all of which exacerbate the already-present aches courtesy of hours spent sitting hunched over a computer. On top of that (yes, I really am a self-induced nightmare), I sleep on my stomach. (And, ICYMI, this is one of the worst sleeping positions for your health.)

So, when I started to feel next-level pain with quotidian actions like raising my arms to shampoo my hair, I knew my knots were to blame—and that I needed a massage...or two...or three. But frequent rubdowns can get expensive, so I scoured the Internet for solutions, only to impulsively buy the Naipo Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager (Buy it, $50, amazon.com). And I am so glad I did.

For less than the average deep-tissue massage in New York City, this heated massager delivers targeted treatment that goes way beyond the surface. Meaning: The massage nodes really dig into your knots, kneading deeper and deeper as they slowly loosen. If you close your eyes, you might just think you're being treated by a real-life Phoebe Buffay.

Adding to its long list of pros, the miracle worker of a machine has three different speeds so you can pick the optimal one depending on your level of pain and tightness. Clearly, the folks at Naipo are well aware that one size rarely fits all—you can also customize the nodes' direction to be clockwise, counterclockwise, or to alternate between the two in order to target your personal trigger points. And let's not forget about the heat function that delivers a steady stream of warmth to your muscles, helping them (and you!) relax even further.

Unlike other popular neck and back massagers on Amazon, the Naipo's scarf-like shape wraps around your body and stays put so you can enjoy the treatment without worrying about it slipping or sliding like a lacrosse ball. Also because of its ergonomic shape, the massager can be used quite literally anywhere. Glutes? Check. Stomach? Check. Calves? Check.

And in case you're not yet sold (but, um, why?!), listen to this: The shiatsu's massaging skills are so powerful and so effective that I can actually actually feel my breathing slow as the nodes begin to roll over my upper back.

It's now been four months since I first melted under the Naipo's perfect combo of pressure and heat and it's officially more than just a heated massager available on Amazon. It's a guaranteed knot killer and a trusted tool for relaxing after a long day—and now I can't help but crave some QT with it. Try it, and you will, too.

Buy It: Naipo Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager, $50, amazon.com