There is almost nothing I love more than a good massage. Going for regular massages used to be the highlight of my pre-parenting days. Those couple of hours I could spend just having someone work all the kinks out from my shoulders and back was pure bliss.
Now with two kids to run after on a regular basis, I am hard-pressed to find the time to spend a couple of hours getting a massage. And the ironic thing is that I need those back rubs more than ever, especially when I’m hauling around 12kg worth of a wriggly baby everyday. The fact that I’ve bad posture adds to the problem, and I frequently find myself having to ask the husband to bail me out by rubbing my back for me.
So you can imagine my delight when I was asked to review the new OTO Mbraze. A new addition to the OTO Bodycare family, the OTO Mbraze is a portable massager which is touted to combine advanced massage technology with heat therapy to offer respite from body aches and also provide slimming benefits. It sounded very promising.
It even comes in three lovely colours — red, lilac and lime green. (Yes, aesthetics like that matter to me!)
I got a pretty red one!
When I pulled the OTO Mbraze out, I was surprised that it wasn’t heavier. Then again, maybe I shouldn’t have been, given that it’s meant to be portable! Weighing just 2.5kg, the OTO Mbraze isn’t too difficult to bring around, yet still packs quite a punch, with dual massage orbs, each with four rotating heads of varying sizes. These were designed to work together to simulate the firm strong hands of a professional masseuse delivering a Shiatsu massage.
The dual massage orbs, with the heating on.
The OTO Mbraze is designed to work on different parts of the body and to help you do this, there are two straps provided which you can loop through the metal rings at each end of the massager and use to position it to address the exact problem spots that you have. I propped it on my shoulders and immediately understood why they use rotating orbs as they rolled smoothly down my neck, pressing out the aches as it went.
I then shifted it down to my problem shoulders and man, those heated rotating heads really hit the spot. I honestly sat there for a good 20 minutes, letting the OTO Mbraze work on rubbing out a spot that had been bothering me for a week. That was a real luxury! Using the straps, I could also shift the OTO Mbraze up and down and really get it in there to press out the kinks.
All the different ways you can use the OTO Mbraze
So is it as good as getting a real massage from a professional masseuse? Not quite, since I think there is no substitute for a pair of skilled human hands, but I think it is just about as good as it gets for a home massage that you can do yourself. It also has several advantages over getting a real masseuse, namely:
1. You can use it whenever, wherever. I’m even using it right now to rub my shoulders as I write this post! My right shoulder tends to tighten up when I’m hunched over my laptop and setting the OTO Mbraze on it really helps. The good people at OTO even designed the OTO Mbraze for use in a car so you can get massages on the go!
2. There is no need for appointments. It’s not always easy to get appointments at the spa when you want them or need them. Perfect for Mums with no time, like me!
3. You don’t need to commit an extended period of time to a massage. It can be difficult to put aside an hour or two for a massage, but 10 or 20 minutes isn’t quite so difficult. And it really helps!
I also like that the OTO Mbraze is small and easy to put away when not in use.
There is one added feature of the OTO Mbraze which I’m really interested in and that is it’s slimming function. Yes, you heard me right — massage to lose inches off your waistline! Abdominal massage has been shown to increase the basal metabolic rate of users, ensuring that more fat is burnt during rest. I am told that if I use the OTO Mbraze regularly on the abdomen, I will feel less bloated as the rotating massage orbs are designed to enhance blood circulation, resulting in more efficient fluid and waste release. My metabolic rate just isn’t what it used to be (when I was actually skinny!) and I’m all for anything that can help. Even better when it’s painless!
I’ve only been using the OTO Mbraze for abdominal massage for a couple days so it’s too early to tell if it’s an effective slimming tool but I’m looking forward to finding out.
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If you have a Mum who you think would really benefit from the use of an OTO Mbraze, or even if you’re a Mum yourself who could do with some pampering, here’s your chance: register for OTO’s Mother’s Day Makeover Contest! You will be able to pick up an OTO Mbraze for use for 2 weeks, and your Mum (or you) could get a full makeover and win attractive prizes, including the OTO Mbraze or the top prize of an OTO Dante Massage Chair worth $5,380!
Simply register by 12 April 2013 by sending a e-mail to motherday2013@otobodycare.com with your Mum’s name, your contact details and a short message of 60 words on why Mum needs a makeover. Give your Mum a treat this Mother’s Day by registering today!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going back to my massage.
* This post is sponsored by Rise and Shine in conjunction with OTO. All opinions however are strictly my own.
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