Does heat make much difference in a massage?

I’ve been looking at these HoMedics massagers for Christmas for my folks, and basically narrowed it down to two options—SBM-300 and SBM-300H. The one with the heat is $40 more expensive, so I need to know whether the heat makes THAT much of a difference in a massage.
My mom is a very warmth-loving person and my dad couldn’t care less (hence I keep my window open to go this dang heat out of my room in November, but anyways)—so what I need to know is, is heat worth those extra $40?

Massage itself produces heat to the area through mechanical friction and nervous system response that encourages more blood to enter the small blood vessels of the skin. It takes a few minutes though. Personally, I believe the whole “heat” functions on those massagers are unnecessary, unless all you plan to do is use the heat function and no Massage Action. A reheatable warm pack should be more effective than anything on the device if heat is what you are after. If you think your ma would like the extra heat function, then it is worth the extra forty bucks, because it will get used. It’s better than being reminded periodically that “a heat function would have been nice, ya know.”

Homedics SBM 500H – Best Deals and Discount

HoMedics SC-520 Health Station Body Composition Scanner $25.00 The body composition scanner with knowledge book technology measures body fat and body water to 0.1 % and measures muscle mass and bone mineral to 0.2 lb. Features include body water / fat status display, 4 user memories, normal / athlete mode, instant on /auto zero, 350 x 0.2 lbs weight capacity and an easy to read 2.1″ LCD display. Uses 1 9- volt battery and comes with a lifetime warranty….

Homedics Therapist Select Shiatsu Portable Massaging Cushion Knead away muscle tension, pain and fatigue like a true hands-on massage therapist with the new portable massaging cushion. The state of the art Shiatsu mechanism travels up and down the back. Adjust the 3 programs with the programmable touch pad control….

Homedics NMS-350 Shiatsu Neck Massager with Vibration and Heat $29.97 Shiatsu massage vibration massage & heat easy-to-use integrated control 1-touch heat…

Homedics MCS-200H Shiatsu Massage Cushion $75.00 State of the art moving Shiatsu massage with soothing heat travels up and down the back. Folds to a compact size for storage in the built in carry bag. Easily fits most chairs….

Homedics QRM-400H Therapist Select Quad-Roller Massaging Cushion with Heat $150.00 With Quick heat * Penetrating relief in under a minute * True massage experience * Advanced technology for a deeply relieving massage whenever you need it * Shiatsu and rolling massage * Four independent rollers travel up and down your back * Spot Shiats…

SBM $4.99 We believe it is important to preserve what makes music special, and make it easy to craft listening experiences. At MOG, browse millions songs and play them instantly. Or just turn on radio where you can stop and replay songs. You can also create playlists for any occasion, and even download songs to your mobile. We are dedicated to employing the cleanest but most powerful technology so you can enjoy music as much as ever.

HoMedics / HYDRO FOOT MASSAGER / FB-200 $80.91 HoMedics – HYDRO FOOT MASSAGER – FB-200

HoMedics / ECLIPSE ALARM CLOCK / HX-B040 $22.56 HoMedics – ECLIPSE ALARM CLOCK – HX-B040

HoMedics / COOL MIST HUMIDIFIER / HUM-CM50 $114.82 HoMedics – COOL MIST HUMIDIFIER – HUM-CM50

HoMedics / SOUNDSPA RELAX MACHINE / SS-20003PK $36.59 HoMedics – SOUNDSPA RELAX MACHINE – SS-20003PK

HoMedics / NECK SHIATSU MASSAGER / NMS-350 $69.6 HoMedics – NECK SHIATSU MASSAGER – NMS-350

HoMedics / SHIATSU MASSAGING CUSHION / MCS-200H $114.82 HoMedics – SHIATSU MASSAGING CUSHION – MCS-200H

HoMedics / SOUNDSPA AUTSET CLOCK / SS-4510 $48.18 HoMedics – SOUNDSPA AUTSET CLOCK – SS-4510

HOMEDICS HX-B040 ECLIPSE ALARM CLOCK $11.99 HOMEDICS HX-B040 ECLIPSE ALARM CLOCK

HOMEDICS SS-20003PK SOUNDSPA(R) RELAXAT $25.99 HOMEDICS SS-20003PK SOUNDSPA(R) RELAXAT

HoMedics / QUAD BEDSIDE ALARM CLOCK / HX-B050 $31.7 HoMedics – QUAD BEDSIDE ALARM CLOCK – HX-B050

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HoMedics / GO PORTABLE AUD SPKR CASE / HX-GO3BK $22.56 HoMedics – GO PORTABLE AUD SPKR CASE – HX-GO3BK

HoMedics / GO PORTABLE SPKR CS, BL / HX-GO3BL $22.56 HoMedics – GO PORTABLE SPKR CS, BL – HX-GO3BL

HoMedics / SOUNDSPA MINI BLU MACHINE / SS-MN101BL $23.78 HoMedics – SOUNDSPA MINI BLU MACHINE – SS-MN101BL

HoMedics / GEO SHELF AUDIO SYSTEM / HX-S112 $72.57 HoMedics – GEO SHELF AUDIO SYSTEM – HX-S112

HoMedics / SONDSPA MINI SOUND MACHNE / SS-MN102 $22.68 HoMedics – SONDSPA MINI SOUND MACHNE – SS-MN102

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HOMEDICS-BAGS&CASES / POWERBAG 3000 MAH MESSENGER / RFAP-0081F $131.62 HOMEDICS-BAGS&CASES – POWERBAG 3000 MAH MESSENGER – RFAP-0081F

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HoMedics / H Ortho Therapy MattressTopper / HMT-OTCK $91.94 HoMedics – H Ortho Therapy MattressTopper – HMT-OTCK

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HoMedics / H 4 Motor Massage Cushion / ODC-100 $46.85 HoMedics – H 4 Motor Massage Cushion – ODC-100

HoMedics / myCharge Portable Game Power / RFAM-0009 $97.85 HoMedics – myCharge Portable Game Power – RFAM-0009

HoMedics / SOUNDSPA FUSION CLOCK / SS-6510 BLKB $80.91 HoMedics – SOUNDSPA FUSION CLOCK – SS-6510 BLKB

HoMedics / SOUNDSPA MINI PNK MACHINE / SS-MN101PK $23.78 HoMedics – SOUNDSPA MINI PNK MACHINE – SS-MN101PK

HoMedics / SOUNDSPA PREMIER AM/FM / SS-5010 $59.77 HoMedics – SOUNDSPA PREMIER AM/FM – SS-5010

HoMedics / HEPA AIR CLEANER 100 CADR / AR-20 $157.35 HoMedics – HEPA AIR CLEANER 100 CADR – AR-20

HoMedics / AUTO BLOOD PRESS MONITR / BPW-040 $48.18 HoMedics – AUTO BLOOD PRESS MONITR – BPW-040

HOMEDICS HX-S112 GEO SHELF AUDIO SYSTEM $65.99 HOMEDICS HX-S112 GEO SHELF AUDIO SYSTEM

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HOMEDICS HX-B322 UNWIND BEDSIDE ALARM D $65.99 HOMEDICS HX-B322 UNWIND BEDSIDE ALARM D

HOMEDICS SS-6510 BLKB SOUNDSPA(R) FUSIO $73.99 HOMEDICS SS-6510 BLKB SOUNDSPA(R) FUSIO

HOMEDICS SS-MN101BL SOUNDSPA(R) MINI PO $12.99 HOMEDICS SS-MN101BL SOUNDSPA(R) MINI PO

HOMEDICS SS-MN101PK SOUNDSPA(R) MINI PO $12.99 HOMEDICS SS-MN101PK SOUNDSPA(R) MINI PO

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HOMEDICS SS-MN102 SOUNDSPA(R) MINI PORT $12.99 HOMEDICS SS-MN102 SOUNDSPA(R) MINI PORT

Homedics MP-1 Portable Massage Pillow $13.17 Homedics MP-1 Portable Massage Pillow Homedics MP-1 Portable Massage Pillow Features: Massage pillow Versatile use Portable design Soft and cozy plush material Cordless battery operation

Homedics VC-100 Shiatsu Back Massager $19.32 Homedics VC-100 Shiatsu Back Massager Homedics VC-100 Shiatsu Back Massager Features: Shiatsu back massager Duel zone massage Variable 2 speed intensity Soothing heat Includes auto and home adaptor

Homedics SS-3000 Soundspa Lullaby $21.48 Homedics SS-3000 Soundspa Lullaby Homedics SS-3000 Soundspa Lullaby Features: Create the perfect environment to lull your baby to sleep There soothing natural sounds to choose from heartbeat, rainforest or ocean Play one of the three tender lullabies Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Rock-A-Bye Baby and Brahms Cradle Song The image projector gently rotates one of the three interchangeable image disks Easy to use 15, 30 or 45 minute auto-off timer White

HoMedics TE-100 Thermometer $22.99 1 Second TE-100 Thermometer Carrying Bag Ear Thermometer featuring patented Infratemp Technology that provides accurate measurements and comfortable readings. This ear thermometer delivers one-second readings with 512 scans-per-second and a probe-cover-free design. Adult Digital Thermometer Ear Fahrenheit Fever Alarm – With visual and audio alerts HoMedics HoMedics EMEA LCD Memory Recall TE-100 TE-100 Thermometer www.homedics.com

Best of Christmas Classics [SBM] $47.99 Description not provided.

Homedics NMSQ-200 Neck & Shoulder Massager $22.08 Homedics NMSQ-200 Neck & Shoulder Massager Homedics NMSQ-200 Neck & Shoulder Massager Features: Neck and shoulder portable massager Choose from 2 speed massage and heat Internal wire frame flexes for a custom fit with plush fleece lining for luxurious comfort Operates on both batteries and AC adapter

HoMedics Parrafin Wax Refills $19.99 2 pounds of pure, hypo-allergenic paraffin wax. Plastic liners placed over wax treatments retain heat. Paraffin heat treatment softens, smooths hands, elbows, feet. Heat soothes sore muscles, aching joints. Use in HoMedics or other paraffin baths.

Sbm CT15 15in 600:1 8ms USB Touch Screen LCD Monitor (Black) $414.12 Sbm CT15 15in 600:1 8ms USB Touch Screen LCD Monitor (Black)

HoMedics Replacement HEPA Filter #AR-2FL $39.99 Cleanable HEPA filter removes 99.97% of airborne particles. For medium to large rooms. Lasts up to 18 months. Includes 1 filter. Compatible with HoMedics professional air cleaner AR-20.

HoMedics / H Ortho Therapy Contour Pillow / HMP-OTC $30.33 HoMedics – H Ortho Therapy Contour Pillow – HMP-OTC

HoMedics / H Smart Foam Mattress Topper / HMT-SFCK $132.46 HoMedics – H Smart Foam Mattress Topper – HMT-SFCK

HoMedics / H Smart Foam Mattress Topper F / HMT-SFF $118.79 HoMedics – H Smart Foam Mattress Topper F – HMT-SFF

HoMedics Shiatsu Back Massager with Heat, SBM-200H $119.99 Melt away tension, muscle pain and fatigue with this state of the art HoMedics Shiatsu massaging back chair. Instant 30-second heat-up adds soothing warmth to your massage.Click here for a HoMedics Therapist Select massage cushion comparison chart.

Homedics SBM-200H Therapist Select Shiatsu Massaging Cushion with Heat $79 The Homedics SBM-200H Therapist Select Shiatsu Massaging Cushion with Heat is your massage therapist on demand! Shiatsu massage travels fully up and down your back for a massage that feels amazing. Choose from three programs: Full, Lower or Upper Back.

Homedics SBM-500H Therapist Select Shiatsu Massaging Cushion with Heat $258.93 Exclusive Shiatsu shoulder massage – Relief for the shoulders with deep kneading Shiatsu : Moving dual massage mechanism – Travels up and down the back with two massaging styles – Deep kneading Shiatsu and soothing rolling massage : Superior performance – State-of-the-art shiatsu mechanism provides an unparalleled feeling : Programmable Control with 6 Programs – Full, lower or upper back for both shiatsu and rolling : Vivid LED illumination – Lights up the massage mechanism in a cool blue, allowing you to actually see it in action : Quick heat – Penetrating relief in under a minute for both the back and shoulders : Easily fits most chairs – The integrated strapping system transforms an ordinary chair into a powerful stress relieverShiatsu, also known as acupressure, is a finger pressure massage technique that is sometimes confused with acupuncture. Shiatsu massage therapy and acupuncture are founded on the Chinese meridian system. The therapist applies pressure with his thumbs, finger, and palms to specific areas of the body that have been determined during an assessment period prior to the massage session. There are no needle pokes involved with Shiatsu. Massage techniques like tapping, squeezing, rubbing, and applied pressure are applied along the meridians to unblock energy blockages and reintroduce the optimal flow of ki. The Homedics SBM-500H delivers an electronic simulation modeled after the Shiatsu techniques.