If you carry a lot of tension in your neck and shoulders, then this weird little tool may be worth a look — especially since it’s left so many reviewers “absolutely stunned” by its pain-relieving magic. This occipital release tool is designed to cradle the base of your skull and use your body weight to apply gentle pressure while you lie down, making it easy to stretch and relax your neck and spine, and maybe even fix your posture, pain and tension in the process. And right now, it’s $15 off, or 33% off, making it an absolute steal if you suffer from pains and aches that you can’t shake alone. According to one reviewer, that’s “so much more affordable than frequent massage appointments.” We have to agree.
From soreness to headaches, just lay the back of your neck in the tool’s cradle and let gravity do the work.
This tiny tool may look simple, but looks can be deceiving. By lying down on your back, positioning the back of your neck in its cradle and relaxing your head, gravity will pull the weight of your skull and help relieve pressure, tension and soreness. The brand recommends using it between 5 to 10 minutes at a time to stretch your neck and relieve back tension. Keep up with it consistently, and after a few weeks, reviewers say it’ll even improve your posture. One user describes it as a “night and day difference” in hunching and slouching.
The brand recommends this tool for anyone suffering from tech neck, stiffness, TMJ and constant tension headaches, and many reviewers can attest to that usage.
“The first week I was consistent and then slowly tapered to a few times a week,” says one reviewer. “It’s night and day difference. I can bend my neck now with no pain and the stiffness has almost vanished. The first time I used it was very painful and tender, I had to ease myself onto the pillow but after the first few times it no longer hurts at all.”
For many reviewers, this is the only thing that’s worked for pressure relief. One user says they tried “close to 50 devices” and only had success using this neck stretching pad.
If “close to 50” devices sounds like exaggeration, we’re actually inclined to believe this user named Emmy who lays it all out: “I have tried shiatsu massage gadgets, cups, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, the neck pillow stretcher, over the door neck stretcher, inversion table, electro shock sticker things, ice pack pillow, hot packs, bamboo neck thing, foam roller, chirp, massage gun, neck roller ball, neck pillow, bamboo pillow, new mattress, etc...” All they needed was this device.
That’s something echeod by various other users, too; folks experiencing pressure, pain at the base of their skull, tight jaws, tension headaches, WFH neck — even blurry vision and eye pressure — said that this easy tool worked wonders for them.
“I’m absolutely stunned by this product,” reports one reviewer. “This pad is so powerful and gave me significant relief for head/neck tension that I’ve had for 3 years. The bumps on it provide the perfect amount of pressure. Comfortable, yet hurts SO good!”
Shrimp neck got you (literally) down? Consider grabbing this release tool while it’s on sale for $30 — just don’t forget to clip that on-page coupon! And take a look below to see what other reviewers have to say about it.
“I purchased the Purify Life Occipital Release Tool and it has been a great addition to my self-care routine. The design perfectly supports the neck and targets pressure points at the base of the skull. After just a few minutes of use, I could feel my neck muscles relaxing and tension easing.
It’s sturdy, well-made, and holds its shape without feeling too hard or uncomfortable. I especially like that it helps with tension headaches and stiffness from long hours of phone and computer use. It’s easy to use—just lie down and let gravity do the work.
Great value for the price and much more affordable than frequent massage appointments. Highly recommend for anyone dealing with neck, shoulder, or upper back pain! Good size” — Ravyn Deahl
“Buy this. I have tried shiatsu massage gadgets, cups, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, the neck pillow stretcher, over the door neck stretcher, inversion table, electro shock sticker things, ice pack pillow, hot packs, bamboo neck thing, foam roller, chirp, massage gun, neck roller ball, neck pillow, bamboo pillow, new mattress, etc. I have so far purchased probably close to 50 devices.. this is what I have been needing... I have pain constantly base of my skull where the skull meets spine and just behind my ears. It causes headache so much so I can’t Function I have to lay down. Straining in my eyes and my shoulders get tense. This device is a game changer instant relief. I heard it breaking away at my head crunchy sounding and blood flow warm and flowing freely. buy this and thank you.
Update: I still love this this my headaches come and go now. But I found a trick that helps that I want to share. Lay your neck on it and cross your arms over your forehead. Don’t push your forehead. Just have the weight of your arms fall on your forehead so it can get deeper. I honestly felt like my spine aligned better and it released whatever was pinched. It still sounds crunchy too. I duno if that’s a good thing but it feels better.
Another update: its been over a year now this is still my favorite tool! Everytime I use this i feel so much better.
Another update: Its July 27th 2026 this was bought more than a year ago and still my favorite tool for my neck. Crunchy sound stopped. I dont use it every day just once in a while. Anytime I get that headache. I lay with this for a few minutes and start to feel much better.” — emmy
“Life changing! I was in a car accident 17 years ago that gave me really bad whiplash. I had issues with my neck ever since. Multiple trips to the chiropractor, X-rays showed reversal of neck curvature, couldn’t bend my neck forward or backwards without a lot pain and tension. I have also had issues with frozen shoulder for the last 7 years. That has disappeared as well and it no longer hurts to sleep on my side. I have been using this for about a month. The first week I was consistent and then slowly tapered to a few times a week. It’s night and day difference. I can bend my neck now with no pain and the stiffness has almost vanished. The first time I used it was very painful and tender, I had to ease myself onto the pillow but after the first few times it no longer hurts at all.
The pillow itself is a very hard dense molded foam. Not plastic like some have mentioned. It seems to be high quality and made well. Best money I have spent on something that has really helped my quality of life.” — Dustin Shropshire
“I’m absolutely stunned by this product. This pad is so powerful & gave me significant relief for head/neck tension that I’ve had for 3 years. The bumps on it provide the perfect amount of pressure ; Comfortable, yet hurts SO good!!! 🤩
I’m excited to see the progress I make with this” — sam
Looking for more pain-relieving solutions? Check out these recommendations from previous HuffPost coverage.
A penetrative concentrate cream
The Penetrex recovery cream is possibly one of the most impressively reviewed pain-relief topicals on Amazon that features a concentrated blend of natural ingredients. It's a non-greasy and sensitive skin-friendly formula containing arnica and vitamin B6 to soothe sore and achy muscles without the burning or freezing sensation of other numbing creams.
Promising review: "Penetrex works for me. I have tried many different pain relieving creams and really believed a topical cream could not eliminate pain. Some products have a lot of Menthol that distracts from the pain for a while. I broke my wrist in 2015 and have 10 metal pins in my wrist. My hand, as well as my wrist, are frequently painful. I think some arthritis is developing. I am so thankful to have found Penetrex. When my hand or wrist starts hurting, I rub in a small amount of Penetrex and the pain goes away. I have not timed how long it takes. I just know if I want the pain to stop, I use Penetrex and not long after, I realize the pain is gone. I keep a jar at home and at work. I will not be without it, so I hope the company stays around for a very long time. Penetrex is not sticky or greasy, it rubs in completely like a hand cream or lotion. It has a mild fragrance, not a strong odor like some sports creams. I was introduced to electrode therapy and ultrasound during my physical therapy sessions for my wrist. I purchased both for home use. Penetrex works better than either of those therapies. I recommend you try it. It may not work the same for everyone and every type of pain, but it is worth a try." — Rita Berry
A compressive arch support X brace for heel pain
Whether your heel pain stems from plantar fasciitis, poor shoe support, over-pronation or other foot conditions, this stretchy compressive brace is meant to provide immediate pain relief by creating targeted arch support. It's a unique design that's helped reviewers with chronic foot pain after other conventional market options had failed. It can be worn with or without shoes and is available in six sizes.
Promising review: "Cue the Rihanna song 'where have you been all my lifeeeee'! I suffered from plantar fasciitis for years!!! I have wasted so much money on generic insole, (expensive!!!) custom insoles, physical therapy tape, laser treatments, massage, compression socks, gel heel cups, other similar foot devices similar to this one with no avail. I was beginning to lose hope and assumed I would just have to live with the pain.... then came this incredible device!!! I did gymnastics for ten years, which no doubt either caused or greatly contributed to my plantar fasciitis. I was so excited to hear that this product was developed by a gymnastics coach. They know exactly how we need to be taped in order to get the correct support.
I used to fatigue very easily throughout the day without these. Now I stand at my standing desk for ~9 hours per day (I also stand on a cushy mat), but I could never have done that before this product. I am extremely grateful to the creators of this product that I can live an active pain-free life with the help of this device. If you feel like you have tried everything for your foot pain, do yourself a favor and try this one - it will be the last thing you try because IT ACTUALLY WORKS!
I will never be without these, I almost feel like I need to buy some backup pairs just in case anything happens to these! I would recommend sizing up and do not sleep these." — Tim
A foam roller for targeted muscle relief
Available in five sizes, the Chrip foam roller is a physical therapy device designed with trigger points to break up tight muscle fibers. It's covered in a high-density foam and can withstand up to 500 pounds as you roll back and forth over the surface to help release the fascia that supports the back. If you have difficulty getting on the ground, it can also be used on the wall to provide the same kind of tension relief.
Promising review: "I’ve been going to a chiropractor for over 20 years, but purchasing the Chirp Back Wheel has been a total game-changer for me. Since I started using it, my back mobility has improved dramatically, and my pain has decreased by what feels like 500%! I honestly wish I had bought this sooner.
I use it every single day, and it’s the best tool I’ve found for stretching out my spine. Sometimes I even get those satisfying pops, just like at the chiropractor, which gives me instant relief. The design makes it easy and comfortable to roll out tight muscles and release tension.
If you struggle with back pain or stiffness, I can’t recommend this enough. It’s hands down the greatest investment I’ve made for my health and comfort.
For full transparency, I am a real customer who purchased this product, and this review is based solely on my personal experience. I am not being paid or sponsored in any way." — Jen Sipich
The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)