The Best Gifts for Dads With Sore Necks and Backs, According to Experts

By far the most popular product among our experts, with all five mentioning it by name, the powerful Hypervolt massager will help dad work out the kinks in his back or anywhere else that’s sore. “If you don’t have time for a massage or can’t afford to do it regularly, this is the next best thing,” says Jan Lefkowitz, a chiropractor at Body in Balance Chiropractic. He explains that “vibration helps to loosen up the muscles and increase blood flow which flushes them out and will also decrease pain and tension.” Chiropractor David Perna of Back & Body Medical says, “this device is used a lot by therapists, masseuses, chiropractors, and athletes alike. [It’s] also great for personal use to massage sore muscles.”

Vanessa Chu, co-founder and COO of Stretch*d, calls it “the ultimate tool for working out sore areas or knots. It’s the strongest percussive massage gun on the market,” and is a popular add-on to her studio’s assisted stretching sessions. David Vargas, a massage therapist and founder of Momentum Sports Recovery, agrees that it’s a “fan-favorite of physical therapists for being more cost effective,” and Christina Nassaney, an athletic trainer at Fusion Physical Therapy & Sports Performance says it’s great for “relaxing the central nervous system which allows the muscles to relax.”

For an under-$200 option, Vargas likes the TimTam massager that’s similar in style to the Hypervolt.

There’s also this very affordable percussive massager that has over 2,000 reviews on Amazon and comes with four attachments for different types of pressure.

Last summer we investigated the percussive Theragun massager that was gaining popularity on YouTube and among professional athletes. Vargas says it’s “the original therapy gun,” and is “great for myofascial work.” While the first model retailed for nearly $600, this smaller, lightweight version is a slightly more affordable gift.

Like the Hypervolt, the Vyper foam roller soothes sore muscles through vibration. “I have seen clinically in my practice, and from using on my own body, that vibrational technology does some pretty amazing in terms of decreasing pain and muscle recovery,” says Lefkowitz and he explains that the Vyper is “great for rolling your IT bands, quads, hips, [and] glutes.” Nassaney also likes that the dense, vibrating foam roller breaks up adhesions in the muscles.

It might take a little convincing to get dad to try out this inverting massage table, but Perna swears by it for those with chronic back pain. “Inversion tables tip back and hang you upside-down. When hanging your body weight will gently stretch in a lengthening direction. This will take pressure off the joints of the low back and discs,” he says. “This one is awesome — it has heat and massage, also, for an achy back.”

For a less intense heated massager, this shiatsu pillow targets the neck and upper back. Along with being a lot more affordable, it’s one of our perennial favorite last-minute Father’s day gifts.

You don’t need high-tech tools for getting a good rub down, though, as Vargas points out. He calls this simple yet effective massage stick “an oldie but a goodie [that’s] good for the more get-it-done type individual who wants to actively get after the knots.”

We’re already fans of Trigger Point’s knobby foam roller, and this set pairs it with a massage ball and a strap for easy carrying. Vargas says, “use the foam roller for broader surface areas and the ball for those smaller harder-to-reach areas.”

Another one of Vargas’s non-mechanical picks, the hook-shaped Thera Cane is perfect for a dad with an aching back. He can use it to reach those sore spots that he might not otherwise be able to get to by himself. The round nodes along the cane allow him to get deep into muscle knots.

If dad travels a lot he’ll appreciate this space-saving foam roller. “This folds down and is light enough to fit in a suitcase,” says Chu. “It is also the perfect density — not too hard, not too soft — to work out tight hip flexors and glutes from travel.” By the same logic, it’s a good choice for dads who sit all day and also want a foam roller that can be easily tucked away.

For dads who love their vibrating foam rollers but don’t have room for them in their carry-ons, Lefkowitz likes this smaller ball that’s actually better for targeting specific aches and pains. He says, “it can get [into] smaller places than the Vyper due to its shape.”

Also small enough for easy packing, this vibrating mini foam roller comes highly recommended by Vargas who likes it specifically for back and neck pain. It features indents and ridges that squeeze muscles and improve circulation.

Because dad can’t foam roll all the time, Nassaney recommends Biofreeze, which she says is “a topical analgesic that can be applied to sore muscles for fast acting pain relief.” He can rub some on during the day for long-lasting relief or even at night if his pain is keeping him up.

For dads with muscle soreness who are also curious about the CBD craze, this cream is like a super-strong IcyHot according to Chu. “CBD has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and this is a crowd favorite with our athletes,” she says. “His joints will thank you.”

Designed by a chiropractor, this adjustable pillow is Perna’s pick for helping dads in pain sleep more soundly. “The best part is the pillow has multiple layers you can remove to get the perfect fitting pillow,” he says, making it suitable to anyone regardless of preferred sleeping position or pillow firmness. The memory foam contours to your head and neck to promote proper posture.

If your dad’s pain is related to poor posture, Nassaney recommends this “wearable postural alignment tool that gives tactile feedback” through a small sensor worn on the back that’s linked to an app that tracks your posture throughout the day and alerts you when you’re slouching. Perna recommends it for those with posture problems, too. Compared to a brace that actually weakens postural muscles over time by making the wearer dependent on it, he says the Upright trainer “creates active use to achieve the results, actually making the person improve themselves.”