You bend to the screen all day. There are six small ways to relax the tight neck and the back.

In another world, pressing play on a “heal overnight” video or taking a nice hot bath would be enough to relieve our techy necks and tight muscles. Instead, we usually need real, everyday support.

At Le Filter, we tested numerous gadgets to soothe our own aching bodies: eight seat cushions, 18 massage guns, and countless sleep aids. Below, we've selected six practical elements of our coverage that can help relieve your aches and pains.

These products are not miracle cures. However, this pair of slip-on shoes and thick seat cushion provided comfort to our contributors as they battled the pain of injuries and everyday muscle strains.

Kizik Lima 2 Slip-On Shoes

After a back injury left Filter contributor Richard Baguley unable to bend down, he made it his mission to find the best products to help him during his recovery.

He found a grocery cart that goes up stairs and a stick, but one of his main recommendations was a simple pair of slip-on shoes. This reduced his need to tie his shoelaces, while they still looked like a standard pair of lace-up sneakers. “It helps me feel more like a normal member of the human race, but without the agony required to tie my shoelaces,” Baguley wrote.

Read the story: Seven essential gadgets to live with when you have back pain, from clamps to laptop desks

Xtreme Comforts Seat Cushion

Filter contributor and professional product tester Adam Doud's back pain gets worse when he sits for an extended period of time. After realizing that a seat cushion helped him feel better, he conducted a rigorous test to find the best ones on the market.

After six weeks of sitting on airplane seats and a "terribly uncomfortable" wooden chair, Doud considered this one from Xtreme Comforts his favorite, praising its thick memory foam and affordable price.

Read the story: For this you have to sit down – the best seat cushions in the USA to relieve your back

Saiji Laptop Desk

In 2026, you will be able to write the next great American novel or take a business call from the comfort of your bed. However, if you suffer from back pain, "straining to work in bed with a laptop balanced on your chest can make things worse," as Baguley discovered.

He credited this desk with helping him work from bed without discomfort, praising its ample space for holding your laptop and phone at easily adjustable heights and angles.

Read the story: Seven essential gadgets to live with when you have back pain, from clamps to laptop desks

Therabody Theragun Sense Gen 2

With the help of fitness journalist Kieran Alger, our British colleagues tested 18 massage guns last year to relieve muscle pain.

Ultimately, Therabody's was his first choice. It was “well constructed” and “very powerful in breaking down tension.”

He also praised its built-in guided routines: sleep preparation, back pain, tension relief and lower leg recovery, which he said made it "a breeze to use."

Read story: The UK's best massage guns to soothe sore, tired muscles

Renpho heating pad

Recently, I reviewed a $1,400 infrared mat that claimed to help relieve muscle pain.

After a week of testing, I advised you to save your money and invest in the humble heating pad. This one from Renpho was recommended by Filter contributor Maria Ricapito, who suffers from back pain. It has 10 temperature settings and turns off automatically after two hours.

Ricapito says it has become “a constant companion” and has even helped improve his sleep.

Read the story: 'The Most Restful Sleep of My Life': 12 Products Our Writers Rely on for Restful Rest Every Night

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