Why I Primarily Recommend Revitive – Podiatrist Review

A man sits on a sofa whilst using a Revitive for swollen and sore legs and feet

Why I Primarily Recommend Revitive – Podiatrist Review

First Things First…

If you have leg pain which is preventing you from walking and other enjoyable activities, you may have come across some of the EMS foot massagers online.

There are many brands and models, many of which make wild and wonderful claims about what they can do for you.

Some cost less than $50.

Others cost several hundred dollars.

So naturally, the question becomes:

Are they all basically the same?

As a podiatrist with more than 20 years of clinical experience, I want to know one thing:

Which one has been tested by scientists and has evidence that it actually works to reduce leg pain and improve circulation?

In this article I’ll explain why I can confidently recommend the Revitive Circulation Booster first, when cheaper EMS foot massagers are available, and how I make those recommendations.

Imortant: Link to who should NOT use an EMS Foot Massager including Revitive.

The Two Big Reasons Why I Recommmend Revitive Circuation Booster:
Research and Results

Okay, so to summarise what this article is about.

Reason 1: After more than 20 years working as a podiatrist I was regularly hearing positive reports from patients who were using the Revitive Circulation Booster. This is what we call anecdotal evidence, a low form of evidence but when there are multiple cases it gains credibility,

Reason 2: Revitive Circulation Booster is the only Electrical Muscle Stimulation device that has had multiple scientific studies conducted by universities which have proven that it can both reduce leg pain and improve leg circulation. (study links at end of article).

Now the two of these types of evidence together place the Revitive way above the competition for now.

Why I Wrote This Article

On this website I write about products and methods that the average person can use to improve their foot health, and therefore, their wellbeing overall.
I wanted to explain why I clearly recommend one product above all others – and it comes down to evidence and patient recommendations,
I earn a small commission if someone purchases through my links.
But commissions never influence my recommendations, I will always tell you what I think are the best products based on research and experience (in fact some of the dodgier products offer MUCH better commissions)!
My reputation matters more than a short-term monetary gain.

“If a cheaper product genuinely had better evidence than Revitive Circulation Booster, I’d happily recommend it instead.”

What Is an EMS Foot Massager?

EMS stands for Electrical Muscle Stimulation.
It causes the calf and foot muscles to contract.
Muscle contractions help activate the calf muscle pump.
This may assist venous blood flow back toward the heart. Venous blood is blood that has the oxygen removed to be used in muscles and other tissue. It need to then be pumped back to the heart and lungs to receive more oxygen.

Below is a simple diagram of how an EMS can help assist blood flow back to the heart

Click here to read my article on things you can do to improve your leg and feet circulation.

The BIG Reason I recommend - Research & Results

Why I Primarily Recommend Revitive Circulation Booster

This is the BIG REASON why I recommend Revitive Circulation Boosters above other circulation boosters: RESEARCH – Revitive have gone to universities and had the several studies done on the effectiveness of their product.

Also, as a podiatry clinician with over 20 years experience, I was regularly hearing about the benefits that patients were noticing in relation to pain reduction and walking distance.

The big findings out of the research I read were:

In 2016 a randomised sham-controlled 8 week treatment program using Revitive Circulation Booster, the study showed that there was an increase in the amount of blood flow in the legs whilst using the device.
Quote below:

“Conclusions: This trial demonstrated a significant difference in venous flow parameters and prevention of orthostatic limb oedema with NMES. There was a positive effect on quality of life. Larger studies are required to determine the clinical significance of this in patients with venous disease.”
In 2024 another Randomised Controlled Trial comparing to a sham device also found statistically significant improvements in leg pain and blood flow.
Quote below:
“Improvement in leg pain met MCID at week 8 compared to Sham (p < 0.05). Ankle blood flow increased approximately 3-fold during treatment compared to Sham. Compliance with the interventions was high and no device-related adverse events were reported.”
Revitive went to the London South Bank University to gain access to well established and published researchers to conduct further studies of their product. This is what Dr Paul Sumners and Dr Katya Mileva, cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular researchers at LSBU’s Sport and Exercise Science Research Centre, had to say:

“What we found was that 20 minutes of electrical stimulation of the feet did in fact successfully enhance venous and lymphatic outflow, attenuate oedema and associated discomfort,” says Dr Sumners. “And improved circulation reduces the risk of cardiovascular and neurological complications like deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, stroke and amputations.”

Please note: In the research world these studies are still considered as early, with many more to be completed in the future to further strengthen what these studies have already found.

For me, this is the only company and the only product of its kind conducting this level of research. So, coupled with my clinical experience, that is enough for me to confidently recommend the Revitive Circulation Booster range first.

Does That Mean Cheaper EMS Foot Massagers Don't Work?

It does not.

Many cheaper devices use similar EMS principles.

However:

Similar technology doesn’t automatically mean similar results.
Most generic devices haven’t been studied individually.
Amazon has rated some of the cheaper EMS products as a “Frequently Returned Item.” Which would suggest that a high number of people are not happy with the product.

Please Note: Absence of evidence isn’t proof they don’t work—but it does reduce confidence in making strong recommendations.

When a Budget EMS Device May Be Good Enough

If you have a different and maybe cheaper product that is still FDA passed and you are noticing:

A decrease in swelling in the legs and feet,
and/or a reduction in your pain symptoms,

then there is no reason to stop using the device as long as you are doing so safely.

Always check with your doctor if you have any concerns or have a condition such as peripheral neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease.

Who May Benefit Most From an EMS Foot Massager?

There are many reasons as to why you could benefit from an EMS foot massager.

Ideal candidates include people who:

Spend long hours sitting – this reduces the use of the calf pump and can cause venous supply issues,
Stand all day at work – gravity may work against you here, especially if you are older and your venous valves aren’t working well,
Experience heavy, tired legs – this is so common, and is a great indication for trying a Revitive Circulation Booster,
Have reduced mobility – if you are simply unable to get up and walk around very much, an EMS can do some of the work for you by stimulating your calf muscles to pump the venous blood back to the heart,
Want an additional tool alongside exercise and medical care – if you are doing all that you can but still have leg pain or poor circulation, an EMS can be a great add-on.

Important: these devices are not a replacement for medical assessment where symptoms suggest an underlying vascular or neurological condition.

Who Should NOT Use the Revitive EMS?

Do not use if you are in any of the following groups:

You are fitted with an electronic implanted device such as a heart pacemaker or Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD)
You have an active ulcer on one or both of your feet,
You are pregnant
You are being treated for, or have the symptoms of, an existing Deep Vein Thrombosis (“DVT”)

Who Should Speak With Their Doctor First?

I recommend anyone speak to their doctor before trying any new therapy including EMS foot massagers.

Below is a list of conditions that mandate a professional opinion before trying EMS.

Peripheral Neuropathy – you may not feel the effects of using the device for too long,
Significant peripheral arterial disease – the skin on your feet and legs may be too delicate and could ulcerate,
Open wounds or skin infections
Other manufacturer contraindications – always read!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does Revitive improve circulation?

Answer:

In several studies it has clearly shown that it can improve circulation. Every experience is different but the evidence suggests that if you suffer leg pain and poor circulation it may help.

Q. Is Revitive worth the money?

Answer:

this all depends on your financial circumstances and how much poor circulation is affecting your day to day life. If you can afford it and your life is adversely affected, I think it’s worth the money.

Q. Can cheaper EMS foot massagers still help?

Answer:

Yes, the problem is that they haven’t been put under the same level of scrutiny. If you are able to easily return a cheaper product if you’re not satisfied, then cheaper EMS foot massagers may be worth trying.

Q. Is Using an EMS Massager better Than Walking?

Answer:

No, nothing beats getting out and exercising if you are capable of doing so. But if walking is difficult because of leg pain from poor circulation, or if you want to add something in, Revitive can help.

Q. How often should I use an EMS foot massager?

Answer:

Always read the recommendations in the product packaging. On their website, Revitive recommend using it daily for 20-30 minutes. Some people may benefit from using it 2-3 times per day.

Q. Can EMS foot massagers cure poor circulation?

Answer:

No. Poor circulation is a change in the physiology of your vascular system. It may have serious causes including heart or lung disease. EMS foot massagers CAN help to relieve symptoms and temporarily improve circulation, allowing you to be more active.

Q. Can they help neuropathy?

Answer:

Generally no. If the neuropathy is caused by peripheral vascular disease, then there may be some mild improvements. But there have not been extensive studies done on the effect of EMS foot massagers on peripheral neuropathy.

Q. How long does it take to notice a difference?

Answer:

As you probably guessed, this is different for everyone. I’ve had patients tell me that they noticed a difference in pain and swelling reduction within a few days. For others it might take a couple of months.

Final Thoughts:

There isn’t a perfect EMS foot massager for everyone. However, if you’re looking for the option backed by the strongest published evidence currently available, Revitive is the one I’d feel most comfortable recommending.