Hi dwink,
As Jeff mentioned the massage function is more of a “moving vibration” and not a “real” massage that has a “kneading” action. Most of them have different massage options and wave functions that can change the “feel”, speed, massage pattern, and intensity of the “massage” but there is also a mattress between the massage components and the person which attenuates how the massage feels to different degrees once it “goes through” the mattress.
While some people like it and use it on a regular basis to help them relax … for others it’s not nearly as important. In our own case we only use it rarely although we do “like” it when we do (our adjustable is also on a wooden floor so we put the adjustable bed legs on rubber cups to reduce the noise of the vibration) but we don’t use it nearly as much as we thought we would when we purchased it. In other words we wouldn’t miss it if we didn’t have it (although it’s still “nice” to have) and the ability to raise and lower the mattress is much more important to us than the massage function (although we sleep on it flat).
There is more information about choosing an adjustable bed in post #3 here and the main adjustable bed topic that it links to that can help you choose an adjustable bed based on price vs features comparisons and also includes some retailers that you can use as good sources of information about the features of the adjustable beds they carry and as pricing references as well (in post #6 in the main adjustable bed topic). Of course there are many other sources as well and prices can change on a regular basis so I would also include some internet searching in your research and I would also keep in mind that online advertised prices are often price controlled so make sure you call the stores you are considering to find out their best prices rather than just looking at websites.
Phoenix