A personal massage apparatus includes a personal massager and can also include a controller for controlling the operation of the massager. The massager includes a motor or other motion-causing device and can also include an interface (e.g., a wireless interface) to the controller (where such a controller is included). The controller is a remote control that can include a motion sensor (e.g., an accelerometer) for detecting motion of the controller (e.g., changes in orientation). The massager can also have a motion sensor for detecting motion of the massager. Circuitry in the controller and/or massager converts the detected motion of the controller or massager into control signals for the controller or massager. The operation of the controller or massager (e.g., the output motor power, a vibration pattern, or another massage setting) is adjusted based on the detected motion of the controller or massager.