News

First, identify the specific muscle area you want to target. Turn the massage gun on, and move it slowly and gently across the area in back-and-forth motions, applying more pressure as needed. Davé says that anywhere between 6 to 10 minutes is usually enough. [In general, start low and go slow," he adds. [Listen to your body, and stop immediately if you feel any pain." Overstimulating the muscle can cause damage, bruising, and in severe cases, rhabdomyolysis (the acute breakdown of muscle tissue). Always do your best to vibrate the massager only over muscles. Avoid joints and bones, especially if you have any type of arthritis. It`s never a good idea to use a massage gun directly over any part of the spine, Fredericson adds, including the neck. If that area is sore, Gangstad recommends using the gun on the upper trapezius, the big chunk of muscle above the shoulders. People with chronic pain also need to be extra careful with percussive massage. Fredericson says deep pressure could cause pain to flare, especially in those with fibromyalgia. And if a muscle is particularly sore, whether from a workout or stress-related tension, don`t overdo the pressure. [That muscle will only tense up more if it`s in a lot of pain," Gangstad says. Certain medical conditions may also make Muscle Massage Gun unsafe to use in particular areas. For example, Sherry says people with low bone density should proceed with caution. Davé adds that it`s crucial to avoid using a massage gun near surgical wounds, in areas with deep-vein thrombosis (often indicated by swelling, pain, and warmth), or near a pacemaker or any other type of implanted hardware. Pregnant people should also avoid using massage guns, Davé advises. And they should never be used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, stress fractures, or acute inflammation.

Yes, massage guns are good for relieving back pain, as well as pain in other parts of the body. However, like any tool, a massage gun is only as good as the handler's skill allows. Furthermore, if you have an underlying problem that's causing your pain, a massage gun won't heal it. In this article I'll discuss massage guns, their benefits, and their weaknesses. What Are Massage Guns? A massage gun is a handheld device that's designed to help you massage your own muscles. There are tons of different types of massage guns on the market, but most fall into one of two categories: electrical and pneumatic. The main difference between these two types of massage guns is that electrical massage guns use an electrical current to create vibrations, while pneumatic massage guns use compressed air. Electrical massage guns tend to be smaller in size and offer a much finer vibration, while pneumatic massage guns are generally larger in size and offer a deeper, more targeted vibration. How Do Massage Guns Work? Simply put, it isn't fully known how massage guns work. There are theories that vibrations from the massage gun stimulate a structure within muscular cells that prevents contraction. Others think that the gun simply overrides the sensation of pain, the same way you rub your elbow after bashing it into something. It's morel likely that massage guns work like other vibrating tools like foam rollers. The vibration focuses the brain on the tense are of the muscle so that it can release that tension. Can Massage Guns Help You Get Rid of Back Pain? Many people have reported that massage guns can help relieve back pain. When it comes to managing back pain, remember that back pain is often caused by tension, muscle tightness and/or muscle spasms. To use the massage gun properly, it's important to focus on the areas of your back that are most in need of release. In general, massage guns should be used to massage your muscles in the direction of the spines. This is because your body's natural alignment relies on the direction of your spine. If your muscles are misaligned, they will increase your risk of experiencing back pain. So, if you use a massage gun to massage your muscles in the direction of the spine, you, it's more likely to be effective. Now, let's get to the catch.

Massage guns are taking the fitness gadget world by storm. These percussive therapy devices target sore muscles with rapid-fire pulses, aiming to provide the benefits of massage therapy from the comfort of your home. Many massage gun users swear by the gadget`s ability to help relax muscles, boost post-workout muscle recovery, and prevent delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMs) by increasing blood flow to the soft tissues and reducing lactic acid buildup. While researchers have yet to confirm the efficacy of massage guns specifically, studies do support the therapeutic capabilities of vibration therapy and massage, both of which are part of percussive therapy. What to Look for in a Massage Gun Noise The motors that power massage guns can be surprisingly loud, so it can be a rather unpleasant experience to use them on neck and shoulder muscles. Luckily, lots of the newer models prioritize decreasing this motor noise. Stall Force This term refers to the amount of pressure you can apply to the head of the massage gun before the motor stalls. [It`s important because if you want to add the pressure of the massage gun on the tissues and the unit stops moving, then it`s not helpful and the massage gun isn`t doing what you need it to do," says Dr. Karena Wu, PT, and owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy in New York City and India. Folks who want deeper, more aggressive percussive therapy typically need massage guns with higher stall force. Weight Because these devices are often held with one hand, weight is a vital factor. [Weight is important because you have to hold the unit in your hand and be in a position to have the massage gun hit your tissues," says Wu. She notes that if a unit is too heavy, you can end up with a fatigued arm, unable to target the correct tissues. You want to feel confident that you can hold the massage gun steadily and safely on the targeted muscle while it`s running at top speed. Customizability Some massage guns come with a handful of head attachments, some offer an adjustable head angle on the device itself, some provide both of these features, and some neglect both. Wu says that pinpoint, flat, and curved attachments help target a variety of different muscles and tensions. [If you`re really tight and tender, then starting with a flat head attachment would be best to warm up the tissues without discomfort," she says. Consider customizability as you think about which muscles you typically need to target and what type of massage therapy you enjoy using on those muscles.