You've seen them everywhere the internet and social media. Plus your favorite athletes, fitness pros, and even celebrities sing their praises. But is a massage gun really worth all the hype? A massage gun, or percussive therapy massage gun, can help with recovery, muscle aches, and pain relief. These electric tools usually resemble power drills, and they deliver a vigorous massage and often come with a variety of attachments, such as balls of varying firmness and finger-like tips. Yet, is this device just for professionals? And when is it worth investing the money to get your own massage gun? Below is the info you really need about why the massage gun is so popular and why you should consider taking one home for yourself. A massage gun is a relatively new tool and just started gaining widespread popularity. Many people now own their own massage guns at home, so what are the benefits of using such a tool?
A massage gun isn’t just for workout recovery
The tool is best known as a workout recovery device, but it was actually developed specifically as a pain management tool by a chiropractor. The doctors name is Dr. Jason Wersland and he created the device after injuries from a motorcycle accident. He was looking for an alternative to surgery or pain medication. Dr. Wersland found percussive therapy to be an effective option for managing challenging pain. He built the first model of the massage gun himself. As a pain-relief tool, it can be helpful for a variety of complaints including tension, knots, aches, pains and of course, sore muscles. Massage guns are also able to good aid to break up scar tissue. Scar tissue helps to repair damaged fibers in your body. Unfortunately, it does not have the same elasticity as other muscle tissues in your body. For this reason, breaking down this type of tissue can help with alleviating pain. Massage guns are also great for bouncing back after intense workout sessions. A massage gun is able to deliver targeted vibrations to your muscles using percussive therapy. This therapy helps to improve circulation and allows for more oxygen and nutrients to enter into your muscles. This can alleviate pain and help you recover faster; many users find the vibrational healing helps them recover from workouts quicker than normal.
A massage gun can help your workout performance
When you use a massage gun or other percussive therapy device can help enhance your workouts and prime your body for additional exercise. Using the device pre-workout can help activate your muscles and increase your range of motion. After using a massage gun to warm up, you’ll may find that your joints are more flexible and you have better blood circulation, thereby improving your range of motion.
A massage gun can help with injury recovery
Countless sports injuries are caused by muscle cramps and the lack of suitable recovery before the muscles are strained once again. Using a massage gun to improve your blood and oxygen circulation, you can reduce the likelihood of over training or wearing out a muscle too fast. If you have suffer from an injury, a massage gun can help you speed up your recovery and improve healing by improving blood flow. Of course, a massage gun shouldn’t be the primary or only treatment for your recovery, but it can provide significant assistance in your overall recovery and rehabilitation plan. Always check with a doctor if you have concerns.
A massage gun is more intense than foam rolling or massage therapy
When it comes to workout recovery, percussive therapy devices are often compared to deep tissue massages or even foam rolling. Since the massage gun and other percussive therapy devices have a force up to 60 pounds, they can go deeper than a foam roller or even a deep tissue massage. Another advantage is the surface area is smaller than a foam roller, meaning it can give you targeted relief in hard to reach places Percussive therapy can also prevent the aches and soreness you may experience from lactic acid byproduct (this is what causes the sore feeling) that can build up throughout an intense workout session. When oxygen levels are also low in the body, lactic acid builds up in the bloodstream and you may have difficulties burning it off (this happens often after exercise) which can lead to cramps in your muscles. When you use a massage gun, it can help your body release lactic acid and other toxins.
A massage gun is like having your own personal massage therapist (for less money)
Scheduled deep tissue or sports massages can be a big investment in time and money. It may cost you more up front than a typical massage session but over time it can save you money. The average price for massage guns is $300-$600 plus (although you may be able to use your FSA!) and a single massage session is averages $100. Even if you don't totally give up your massages, having a massage gun on hand can be very beneficial for in-between sessions or daily use.
A massage gun can help you sleep better and manage stress
The massage gun is called that for a reason. The device feels like an intense massage which can be extremely conducive for relaxation and stress reduction. Even if you’re unsure if the device will help you relieve stress, body aches and pains will keep anyone up at night. It can be helpful to try it before you go to bed to help soothe aches and pains so you can fall asleep.
How to know if a massage gun is right for you?
Massage guns offer a great many benefits of massage without the repeated expense or the hassle to visit a massage therapist. If you work out frequently and are serious about recovery and performance, a massage gun may be a great option for you. If you're still hesitant to buy one, you may be able to try using one at your gym, a massage therapy office, or can purchase one using your FSA dollars. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
