A massage gun or a percussion massager offers percussive and vibration therapy which is said to provide some of the same benefits of massage. Massage guns replicate a professional massage without the cost or need to book an appointment with a therapist.
A massage gun tool usually costs upwards of $100 and looks similar to an electric drill. They offer an intense massage and usually can be combined with a range of attachments such as balls of differing firmness and tips resembling fingers. They also have a variety of different settings depending on your needs.
Despite that they are designed for everyone, they are highly popular among athletes such as those training for marathons or triathlons.
However, it is important to be aware that the benefits of a massage gun also come with some risks. Keep reading to find out how a massage gun can help you and what you should know before you decide to use one.
What are the benefits of a massage gun?
Many massage therapists recommend massage guns for use at home in between massage treatments or as part of recovery. They can be used daily for periods of up to an hour to replicate the work of a professional massage therapist.
In the same way as a conventional massage, a massage gun works to reduce inflammation in the body’s muscles by draining the extracellular fluids such as venous blood and lymph fluid out of the muscle tissue into the body’s circulatory system. It can also aid in relaxing muscles, scar tissue, and adhesions and reduce muscle tension and soreness.
One study claimed that such percussive therapy as offered by a massage gun is as effective as traditional massage in preventing the onset of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).
Many other types of bodywork or massage are not possible to perform on your own body. However, a massage gun enables you to perform a percussive massage on yourself, whenever you need it.
It is recommended that you use the massage gun on your own body rather than getting someone else to do so, as only you can know how much pressure you are using or the pain you are experiencing. Using a massage gun on another person could result in injury or increased pain.
If you use a massage gun on yourself, you know exactly how much pressure to apply to varying parts of your body. You will also know which parts of your body to avoid such as your funny bone.
Massage guns can also be used to warm up the body before a workout or after a workout to aid in muscle recovery. They can also be used for non-athletes as they are simple to use and can help to reduce muscle tension and improve function.
Precautions
Before you decide to use a massage gun, it is important to speak to a medical professional. It is also important to be aware that you can overuse a massage gun. If the part of your body you are massage becomes red, it means that there is a lot of blood flowing to that area and it is recommended to move to a different part of your body.
You should avoid using the massage gun in one place for too long as it can cause bruising and tenderness, move the gun around instead.
To sum up…
Massage gun devices can be used by people of all ages whether you are recovering from a sports injury or you suffer from back pain due to spending hours at your office desk every day. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and the precautions you should take when using a massage gun.
