Massage Guns
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What are Massage Guns?
Massage guns are small, handheld devices that resemble a power drill used to alleviate muscle tone and pain. When turned on, these guns work with very quick and rapid percussion movements to massage soft tissue in the body.
Massage guns are used to massage our muscles
What Does a Massage Gun do to your Muscles? What are the Benefits of Using One?
Massage guns are used quite simply to massage your muscles. Similarly to getting a massage, these devices help reduce muscle tension, improve flexibility, and assist with recovery after a workout or injury. They have become much more popular over the years due to becoming more and more affordable for the general population and proving that they can assist with recovery time.
Whether you are a weekend warrior, a young athlete, or have just started experiencing bodily aches and pains, massage guns are a unique intervention that can be used to assist with helping the body feeling better.
Click to learn more about Muscle Strains and Injuries.
Which Massage Gun is the Best?
The price of massage guns, depending on brand and type, has a wide variety of price ranges. Each gun typically has something unique about it that distinguishes it from the other. For example, one kind of massage gun has a heating element in its head, which can help provide thermal therapy and percussion massage treatment. Another gun is a miniature version of the massage gun; it is smaller in size and has metal-tipped heads that can be used with massage oil to help glide across the skin.
Ranking massage guns from best to worst is not normally the question to consider. Instead, consider how you plan to use the massage gun. Do you want a high-powered massage gun with a long battery life that can be used multiple times a day? Or, would you prefer a smaller massage gun that could be lighter and easier to handle that you will only use once or twice a week?
How do you Properly use a Massage Gun? Can you use a Massage Gun on Yourself?
You can use a massage gun on your own
Massage guns can be used by someone else controlling the gun on your soft tissue or by you personally using the device. However, massage guns are powerful! Due to the speed and force of the massage gun head, these guns typically are not to be used on bony surfaces, fractures, dislocated joints, cancerous skin conditions, burns, etc. Always consult the directions of the massage gun prior to use or speak with your physical therapist if you have questions.
To properly use a massage gun, find an area of soft tissue/muscle on your body that appears tender. Gently aim the massage gun at that area and add pressure to the tissue but not aggressively. Aim to massage that area for around 10-20 seconds, then release. If the site is more extensive, try sweeping motion from the start to finish of the tender spot. Some massage guns have a pressure sensor to tell you if you push too hard around an area.
How Often Should I Use a Massage Gun?
Massage guns can be used whenever soft tissue in the human body feels tight or restricted. As long as massage guns are not used for a very long duration with deep pressure, the risks of any major health problems occurring with massage guns are very low.
Massage Guns With Rehabilitation
It is common for physical and occupational therapists to use massage guns when treating patients. It is not a replacement for manual therapy techniques but it may help to augment them. Physical therapy with a massage gun is usually referred to as Electronic Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization or EIASTM.
Click to learn about Medical Massage Therapy at JOI.
What Should You Not Do with a Massage Gun?
Massage guns are not used to improve strength or necessary improve any joint mobility. Massage guns can decrease soft tissue tension, just like a massage would.
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