Now that I have your attention, there really isn’t a particular problem with massage guns! They are the newest and hottest tools on the market aimed to help you recover and relieve pain. First off, let’s talk about what a massage gun is and why they’re used.
Massage guns like Theragun or Hypervolts (or any of the brands found on Amazon) are implements used for percussion or vibration therapy. This is accomplished by the oscillations from the gun head into the soft tissue you’re aiming at. The aim for this type of therapy is to provide blood flow to a specific area of soft tissue or muscles along with providing tension relief and symptom modification.
The team has been fielding a ton of questions about massage guns recently so here are 3 things to consider before using them:
1. If you’re having pain make sure you understand where it’s coming from and why it’s occurring! I’ve heard countless times of clients’ having an acute flare up and using a massage gun which ends up making it worse. If it’s acute (2-3 days after onset) the body isn’t going to appreciate a pounding from a gun. My recommendation is to use it for muscle tightness and muscle soreness!
2. In my opinion, massage guns are amazing for delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) so you can bounce back from your workout and continue to train as hard! Again, the goal is for improved blood flow to targeted areas of tension so there are multiple ways to achieve this with the massage gun being one tool. Other tools include foam rollers, soft tissue massage from a Licensed Massage Therapist (we might know two awesome ones 😉 ), and active, low impact exercises such as walking, swimming, hiking, or biking for an active recovery day!
3. Lastly, the massage guns are just another tool to add to your arsenal. The caveat includes ensuring you have the rest of your routine dialed in such as sleeping, nutrition, and hydration in order to make sure you’re recovering optimally. These are the absolute most important variables to address before you even think about trying to solve your issues with a massage gun! Think of the gun as a supplement that can give you an edge but it will not replace a good night’s rest, nutrient dense food, and a big glass of H20. These topics have been covered recently by Coach Alex in this blog if you want more information!
Truthfully, it is another option to help you feel better and move better. I know I have done my job well if my clients are educated and empowered to manage their symptoms and continue living healthy, active lifestyles including the use of instruments like a massage gun when appropriately indicated. Massage guns do not replace an actual session of Physical Therapy to assess the why and source of pain first but can be another tool to keep your crushing those workouts!
As always, we hope this helps you and if you need anything from me, or the team at Sports Performance, email us at TeamSP@SportsPerformancePT.com or, text us! You can reach us at (619) 724 – 4427!
-Dr. Jason
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