What Happens to Your Body When You Use a Massage Gun?
- Written by News Co Media
If you spend any length of time on social media, you've probably seen a massage gun at some point. It's everywhere. With celebrities and athletes raving about it, these handy devices took off as one of the biggest fitness trends ever. However, does it really work?
Are massage guns truly effective, or just another come-and-go gadget? What does it contribute to you and your health? In this article, we'll tackle the science-backed benefits of using a massage gun.
5 Effects You'll Feel When You Use a Massage Gun
To see if this recovery device works, you should check if it’s supported by facts. What do experts say about massage guns? Has it been scientifically-tested? To answer these questions, here are the 5 expert-approved effects you'll experience when you use a massage gun.
No more soreness and pain
Have you ever felt too sore after a long day of sitting down? I have, and so have a lot of people working from home. However, there's already a modern solution to this problem. It's called a massage gun, and you can use it to relax at home.
When switched on, massage guns provide targeted vibration therapy. Every pulse reaches deep into your muscle knots and helps relieve pain. A conducted study even confirmed that massage could reduce DOMS and swelling by 30%.
Aside from soreness, this recovery device also helps with the following body aches:
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Muscle spasms and cramps
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Muscle strains
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Sciatica
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Plantar fasciitis
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Bursitis
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Carpal tunnel syndrome
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Tendonitis
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Shin splints
Fast muscle recovery
We all know that recovering instantly like a superhero is impossible. No one can heal themselves in a second. However, massage guns can help speed up your recovery process.
With massage guns, you can recover quicker than using other tools. According to a 2021 comparison study, you'll feel its effect on your muscles within 2 minutes of using it. Compared to paying for a massage therapist, it's faster and more cost-efficient.
Better sleep quality
Can't sleep because of a stiff shoulder, or unexpected muscle tension? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. It's a frustrating hassle. To make it worse, you try to sleep the pain away, then wake up feeling worse because you toss and turn and can’t find the right sleeping posture.
Using a massage gun can help you sleep better. You can use it for at least 10 minutes, right before hitting the sack. In fact, a surprising study concluded that 87% of the participants fell asleep 4 minutes and 15 seconds faster than before.
For this reason, massage guns are handy if you're also dealing with chronic pain. For example, fibromyalgia patients use this device whenever their condition flares up. It makes the pain manageable and improves their sleep quality over time.
Reduced stress levels
Stress is inevitable. For everyone stuck at home, it can pile up and affect your day-to-day activities. Eventually, high stress levels can lead to psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
To get rid of stress, include using a massage gun in your self-care routine. It’d be like having your own massage therapist anytime, anywhere. Another advantage is you don’t need to go outside or pay for multiple massage appointments.
As you use a massage gun on your muscles, it also relieves mental stress. The result? A healthy mind and body. A 2018 scientific research suggested this health benefit, stating that massaging your worries away works against anxiety and depression.
Improved range of motion
Similar to physical therapy, using a massage gun provides long-term benefits. A great example of such is improving your body's range of motion.
When used consistently, massage guns help you move better. With every pulse, it molds and activates your muscles for flexibility. This effect is backed up further by a 2020 analysis. During the study, they proved that using a massage gun increases your range of motion.
That's why, fitness enthusiasts trust these recovery tools. It helps with their warm-up routines so they can move without any limits. After working out, it's also useful for relaxing sore muscles.
In Summary
Massage guns have become popular for a reason. For the most part, it's because they work. Many scientific studies back them up, and they're here to stay.
However, here's a word of advice. Even if you get the best massage gun in the world, it won't work if you don't. It can't provide 100% of its benefits if you don't change up your routine.
Yes, Using a massage gun can alleviate back pain. But, you can prevent it entirely if you match this device with good posture and physical exercise. In that way, you can maximize its benefits.
Ultimately, massage guns are here to help you. It's the best device for stepping up your fitness game. To see if it's effective, try it for yourself, and share your experience in the comments below.