You’ve probably seen people using them around the gym, and maybe they’ve even popped up on your social media feed – especially if you’ve been searching for pain relief strategies online. A massage gun – or therapy gun as they are sometimes called – seems to be trending as the latest home treatment. And we’ve seen our fair share of its victims in the office. While we encourage home exercises to complement your treatments here, we want you to be wary of DIY fixes for soft tissue. Many times they can do far more damage than you might think.

What Is A Massage Gun?

There are several varieties of massage guns, but they all operate with the same basic principle. They are designed to provide percussive therapy, typically by fast movement of a soft ball-shaped end. The pressure and vibration aim to relax tight muscles and soothe away pain, like a self-massage. Generally, they have different settings or maybe even built-in programs that automatically change speed and power for you. Cost ranges from about $60 to $600+ depending on brand and features.

Do They Work?

The short answer is yes and no. The concept is sound, to an extent. We utilize a massage gun occasionally in our office when warranted to help release adhesions in combination with manual techniques. In short bursts and when used by a neuromuscular therapist, this type of percussive therapy can be effective. However, it’s easily overutilized. Many people purchase these devices and begin aggressively targeting their sore spots, which can make inflammation worse. And, they don’t actually work deep enough into the fascia to create lasting change. That’s why we generally don’t recommend them for home use, and definitely not as a replacement for in-office NMT.

You’ve Been Warned

You know how a certain fast food chain had to label their hot beverage cups with a phrase like “This contains hot liquid?” We don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, but we’ve seen one too many patients beat up with the at-home massage gun to not say something about it. So, let this serve as a PSA to use these types of devices with caution. Less is more. When you come in for your visit, feel free to ask any questions you might have about massage guns (especially if you already have one). We are happy to discuss the pros and cons in more detail, but for now – you’ve been warned!