Over the last few years, the body massage gun has become one of the essential items in gyms, physiotherapy clinics, and even at home. These easily portable devices claim to reduce muscle soreness, enhance recovery, and improve physical well-being.
Athletes, gym goers, or individuals with tension in muscles – most people would benefit from a massage gun. However, in order to fully utilize the massage gun, it is necessary to ensure that you know how to use it properly.
This article will explain how to properly use a body massage gun, including all the necessary equipment and further explain the techniques for its application.
What Is A Body Massage Gun?
A body massage gun usually refers to a battery or electric-powered deep tissue percussion therapy device. This device has the appearance of a power drill. The head has a movable shaft that can move back and forwards giving a deep muscle therapy.
There are several types of attachments and adjustment of speed factors. In most of the massagers such that the user can adjust the settings depending on the objective. A massager’s primary objective is to reduce soreness from exercises or strains. It also releases muscular tension and expedites recuperation by facilitating blood flow.
Purpose of Using a Massage Gun
- Relieve Muscle Soreness and Stiffness: The most common reason for using a massage gun is to relieve muscle soreness and stiff muscles. Due to strenuous physical endeavors such as a workout or running, the muscles will tend to be sore. As a result, they may clutch up most uncomfortably. It may end up in Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and can be minimized through the use of a massage gun, which massages the sore muscles out.
- Improved Blood Circulation: Massage guns increase the blood flow into the muscles. This will deliver nutrients along with strength allowing the muscle to recover and repair itself. Increasing blood flow also decreases inflammation and increases the healing of swelling. It also helps drain fluids that may have helped to heal the injury.
- Increase range of motion and flexibility: Continued use of a massage gun will reduce these hard muscles and cause greater extensibility and motion distance. Especially athletes and people who work for long periods sitting down, as a result, may exhibit stiffness due to long sitting.
- Break Up Scar Tissue: Scar tissue occurs when the soft tissues in the muscles get damaged in an accident or through overuse. The percussive action that is delivered when using a massage gun tends to also destroy such scar tissues. This enhances the movements as well as the range of motion of the muscle.
- Encourage Peacefulness and Relieve Stress: Apart from the physical gains, it also gives relaxation and stress alleviation. It stimulates the nervous system and releases endorphins. These hormones are the body’s pain suppressants.
How To Properly Use The Body Massage Gun?
Not knowing the correct method will do us more harm than good, so we need to know the rules first. Here’s the right way to use a body massage gun:
Select an Appropriate Detachable Head
Most brands of massage guns usually include various detachable heads for relevant areas of muscles. For example, the bullet head is for a small target area, such as the buttock area. On the other hand, the circular head is for large muscle group areas. Such as thighs and calf muscles.
Use The Lowest Setting First
Use the lowest setting first if it is your first time to use the product for any steep massaging. It lets your body adjust to the feeling and prevents you from experiencing any pain. When this happens, you can gradually add more speed and intensity that you feel is more appropriate for the exercises at hand.
Glide Over the Muscles
Lightly gripping the massage gun aims at placing it over the muscles, while slowly moving it over the surface area being worked on. Use in low pressures, and do not leave the device in the same area for extended periods because this may lead to bruising or irritation. The goal of this is to relieve the muscles, not inflict pain.
Focus on Sore Areas
Sore or sensitive areas tend to be more focused on even without any guidance. If sharp pains occur, stop immediately. Because there is a chance of an internal injury that may need medical intervention.
Limit Session Duration
A common massage gun session should last for about 10 to 15 minutes. Medium to even severe bruising predominantly in the skin or skin irritation may occur with any prolonged fixation. For best results, make use of the device after exercise routines or at night, towards the end of the day to promote relaxation and recuperation.
Avoid Certain Areas
Do not use the massage gun on bones, joints, or sensitive areas like the neck, spine, or stomach. The percussive force can cause damage or discomfort in these areas. Focus on large muscle groups like the back, legs, and shoulders. And consume enough water during massage gun therapy to stay hydrated. Water intake being enough will also assist in muscle recovery.
Final Thought
A body massager gun can be very effective in muscle recovery, pain relief, and relaxation only if used correctly. A clear objective about the usage, the right attachment for the device, and a specific way of using the device promotes optimum exploitation of it.
Do note, that just like every device aids in your post-exercise rehabilitation, so will a massage gun aid recovery. However, it is not a substitute for seeking medical attention when any situation arises. If you have any pre-existing health conditions or any other health-related concerns, please consult your doctor before attempting to use any massage gun.