Does a massage gun break up fascia?

Author: Prof. Leta Howell DVM  |  Last update: Monday, December 1, 2025

It vibrates to help blood, oxygen and nutrients flow into the muscles, which can promote healing and faster recovery after a workout. Massage guns can also break up the tissue around the muscles (muscle fascia). This tissue can tighten up when it's stressed, which can lead to muscle stiffness or soreness.

Can a massage gun release fascia?

Massage gun therapy is a great fascia release therapy for everyone. For individuals with Lipedema, fascia blasting massage guns can aid in reducing the appearance of lumpy or swollen areas, enhancing overall body contouring and improving mobility.

Does massage loosen fascia?

Myofascial release therapy is a type of gentle, constant massage that releases tightness and pain throughout your myofascial tissues. First, your healthcare provider will locate trigger points, or knots, in your fascial tissues. Then, they'll gently apply pressure until they feel the tension release.

What injury can a massage gun cause?

A massage gun may conceivably cause a cervical artery dissection through the vibration it transmits, especially if used inappropriately or aggressively, on segments of the neck vessels where there are gaps in the muscle and bone coverings.

What are the negative side effects of massage gun?

Massage guns can cause severe damage
  • Damage to blood vessels (arteries and veins). ...
  • Excessive damage to muscles leading to rhabdomyolysis (a condition that can damage the kidneys) either through excessive use or because the person has a systemic illness. ...
  • Damage to eyes after using the gun on the face.

What Do Massage Guns Do And Is It Worth It?

Does massage gun increase inflammation?

Risks of using a massage gun

Massage guns on injured and inflamed connective tissue can further damage the structure and increase inflammation. For example, use on a torn ligament, like an ankle sprain, could injure it further.

What does it feel like when fascia releases?

When fascia releases, it can feel like taffy softening. Sometimes people may feel cold or heat, tingling or buzzing, burning, or a sense of water or air moving through the area. They may also notice a sensation in an area other than that being treated.

How do you dissolve fascia?

If you have fascia pain that isn't going away with stretching, try to loosen trigger points by trying the following:
  1. Heat therapy. Take a hot shower or bath or place a heat source on the uncomfortable area.
  2. Yoga. ...
  3. Using a foam roller. ...
  4. Massage therapy. ...
  5. Acupuncture. ...
  6. Physical therapy. ...
  7. Cold therapy. ...
  8. Fascia blasting.

How long does it take to break down fascia?

Most injury to fascia heals within six to eight weeks period. Occasionally, chronic inflammation and pain affect fascia, causing problems such as painful movement or fibromyalgia.

Where not to use massage gun?

And to use massage guns safely, people should avoid the following areas on their body, Krzyzanowicz said:
  • Neck.
  • Eyes.
  • Directly over the heart.
  • Inner groin.
  • Directly behind the knee.
  • Reproductive organs.
  • Areas with decreased sensitivity, such as something that's numb from surgery.

Can I massage my own fascia?

When you find a tender spot, sink into that tissue with slow, gentle pressure, and do not force yourself to push through pain. Simple self-care practices like self-myofascial release and self-massage can go a long way to keeping you tuned up and feeling good.

Is a massage gun good for plantar fascia?

Yes. Massage guns can break the inflammation of the tissue that passes from the base of your foot, connecting your heel bone with your toes. Targeting the massage gun on the affected area improves your blood circulation thoroughly, eases the nerve, and lightens your plantar fasciitis tension.

Can a massage gun break up scar tissue?

But while there is plenty of anecdotal evidence in support of using them to break up scar tissue, this effect has yet to be proven by clinical studies. Ask your healthcare provider before using a massage gun to ensure your wound is completely healed and ready.

How do you release a fascia knot?

Foam rolling: Try a foam roller, a cylinder of hard foam that you roll your body over to release tension. It's a form of self-massage. You can also do this with a lacrosse ball.

Can fascia hold trauma?

The fascia around the psoas is one of the most common areas I have seen patients store trauma. It makes sense with trauma that when our brain is not able to process what is happening it stores it away in the fascia.

Why is my fascia rotting?

Causes of Fascia Rot

The most common reasons for fascia rots are improper installation of drip edges and gutters, which are both meant to direct water away from your home. This issue can indicate water buildup in other parts of the house.

Does drinking water help fascia?

Keeping hydrated is an important component in the health of your fascia. Since fascia is made up of 70% water, it is crucial to keep your body hydrated. When fascia gets dehydrated it loses the ability to slide and glide against other tissues.

How to tell if fascia is tight?

Symptoms and Causes
  1. Pain that's aching, throbbing, tight, stiff or vice-like.
  2. Trigger points (small bumps, nodules or knots in your muscle that causes pain when touched and sometimes when they're not touched). These commonly develop as the condition worsens.
  3. Sore, tender muscles.
  4. Weak muscles.
  5. Reduced range of motion.

What body part should you not use myofascial release on?

Avoid direct pressure near bones or joints. These areas are sensitive and applying intense force can lead to discomfort or even injury. The soft tissue around joints is often delicate, with less muscle mass to dissipate the pressure, making them vulnerable during therapy.

Why is myofascial release so painful?

It can just feel that way. Fascial tissue that is thickened, glued, restricted, and tight has many points of attachment in the body. Softening and easing tension in one area often leads to a sensation of tightness or pain in another.

When not to use massage gun?

Seek medical advice first before using a massage gun if you have: An inflammatory disorder. Warfarin and heparin prescription. Muscle strain, varicose veins, ligament sprain, high blood pressure, and conditions affecting blood vessels like thrombosis.

Does Theragun break up fascia?

While massage guns can aid in overall muscle relaxation and may help with some superficial fascial issues, their effectiveness in breaking down deeper fascial adhesions is unclear. The rapid percussion might not penetrate deeply enough to impact significant adhesions.

Can a massage gun break up fat?

Massage guns are designed to help improve muscle recovery, increase blood flow, and reduce muscle soreness and tension. While using a massage gun may help to improve circulation, it is not designed to burn fat directly.

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