A massage gun works great to help relieve shoulder and neck pain. Focusing on areas like the levator scapulae and upper trap muscles is a good place to start. But make sure to be aware of the precautions before beginning. An important precaution is to not use a percussion massager on the front of the neck.
In terms of effectiveness, muscle massage guns have been shown to be highly effective in treating muscle knots. One study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that using a massage gun for just one minute on each trigger point led to significant reductions in pain and discomfort.
These are areas of the body where deep, sustained pressure should be avoided because of the structures that lie beneath. Those areas are the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck, suprasternal notch, sternum, axilla, spinal column, umbilical area, inguinal triangle, popliteal fossa, and the antecubital fossa.
Stock: The part of the gun that you hold or, in the case of rifles, shotguns and machine guns, press against your shoulder.
Shoulder pain massage therapy can help a lot with all kinds of rotator cuff injuries. By working directly on the four muscles, as well as the other shoulder joint muscles, a well trained massage therapist can restore range of motion.
Stay away from bony areas. And if you have an injury, check with a physical therapist before using a massage gun on it. Malek recommends avoiding going over any area of acute pain or injury, which can aggravate the issue. If you feel more sore after using a massage gun, you've pushed too hard or too long.
Flat Head. The Flat head attachment is the perfect head for all over use (general full body massage), other areas that may be best targeted with this attachment are the shoulders and the lateral aspect of the upper legs (the IT bands).
Proper Use of a Massage Gun
Move the gun slowly over the target area, spending about 15-30 seconds on each muscle group. Avoid staying in one spot for too long, as this can cause bruising or tissue damage.
Certain skin conditions, such as open wounds, burns, rashes, or contagious skin infections (like impetigo or fungal infections), should not be treated with massage. Even non-contagious skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema may be aggravated by massage if not handled carefully.
Points on the body that we do not massage are: The spine, as it can be irreparably injured. The abdomen, especially when it comes to pregnant women or people with stomach and abdominal diseases. The head, when there is an injury or other factors including inflammation and swelling.
Do not use a massage gun on areas where your skin has cuts or rashes, since the tool could cause further irritation. Do not use a massage gun on areas where you have an injury, torn muscle, pain, swelling, or any similar concern. Avoid using a massage gun on a bony area.
The back is one of the most requested areas in any massage. It's where many people carry stress, tension, and discomfort from sitting, standing, or physical activity. Therapists focus on the upper, middle, and lower back to release tightness and improve mobility. The neck and shoulders are another high-tension zone.
Massage Guns
These high-powered tools use percussive therapy to melt away muscle pain, increase blood flow, and break up stiffness. And because they're so user-friendly, they're a fantastic choice for rotator cuff massage.
Massage can help reduce the pain of muscle knots by increasing blood flow to the affected area and relaxing tense muscles. When you massage a knot, it often feels like you are stretching a rope or taffy which is stuck in your muscle tissues.
Best massage gun overall
The Theragun is the massage gun that most people know, but the Hypervolt 2 Pro is my top pick because it feels just as powerful, but is so much quieter. It's my most-used massage gun and my top recommendation for someone who is looking to invest in a device they'll use frequently.
Can a massage gun break down fat? The short answer is NO. There is no reliable evidence that shows massage guns can break down fat cells on their own. However…