Always do your best to vibrate the massager only over muscles. Avoid joints and bones, especially if you have any type of arthritis. It's never a good idea to use a massage gun directly over any part of the spine, Fredericson adds, including the neck.
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.
It's perfectly safe to use a massage gun on your abdomen and relieve your muscles with percussive massage. As is the case with other body parts, you have to be careful while using it. Avoid holding a gun in a static position for more than a few seconds and move it around in a small radius in one area instead.
Apart from the injuries we have listed above, it's not recommended to use a percussion massager on injuries like sprains, broken bones, or large areas of swelling or bruising. Chronic pain conditions like hypertension, varicose veins, rheumatoid arthritis, and others could become worse if you use a massage gun.
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.
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.
Here is an overview of what body parts you should avoid with a massage gun: Your head or face. The front of the neck. Throat or carotid artery.
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.
Professional boundaries in massage therapy are crucial for creating a respectful environment. Any form of non-consensual physical contact is strictly prohibited, including sexual advances or inappropriate touching.
Massage therapists understand that their clients may fall asleep during a session and do not consider it rude at all. In fact, they often see it as a compliment that their techniques are so effective in inducing relaxation.
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 short answer is NO. There is no reliable evidence that shows massage guns can break down fat cells on their own.
Don't overdo it.
Experts advise not to use a massage gun for more than 10 to 15 minutes and to avoid concentrating on a specific area for more than one to two minutes per session. Using your massage gun for too long can be counterproductive, resulting in soreness, increased tightness, and bruising.
While it is possible to use a massage gun on your belly, it is generally not recommended as the abdomen contains many vital organs and delicate structures that could be harmed by the intense pressure and vibrations of a massage gun.
Do vibration plates help you lose belly fat? Research suggests that they may help you lose belly fat. A study found that vibration plates were better at reducing visceral fat than a traditional aerobic and resistance training program.
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.
“If you're treating a more specific area, having more control with a smaller head can be helpful and also improve safety with its use.” Manage frequency. While you can use a massage gun daily, Dr. Aeder recommends limiting use to two to three times per day.
In rare cases when a massage is applied too hard or if a preexisting injury exists in the neck, massage can lead to serious complications, such as vertebral artery damage and stroke. To experience the soothing effects of a neck massage, most people do not need the massage to be vigorous.
We do not recommend placing the head of the massage gun directly over bone or the front wall of your chest because: a) it will be uncomfortable, b) it will not likely be effective, and c) may pose a risk to your bone or heart.
A foam roller is often the better choice for improving overall mobility or flexibility, releasing tight fascia, and addressing larger muscle groups like the legs, back, or hips.