ByLuke Deszczulka
Do not settle for anything less than High-Quality & Exceptional performance!
✅Lifetime warranty!
up to 25% off Ekrin⬇️@ Check Out
Your HSA/FSA expires on 31st Dec. All Ekrin massage guns are HSA/FSA eligible!
25% to 35%Discountis applied at checkout. For the best deals, click here →
Which is the best deep tissue massage gun? We are all here because we want to know about massage guns, right?
Well, in this world, deep tissue massage targets the deep layers of muscles and surrounding tissues. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for treating sports injuries and chronic pain. A massage gun is the perfect tool to have on hand if you want a daily deep-tissue massage.
But which one will go with (there are so many out there)? In this post, we will outline the key characteristics of the best deep-tissue massager.
TIP: If you are itchy to know which ones we prefer, we like Ekrin B37 (details ↓ below) and Bob and Brad D6 Pro (details ↓ below). The two have differences worth knowing. Check them out below!
We don’t really make massage guns, but we believe experience makes the best teachers (or massage gun users).
Even so, we recommend talking to your doctor first before using a massage gun.
In a nutshell, deep tissue massage targets deep muscles and fascia (the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles). This kind of massage involves the use of firm pressure and low strokes.
It helps to break up scar tissue and loose muscle adhesions. It also involves lengthening and shortening of muscles before working on them. The tissue structure is positively altered.
Usually, the therapist will begin with lighter action and then apply more pressure to get to the deep muscles and tissues. The lighter action is to warm up your muscles.
There is more than one technique used in deep tissue massage. The most common ones include stripping, where the therapist glides along the length of your muscles and fascia, and friction, which involves applying pressure across the muscle grain.
After a deep tissue massage session, you will be free to move your muscles and joints. But one time doesn’t always work the charm. Several sessions may be required if you have a serious injury or stubborn muscle tension.
We are not experts in knowing the inner workings of muscles, but scientists have studied the effects of deep tissue massage. One study1 confirms that it helps to reduce pain intensity in the short term. The same study also suggests that deep tissue massage can lead to an increased recovery perception.
There are also other widely known advantages of deep tissue massage, including;
There are additional benefits of deep tissue massage that further studies will likely reveal in the future. For now, it’s essential to note that deep tissue massage should be performed by a qualified therapist with the patient’s assistance (to identify any discomfort during the process).
We will let you know if you can use a massage gun below.
You can use a massage gun for deep tissue massage, but only if you know how to use one properly.
What about physios and therapists? They use massage guns, too. A deep pressure massager is a must-have tool for many physiotherapists.
“But I’m really interested in using a massage gun on myself.”
Well, if that is the case, then there are a few things to keep in mind:
We recommend checking with your doctor first if:
Remember, a massage gun is only effective when used correctly. Deep tissue massage can be sensitive, and for most people, doing it yourself may not be the best decision. If you are not sure, consult your doctor first.
If you don’t have any of the conditions we named above and have used a massage gun before, then you are probably good to go with your deep tissue massage.
But wait, there is more you need to know. Remember, not all guns can perform a deep tissue massage.
First, there are two significant kinds of massage guns:
But is one type better than the other?
Well, it depends on what you are looking for. Both types of muscle massagers can be effective.
But we are talking about deep tissue massage here, right?
Well, yes. But deep tissue massage doesn’t only mean deep hits – in which case you’ll only need a hard-hitting percussion massager.
In fact, it’s more about intensity or how fast the hits get into contact with the muscle. Also, there is a matter of how each type of deep tissue massage device feels on the skin.
Let’s explore the two types of devices, then.
Massage guns that vibrate more intensely against the skin are associated with vibration therapy. Vibration therapy is a well-researched method for releasing muscle tension.
Here’s how it works:
The fast strokes (vibrations), usually above 2500-3000 RPM, override the pain signals to the brain.
This translates to vibrations directly affecting our nervous system. In layman’s terms, the nervous system then communicates with the muscles, ‘telling’ them to relax.
But vibration therapy isn’t just used to ease muscle tension; it’s also perfect for lymphatic drainage and oxygen and nutrition transfer to tissues and muscles.
It’s also a way to help with injury rehabilitation, among other benefits.
This means that vibrations should not be taken lightly (at least not when it comes to deep tissue massage).
We are familiar with professional medical-grade vibration devices, such as Rapid Release Therapy, and others. We know how incredibly effective they have been, even before massage guns were introduced.
But those machines aren’t cheap, and they are noisy as hell! They are also quite large. This is where massage guns for deep-tissue come in for folks like you and me. This little deep tissue massage device isn’t as advanced, but it can be effective if used appropriately.
Expect most massage guns to be vibrational rather than deep-percussive. Many of them have a 10mm amplitude or less. Even so, it’s not just the amplitude that matters; it also matters how fast they can rev – not many can go above 3000 RPM.
Another aspect that matters is the stall force. Many deep-tissue guns lack sufficient stall force to resist pressure and maintain consistent hits. Many (at least 80%) will stall at the slightest pressure applied.
It’s therefore crucial that you pay attention to the correct specs if you want to find a good pressure massage gun.
So, what are we saying here?
We are saying that a low-to-medium amplitude device can be perfect for delivering deep tissue massage if it has the correct specifications.
That is, it must have just the correct amplitude, percuss fast enough, and have a decent stall force. That is why Ekrin B37 does it for us. It ticks all the right boxes for a deep tissue gun in this category.
We refer to it as a high-amplitude tissue massager gun. Although, as you will notice in our massage gun reviews, we refer to any device with a stroke length of more than 12mm as a high-amplitude massage gun. There are only a handful, so don’t worry about not knowing which one to go with.
One thing about these guns is that they often rev between 2,400 RPM and 2,700 RPM.
But where do they get their intensity (if intensity comes with faster hits)?
They get it from the harder hits. These devices will feel punchy on the skin. Some people prefer the punchy sensation that comes with using a massage muscle gun like this.
However, they are not the typical massage deep tissue gun for most folks. They are often perceived as being more aggressive (they hammer away at your muscles).
Some brands try to mitigate this perception by equipping them with softer attachments. If you pick up a percussion deep tissue massage gun with a high amplitude (it better be from a reputable brand), you’ll notice that it comes with both hard and soft attachments.
A good example of such guns includes the Theragun deep tissue massager. We have also recently reviewed Bob and Brad’s D6 Pro, which we have picked as our top representative of high-amplitude massage guns in this article, an affordable deep tissue massage gun.
Our Take:
So, which type is the best massage gun for deep tissue should you go for?
We believe type 1 massage guns are more universal and appealing to most folks. They also tend to feel just right on any muscle.
However, type 2 massage guns can be just as great.
However, they are best suited for those who prefer a more aggressive approach to deep tissue massage, utilizing a massage gun. They offer deep hits and can be especially effective on large muscle groups.
Let’s begin with a quick comparison table that summarizes the key specifications of our top contenders, followed by a detailed explanation of each of our best deep tissue massage gun picks.
| Ekrin B37 | Ekrin Kestrel | Bob and Brad D6 PRO | Theragun PRO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massage Gun Type | Vibrational | Vibrational | High Amplitude | High Amplitude |
| Stall Force | 56 lbs | 56 lbs | 60 lbs | 60 lbs |
| Amplitude | 12 mm | 13 mm | 16 mm | 16 mm |
| Percussion Range | 1400 – 3200 rpm | 1800 – 3500 rpm | 1460 – 2460 rpm | 1750 – 2400 rpm |
| Attachments | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Price (after discount) | $184 (-20%) | $280 (-20%) | $224 (-10%) | $539 (-10%) |
| Where to buy? | at Ekrinathletics.com | at Ekrinathletics.com | at Amazon.com | at Therabody.com |
| Discount Code | MGA20 (20% Off) | MGA20 (20% Off) | MGAD6PRO (10% Off) | X8YZF10 (10% Off) |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | 1 year | 2 years |
| Our Rating | 4.8 details & photos ↓ | 4.8 details & photos | 4.7 details & photos ↓ | 4.4 details & photos ↓ |
Our review score:
4.8
We’ve always had Ekrin Athletics at the top of our go-to massage gun brands. This is because they’ve always wowed us with their products and customer support. Their B37 muscle massage gun features here not because of the Ekrin household name, but because it merits being here.
Is it a deep tissue massage gun? We believe it is. Why?
First, Ekrin B37 ticks every box in terms of performance aspects that matter. It features a decent stroke length and a substantial stall force (56 lbs maximum). That is more than enough to massage even the stubborn muscle knots.
It’s specifically designed for deep tissue massage, with a range of 1400-3200 percussions per minute. You’ll find many muscle guns with a 12mm amplitude, but few can rev this fast. The speed setup is also great if you want to lower the intensity – 5 speed option.
Ekrin Athletics is the first brand to introduce the slanted handle – others simply copied it. The B37’s angled handle provides excellent ergonomics. You also get plenty of rubber on the handle.
Other than that, you also get 4 nicely varied attachments that can be used to massage all muscle groups. The battery is also great, and it will last a long time.
Is it the strongest Ekrin gun on the market? Not necessarily.
The Ekrin Kestrel model has a bit more power in the lower gears. But you’ll have to pay more to get it. Even so, the B37 has enough power to do the job here – we voted it the best massage gun on the market.
You can use the MGA20 code to get a 20% discount. So, instead of paying the full price of $349.99, you can grab it for just $280. It’s a great deal for a deep tissue massage device with such impressive features. On top of that, you’ll also receive lifetime warranties for your peace of mind.
Read More: Our complete, in-hand Ekrin Kestrel review shares more information on this device.
Our review score:
4.7
Bob and Brad are famous on the internet. They are reputed internet physiotherapists with a wealth of knowledge to offer. We’ve had some fun using and reviewing their massage guns (their line of massage guns includes the Q2, C2, T2, and X6 Pro).
We were surprised when we saw this Bob and Brad deep tissue massage gun, the D6 Pro. It’s completely different from the other massage guns. It is featured here because it possesses characteristics that make it an excellent tool for deep tissue massage.
First, it has a 16mm amplitude – the longest in the business – up to 60lbs. of stall force, and 2500 RPM. Very powerful!
Note #1:
This sounds more like Theragun Pro. Yes, it does. In fact, it bears a resemblance to the Theragun Pro. That said, it costs a few hundred bucks less than the fancy Pro, so we’ll take it.
Note #2:
But it doesn’t quit revving as fast as the B37 we just looked at. Well, that is because it belongs to the second category of deep tissue massage gun (our Type 2). The intensity comes mainly from the punchy hits.
Apart from its performance aspects, this best handheld deep tissue massager packs enough to be a decent long-term option. First, like Theragun Pro, it comes with decent-quality attachments. The majority of these are soft. This works well for those who don’t want the punchy hits to get too uncomfortable for them.
But because it comes cheap, don’t expect Theragun-Pro-like advantages (not all of them, at least).
For starters, you won’t get Bluetooth connectivity or be able to use the Therabody app. You also won’t have the option of a removable battery.
The deep tissue percussion massage gun comes with a 1-year warranty, but you can rest assured that the gun will last for years to come. We haven’t had problems with Bob and Brad devices.
You can use the MGAD6PRO3 code to receive a 10% discount at Amazon. Additionally, be sure to check the product page for any other available discounts. Here is the link to the Amazon listing.
Read More: Check out our in-hand Bob and Brad D6 Pro review for more details.
Our review score:
4.6
If anyone ever wanted to argue for Theragun Pro being overpriced, they’d simply have to bring along the Ekrin Kestrel. It’s probably one of the best Theragun alternative.
It falls in the first category (Type 1) of muscle deep tissue gun here. But why have it here when we already listed the D6 Pro above? Well, because it offers a bit more than the D6 Pro and qualifies as the option the big guys may want to go for.
For starters, the Ekrin Kestrel has 3500 RPM (that’s 1100 RPM more than Theragun Pro and the D6 Pro above). This is despite having about a similar amount of power and a 13mm amplitude.
This makes the Kestrel a powerful option to have. Not only does it hit hard, but at the highest RPM, the hits can also get intense.
But does the Ekrin Kestrel really rev that fast? Yes, it does. We verified it with our laser tachometer.
Aside from that, Ekrin Athletics is a proven brand with extensive experience in the industry. The Ekrin Kestrel is a solid, best deep tissue gun that will serve you for a long time.
It features a slanted handle for easier handling. It also has very good attachments – including soft ones for sensitive areas.
It comes with a lifetime warranty – not many can do better than this muscle percussion massage gun.
It’s cheaper than Theragun Pro. You can get a 20% discount by using our exclusive MGA20 code. So instead of $349.99, you will pay only $279. Buy it at Ekrin Athletics.com.
Read More: Navigate to our comprehensive Ekrin Kestrel review for more details and photos taken.
Our review score:
4.4
In May 2020, Theragun rebranded as Therabody; however, its muscle therapy massage gun remains known as Theragun. The Pro is their top-of-the-line Theragun deep tissue. It’s the one with all the features that the giant brand can master for its clientele.
The PRO itself does nothing special in terms of deep tissue massage. The D6 Pro above offers the same features (the features that matter, i.e., amplitude, stall force, and percussions per minute).
But the Theragun Pro is well-respected among physios and Chiros for a lot of other reasons that we’ll see shortly.
First, though, let’s see what it has to offer in terms of performance. We’ll start with the stroke length. Theragun pioneered the long 16mm amplitude. Even their earlier deep tissue massage device had a 16mm amplitude.
Again, this falls in the second category of massage guns for our case here (Type 2). It’s not just the stroke length; Theragun Pro has about 60 lbs. of no-stall force at the top speed.
However, it’s revs max out at only 2450 RPM. As we already explained, most of the intensity will come from the deep hits.
Now, Theragun Pro may offer plenty in performance, but as we have already seen, the other guns have about the same features, if not better. However, Therabody has a few standout features that the others cannot boast of.
The number one feature is Bluetooth connectivity and an intuitive app. The Therabody App allows you to massage using the preset routines. The personal muscle massager gun adjusts accordingly when you pick a particular routine. This could be awesome for folks who are new to percussion therapy.
Other features include an adjustable arm (5th Gen) and a Theragun Super-soft attachment for sensitive or painful areas.
That said, the PRO is the most expensive percussion muscle gun on the market.
Even so, if you have the budget, this is the best handheld deep tissue massage gun to have. It comes with a 2-year warranty – the only Theragun with a longer cover; the others have a 1-year warranty.
The Theragun Pro is priced at $529.99. Try using the code X8YZF10 to receive a 10% discount when purchasing at therabody.com
Read More: Check out our in-hand Theragun Pro review for more information, comparison of the 4th gen to the 5th gen, and more.
So, which is the best deep tissue massage gun? We believe it’s the Ekrin B37, followed by the D6 Pro. However, if you can afford a premium device, then better get the Ekrin Kestrel or the Theragun Pro.
Note that deep tissue massage is a proven treatment method with numerous benefits. However, applying pressure on sensitive muscles may be uncomfortable at first.
We have seen that you can go for vibrational massage guns or high-amplitude massage guns for this therapy. However, you need to be cognizant of the correct specs to look for.
Above all, remember to check with your healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe to get a deep tissue massage using a deep pressure massager.
Here's a quick rundown of all the tweaks and edits we've made to this article to keep it accurate and up-to-date!
Current version.
February 8, 2024 Small text and linking changes for improved user experience. (Author: Greg)
September 18, 2023 Some small block, text and linking changes for improved readability and user experience. (Author: Greg)
Published on:
•
Written by:
Luke Deszczulka
Disclaimers
The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.
All product names, logos, and brands are the property of their respective owners. All company, product, and service names used on this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement.
Our policy is to make every effort to respect the copyrights of outside parties. If you believe your copyright has been misused, please provide us with a message stating your position, and we will endeavor to correct any misuse immediately.
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, we may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.
