How To Select And Use Massage Gun Attachments For Different Body Areas

Do you know how to use massage gun attachments? We will show you how in our article.

We’ll tell you how to choose the right attachment, which ones you must have, and which ones belong to which body part. If you stick around, you might also learn how Theragun attachments are radically different. Read on for more!

In This Article

Choosing the Right Attachment Matters
Overview of Most Common / Must-Have Massage Gun Attachments
How to Use Massage Gun Attachments – General Rules
Massage Gun Attachment Uses for Specific Body Parts
Tips for Using Massage Gun Attachments
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion

TIP: For those looking for information on how massage gun heads are built, what materials manufacturers use, or how to take care of them, we have a dedicated post here.

Choosing the Right Attachment Matters

Since the attachment is the only part of the massage gun that comes in contact with the body (in a therapeutic way), its selection is crucial for an effective massage experience.

Here’s why:

Massage gun attachments come in different shapes and sizes. This is done to target specific muscle groups and tend to various muscular issues effectively. We will examine the most common ones we encounter in almost all massagers. We say “almost” because some guns lack the basic attachments. Hypervolt Go 2, for example, only has two hard plastic attachments.
The correct attachment selection can optimize a massage gun’s effectiveness, speeding up the recovery time and alleviating muscle pain. A case in point is when we have had to drop some good massagers because they had terrible attachments. Think of the Sharper Image massager, which only has hard plastic attachments. We just talked about Hypervolt Go 2, which only has the flat and bullet attachments, both of which are hard plastic.
The right attachment selection also means no skin irritation (yes, it can happen – learn why and what to do here), customized massage intensity, or a less harmful experience.

So, which attachments should you choose for which body part? Hang on; we’ll discuss it in a moment.

Three photos showing 3 Different Massage Gun Attachments used on a person — Different shapes and sizes mean you get a different massage experience.

Overview of Most Common / Must-Have Massage Gun Attachments

In this article, we discuss how many attachments you really need. It’s 4-6 pieces. So here are the crucial ones to look out for, their main purposes, and some facts to know:

Ball / Round Attachment

This type is the most commonly used. If your massage gun included one already attached, it’s probably the ball attachment. As the name suggests, it’s round in shape.

percussive massager b37s with a round foam attachment

Purpose

This is the general-purpose one that is used on most parts of your body. It works better on large and medium muscle groups such as deltoids, glutes, and hamstrings. As a first-time user, this is your go-to attachment.

Build

It may be hard plastic, made of Eva foam (a popular option), silicon, or air cushion (we’ll discuss this later).

What to know

Theraguns have one they call “Standard Ball,” but it’s radically different from the conventional ball—it’s more of a half-ball but doesn’t miss out on the experience.

Flat Attachment

It’s the second most popular and offers a more robust experience than the ball head.

Purpose

The flat attachment is denser and harder than the ball attachment, making it more effective. It’s versatile for most body parts and excels at addressing stubborn knots in large muscle groups such as the pecs, glutes, and back. We’ve enjoyed using it, especially on the glutes, hamstrings, calves, and back muscles.

Build

It’s mostly hard plastic, although we have seen silicon and aluminum options (like the one that came with Achedaway Pro).

What to know

The Ekrin Bantam flat attachment has a silicone cover that you can remove for a more intense massage experience.

Fork Attachment

This one’s also commonly included with most guns, and for good reason.

percussive massager achedaway pro with fork head attachment

Purpose

This attachment glides over unevenly shaped parts of the body. It’s meant to be used along the spine, muscles that run from the upper neck to the shoulders, and the Achilles tendon. It’s also used for deep-tissue massage and to alleviate sore muscles.

Build

It’s shaped like a Y. We’ve seen weird shapes, like a U. We’ve also seen some narrow and others made of soft material like in Opove M3 Pro and Apex.

What to know

Interestingly, though, we haven’t seen a Theragun with this attachment. What a bummer! However, there is one option – they offer a duo adapter, allowing you to use two attachments simultaneously. We’re not huge fans of this, though. Firstly, you must pay extra for the adapter (here) AND another attachment (since the device only comes with one). Secondly, its arms are quite wide (likely to accommodate two Supersoft heads), which might make it less effective in some situations.

Bullet Attachment

This one is crucial for pinpoint treatment.

Purpose

This focused attachment targets trigger points, knots, and hard-to-reach muscle tissues. It’s another great option for deep tissue massages, offering precise pressure where needed.

Caution

This attachment is the most intense and may cause discomfort. Start slowly with less pressure and only increase if you feel comfortable.

Build

It’s usually made of hard plastic – like with Ekrin and Hyperice devices – or covered with silicon – like Bob and Brad devices. Achedaway Pro has one coated with aluminum.

What to know

The Theragun one is revolutionary, and it’s called “Cone.” Unlike most other brands, this one is soft. Although it has been discontinued in the latest Theragun models, you can still find it with the Elite and Prime.

Cushioned Attachment

While it’s generally not recommended to use a massage gun directly over bones or sensitive areas, this attachment allows for gentle application.

Purpose

This one is great for massaging tender areas. It can also be used when you need a relaxing massage. It’s particularly effective for relieving painful DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) and treating other injuries.

Build

In terms of approach, we’ve seen brands mix it up with this one. For instance, Ekrin B37s and 365 and Bob and Brad D6 Pro make it like a squishy rubber. We’ve also seen Theragun make their Supersoft using a soft cushion foam material. You still have to buy it separately (only Pro has it included), but we love its softness and definitely recommend it.

What to know

Unfortunately, not all brands include this attachment, which is a bummer.

These are the popular massage gun attachments we’ve seen with most guns and believe are must-haves.

When it comes to the build and material, manufacturers take different approaches. You can expect some of the attachments to be made of silicone, Eva foam, hard plastic, and more.

How to Use Massage Gun Attachments – General Rules

Before we start discussing specific body parts, let’s go over some general rules on how to use attachments:

The Ball and Flat attachments are your safest bet if you are just starting.
Turn on your massage gun with the right attachment plugged in and set it to medium speed.
Apply light pressure and adjust slowly as you feel your way through the massage. Stop if you feel any pain that isn’t normal.
Experiment with different attachments as you get to know them better.

Massage Gun Attachment Uses for Specific Body Parts

Here’s the list summarizing which attachments are best suited for massaging various body parts, along with the recommended Theragun attachments and instructions on how to use them.

Massage Gun Attachment for the Neck

Best Suited Attachment:

Fork attachment for targeting neck muscles without impacting the spine; also Ball, Flat, and any for sensitive areas

For Theragun:

Dampener or SuperSoft

How to Use:

Gently and slowly move the fork attachment from the base of your head to your upper trapezius. Stop if you feel pain. For best results, use a medium to high speed and light pressure.

fork attachment used around the spine neck back section of a woman — Using a range of massage gun attachments on the neck.

a man holding on his hand percussive massager Ekrin B37s for Neck Massager — Using a range of massage gun attachments on the neck.

Massage Gun Attachment for Shoulders

Best Suited Attachment:

Flat or Ball heads are used for broader areas, and Fork or Bullet attachments for specific points.

For Theragun:

Wedge

How to Use:

Move along the entire length of your shoulder at a moderate pace for 30 seconds to activate the muscles. Slowly move along the upper muscle for 2 minutes to promote recovery and relaxation. For best results, use a lower speed and light to moderate pressure.

a man holding percussive massager Theragun Mini on his Shoulder for Pain Massage Gun — Applying various massage gun attachments to the shoulders.

a man holding percussive massager Using it For Shoulder Pain — Applying various massage gun attachments to the shoulders.

Massage Gun Attachment for the Upper Back

Best Suited Attachment:

Ball, smaller heads like Bullet and Fork for targeting specific knots

For Theragun:

Standard Ball

How to Use:

Move along the entire length of your upper back and shoulders at a moderate pace for 30 seconds to activate the muscles. Slowly move along the upper back for 2 minutes to promote recovery and relaxation. Use a lower to medium speed and light to moderate pressure for best results.

Upper Back Pain Massager — Different types of massage gun heads are used on the lower back.

EKRIN Massage Gun For Upper Back Pain — Different types of massage gun heads are used on the lower back.

Massage Gun Attachment Lower Back

Best Suited Attachment:

Flat, smaller heads like Bullet and Fork for targeting specific knots

For Theragun:

Dampener

How to Use:

Move along the entire lower back at a moderate pace for 30 seconds to activate the muscles. Slowly move along the lower back for 2 minutes to promote recovery and relaxation. For best results, use the desired speed with moderate to heavy pressure.

Lower Back Pain percussive Massager — Treating the lower back using different types of massage gun heads.

Urikar Pro 2 Lower Back Pain percussive Massager — Treating the lower back using different types of massage gun heads.

Massage Gun Attachment for the Spine

Best Suited Attachment:

Fork attachment to avoid direct spinal pressure

For Theragun:

Supersoft

How to Use:

Move along the length of your spine at a moderate pace for 30 seconds to activate the muscles. Slowly move along your spine and lumbar for 2 minutes to promote recovery and relaxation. For best results, use a medium to high speed and light pressure.

fork attachment used around the spine neck back of a lady — Using the massage gun’s fork attachment on the spine.

Massage Gun on a man's Upper Back Pain — Using the massage gun’s fork attachment on the spine.

Massage Gun Attachment for the Chest

Best Suited Attachment:

Ball, Round

For Theragun:

Wedge

How to Use:

To activate the muscles, move along the entire chest muscle at a moderate pace for 30 seconds. Slowly move along the chest muscle for 2 minutes to promote recovery and relaxation. For best results, use a lower speed and light to moderate pressure.

Ekrin Bantam Small Massage Gun on man's Chest Massage Therapy — Using diverse massage gun heads for chest treatment.

Theragun Mini on man's Chest Massage — Using diverse massage gun heads for chest treatment.

Massage Gun Attachment for Calves

Best Suited Attachment:

Ball and Flat attachments for general massage, bullet head for deep tissue

For Theragun:

Standard Ball

How to Use:

Move along the entire length of the calve at a moderate pace for 30 seconds to activate the muscles. Slowly move along the calve for 2 minutes to promote recovery and relaxation. For best results, use the desired speed with light to moderate pressure.

Massage Gun with Head For Calf Treatment on a man — Using a variety of massage gun heads for calf therapy.

man holding a Massage–gun on his Calves - Flat Attachment Achedaway Pro — Using a variety of massage gun heads for calf therapy.

Massage Gun Attachment for Hamstrings and Glutes

Best Suited Attachment:

Ball attachment for general massage, Bullet head for deep tissue

For Theragun:

Standard Ball and Dampener

How to Use:

To activate the muscles, move along the entire length of the hamstring and glutes at a moderate pace for 30 seconds. Slowly move along the hamstring for 2 minutes to promote recovery and relaxation. For best results, use a lower speed with light to moderate pressure.

a man holding Ekrin B37 Massage Gun against his glute for Gluteal Muscles Treatment — Massaging the hamstrings and glutes using various types of massage gun head attachments.

a man holding an Achedaway Pro Massage Gun against It Band — Massaging the hamstrings and glutes using various types of massage gun head attachments.

Massage Gun Attachment for Hip Flexor

Best Suited Attachment:

Flat attachment for general massage, Bullet head for deep tissue

For Theragun:

Dampener

How to Use:

To activate the muscles, move along the entire length of the hip flexor at a moderate pace for 30 seconds. Slowly move along the hip flexor for 2 minutes to promote recovery and relaxation. For best results, use a lower speed with light to moderate pressure.

Massage Gun Attachment for Feet/Plantar Fasciitis

Best Suited Attachment:

Cushioned head for sensitivity; Bullet for targeting small spots; Flat head for overall relaxation

For Theragun:

Standard Ball, Dampener, and Cone

How to Use:

Place on the heel and treat an area in a circular motion for 20 seconds. Slowly move towards the ball of the foot and treat for 15 seconds. Then, move to the arch using the same circular motion for 30 seconds. For best results, use a lower speed with light to moderate pressure.

Massage Gun being used on man's feet For Plantar Fasciitis — Treating feet and plantar fasciitis with diverse massage gun head attachments.

a Percussion Massager on a foot For rteating Plantar Fasciitis — Treating feet and plantar fasciitis with diverse massage gun head attachments.

Massage Gun Attachment for Hands, Elbow, Forearm, and Carpal Tunnel

Best Suited Attachment:

Cushioned head for sensitivity; Bullet for targeting small spots; Flat head for overall relaxation

For Theragun:

Standard Ball, Dampener and Supersoft

How to Use:

Move along the desired body part at a moderate pace for 30 seconds to activate the muscles. Slowly move along the hand for 2 minutes to promote recovery and relaxation. For best results, use the desired speed with light to moderate pressure.

man holding a Massage Gun For treating Golfers Elbow — Different massage gun heads are used to treat hands, elbows, forearms, and carpal tunnels.

Massage Gun on a man's forearm to Help With Carpal Tunnel Forearm — Different massage gun heads are used to treat hands, elbows, forearms, and carpal tunnels.

We should also mention using any of the attachments to massage other body parts, such as the inner thighs, knees, IT bands, and more. Just use the general rules we mentioned earlier.

Tips for Using Massage Gun Attachments

Other than what we have mentioned so far, these tips will go a long way in ensuring you don’t miss a step with massage gun attachments:

Read the User Manual: Top brands like Ekrin Athletics and Bob and Brad include useful manuals detailing how to use the attachments. Therabody has important attachment information on its website. They also have videos here that show how to use different attachments. The Therabody app also allows you to view different routines on your phone.
Duration and Intensity: Generally, you should have a session lasting between 2 and 5 minutes. However, do not hover your massage gun over a single spot for more than 15-30 seconds during the session. For intensity and pressure, start slow and gradually increase it as needed. Stop when you feel any abnormal pain. Don’t over-target any muscle, or you risk injury.
Combining different attachments: You can feel through different attachments as you massage. No rules are written in stone here as long as you have a great session. Try to find a combo that feels best for you.

ekrin b37 color manual instruction — The Ekrin user manual provides exact information on which attachment to use and how to use it on each body part. Not every brand includes such detailed guides; most of them don’t add any information at all!

ekrin bantam colorful how-to-use instructions pamphlet — The Ekrin user manual provides exact information on which attachment to use and how to use it on each body part. Not every brand includes such detailed guides; most of them don’t add any information at all!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can the same attachment be used for multiple body parts?

Yes, you can use the same attachment for different body parts. However, beware of sensitive areas and body areas where hard attachments may hurt you. Use the ball or flat attachment for an overall massage.

Are there any risks associated with using the wrong attachment?

Yes, especially when it comes to the hard attachments such as the bullet and cone attachments. You can’t use these on sensitive areas such as the throat or temple. Otherwise, you risk getting injured. Also, if you press the gun too hard on the same spot, you risk bruising the skin, which may later become itchy.

How can you determine the right pressure and speed settings for different attachments?

The best way is to listen to your body. Always start slow and increase the speed and pressure gradually. Experiment with different speeds and pressures over different parts and see how you feel.

Conclusion

You must know how to use massage gun attachments if you want to get the best out of your percussive therapy while treating DOMs, lower back pain, or neck muscle strains.

Remember to experiment with different attachments; some can improve muscle pain relief more effectively as you enjoy your percussive massage. Moderation is key.