HSA or FSA Massage Gun – How to Buy It; Which One To Choose?

In this article, you’ll learn about the HSA-eligible massage gun and the FSA-eligible massage gun, including Theragun FSA, all of which can help you save some precious tax money.

We recently updated this post to reflect the Nov’24 changes to Theragun FSA and Theragun HSA eligibility.

---

---

Is A Massage Gun FSA Eligible?

The last time we checked the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) lists for certain medical expenses^​1​ that can be reimbursed, a massage gun category was not on the list.

However, massage guns can still qualify as eligible items. Specifically, a massage gun could potentially be covered if used for “diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or payments for treatments affecting any structure or function of the body.“

This means that a FSA massage gun, must aid with muscle recovery, relaxation, and can contribute to overall physical wellness, so it might be a qualified expense.
However, it’s important to note that some items may only be eligible for reimbursement from your FSA or HSA if they are specifically recommended by a physician or healthcare provider.

How, then, can you get an FSA massage gun using your funds?

• Buy an FSA massage gun device that is advertised as eligible. For example, as of May 2023, Theragun FSA eligibility was confirmed, and Therabody officially included them in their store’s HSA/FSA category. Here’s the recently updated FAQ they published on the matter.
• A ‘Caring Mill™ by Aura’ FSA Massage gun can be acquired from FSAstore.com.

Still, to be on the safe side, it is recommended to prove that your purchase of an FSA massage gun is for medical purposes rather than recreational use.

Since an FSA massage gun costs a pretty penny, you’ll want to get a recommendation letter from a doctor listing your FSA massage gun purchase as a medical necessity.

Getting a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN) shouldn’t be a huge concern. You can ask your doctor or primary care physician to draft one for you. An FSA massage gun is recognized as therapy^​2​ and shouldn’t be difficult to prove as a medical necessity.

Your LOMN will help you qualify for an FSA massage gun as purchasable using your FSA/HSA funds.

---

What About HSA Massage Gun Eligibility?

The same thing applies to HSA cards. You can buy an HSA-eligible massage gun if your Health Spending Account (HSA) fund covers it.

Since some HSA massage guns are already listed as medical items (many already are because of their enormous impact on easing muscle tension and relieving pain), you can purchase one HSA Theragun using your HSA card.

You need to ask your insurance provider for this information. In case there is no clear answer, you will likely need an LOMN from your physician or doctor to explain why you need an HSA-approved massage gun.

Again, remember that the kind of massage gun you need has to qualify as an HSA massage gun. 

---

Can I Purchase with an FSA or HSA Card?

• You can use a regular debit or credit card to complete your purchase. However, please save your receipt, as it’s crucial for the reimbursement process.
• The receipt is proof of your transaction when you submit a claim to your insurance provider for reimbursement. This process may sound a bit complicated, but it’s a common practice and a perfectly legal way to use your FSA or HSA funds when acquiring an FSA massage gun or a Theragun HSA.

To avoid any potential hitches in the process, we recommend narrowing your choices to an FSA massage gun or HSA eligible. As of the time of writing, these include options from Ekrin Athletics, Bob and Brad, Zarifa USA, Aura Revive, and now Theraguns FSA as well.

---

Where To Buy an FSA Massage Gun?

---

FSA Massage Gun – Other Considerations

When trying to buy an FSA or massage gun HSA eligible, remember that:

• Your FSA card can only carry a certain amount (usually up to $3300) per plan year. This money must be spent within that plan year. Your employer can allow a grace period of up to 10 weeks, within which you must spend the money. For rollover cases, only up to $640 can be used for the following year. 
• The HSA amount is slightly higher – you can contribute between $4300 and $8550. These funds don’t expire and can easily be used at any time. If you are considering getting a Theragun HSA, this is probably the money you should spend. 
• Not all health expenses qualify as HSA or FSA-eligible expenses. You can interrogate this by finding out whether the ailment is physical or mental and whether the expense is only beneficial for your general health. 
• You may pay a 20% tax penalty if you spend your HSA funds on non-qualified items. However, for dependent care (that is, if the person receiving the care is 65 or older, the penalty does not apply. 

---

Is Theragun FSA or HSA Eligible?

Theraguns are great percussion massagers – expensive but effective. So…

Yes, Theraguns are FSA and HSA eligible, and since November 2023, you can purchase directly from Therabody using an FSA/HSA card! Of course, you can also buy with a regular card and submit the receipt to your insurance for reimbursement. Therabody Theragun describes the process here.

Can I use FSA to pay for Theragun?

Yes, from November 2023, you can (finally). Theragun’s official store now accepts FSA and HSA cards.

Do I need a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN) to buy a Theragun FSA?

While Theraguns have recently been declared HSA/FSA eligible, a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN) may not be necessary for proof.

Nonetheless, for peace of mind, we recommend obtaining an LOMN from your healthcare provider. This can strengthen your claim if any queries arise.

---

But Do We Recommend a Theragun FSA?

Yes, we extensively tested all Theraguns, which are fantastic massage guns. However, they might not be perfect for everyone. Most Theraguns are punchy percussion massagers if they have a 16mm amplitude.

Their intensity emanates from their long stroke lengths. However, they have fewer percussions per minute, not exceeding 2450 RPM in our test. 

Compared to another FSA/HSA-approved gun (described below), Theraguns are punchier and more aggressive, thus likely more effective for most people. Even the Theragun Mini will be punchier than the Aura Revive or any of the Zarifa massage guns.

Besides, Theraguns, especially the 5th Generation (e.g., Theragun Pro, and soon also the others), have some great features like built-in routine presets, Bluetooth connectivity, and more.

Here are our in-depth Theragun reviews for further reading:

• Theragun Mini review
• Theragun Relief
• Theragun Prime review
• Theragun Elite review
• Theragun PRO review
• and Theragun Face PRO, a face massager.

All are Theraguns FSA and HSA eligible when buying from Therabody.com. Check out our coupons page for promo codes available.

Other FSA Massage Gun Options

In addition to the HSA/FSA-eligible Theragun, we tested other popular massage guns available on FSAstore.com and HSAstore. We also gave some devices from zarifausa.com a spin to determine whether they were worth the money and had unique features.

Here’s what we gathered:

• Massage guns from these stores aren’t cheap. If you hope to get an under $100 massage gun here, you will be disappointed. The cheapest device here seems to be about $160 for a mini massage gun. 
• Many of these muscle massagers are FDA-approved Therapeutic Class I and II medical devices​3​. This is probably part of why they are so expensive (certification costs and whatnot). 
• All in all, those alternatives aren’t necessarily cheaper than Theraguns.

The good news, however, is that these massage guns have unique features that we like. So, please take a look at the ones we thought are worth recommending…

---

Aura Revive – Heated Option

This FSA massage gun caught our eye, not because it’s unique (it’s actually pretty basic) but because it has some pretty neat features beyond the core massage function.

Even though it’s slightly over the top price-wise, it’s for a good reason. Also, it’s eligible for an HSA FSA massage gun.

When we tested this massage gun, the interesting function that we liked was its heated massage mode. It also has other dynamic modes. 

We know that heated massage guns elevate the experience of using percussion massagers. The heat helps soothe the muscles and provides a relaxing feeling. You also get benefits such as peaceful sleep and reduced symptoms from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

In our heated massage gun review, we examined other great alternatives that provide a soothing, relaxing feeling.

The therapy goes a notch higher for the Aura Revive (an FSA massage gun). They claim to have patented the infrared technology – we couldn’t verify if it is infrared, but we tested the heating function extensively, and it works alright. 

How does the heating work? You’ll first have to mount the heated attachment (it’s the one with a shiny top), and the heated mode will be available. You will see an icon indicating this (see photos below). 7 other attachments work the usual way.

Even so, the attachments work in 3 different speed modes:

• Standard or constant mode – Here, you can change the speeds, for which there are 5 settings. 
• Ascending mode – Here, the percussions (not pressure as they describe it) increase from slow to high setting in short intervals. 
• Fluctuating mode – Where the percussions fluctuate between low and high settings.

Our thoughts on these features are as follows: Dynamic modes are often available on high-end sports massagers. A case in point is the Ekrin B37S, which costs $274. When you add the heating feature to these modes, you end up with a robust muscle massager.

We also love that this FSA massage gun is very well-equipped with 8 attachments and a carrying case. 

What about the other performance aspects? Think stall force and amplitude.

Here’s where the Aura Revive feels pretty ordinary – entry-level stats. Even though it still does the job, it will not feel like a Theragun because the amplitude here is low.

With a 10mm amplitude (advertised as 12mm), you should expect slightly gentler vibrational hits rather than hard-hitting, deep percussive ones. We’d still argue that it probably fits this kind of device. 

The stall force isn’t spectacular, either. The device might slow down under pressure, and in our test, it feels like it could only comfortably handle about 25-30 lbs. of pressure.

We believe bodybuilders, pro athletes, and people who prefer a hard massager will have to look elsewhere. For the rest of us, ordinary folks, this is probably okay. 

It’s a quiet massage gun that won’t disturb your peace. However, the handle is not rubberized, so you may experience sweaty hands when using it.

We also aren’t really excited with the more or less ergonomics here. It is a no-angled handle – it’s the T-shape that can be pretty hard on your wrists. On the flip side, this FSA massage gun is reasonably light. We would’ve also liked a USB-C charger, but we’ll take the small wall plug provided. 

We are not sure how well this device can stand the test of time. We will keep testing it to see how far it holds.

We believe the Aura Revive is worth the $199 price tag, especially since you can get it using tax benefits. It’s available on FSAstore.com and from HSAstore.com.

LEARN MORE: Read our Aura Revive massage gun review for more details. 

---

Zarifa Mini – HSA & FSA-Approved Mini Massage Gun

Since mini massage guns are popular (they are portable and relieve muscle soreness on the go), it would be great to get a decent HSA or FSA massage gun with your benefits. Many mini massage guns simply under-deliver in terms of performance—we know; we’ve tested more than 20 minis.

However, we found this Zarifa Mini pretty decent. 

For starters, it’s pretty light—just 1.25 pounds. That is not the lightest we’ve ever seen, but it’s still pretty good if you consider the metallic body. The aluminum body is nice to the touch and feels top-quality.

It also came well-equipped with four attachments: bullet, fork, ball, and flat. The ergonomics aren’t so bad, either. Even though it’s T-shaped, the protruding part at the top can act as an extra gripping point. 

Since we missed the USB-C charging feature with the Aura Revive, this one gets more points for having it. It’s convenient; you can even charge your device via a power bank.

What about the performance of the Zarifa Mini?

Well, we measured ~8.5mm amplitude (despite the advertised 12mm) – which is lower than Theragun mini (12mm we measured), and Hypervolt Go and Ekrin Bantam (10mm, also confirmed). This makes the Zarifa Mini feel highly vibrational.

But that’s OK! You won’t get punchy hits, but you will get plenty of hits – up to 3200 RPM. Zarifa advertises the range as 1600-3500 RPM, but the actual range is closer to 1800-3200 RPM – still great.

The stall force isn’t so bad either. However, the percussions slow down considerably if there is too much pressure. It’s probably enough stall force to massage the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and feet. Don’t expect Ekrin Bantam-like stall force, but we think it should be enough for most people.

We also love the 5-speed setup here. Most minis have 3-speed settings, but with 5, the percussions are spread out well. Overall, this is a very good mini massage gun—we like it and can recommend it.

ZarifaUSA’s mini retails for $149.99, but with the MGA coupon, you will get a 5% discount, which means $142.49. That’s not a bad deal for an approved HSA or FSA massage gun. 
Buy it at the Zarifa store here.

LEARN MORE: For more details, read our Zarifa massage gun review. 

---

What About Other Zarifa USA Percussion Massagers?

Zarifa USA sells two other full-sized massage guns, the Z-Smart and Z-Smart Health+. They are similar in appearance but have different features.

---

Zarifa Z-Smart and Zarifa Z-Smart Health+

The Z-Smart model has 20 speeds – ridiculous, to say the least. We have done over 70 hands-on massage gun reviews and know that 5-6 speeds are optimal. We can live with 7-9, but 20 is a stretch too far.

Despite our tests revealing that the amplitude and percussion range are overstated (detailed Z-Smart review here), the Z-Smart model proves to be an incredibly powerful massage gun, something we really appreciate.

---

The more expensive Health+ has 9 speeds, which is acceptable. The main features of the Health+ model are the built-in Heart Rate, Calorie Counting, and Temperature Sensor. These are unique features that we haven’t seen in other massage guns.

But are these features needed in a massage gun? It’s like a computer-turned-massage device. We initially questioned the practicality of this, not to mention the viability of the standalone sensors.

We found that they might not be as accurate as your smartwatch. Check out our detailed, hands-on Zarifa Health+ review to learn more.

We would’ve preferred more percussive therapy features like the ones on the Aura Revive (dynamic speeds and a heated mode).

Our testing determined that it doesn’t quite reach the advertised 3500 RPM – we found it to max out around 2600 RPM. We also found that the amplitude is likely overstated.

Even though both Z-Smart and Health+ are advertised as having a Theragun-like 16mm stroke length, our testing revealed it to be much lower—probably about 10mm for each.

---

---

Our Advice:

We recommend you pick Theragun FSA if you have to buy a full-sized eligible HSA or FSA massage gun. For a mini massage gun, go for the Ekrin Bantam – it comes witha life warranty and is cheaper than the Theragun Mini.

---

Bottom Line

We hope we have sufficiently answered your questions and provided a good overview of currently available HSA or FSA-eligible massage gun options.

Remember that certain conditions must be met to buy a massage gun with an FSA or HSA card. Only a few stores sell eligible HSA and FSA massage gun, so look out for the right percussion massagers under these conditions.

Fortunately, you can finally buy a Theragun FSA-eligible with your FSA or HSA funds. They are now fully eligible when purchased at therabody.com.

Good luck with your purchase!

---

References

1. 1.

   Publication 969 (2022), Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans. irs.gov. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p969
2. 2.

   Imtiyaz S, Veqar Z, Shareef MY. To Compare the Effect of Vibration Therapy and Massage in Prevention of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). JCDR. Published online 2014. doi:10.7860/jcdr/2014/7294.3971