ByGreg Szostak
Fact checked by Dr. Alex Stone, DPT, CSCS.
Are you feeling itchy after massage gun? Does Theragun make you feel itchy? Well, you’re not alone!
Itchy skin after using a percussion massage gun is a common problem many people face.
Percussion deep tissue massage therapy has its benefits, so when this problem flares up, it can be a nuisance. But don’t worry, in this article, we’ll not only cover the reasons but present some practical solutions!
Ideally, the itchiness goes away, and you can enjoy the perks of percussive therapy, but for some, it may not be possible to overcome the issue. In such cases, it’s better not to use massage guns.
But before you give up, let’s discuss a few possible solutions to this itchy problem. We’ll also dive into which types of massager machines are better suited for the job. Although we can’t guarantee our suggestions will work, it never hurts to try, right?
One potential cause of itchy skin after using a massage gun is vibratory urticaria. This rare genetic skin reaction appears as a red, itchy rash on the area where the vibration was applied.
Itchy skin is not just caused by massage guns but can also happen when jogging, using a lawn mower, operating power tools, or mountain biking.
Vibratory urticaria1 is caused by histamine release from cells. It may be temporary or recurring with subsequent vibrations. This reaction can be limited to the area exposed to the vibration or generalized, spreading to other body parts.
It’s not dangerous, and a fast recovery can be achieved with antihistamines as directed by your physician.
Another possible cause of itchy skin is an allergic reaction to a component of the massage gun attachment or a cleaning agent you used.
This is generally known as irritant dermatitis. Topical steroids can be used to treat this condition.
It’s also possible that an allergic reaction to massage oil or lotion can cause the skin to become itchy.
This is another cause of itchy skin after using a massage gun. This happens when itchy hives are induced following exposure to pressure on the skin, such as walking, sitting, wearing tight clothing, or even using a vibrational massage gun or vibrational sports massager.
You may also experience this condition when you exercise.
Sometimes, you may feel itchy without seeing any rashes or redness. This could be due to an increase in blood flow2 that increases the size of the blood vessels. This causes nerves to fire, creating an itchy or tingling sensation known as paresthesia.
Additionally, vibration from the sports massager may raise the skin’s temperature, so you feel itchy after using a massage gun.
Nitric oxide3, released in the body during exercise or exposure to vibrations, can also create an itchy sensation. This is because nitric oxide increases blood flow and circulation.
Lastly, high vibration levels from a massage gun may cause muscle spasms that can compress and irritate nerves, leading to itchiness.
If you experience numbness while using your massage gun, be sure to stop and talk to your doctor or physical therapist. The skin itchiness from these last three causes typically goes away as soon as the massage session is over.
And the good news is that after the itchiness often comes instant natural pain relief and tension release.
Now that we’ve discussed the causes of itchiness caused by using a massage gun, it’s time to talk about whether changing the device could help alleviate the problem.
For some people, using a gentler or less vibrational sports massager could potentially do the trick.
It’s worth noting that most massage guns on the market today are fast-revving, vibrational devices with low amplitudes that don’t hit deep into the skin but do very frequent shallow hits. These devices typically have 2,000 to 3,200 hits per minute.
Nevertheless, deep percussions are required for myofascial muscle release (release of tight and tense connective tissue surrounding muscles and bones).
However, massage guns with higher amplitudes are more punchy but less intensive in vibrations and percussions.
These devices have longer strokes, which means the head travels a longer distance, resulting in a lower frequency. They typically have 800 to 2,000 to 2,500 hits per minute. Low-speed devices could be good for itchy skin or hives from massage guns.
Another idea worth exploring is using a heated massage gun. Some models come with special ceramic tips that get warm and may help. Heated massage guns also increase blood flow to the massaged area, which can help alleviate tension, soreness, and itchiness.
Overall, it’s critical to experiment with different massage gun models and find the one that works best for you and your skin. So don’t be afraid to try various options and find the perfect match for your needs!
Okay, so we’ve covered the possible causes of itchiness after using a percussion massager and how changing to a less vibrational device might help. But what if that’s not enough?
Here are some other solutions to try:
First up, let’s talk about massage lotions. While they may not be a miracle cure for itchy skin, they can certainly help.
We recommend doing a patch test first to ensure you’re not allergic to any ingredients.
And if you want to try something new, check out Therabody’s new TheraOne Soothe CBD Massage Oil.
This high-potency, USDA-certified organic CBD formula eases tension and supports stress relief with all-natural essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, and golden jojoba.
Sounds pretty heavenly, right?
If you’re still struggling with itchiness, we recommend consulting with your PT for other products. Physical therapists usually have a good understanding of massage oils and other products that could be helpful.
Remember, you can always try using a massage gun with your clothes on. This can help reduce the intensity of the vibrations on your skin.
Another tip is to pay attention to massage gun attachments. Soft attachments, made from hypoallergenic foam or air-filled rubber, can be better than hard plastic heads that may feel more aggressive.
We particularly recommend Theragun attachments, but all our picks (the recommended guns) below have at least one head for gentle treatment.
And let’s not forget about heated massage guns. These devices have a special ceramic attachment that gets warm and may help soothe the skin.
In addition, using a massage gun with higher amplitude and slower revving could also help, as the best deep tissue massage hits will be effective even through a shirt or other protective layer between the skin and the attachment.
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to itchiness after using a sports massager, a mini massage gun, or even the best percussion massager. But by trying out some of these solutions and seeing what works for you, you can hopefully turn your percussion massager experience into a smooth and comfortable one.
We have reached the end of our article. If you experience itchiness after using a massage gun, there are several solutions you can try. Let’s summarize them:
We cannot guarantee that all solutions here will work the magic, but it’s worth a shot.
Let us know what worked best for you! Or perhaps you have your magical solution for itchy after massage gun?
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.
April 20, 2023 Fact checked done by Dr. Alex Stone, DPT, CSCS.
Published on:
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Written by:
Greg Szostak
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