Dr. Alex Stone, DPT, CSCS

Author, Expert Board Member

  • Education: University of Washington, Bastyr University
  • Expertise: Physical Therapy, Orthopedics, Fitness

Bio:

Alex Stone is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA). He currently practices orthopedics in Bellevue, Washington, and manages an online health coaching business via social media (@dr.alexstone). He is passionate about health science education and general health/wellness optimization.

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massage gun benefits

12 Massage Gun Benefits, A Few Drawbacks and Things to Keep in Mind

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Hello and welcome to yet another post on our percussion massage gun blog. In this one, we’ll explore the benefits of massage guns.

This topic is fundamental, as understanding both the benefits and possible drawbacks of massage guns should be the first thing anyone faces when choosing a device. It’s crucial to know exactly what to expect from your massage gun in terms of health and practical advantages and any potential limitations.

Percussive Therapy Basics

Massage guns are electronic devices that are often used to relieve pain and improve blood circulation. They do this by producing vibrations that are applied to the skin with the help of a massage gun head.

But really, it’s not just vibrations with massage guns. Unlike the high-end foam rollers that have some sort of vibration therapy, massage guns offer something deeper than that.

These deeper vibrations is what is famously known as percussion therapy. This is actually why they’re also called percussion massagers. A therapist may be able to offer a deep massage, but a massage gun in hand takes it a notch higher.

These devices, however, are not just found in spas and massage parlors, they’ve actually made a name for themselves because of the endorsements from athletes and celebrities. Because of this, they’ve become sort of DIY therapists in themselves.

They’re a great alternative to other wellness tools like the foam roller. If you cannot carry your therapist a long, you can definitely bring a massage gun with you.

So let us see just how beneficial percussive therapy with massage guns is. We will discuss both health benefits as well as practical benefits of massage guns.


Massage Gun Health Benefits You Should Know

Let’s start with health benefits, shall we?


Relaxation and Overall Wellness of Body and Mind

You can never understate the importance of having peace of body and mind. In fact, the reason we work so hard is to find a certain level of bliss within and outside of ourselves.

What else matters, right? A percussion massager is a wellness tool that does a good job to give you that body and mind peace. How?

  1. Stress Relief
    When done correctly, especially by a massage therapist, massage guns can help the body release dopamine and serotonin. These two chemicals are responsible for happiness and general body relaxation. But you need to know the right spots to hit and with just the right amount of pressure.
  2. Improved Sleep
    Sleep deprivation is a real menace especially today. There’s just so much to do that irregular sleeping patterns have become something we have to deal with constantly. We won’t go into how much you need to sleep well but we’ll mention that sleep is important for focus, alertness, libido, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function. Massaging your body regularly releases serotonin which keeps you relaxed. If you get it right, the body also releases melatonin, a chemical responsible for keeping you asleep when you need to be.
  3. Overall Boost On The Immune System
    There is yet to be intensive studies on how percussive therapy impacts the immune system. However, we know that massage guns help improve blood circulation (we’ll talk about this later). Because of improved circulation, white blood cells and other immunity factors are able to travel through body tissue more effectively, potentially improving the body’s immune response in times of stress.
  4. Increased Focus
    Because percussive massage therapy may improve circulation and decrease stress, your brain is more likely to maintain an optimal level of oxygen and alertness. Optimal oxygen and alertness typically assist in maintaining an optimal sense of focus.
Theragun Mini Massage Woman Shoulders
Massage guns can help in general body relaxation.

The good part is that to achieve all this, all you need is a good percussion massager. Now, for better results for some of these benefits, you’ll probably need a therapist or someone with some deep tissue massage therapy knowledge.

However, what you’ll not need is a big expensive massage gun. A nice mini massager like the Ekrin Bantam has all the features to give you a thorough massage.

Same goes for the full-size B37 model, voted by us the best value massage gun of this year.

ekrin bantam woman back massager
A percussion massager is a wellness tool for your body and mind.

Increased Blood and Lymphatic Circulation

This is a less-talked about but equally important advantage of massage gun therapy. Many components of health are centered on efficient blood circulation.

The pathway to a healthy/active body is within the blood vessels. The more efficient the pathways, the faster the transportation of blood and nutrients and consequently the healthier the body.

Massage guns are known to improve the blood flow(2,3) within a section of your body. However, a full body massage with these devices may lead to better circulation throughout the body.

Better blood circulation also means better nutrients and oxygen supply within the body. The nutrients and oxygen are needed for muscle repair and efficient body function.

Poor blood circulation has adverse effects on your overall health. Some signs that your blood is not flowing as it should through your body include:

  • Constant fatigue
  • Swollen legs and arms
  • Lack of focus and concentration
  • Painful muscle cramps
  • Cold feet and arms
  • If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult a licensed medical professional prior to participating in exercise or percussive massage therapy.

Lymphatic stimulation is also very important for maintaining a healthy body and mind. The lymphatic system(7) barely gets a mention in most healthcare blogs and textbooks.

Your lymphatic system includes several lymph nodes that are placed throughout various areas of the human body. These nodes act as little bunkers that store the weaponry needed to fight infections within the body.

They are tucked away deep within the body or sometimes underneath the skin. The primary weapons these lymph nodes carry are known as lymphocytes.

Massage gun therapy has the potential to stimulate these nodes which in turn may help circulate the lymphatic fluids to areas of the body where they are needed. 

Since each individual body has a different amount of skin, fat, muscle, and connective tissue, the size of a massage gun will vary widely depending on treatment goals. A larger person looking for deep stimulation may need a larger, more powerful massage gun, while a smaller person may only require a miniature massage gun with less power.

We have a separate post dedicated to massage guns for lymphatic drainage – check it out.


Muscle Strength and Mass

Anyone who works out, especially if you are into lifting weights, knows that if you want to increase muscle strength and mass you have to lift heavier, more often.

However, pushing the envelope means you have to endure the aftermath. Usually painful aches within the muscles – we call this Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness or DOMS, which we will discuss later. Really gives the meaning to the “no pain no gain slogan”.

But since you have your massage gun to take care of yourself after a heavy workout, there is far less reason to worry about the soreness(4,5).

This means you can keep challenging yourself in the gym even more. This will typically result in more strength and bigger muscles.

Obviously there are other important recovery factors such as diet and rest, but having a gym massage gun at your disposal is a huge plus.

Our Advice

For improved muscular recovery, we recommend going for a deep percussive massage gun. We have reviewed some like the Ekrin B37 or the Achedaway Pro (the one from the photo).

Achedaway Pro Massage Guns For Self Treatment Sciatica Pain
A deep tissue massage gun in action (Achedaway Pro).

Muscle Soreness

DOMS or delayed onset muscle soreness can be a real pain, and can rage on for up to three days after a heavy workout. Massage gun therapy can greatly reduce this pain and get you going again.

According to a study in 2014(1), vibration therapy can greatly improve muscle endurance, increase power, and improve kinesthetic awareness. This in turn greatly improves muscular performance and may greatly decrease DOMS. 

But wait a minute, I thought percussion massagers offer percussive therapy and not vibration therapy? Well, don’t overthink this too much.

Both these therapies use the same mechanism. However, percussive therapy works directly over muscle tissue and has the potential to provide much stronger, specific results. The current research on vibration therapy is a good indicator that percussive therapy may be a much more effective treatment option.

In the case where you are actually experiencing real-time muscle pain, percussive therapy can help by breaking up the pain signals sent by your brain to your body.

It’s more or less the same thing as what happens when you hit your head on a hard object and rub the painful spot with your hand. Maybe not exactly, but you get the point.


Improved Sports Performance

We know about massage guns because athletes just will not shut up about them. In some way these devices wouldn’t have gathered any traction if people weren’t talking about them.

And we’re not talking about just any athletes or sports people; top performers have endorsed these devices – Marcus Rashford (the world-famous soccer player) is a good example. 

Because massage guns are great for pain relief and reducing muscle soreness, it’s easy to train better and consequently perform better.

Efficient blood circulation and soft tissue mobility enhancements offered by percussive therapy may help the body perform at a higher level. Any athlete who is a top performer will tell you just how important it is to have a relaxed body before a big competition.

Urikar Pro 2 Biceps Massage
Massage guns can improve sports performance.

Rehabilitation – Post Injury Care

Massage gun therapy is highly recommended for rehabilitation treatment because it not only hastens recovery, but can also prevent re-injury.

Massage gun use during rehabilitation is supplementary to the standard methods of rehabilitation therapy. This is achieved via improved healing and recuperation of atrophied or damaged muscles caused by trauma or illness.

Because percussion therapy facilitates efficient circulation within those areas (fascial tissues and muscles), flexibility is enhanced and the healing process is hastened.

The following are examples of conditions that are being treated more commonly using massage gun therapy:

  • Muscle soreness
  • Sciatica
  • Muscle cramps and spasms
  • TMJ syndrome
  • Nonspecific low back pack
  • Shin Splints 
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Can A Massage Gun Break Up Scar Tissue
Percussion massagers are recommended for rehabilitation treatment.

Related posts worth reading:


Pain Relief

It’s not all painkillers, needles, and rigorous dietary supplementation when it comes to relieving pain. There are many less-invasive and comforting ways to alleviate chronic pains.

According to our chiropractic expert Gary:

Finding the right massage gun, along with the guidance of experienced rehabilitation specialists ((such as massage therapist, physical therapist, chiropractor, etc.), may be just what you need to effectively treat your pain.

With the help of your massage gun, you can target the painful area to improve circulation and reduce stiffness around joints and muscles. Although the area may be slightly uncomfortable at first, our chiropractic expert assures that it will become more tolerable as it relaxes.

Over time, and with the careful use of your physical therapy massage gun, you may begin to notice significant improvements in tissue relaxation and enhanced function of muscles or joints, as confirmed by our chiropractic expert’s observations in clinical practice.


Nervous System Stimulation

Nerve function is crucial if you want to lead a long and healthy life. Massage gun therapy can stimulate the nervous system and potentially improve certain essential functions.

One potential effect of percussive therapy is simulating production or release of the feel-good hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. Optimal levels of these chemicals(5) means sharper focus and a generally elevated mood.

The conclusion here is that percussion therapy may help you to chill out in the evening after a long day, feel better the next day morning, and overall improve your mental well-being over time. The key to success is to use it regularly, as a part of your daily routine.


Facilitates Lactic Acid Release

Literally every athlete or gym enthusiast will tell you how frustrating it can be when you are working out and suddenly you feel tuckered, nauseated, and cramped.

This happens when there isn’t enough oxygen in the body’s muscles, which is essential to convert newly formed lactate into energy. As a result, lactic acid build-up happens faster than the body can burn it up.

A massage gun can help dispel the extra lactic acid into the circulatory system and get you going again. This also has the potential to reduce DOMS that may happen later on.


Breaks Up Scar Tissue

There are accounts, though not backed up by scientific research, that massage gun therapy can be very effective in reducing scar tissue. More importantly, however, percussive therapy has been reported to ease the pain around these tissues.

As a result, massage gun therapy is not only recommended for sports injuries but for post-surgery scar tissue treatment as well.

We have a dedicated post on this topic. Make sure to check it out here: Massage Gun for Scar Tissue – What a PT Wants You to Know.


Improved Flexibility

Deep tissue massage provided by massage guns can help push out waste, improve blood circulation and release tension. This in turn helps improve tissue metabolism. This healthy exchange aids in preventing injuries and also likely hastens tissue repair.

Improved tissue health will support more regular exercise, which will typically leads to improved flexibility. Massage guns are also frequently used while stretching to help improve the depth of stretch, potentially leading to improved muscle and joint flexibility.

We recently wrote an in-depth post about massage guns for arthritis. We had a person with rheumatoid arthritis as a consultant, a woman in her early 40s. She has been into percussive therapy for more than a year (daily routine) and saw a noticeable improvement in muscle tension around joints, and the range of motion.


Injury Prevention

Massage guns can be used before a workout to wake up the muscles. This is a great way to warm up (runners can appreciate it a lot).

Massage gun therapy as a warm-up ensures that your muscles are supplied with enough oxygen and activation before starting exercise.

The massage can also help to raise your muscle temperature which increases flexibility.

This greatly reduces the risk of injury.

Air 2 Mini Massager Used To Warm Up Muscles Before Running
Massage guns can be used to accelerate warm-up and recovery.

Practical Percussion Therapy Benefits

Apart from the health benefits of massage gun therapy, there are practical reasons why you may want to own one of these devices.

Some of them are:

  • They are a mirror of a really good massage therapist. We have recommended getting a massage by a professional, but if you know what you are doing, a massage gun is a cheaper therapist or chiropractor. You can use one anytime you need to without having to worry about paying for it any time you have a massage.
    IMPORTANT We are not suggesting massage guns are better than or can replace the expertise of professional therapists. We advocate for massage guns as a great addition to your wellness routine, offering support alongside the skilled care provided by therapists or chiropractors.
  • You can use a massage gun at home for self-care. Sometimes leaving home for a massage can be a hassle especially when you are not feeling like it or are simply tired. Just rev on your massage gun and get to work on your muscles.
  • You can use them on your family or loved one. Again this just emphasizes how cheap having a massage gun can be. If visiting a SPA is expensive for you, taking your entire family there is even more expensive.
  • Have a massage on the go. You can carry a massage gun with you anywhere. Sure others are heavy and bulky, but mini massage guns offer you the option of portability.
  • You get direct feedback when massaging yourself. You get to learn about your body as you self-massage. This is highly recommended if you want to achieve a healthy life.

Are There Any Cons of Massage Guns?

OK, so we just discussed some key massage gun benefits, but what about the cons?

Yes, there are downsides to massage guns. However, these can be easily remedied and you can get back to enjoying these famous tools.

Here are some cons of massage guns you should be aware of:

  • The risk of incorrect use.
    You’ll notice that we have insisted on knowing what you are doing with a massage gun. A massage gun is a tool, and that means it’s only as good as the user. You run the risk of injuring yourself or not getting the desired results. Luckily we have a post on how to use a massage gun properly and effectively. Also, don’t forget to read the instructional manual on how to use the device.
  • The risk of aggravating injury or other chronic conditions.
    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 swellings. Chronic pain conditions like hypertension, varicose veins, rheumatoid arthritis, and others could become worse if you use a massage gun. Find out from a doctor about your condition before using a massage gun.
  • Potential for causing itchy skin.
    Using a massage gun, especially for extended periods or on high settings, can sometimes lead to itchy skin. This is often due to increased blood flow and stimulation of nerve endings. If you experience this, adjusting the device’s use or consulting our dedicated post on managing itchy skin after using a massage gun may help mitigate the issue.
  • Massage guns can be heavy and bulky.
    This is true, some massage guns can be rather bulky and make using them a tough task. However, there are some that are compact and light. You also have the option of mini massage guns should the full-sized ones prove too heavy for you. 
  • High initial price point.
    This was an issue when these devices first entered the market. However, with many devices now available, we can confirm that prices have significantly decreased.

    Still, some options, like the Theragun Pro, remain a bit pricey. Yet, it’s worth noting that Theragun offers premium quality. There are, however, alternatives that are just as effective and often of comparable quality but at a much lower price. In fact, the device we voted as the best massage gun for 2024 (Ekrin B37) is actually half the price of the Theragun Pro.
theragun pro ekrin b37s side-by-side
A high-quality massage gun doesn’t have to cost $600 – Ekrin B37S is half the price, but just as good as the top-shelf Theragun Pro. Learn more: Ekrin B37S Review.

Is Percussion Therapy Safe?

Having gone through all the rap about how beneficial massage gun therapy is, can we recommend it? Absolutely!

Percussion therapy is one of the top methods for muscle recovery. However, we recommend that you use the percussion massager properly for better results. It’s also wise to consult an expert if you have doubts about your own ability to use these devices.

However, too much of a good thing can be dangerous, and you’ll do well to take care not to overdo the massage. When you notice the area you’re massaging turning red or losing sensation, it’s probably a good sign that you need to move on to another part of the body.

Do not keep the massage gun head over one spot for more than 20 seconds. Keep it moving over the skin. Many companies recommend limiting time spent on any single area of the body to a few minute at most

Back pain massage using theragun mini
Percussion therapy is safe and effective for our beloved seniors (pictured: Theragun mini).

General Precautions / Things to Keep in Mind

  • Massage guns can cause pain. New onset of pain usually means you are applying too much pressure, or the speed is too high. Check that you are applying just the right pressure based on what area of the body you are massaging.
  • Avoid touching nerves. When you feel an electric shock-like pain, stop immediately.
  • Do not use a massage gun directly on bony areas, the spine, neck, fractures or wounds.
  • Only use them on muscles for complete assured safety. Otherwise consult an expert.
  • Do not use a massage gun on an area that has impaired sensation. If you feel you’re not getting precise sensorial feedback, don’t continue massaging that area. Chances are you are doing more damage than repair.
  • Do not use massage guns if you are on blood thinners (example: heparin and warfarin) prescription. 
  • Seek medical advice first before using a massage gun if you have:
    • An inflammatory disorder
    • Warfarin and heparin prescription
    • Muscle strain, varicose veins, ligament sprain, high blood pressure, and conditions affecting blood vessels like thrombosis.

Why You Should Get the Right Massage Gun

We may spend ages debating massage gun benefits and how you should take care when using them. However, it goes without saying that different people have different needs. That’s why getting the right device makes a huge difference, not just in addressing your pain points, but also avoiding injury in the process.

There are a few things that you should know when you go out to buy a massage gun. We have discussed them in most of our guides but these are important:

  • Stall force: This is the amount of pressure it takes to stall the motor of a particular gun. The higher the number here, the deeper the massage gun can hit. This usually combines with the;
  • Amplitude: Which is the distance that the massage gun head travels back and forth as it hits the skin in what we call percussions per minute.

The combination of the stall force and the amplitude will often clue you into what the massage gun can do.

If you have big muscles, then a device with a higher stall force and longer amplitude will serve you well. The Achedaway Pro has a stall force of 60+lbs. and a 16mm amplitude. These are top features for a massage gun.

On the other hand, if you are looking for something for relaxation or to just get the blood flowing, then you probably just need a mini massage gun. The Ekrin Bantam will be perfect. Smaller devices have lower stall force and shorter amplitudes compared to their larger counterparts, offering a more vibrational experience; plus, they are very portable.

There are other things to look out for such as the percussion range, the number of speed levels, the number of attachments and others that we have discussed in length in our guides.


The Bottom Line

As you can see, the number of massage gun benefits vastly outnumber concerns or disadvantages. For us, however, and I’m sure also for most users as well, one of the greatest benefits of percussion massagers is that you get to perform deep tissue therapy on yourself.

Sometimes you just don’t have the time to visit a masseuse or chiropractor, but need relief immediately. In that case, individualized therapy is your friend. You can combine passive and active recovery methods (the active recovery being you massaging yourself) to get efficient healing of your muscles and relief from pain.

We all get stressed from daily life activities. However, failure to manage this stress properly could hurt your health over time. A massage gun could be a hack to successfully managing stress within the shortest possible time and in the most convenient way while getting the many other benefits attached to it.


Article Sources
  1. To Compare the Effect of Vibration Therapy and Massage in Prevention of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
    Shagufta Imtiyaz, Zubia Veqar, and M.Y. Shareef
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3939523/
  2. Effect of Whole Body Vibration on Skin Blood Flow and Nitric Oxide Production
    Paula K. Johnson, MS, J. Brent Feland, PT, PhD, A. Wayne Johnson, PT, PhD, Gary W. Mack, PhD, and Ulrike H. Mitchell, PT, PhD
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4764225/
  3. Effects of whole-body vibration on blood flow and neuromuscular activity in spinal cord injury
    A J Herrero , H Menéndez, L Gil, J Martín, T Martín, D García-López, A Gil-Agudo, P J Marín
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21042329/
  4. The effects of whole body vibration therapy on bone mineral density and leg muscle strength in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    Ricky W K Lau, Lin-Rong Liao, Felix Yu, Tilda Teo, Raymond C K Chung, Marco Y C Pang
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21849376/
  5. Vibration therapy: clinical applications in bone
    William R Thompson, Sherwin S Yen, Janet Rubin
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25354044/
  6. Short-term effects of vibration therapy on motor impairments in Parkinson’s disease
    Lauren K King, Quincy J Almeida, Heidi Ahonen
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20037223/
  7. Lymphatic System Flows
    James E. Moore, Jr. and  Christopher D. Bertram
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5922450/

NOTE: We only use high-quality sources and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations to support the facts within our articles.

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Post Update History

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 15, 2024 Some text changes and corrections for content clarity and improved readability. New in-house photos for better visual experience. Enhanced linking and improved navigation. (Author: Greg)

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luke massagegunadvice

Luke Deszczulka

luke massagegunadvice
Luke Deszczulka

Hi! I'm Luke, a Biomedical Engineer with a passion for sports. I'm a lead reviewer for massage guns and wellness tech products at Massage Gun Advice. Alongside a dedicated Experts Board, I ensures each review is the result of thorough testing, in-depth research, and rigorous fact-checking, providing our readers with reliable and comprehensive insights.

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3 Comments

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