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 a 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

11 Massage Gun Benefits Revealed & Theragun Benefits to Keep in Mind

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Hello, and welcome to our article on the benefits of a massage gun.

This post will explore percussion massager benefits and cover their drawbacks. If you’re considering purchasing one of these recovery tools, it is crucial to understand the benefits of using massage gun, so you can choose the one that fits your needs.

Percussive Therapy: The Basics

Massage guns are electronic devices often used to relieve pain and improve blood circulation. They produce powerful vibrations applied to the skin with a massage gun head.

These devices are a fantastic alternative to other wellness tools like the foam roller.

Trigger point massage provides deeper relief than high-end foam rollers that use vibration therapy. Known as percussive therapy, massage gun benefits include natural pain relief similar to that a massage therapist could provide.

So, let’s see just how beneficial percussive therapy is. We will discuss both the health benefits and the practical massage gun benefits.


What are the Benefits of Using a Massage Gun?

Let’s start with the health benefits of massage gun, shall we? By the way, that also includes Theragun health benefits.


1. Health and Relaxation Massage gun: Overall Wellness of Body and Mind

A muscle massager for body relaxation can improve overall wellness in many ways, and we’ve listed them below.

  • Rapid Tension Relief Gun Benefits
    When done correctly, these devices can help the body release dopamine and serotonin, mainly when used by a massage therapist.

    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.
  • Sleep Well
    It’s no secret that quality sleep is essential for maintaining overall wellness. 

    Sleep is vital for focus, alertness, libido, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function.

    One of the benefits of a massage gun use, is that 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.
A Woman holding with her hand a Theragun Mini Massage Gun to relief Shoulder pain
Massage gun.benefits: It can help with general body relaxation.
  • Overall, Best Immune Support
    Limited studies exist on how percussion massager benefits the immune system.
    However, we know it helps with better blood circulation (we’ll talk about massage gun circulation later). Because of this, white blood cells and other immunity factors can travel through body tissue more effectively, potentially improving the body’s immune response to stress.
  • Increase Mental Clarity
    This is one of the percussion therapy benefits that could improve circulation and blood oxygen levels. Your ability to maintain focus may also improve.

The great thing is that to achieve all massage gun.benefits, all you need is a device that suits your needs.
However, you’ll probably need a therapist or someone with some knowledge of massage therapy to get better results on muscles that are hard to reach.

You won’t need a big, expensive device like those advertised, focusing on “the benefits of Theragun”.

Moreover, you can even choose a compact portable device and enjoy mini massager benefits. In our mini massage gun article, we have tested the best ones so you can enjoy the benefits of percussion therapy on the go!

mini massager benefits: A woman having her back massaged with a mini massager
Massage gun use: a wellness tool for your body and mind.

2. Massage Flushing: Boosts Lymphatic Flow

A less-talked-about but equally important muscle gun benefits, is better blood circulation.

Efficient circulation assists the transportation of blood, which delivers nutrients to promote a healthy body.

Additionally, the boost in blood flow means a better oxygen supply throughout the body. These nutrients and oxygen are needed for muscle repair and efficient body function.

The benefits of percussion therapy​1–3​ are known to boost blood flow​2​ to the body area to which the device is applied. However, a full-body massage with it may lead to better circulation throughout the body.

How to naturally increase circulation?

First, poor blood circulation has adverse effects on your overall health. Some signs that your circulatory system is impaired 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 before participating in exercise or percussive therapy.

The lymphatic system includes several lymph nodes placed throughout various areas of your body. These nodes act as little bunkers that store lymphocytes needed to fight infections.

Trigger point treatment 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 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 may need a larger, more powerful massage gun, while a smaller person may only require a more gentle device.

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


3. Ease Muscle Tension Knots: Find Relief

Anyone who works out, especially those who lift weights, knows you must lift heavier weights more often to increase muscle strength and mass.

However, pushing the limits means you have to endure the aftermath. Usually, these are painful aches within the muscles (painful muscles)—we call this Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (or DOMs), which we will discuss later.

Muscle gun benefits your body. This is where it can greatly help with soreness after workouts, as massaging your body after strenuous activity helps alleviate soreness and promote recovery​4,5​.

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

muscle gun benefits: a man using a device to ease muscle tension on quads
Benefits of muscle gun: Faster recovery.

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

Our Advice:

We recommend a deep tissue massage for improved muscular recovery. We have reviewed some fantastic sports massagers, such as the Ekrin Kestrel or the Bob and Brad D6 Pro.


4. Delay of Muscle Soreness: Bounce Back Faster

DOMS muscle can be a real pain and can rage on for up to three days after a heavy workout. A deep tissue massage can greatly reduce this pain and get you going again, faster.

According to a 2014 study​1​, a massage vibration machine can:

  • Greatly improve muscle endurance,
  • increase power, and
  • improve kinesthetic awareness.

But wait a minute. I thought sports massagers offered percussive therapy, not vibration therapy. Well, don’t overthink this too much.

muscle massage gun benefits: lower back pain
Massage gun benefits: massage gun for sciatica pain

Both therapies use the same mechanism.
However, one of the percussion therapy benefits is that it works directly over muscle tissue and has the potential to provide much stronger, specific results.

Current research on vibration therapy benefits is a good indicator that percussive therapy may be a much more effective treatment option.

When experiencing real-time muscle pain, percussive therapy can help by breaking up the pain signals sent by your brain to your body. It’s almost the same as 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.


5. Sports Performance: Stay Ahead of the Game

Massage gun use has become extremely popular in recent years, mostly thanks to athlete endorsements. High-performing athletes have promoted the benefits of Theragun for pain relief and improved performance.

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. 


6. Injury Recovery: Heal Faster, Restore & Thrive.

Massage gun use is highly recommended for injury recovery (rehabilitation treatment) because it not only hastens recovery and healing mentally but can also prevent re-injury.

Using them is supplementary to the standard methods of rehabilitation therapy. They assist in achieving improved healing and recuperation of atrophied or damaged muscles caused by trauma or illness.

Because one of the percussion therapy benefits is to facilitate efficient circulation within those areas (fascial tissues and muscles), you can use a massage gun for flexibility to enhance the healing process, which may be quicker.

Some examples of Theragun benefits are for treating:

  • Muscle soreness
  • Sciatica
  • Muscle cramps and spasms
  • TMJ syndrome
  • Non-specific low back pain
  • Shin Splints 
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
theragun benefits: Massage Gun to help Break Up Scar Tissue
Massage gun.benefits: recommended for injury recovery.

Related: posts worth reading:


7. Natural Pain Therapy: Smart Recovery, Safer Results

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 pain.

According to our chiropractic expert, Gary:

Proper massage gun use, along with the guidance of experienced rehabilitation specialists (such as pain management specialist, massage therapist, physical therapist, chiropractors, etc.), may be just what you need as a natural pain therapy.

Is using a massage gun good for you?

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

Natural Pain Therapy: theragun benefits on man's arm
Muscle gun benefits: as a shoulder reliever or for shoulder pain relief.

Over time, and with the careful use of your device, you may begin to notice significant improvements in tissue relaxation and enhanced muscle and joint function, as confirmed by our chiropractic expert’s observations in clinical practice.


8. Nervous System Stimulation: Relax & Refresh

Nerve function is crucial for good health and long life, which means being healthy for life. Some other benefits of using a massage gun are that it can stimulate the nervous system and potentially improve certain essential functions.

One potential effect is simulating the production or release of feel-good hormones such as serotonin and dopamine (brain release happy chemicals). Optimal levels of these hormones​6​ mean sharper focus and a generally elevated mood.

The conclusion is that massage gun use may help you chill out in the evening after a long day, feeling fresh the next morning, and strengthen your mind over time. The key to success is to incorporate it regularly into your daily routine. Think of it as one of the fun activities to improve mental health.


9. Facilitates the Release of Lactic Acid: Back in Action Sooner

Literally, every athlete or gym enthusiast will tell you how frustrating it can be when you are working out and suddenly 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, the release of lactic acid happens faster than the body can burn it up.

massage gun.benefits: release of lactic acid. Man exahusted at the gym
Massage gun benefits: can improve sports performance.

One of Theragun benefits is that it can help dispel the extra lactic acid in the circulatory system and get you going again. This can also potentially reduce DOMs, which may happen later.


10. Breaks Up Scar Tissue: Accelerate Healing

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

Consequently, this technique is recommended not only for sports injuries but also for post-surgery scar tissue treatment.

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.


11. Improves Flexibility & Range of Motion: Move Better

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 and, with the correct training, can lead to improved flexibility.

Massage gun for flexibility

They are also frequently used while stretching to help improve the depth of the stretch, potentially improving muscle and joint flexibility.

We recently published an article on their use for arthritis, highlighting their possible benefits for achy joints and muscles and for range of motion.


12. Injury and Prevention: and Keep Going!

Not only can percussive therapy promote recovery from soreness after a workout, but it can also prevent injury before a workout. A sports massager can be used to warm up the muscles.

The additional blood flow created from using a muscle massager is a great way to prime your muscles for training (runners can greatly appreciate it).

This dramatically reduces the risk of injury.

An athlete holding on his hand an Air 2 Mini Massager Used To Warm Up Muscles Before Running
Massage gun.benefits: to accelerate warm-up and recovery.

5 Practical Percussive Therapy Benefits You Will Appreciate

Apart from the health benefits percussive therapy can provide, there are practical reasons why you may want to own one.

Some of them are:

  • They are good substitutes for a massage therapist. We recommend getting a pro massage, but if you know what you are doing, a sports massager is an inexpensive alternative to a therapist or chiropractor. You can use one anytime you need to, without worrying about the cost associated with a practitioner.
    IMPORTANT: We are not suggesting these tools are better than or can replace the expertise of professional therapists. We advocate for a sports massager as part of your wellness routine, offering support alongside the skilled care therapists or chiropractors provide.
  • They are at your disposal at home. Sometimes, searching for a ‘pain management specialist near me’ can be a hassle, especially when you are not feeling like it, it’s too late, or you are simply tired. Just rev it up and get to work on your sore muscles.
  • You can use it on your family or loved ones. Again, this emphasizes how cheap having a massage gun can be. If visiting a therapist is expensive for you, taking your entire family there is even more costly.
  • Have a massage on the go. You can carry it with you almost anywhere. Sure, some are heavy and bulky, but a mini device (check this list) offers portability.
  • You get direct feedback when massaging yourself, and you learn about your body as you do so. This is highly recommended if you want to achieve a healthy life.

The Real Deal: Massage Gun Pros and Cons Explained – FAQ

OK, we discussed some key benefits of a massage gun and Theragun benefits, but…

What are the cons of using a massage gun?

  1. What Can Go Wrong? The Hidden Risks of Misusing a Massage Gun
    You’ll notice that we have insisted on knowing what you are doing with a massage gun. It’s a personal massage tool, meaning 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 sports massager.
  2. When Relief Backfires: How Massage Guns Can Worsen Injuries
    Apart from the injuries we have listed above, using a sports massager on injuries like sprains, broken bones, or large swellings is not recommended.
    Chronic pain conditions like hypertension, varicose veins, rheumatoid arthritis, and others could become worse. Talk to a doctor about your condition before using one.
  3. Unexpected Side Effect: Can Massage Guns Cause Itchy Skin?
    Itchy skin can occur if you use the massage gun for an extended period or at a high setting. 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 detailed post on managing itchy skin after using a massage gun may help mitigate the issue.
  4. Too Big to Be Handy? The Weight Problem with Massage Guns
    This is true; some can be bulky and heavy, making them challenging. However, some are compact and light (the Ekrin 365 is one great example).
    If the full-sized ones are too heavy, you can also have mini massage guns
  5. The Price Tag Problem: What to Know Before You Buy a Massage Gun
    Theragun and Hypervolt are good examples.
    This was an issue when they first entered the market. However, we can confirm that prices have significantly decreased with the availability of many massage guns.

    Still, some options from branded companies remain pricey. Yet, it’s worth noting that Theragun offers premium quality.

    However, some alternatives are just as effective and often of comparable quality but at a much lower price. In fact, the one we voted as the best massage gun for 2025 is actually half the price of the Theragun Pro. Also, another option, the D6 Pro massager, is as punchy as Theraguns.
massage gun pros: side-by-side for comparison purposes
A high-quality massage gun doesn’t have to cost $600 – The Ekrin Kestrel is half the price but just as beneficial as the top-shelf Theraguns. Learn more: Ekrin Kestrel Review.

Are massage guns safe?

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

Are percussion massagers safe?

When used correctly, percussive therapy is one of the top methods for muscle recovery. Moreover, we believe it’s wise to consult an expert if you have doubts about your ability to use a sports massager.

How often should you use a massage gun?

Lastly, avoid overdoing it. 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 body part.

Don’t hold the device 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 minutes at most.

benefits of a theragun: A senior person having his back pain treated by a massage therapist using percussion therapy
Benefits of a Theragun: Percussive therapy is safe and effective for our beloved seniors.

Where not to use a massage gun?

  • 🚫 Massage guns can cause pain:
    A new onset of pain usually means you are applying too much pressure or the speed is too high. Check that you are using the correct pressure for your massaging body area.
  • 🚫 Avoid touching nerves:
    When you feel an electric shock-like pain, stop immediately.
  • 🚫 Do not use them directly on bony areas:
    The spine, neck, fractures, or wounds.
    Only use them on muscles for completely assured safety; otherwise, consult an expert.
  • 🚫 Do not use them on an area that has impaired sensation:
    Don’t continue massaging that area if you are not getting precise sensorial feedback.
    You risk causing more damage than repair.
  • 🚫 Do not use massage guns if you are on blood thinners:
    For example, heparin and warfarin prescriptions. 
  • 🚫 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.

How Do I Know What Massage Gun to Buy?

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

There are a few things that you should know when you go out to buy one. We have discussed them in most of our guides, and you can refer to our blog on the best devices for your needs.


Theragun Benefits & Massage Gun.Benefits: Conclusion

As you can see, the number of massage gun benefits vastly outweighs concerns or disadvantages. For us, however, and I’m sure most users as well, one of the most significant benefits of a massage gun is that you can perform deep tissue therapy yourself.

Sometimes, you don’t have the time to visit a pain management clinic, a masseuse, or a chiropractor but need immediate pain relief. In that case, personalized percussive therapy is your friend. You can combine passive and active recovery methods (the active recovery being you massaging yourself) to heal your muscles and relieve pain efficiently.

We all get stressed from daily life activities. However, failure to manage this stress properly could hurt your health over time. A tool like a massage gun could be a hack to manage stress successfully and conveniently while getting other benefits.


Bibliography

  1. 1.
    Shagufta Imtiyaz, Zubia Veqar, and M.Y. Shareef and MYS. To Compare the Effect of Vibration Therapy and Massage in Prevention of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). To Compare the Effect of Vibration Therapy and Massage in Prevention of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3939523/
  2. 2.
    Paula K. Johnson, MS, J. Brent Feland, PT, PhD, A. Wayne Johnson, PT, PhD, Gary W. Mack, PhD, and Ulrike H. Mitchell, PT, P. Effect of Whole Body Vibration on Skin Blood Flow and Nitric Oxide Production. Effect of Whole Body Vibration on Skin Blood Flow and Nitric Oxide Production. 2014. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4764225/
  3. 3.
    A J Herrero , H Menéndez, L Gil, J Martín, T Martín, D García-López, A Gil-Agudo, P J Marín. Effects of whole-body vibration on blood flow and neuromuscular activity in spinal cord injury. Effects of whole-body vibration on blood flow and neuromuscular activity in spinal cord injury. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21042329/
  4. 4.
    Lauren K King, Quincy J Almeida, HA. Short-term effects of vibration therapy on motor impairments in Parkinson’s disease. Short-term effects of vibration therapy on motor impairments in Parkinson’s disease. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20037223/
  5. 5.
    Ricky W K Lau, Lin-Rong Liao, Felix Yu, Tilda Teo, Raymond C K Chung, MYCP. The effects of whole body vibration therapy on bone mineral density and leg muscle strength in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The effects of whole body vibration therapy on bone mineral density and leg muscle strength in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21849376/
  6. 6.
    William R Thompson, Sherwin S Yen, JR. Vibration therapy: clinical applications in bone. Vibration therapy: clinical applications in bone. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25354044/

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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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!

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July 24, 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.

Articles: 67

3 Comments

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