Massage Gun Talk

Four Solutions to How To Use Massage Gun On Bac...

If you are like many people, you have some type of chronic back pain. You decided to get a massage gun to help relieve that pain at times when you are away from your therapist. However, you are not sure how to use a massage gun on your back by yourself. Having someone else do it for you is an option, but it kind of defeats the purpose. There are four potential solutions that we will look at below.

Just hold your massage gun and apply it to your back

• It may not be intuitive, but believe it or not, you may be able to just hold it in your hand and turn your hand in such a way that you would be able to use it directly on your back without help. However, not everyone can do this, and among those who can, not everyone is comfortable or likes the idea.

Household items can help

• A common solution is to place the massager between two household items that would hold it in place. Some people place it between two couch cushions such that the head of the massager would be free to apply the massage while they move their body. Another idea would be to slide the massage gun onto a window handle to hold it in place. You can get creative with what works best for you with what you have access to. In some cases, it can get difficult, but it is a free option considering you are using what you already own to get the job done.

Get a long handle for your percussion massager

• Another solution would be to get a long-curved handle to attach to the gun. That way, you can reach different spots on your back without needing to use any awkward arm positions. However, you will have to pay attention to a few things here. First, there are plenty of options in the market, and not all of them will work for your model. Second, this is not a free option. Depending on how much your massage gun was, it may not be a good option. In some cases, these handles cost as much as a low-cost massage gun. In essence, you would be doubling the price of that massage gun. Nevertheless, it is a solution.

Maybe use a mounting?

• Last but not least, there is an option to buy a mounting that would hold your massager. Similar to the option of using household items to hold it, the difference is that the mounting is designed specifically for this. Mountings have different designs with different costs, which can be too expensive in some cases. You will also need to figure out where the mounting would attach. That will also differ. In some cases, it could be the door, in other cases, it would be the wall. What works for you may not work for others. Similar to the handle option, you will need to consider if the mounting works for your specific model and that it is not a free option.

These are our solutions to how to use massage gun on yourself. As in, how to use on back by yourself. Creativity is key!

Use a massage gun on your back by yourself and enjoy relief from back pain.

A Hand-Held Back Massager: A List Of Things To ...

In a fast-paced environment where many of us work multiple jobs, stress and tension tend to develop in our muscles. This progresses over the long working day and affects many muscles. Whether you sit or stand for prolonged periods of time, back muscles bear a huge share of that stress and tension. Chances are, this leaves you unable to do much once you get home. I think we’ve all been there.

Enter the hand-held back massager! Or, more accurately, the hand-held massage gun, as it can be used on most muscles and not just the back. These small, portable devices have become the go-to devices that many individuals use to get a sense of relief from muscular stress, among other uses. Although there are other solutions to your back problems, they all come with their own list of pros and cons. Here I will talk list things you consider if you are in the market for one. Things that can be obvious but can easily be overlooked. Especially when wanting to use it on your back.

• Compact is nice but what exactly does that mean?

A hand-held massage gun is compact and therefore portable. Of course, the word "compact" is a loose term, as they can be somewhat bulky. Full-size massage guns can be 12 inches, whereas mini massagers are around half of that. Both can still fit in your backpack, but the full size can be a little more difficult to fit into your glove compartment. Of course, this wouldn’t matter if you are looking to keep it at home for use after a long workday.

• Consider hand grip

Since we are on the topic of size, make sure the width of your hand-held back massager is small enough for you to get a full grip. So, the size of your hand is important. Some massage guns have a width of more than 2.5 inches. If you have small hands, you may want to find something around 1.7 inches. This will not only affect gripping the massager but also maneuvering it when using it on your back.

• What attachments does it come with?

Attachments are something else to consider when getting a hand-held massage gun, as some massagers come with many and others come with a few. There are also no standards when it comes to look and potential usage. For back-specific usage, I would start with the most popular massage gun attachment, which is the sphere head. It comes under different names but ultimately it is a large ball-like structure with a foamy feel. This will be the safest option to use as for some individuals, other attachments may be too strong and not give a good sensation. The other attachment I would recommend is the fork-like attachment that leaves a gap for the spine. So, it would massage muscle tissue on both sides of the spine without touching the bone. Any other attachments would be optional, but I would make sure the sphere and fork are available.

• Speed options

A hand-held back massager comes with different speed options, ranging anywhere from 15 to 70 Hz. However, most models do not span that entire range. Most give have many speed options but these speeds will range from 30-45 Hz for example. The greater the range, the more flexibility you will have in usage. After all, most individuals have their own preference when it comes to using a massage gun. Look for something that will more options as your preference may be different depending on the day or the body segment you use it on.

• Massage now! Not something overlooked, just highlighting a major benefit.

Perhaps the most important benefit of having a back massage gun is that it is a massage on demand. That is not something to ignore, considering a massage therapist will need an appointment. Not to mention the ongoing cost!

After an intense day for your back muscles, a hand-held back massager can be your best friend!

Massage guns: How to Use on Feet, the Right Way!

With massage guns becoming more popular, many individuals with plantar fasciitis use them on their foot’s scar tissue. This can be very effective, but a popular question is, how to use on feet?

Before addressing this question, it’s important to emphasize that there are many aspects to treating plantar fasciitis, massaging the scar tissue is just one piece. It is also important to note that there are no perfect methods that stand above the rest. Different individuals tend to have different approaches. The general idea would be to start easy and increase as you are able to tolerate.

What is the best head for feet?

Always start with the large ball attachment; this attachment may have different names by different manufacturers. Some call it the round head, others call it the globe or sphere. I am sure there are other names that I probably missed. Nevertheless, it is a round puffy foam head. Most likely the largest attachment you have. That is the head for feet, as well as other popular uses. Once you've tried it, you may decide to keep using it or progress to something that will be smaller and can go deeper. I’ve seen many use the bullet head. However, as mentioned above, never start with that as it may be too intense for you.

How long should you use it?

Start with no more than a minute of massage on the plantar fascia. However, when you progress, do not exceed two minutes.

Where on your feet do you apply a massage gun?

There are two places where you should apply a massager gun. The first is the area of the foot arch, from the heel to right before the ball of the foot. However, you do not want to move the massager in that direction. Instead, you want to go side to side. The idea is to massage perpendicular to the direction of the scar tissue fibers. The second area is the calf muscle. A common problem in individuals with plantar fasciitis is the tightness of the calf. So, a good practice would be to massage that as well. Mainly massaging the Achilles tendon and lower to mid-calf. Avoid the upper calf near the back of the knee, as this is a sensitive area with structures that can easily be damaged.

Before using a massage gun, consult with your healthcare provider, as there may be cases where using one may not be beneficial or even harmful.

Using a massage gun properly on your plantar fascia can help your feet feel healthy again.

Massagers for Athletes: Surprising Benefits! Ho...

Massagers for athletes have become very popular in the last decade or so. If you are an athlete, it is highly likely that you either own one or know many fellow athletes who do. If you go to any sports event, you will see quite a few athletes holding these athletic massager guns at different points in their performance. However, just as much as you see them in use, you also see those that criticize their use. I guess it really comes down to this: do they actually do what they are promoted to do

Athletic massager guns help with recovery

The first and most obvious use for massagers for athletes is for recovery. Following a workout or performance, there is lactic acid buildup in muscles. Lactic acid contributes to fatigue or the sense of tiredness. Different studies have shown that applying a massage gun increases blood flow to the area of application, which helps circulation remove lactic acid. A similar case can be made for reducing delayed muscle soreness. With exercising comes microdamage to muscle tissue. The feeling of delayed muscle soreness is experienced about a day or two later. With increased circulation post-workout, delayed muscle soreness can be reduced or even eliminated.

It is unclear if massage guns can improve performance

The most controversial topic is whether or not an athletic massager gun can help improve performance. This question is not easy to answer. There really isn't too much research on the topic, but the few published research articles show that it does not. We have to keep in mind that there are so many possible combinations of parameters that should be tested, but only a few have been. We expect that more research in the area will shed more light on the topic.

Mobility can improve with a percussion massager

A well-documented benefit of an athletic massager gun is that it helps increase range of motion. Whether it is range of motion around the ankle, knee, or hip, significant pre-exercise improvements in range of motion have been observed. However, this improved range of motion was not associated with a measurable improvement in performance.

These findings may seem discouraging, but they should not be. It is well documented that reduced range of motion is a major contributor to many injuries. Whether it's reduced ankle dorsiflexion, knee extension, or too much hip flexion; a decrease in range of motion can alter body mechanics resulting in some kind of musculoskeletal dysfunction. An example of this can be when landing from a jump. When one lands, they tend to bend their knees to ground reaction force. If ankle mobility is limited, it will translate to limited knee bending. Limited knee bending will translate to more force on the joints, which can translate to different types of injury.

An athletic massager gun helps you recover and reduces the risk of potential injury.

Massage gun magic! How to Use a Percussion Mass...

There are different solutions to the problem of how to use a massage gun on the upper back. Some are simpler than others, but in all cases, it is not as complicated as it may seem. The biggest issue seems to be reach.

Holding the massage gun can do the trick

The first solution lies in just holding it with one hand and reaching across to massage the upper back muscles on the opposite side. Give it a try; it's probably a lot easier than you think. However, I fully understand that not everyone will be able to reach all the spots they would like to.

Try using a long handle

Another solution would be to get a massage gun with a long handle attachment that would help you reach further. There is also an option of getting a handle that would attach to any massage gun. There are different options in the market that will do that. Just make sure they are universal and do not just work with specific brands.

Massage gun holders are also an option

Looking for something different? There is an option for a massage gun holder. Most come with the caveat of needing to mount the holder, which may or may not be an issue for some individuals. It’s also important to make sure the holder will attach to your specific massage gun model as some of these holders are model-specific.

Maybe have a friend apply it

Outside of the options discussed above, having someone apply the massager for you is always an option. However, it does remove the flexibility of being able to get a massage on your own.

Other than reach, what else should be considered?

Remember that you are targeting muscles and not the spine itself. So, your application should be either a little to the right or a little to the left of the spine. Attachments are important. While there are many attachment options, always start conservatively by using the large ball attachment. It will reduce the pressure on any individual spot. You can always change to different attachments as needed. Many electric massagers will come with a fork attachment that massages both sides next to the spine, without touching the spine itself. However, they do have a smaller area, so they will have more pressure than the large ball attachment. You probably do not want to use it for the first time.

Benefits of using a percussion massager on upper back

Since we are on the topic of how to use a massage gun on the upper back, we should also address its benefits. I mean, why would anyone want to use it on the upper back to begin with? With most individuals sitting in front of a computer for many hours each day, slouching and forward head posture are very popular. These types of postures can cause many biomechanics problems to the spine, resulting in upper back pain. Muscles around the spine, such as the trapezius and the erector spinae, can become spasmed and hold a lot of tension. This gives rise to discomfort or pain, as well as a decrease in range of motion. Using a massage gun in such situations can help relax these muscles and allow more mobility.

Treat the cause of the problem

It's important to recognize that although a massage gun can bring comfort, it does not address the root of the problem. Thus, it is crucial to eliminate the cause and not just address symptoms. Always consult with your healthcare provider before using a percussion massager, as it may not be the best solution for your specific problem.

Using a percussion massager on the upper back is a great way to relieve pain and improve functional mobility.

Deep Tissue Massager: Transformative Power in t...

Is a deep tissue massager the answer to your problems? That would depend on your specific needs. In our fast-paced world, stress and tension have become a significant part of our lives. Everyone is looking for the right relaxation and relief solutions. While there are many solutions out there, a deep tissue massager can be a great solution for many people. This revolutionary tool was first developed about 15 years ago and has taken the market by storm.

Why a deep tissue massage gun?

Unlike massagers that are just skin deep, a deep tissue massage gun can penetrate to the deep layers of muscle and connective tissue. In addition to vibration, a deep muscle massager can deliver high levels of targeted pressure to reach the deep layers. Reaching deep structures helps promote an overall sense of relaxation.

How does a deep muscle massager help relaxation?

The first mechanism is increased blood supply to the area. As circulation improves, tissue healing is expedited, and more oxygen reaches the different structures. In addition, improved circulation helps remove waste products quicker than normal.

In addition to improved circulation, mechanical stimulation helps relieve pain through what is called the gate control theory. As different stimuli go to the spinal cord, the spinal cord needs to decide which ones go to the central nervous system and which ones don't. Stimuli from mechanical sources, such as from a massage gun, are stronger than those from pain stimuli. So, these stimuli will be the ones passed on by the spinal cord, while pain stimuli will be blocked. This is exactly why an itch is relieved by a scratch. That is why if you do not like tickling, you feel better scratching. It's all about blocking out the pain signal.

A deep tissue massage gun also promotes relaxation through mobilizing adhesions. Whether it is connective tissue around the muscle or between muscles, injury and inflammation will result in tissue fibers healing with scar tissue, causing the formation of adhesions between fibers. A deep massager can help realign these fibers as well as break down adhesions.

Why use a massage gun compared to a therapist?

The question that presents itself is, wouldn't a regular massage do the same thing? Yes, with a good massage therapist. However, massage guns are small, portable, do not require an appointment, and you only have to pay for it once.

Make a new best friend with a deep tissue massager and enjoy quality relaxation on demand.