Massage Gun Talk

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.

When Was the First Massage Gun Invented and was...

Massage guns have become very popular in the last decade or so. At first, you saw them in various rehabilitation clinics. Then, they gained popularity with athletes. Now, they have become a popular household item. If you don't own one yourself, it's likely that you know at least one person who does. So, how did all this start? When was the first massage gun invented?

Invention of the massage gun

The first massage gun was invented in 2007 by Dr. Jason Werseland, a chiropractor who suffered a herniated disc in a motorcycle accident. He had tried different therapies to help with the pain, but nothing seemed to work. That's when he took matters into his own hands and became the inventor of the handheld percussion massager. After all, necessity is the mother of invention.

Although massage guns are relatively new, the technology behind them actually dates back to the 1950s. Robert Fulford came up with the concept of what was called the percussion vibrator. It was a small, hammer-like device that created vibrations. Fulford was an osteopathic physician who used this percussion vibrator to treat pain. He believed it helped alter energy, which ultimately led to healing. Nevertheless, the original idea was meant to be something used by physicians and therapists. It wasn't until the 2010s that it became a tool the average person could use.

The need for massage gun research

Although the original idea had to do with pain relief, there are now many uses for massage guns. Some of these uses have been shown by research to improve range of motion and aid in recovery. While others seem to be just claims. The idea that a massage gun can help with athletic performance is somewhat questionable. There hasn't been enough research to confirm such a claim. The few published studies seem to suggest it has no effect. However, there is also evidence to show that it can help improve range of motion.

Massage guns can reduce injuries

Why would anyone want better range of motion? Well, it's not necessarily going to improve performance. However, it does have a great impact on injury prevention. Many injuries take place when a joint reaches the limit of its range of motion. An increase in range of motion can extend that limit, making it less likely to get injured.

So, was it worth it?  The invention of the massage gun that is. We certainly believe so!

Hand-held Massagers: Are They Here to Stay?

Hand-held massagers have become quite popular since their invention in 2008. You see them everywhere! Whether you are at the gym or at a track meet. In fact, chances are, you know someone who owns a hand-held massager or you own one yourself. I believe this trend is just going to grow.

Hand-held massagers cannot replace a massage therapist or masseuse. Just having a human touch is beyond what a machine can do. However, there is a lot that a hand-held massager can do that you will never be able to get if you seek a therapist.

When is a percussion massager better than a therapist?

With a hand-held massager, the keyword is convenience. Picture this: you just got out of your basketball game and you need to relieve the tension in your leg muscles before going to bed. Just a few minutes with a massage gun will leave you feeling great. The same is the case if you have an early morning workout and are going to work right after. You have a few minutes between showering and going to work to get your massage in. Not to mention when your muscles tighten up without warning.

Back massage on demand

Do you feel your back tightening up at the end of your workday? Well, that little device is hand-held back massager as well. Just apply to your back whenever you feel the need. You can even keep your hand-held back massager at work to use for a few minutes every couple of hours throughout the day.

Reduce injury with a percussion massager

A hand-held massager can be a great tool to improve range of motion before performance, which is very important to many athletes. Some say massagers help performance. However, so far there hasn't been clear evidence to support that claim considering it is a relatively new tool. Improving range of motion may or may not improve performance; however, it is a key component in injury prevention. So, right before getting to that starting line, a few minutes of application can solve a problem you otherwise would not be able to with a therapist, unless you have a therapist with you at the event.

Massage guns save you money

Last but not least, the cost! Depending on the massager you choose to get, a massage gun can be expensive. If you compare the price to a massage therapy session, they are expensive. However, a hand-held massager lasts for years, so there is definitely great cost savings over time. You will ultimately make up the cost in less than five uses.

With a hand-held massage gun, instant recovery and relief have never been easier.

Mini Massage Gun or Full-Size: The differences ...

The mini massage gun is becoming increasingly popular, more so than the regular option. The difference in price is probably the biggest driver of this trend. It is probably the reason companies came up with the compact massaging device. These little gizmos can do a lot of what the full-size can do but definitely do not match up to it. Here I will break down the differences that apply across brands. Meaning, these will be the differences when comparing a mini percussion massager from any brand to a regular-sized from the same brand. The comparison would not hold true if a miniature from one brand is compared to a regular-sized from a different brand.

Main hand-held massager comparison points include:

• Price
• Power
• Battery life
• Attachments
• Size and weight
• Noise

The tiny option wins the price comparison

We already kind of addressed price, but to be more specific, a mini percussion massager is going to be around half the price of the larger option, give or take a few dollars of course. If it is just about price, go with the smaller, but recognize that there’s a reason for that.

Bigger devices are more powerful

The main difference between the small percussion massager and the larger option, is power. With tiny dimensions, comes a tiny motor; it will not be as powerful. This translates to less ability for the compact to penetrate deep into connective tissue and muscles. So, if you are looking for a deep tissue massage, a smaller gun massager is not the best choice.

Smaller size device means shorter battery life

Battery life will also be better for the larger model. Similar to the situation with the motor, the larger the device, the increased potential for a larger battery. A mini gun massager can work for 2-3 hours before it needs a recharge. The larger model, on the other hand, can work for 5-6 hours on one charge.

Traditional massage guns will also come with more attachments.

The compact could come with 3-4 attachments, while the full-size counterpart would have 6-8. This may or may not be important, depending on your needs. Think of it like video games; some individuals will buy a video game console because it has a specific game, and nothing else matters. It is similar here; there may be unique attachments that are only on the full-size. So, it is something you need to think about carefully before you buy.

Where does the smaller massage gun excel?

The mini gun massager comes out on top in several areas. The first being size and weight; the compact size and about half the full-size weight make it more portable. You can take it with you anywhere. Both sizes will fit in your backpack, but the full-size will not take as much space. In fact, I’ve seen a compact fit into someone’s jeans pocket. Not something you should try, but if you have a big enough pocket, it can work.

The other advantage to a smaller, is noise. A smaller motor means less noise. For many individuals, noise is a dealbreaker. This is especially true if you use it in public or a public space at home. While there are regular-sized massage guns that are quiet, they will still make more noise than the compact from the same brand.

I hope this article clarifies the main differences between a mini massage gun and a full-size. Let us know if you still have questions that were not addressed.

Whether small or big, these mechanical gismos can be your best friend.

Percussion Massagers: Benefits on Legs include ...

Benefits on legs are arguably the top aim of having a massage gun. After all, most sports will involve high-intensity running, and many jobs require individuals to stand on their feet all day. So, whether you are an athlete, fitness enthusiast, or need to stand all day for your job, using a handheld percussion massager can take care of many of your problems.

Fatigue reduction

When muscles are overused, they tend to feel fatigued. Fatigue is a form of tiredness that has many causes. One of which is increasing the amount of a substance called lactic acid in the muscles. Lactic acid is a byproduct of a process that takes place in the muscles during physical activity. Once the physical activity ends, lactic acid gradually decreases as it is removed by the blood supply to the area.

So, if you are a runner or someone that stands up all day, a massage gun can help you reduce fatigue or make a quicker recovery. Those high-repetition percussions on muscles result in an increase in blood supply to the area, making clearing of lactic acid a lot quicker. This might be exactly what you need, especially if you need to continue with your activity. For example, if you are a teacher, you have a full day of class periods where you will be standing. If you are a runner, you may have different events in a meet that you will compete in. This is one of the popular benefits on legs a massage gun can provide.

Muscle soreness reduction

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is more common in athletes a day or two after competition. Soreness results from microdamage to muscles from intense activity. This microdamage is actually good for muscles, as the body repairs the damage to make them bigger and stronger. However, it does not feel very good and makes movement difficult. In order for recovery to take place, good blood supply to the area is needed. A massage gun after physical activity will increase blood supply, resulting in a reduction or even elimination of muscle soreness.

Effect on range of motion

Percussion massagers have been shown to increase range of motion in the hip, knee, and ankle. Although this will not result in improved performance, reduced range of motion is a major contributor to lower limb injury. Reduced range of motion in any of these joints can alter body mechanics. These changes can translate to joints needing to resist more forces than they can handle. These problems can be avoided with a good range of motion.

Percussion massagers have gotten very popular for good reason. Quite a few benefits on legs, including recovery from fatigue, limiting muscle soreness, as well as increasing range of motion to reduce injuries are most of the most standout benefits.

A Deep Tissue Massager Helps You Reach Otherwis...

When would a massage gun be “deep tissue”?

A deep tissue massager can come in different forms. The most popular form is the massage gun. However, not all massage guns are deep tissue massagers. A key element in determining whether a percussion massager can be considered a deep tissue massager has to be its amplitude.

Unfortunately, there are no industry standards that can automatically be applied. Different manufacturers will indicate their massage gun is for deep tissue massage. However, in some cases, the amplitude can be as low as 10 mm and as high as 16 mm. Nevertheless, 10 mm is considered deep tissue by many.

Of course, amplitude without stall force would not be effective. What exactly is stall force? Stall force is how much force you can apply to a massage gun before the motor stops. For a percussion massager to be deep tissue, it would need at least 40 lbs of stall force. Some massagers in the market reach 60 lbs of stall force.

Deep tissue vs traditional massage

Deep tissue massage has similar benefits to traditional massage but affecting both superficial and deep structures. Buried beneath the surface of superficial muscles are layers of muscle tissue and connective tissue. These structures are typically missed when using a smaller amplitude massage gun. They can also be the source of major discomfort for individuals. Connective tissue microdamage heals with scar tissue, which leads to adhesions. These adhesions limit mobility and are a source of discomfort. A deep tissue massager through mechanical percussions can break down these adhesions.

Achieving pain relief with deep tissue massager

Mechanical stimulation through a massage gun relieves pain through different mechanisms. The body responds to it by increasing blood flow to the area. Increasing blood flow speeds up healing and the removal of metabolic waste. Mechanical stimulation and increased blood flow result in an increase in temperature. The soothing effect of heat also plays a role in the feeling of relief.

Mechanical stimulation also relieves pain through what is called the “gate control theory.” Sensory stimuli come from different parts of the body and go to the spinal cord. However, individuals only perceive the first stimulus that reaches the spinal cord, as in the first through the “gate.” A mechanical stimulus is much quicker than a pain stimulus, which translates to individuals feeling the percussions and not the discomfort. A similar situation to rubbing your leg right after a fall or scratching when you feel an itch or tickle. Both an itch and tickle are forms of pain stimulation; scratching is a form of mechanical stimulation.

The benefits described above apply to all types of massage. However, in the case of deep tissue massage, these benefits apply to structures that are buried below other muscles or connective tissue. This translates to comfort that is not just skin deep.

A percussion massager reduces pain and inflammation in otherwise unreachable muscles.