Massage Gun Talk

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.

Help Recovery with a Percussion Massager

There are many Massage Gun tools that can help recovery after a workout. Everyone has their preferences; each recovery tool has a unique set of advantages and disadvantages. My preferred tool is the massage gun. It has several distinctive features that place it ahead of other tools, in my opinion.

Let's consider different tools that help recovery as well as help with soreness:

Ice baths: Beyond the chill, they do help sore muscles

Some individuals utilize an ice bath. No complaints about its effectiveness, but you lose me at the word "ice"! I cannot imagine jumping into one. I wouldn't be able to tolerate the cold. Assuming the cold doesn't bother you, there are a few other obstacles. You would need to purchase an ice pod to use it at home. In addition to being expensive, the size of these pods would necessitate creating space to accommodate them. You could have the option of using one at your local gym where you work out, but access can potentially be an issue, especially at crowded gyms.

Massage: Money and time can impact your decision

What about a good old-fashioned massage? Again, a very effective recovery tool. However, you will need to pay for a massage every time you receive one. Plus, you need to make a special trip to your massage therapist. Not to mention, your massage therapist may or may not be available when you need them. Unless your workouts are scheduled regularly, it may not be a practical option.

Foam rolling: Effective but bulky

It may be appealing to do something like foam rolling. This may be a suitable option for some individuals, but not everyone is a fan for some reason. Part of that is related to the time and space required. It means extra time at the gym or creating space for it at home.

Passive recovery: When it comes to help with soreness, it just doesn’t cut it

I do know quite a few individuals who settle for passive recovery. That's another way of saying, they do nothing. Over time, your body will recover from fatigue, but this will not help with soreness. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is caused by microdamage to muscles from a workout. With passive recovery, it is highly likely that you will experience DOMS. Otherwise, DOMS would not even exist.

Massage guns: Help With muscle recovery without the problems with other modalities

Percussion Massage guns can help with soreness! Utilizing a massage gun will increase blood flow to the areas it is applied. With increased circulation, there is enhanced healing of the microdamage in muscles.

In addition to helping with soreness, a massage gun is small, making it portable. That means you can use it while you are on your break at work or on your ride home from the gym. So, if you are short on time, it's the most practical option outside of passive recovery. Depending on the model and features, massage guns can get expensive. However, it is a one-time cost, and it would pay for itself in a few weeks of usage.

Whether it's fatigue or DOMS, a massage gun can be the solution you were looking for.