Are Handheld Gun Massagers Effective? 

Yes, handheld massagers can be effective when used correctly, although they won’t replace or give you a more effective massage than a professional masseuse. But they are highly effective for targeting areas of pain, and specific areas, of the body.

Massage guns allow you to target specific muscle groups while you relax at home. And because they are so portable, you can even take them to work and enjoy a little massage during your breaks.

Using a massager will increase blood flow in the area you are targeting and increase blood circulation. 

proven effects of vibration massage- with clinical applications

Increase Blood Flow

Studies have shown that vibrations can increase blood flow significantly. One trial showed that both vibrations, at 30 Hz and 50 Hz help to increase the peripheral blood flow. 50 Hz proved to be the more effective, giving longer-lasting and more rapid results.

While you may be inclined to buy a massage gun with the highest vibration levels possible, studies show us that the most effective range of vibration (HZ) is between 20 – 60 Hz, which is proven to cause the muscles to relax. While 100 Hz and above will make the muscles contract.

Pain Reduction

After a long hard run, the tight muscles in your legs can cause stiffness and pain. Vibrations can help to reduce the pain by relaxing the trigger points and tense muscles.

Although I said moments ago that vibrations at 100hz are proven to make the muscles tighten, not relax. Vibrations at 100 Hz and above help to reduce symptoms of pain, especially osteoarthritis of the knees. In theory, running a massager in this frequency tends to mask the problem and not get down to the root cause of the issue.

Cramps And Spasms

Vibrations in the level of 30 – 50 Hz are effective at suppressing cramps and spasms temporarily. So if you suffer from muscle spasms and cramps, which are a common cause of back, neck, and shoulder pain, handheld massagers in this range of Hz will be most effective.

The pain we feel after exercise is due to microscopic tears in our muscles. Another term for this is DOMS which stands for delayed onset muscle soreness. And while you are experiencing this soreness in the muscles, you won’t be able to achieve your highest level of performance. By using a handheld massage gun, you will be able to speed up the process of healing and get back to your best much sooner.

Vibration from 30-65 Hz either before or after exercise will result in:

• less soreness
• a reduction in blood chemicals that result from cell membrane damage, tissue necrosis, and muscle cell damage
• a reduction in the temporary loss of muscle performance.

20 minutes of vibration per day can be highly beneficial and help to promote healing. Even wounds and bone fractures can heal quicker with short-term applications at 45 Hz. The same healing effect is true for the muscles and nerves.

What Should I Look For When Buying A Massage Gun?

Massage guns are devices that use percussion motion to help treat pain, muscle tightness and speed up recovery time. So, you will have a better idea of what you are looking for, but here are a few things to consider and hopefully make your decision process a bit easier.

SPEED

The speed at which the massager oscillates has an impact on the way it works on the body. If you want your massager to relax the muscles and not cause them to contract, a massager with a Hz ranger of between 30 – 50 Hz will probably be best.

If you suffer joint pain and want to achieve a temporary reduction in pain. A massager with a vibration range of 100 – 200 Hz may be more helpful.

AMPLITUDE

Amplitude is the distance the massagers head travels in and out. Similar to the way the needle on a sewing machine goes up and down. We don’t believe this is an area of great importance when shopping for a massage gun, but an amplitude of 5mm and above should be good enough, as it helps to force the vibrations deep into the muscles.

POWER

The overall power of your handheld massager is a combination of speed and amplitude. The best guns on the market will have a mix of both that work best together, while some of the cheaper models may have a good level of vibration but a useless level of amplitude, or vise versa.

All massagers come with a power rating. But unless the massager is of good quality, these ratings can often be misleading. Viewing rating left by previous buyers is often the best way to check the performance of a specific massager. And by spending just a few minutes, you’ll know whether the power ratings are accurate.

SHAPE

Handheld massagers typically come in two shapes. The most common shape is the gun shape, while the other comes with a large head and a long handle design. If your intended use is to target back pain, a massager with a long handle and a large head will make it easier for you to use. The smaller gun design makes it a bit trickier when using on your own back. Some are also available in a combination of both, giving you the best of both worlds.

WHY VIBRATION MASSAGE AT ALL?

Enjoy these beneficial effects in the comfort of your own home:

• Muscle relaxation in the comfort of your home
• Increases in blood flow which continues for over 15 minutes post-massage
• Pain reduction by blocking nerve pain signals
• Speed up muscle recovery and reduce soreness
• Temporarily increase the strength and coordination of muscles
• Help prevent muscle atrophy
• Increase production of growth hormone in the targeted area
• Increase the formation of new blood vessels

Best massage gun UK – Theragun Elite

TheraGun is a well-recognised brand in the Uk and one of the biggest brands on the market today. And the Theragun elite is one of their most popular models.

It packs a real punch and won’t let you down if you are looking for a powerful massager. At first, we thought it was too powerful and had to lower the frequency while applying little pressure. But after a few sessions, you soon get the hang of it, and when you do, there is no looking back.

If you are buying a massage gun for the first time, it may be wise to choose another model or brand as we think it may be a bit powerful for a beginner. But if you want a device that is built right, has the power for all situations, and will last a long time, the Theragun won’t let you down. But it may bring your bank balance down a bit. You can check out the gun and the price at Amazon here.

Some of the pros of the Theragun elite are:

• Its got a long battery life
• Comes with an ergonomic handle that makes it easier to reach those hard-to-reach places.
• Has an excellent app.
• Perfect for all issues, from workout recovery to stress and pain relief.
• Includes plenty of attachments for you to use.

There are not many cons, to be honest, but here is a couple:

• It’s not the quietest massager on the market, which makes sense due to its power.
• It may be too powerful for first-time users.
• The cost may put some people off.

Best budget massage gun UK

We think the Wattne W2 is perfect for beginners. And for the price, we don’t think you will be able to find better. At the time of writing, it has nearly 7000 reviews and has a five-star rating. You can check out the Wattne W2 here on Amazon. The price is nearly as impressive as the massager itself.

We hope you found this post helpful.