After a long day at the office or a grueling, intense work-out session, one of the main things your body might be craving is a professional, deep tissue massage that can really get in there and provide some pain relief to your tired and aching muscles. Unfortunately, massages aren’t a cheap treatment to indulge in, and for most people, hitting up the spa on a regular basis doesn’t fit seamlessly into their financial budget. Sure, you could head home and see if a friend or family member is willing to give your muscles that helping hand you need, but relying on the availability and expertise of others rarely works out in your favor, and more often than not, it tends to leave you just as sore, disappointed, and wishing for a better solution. 

Thankfully, modern technology may have the answer you’ve been searching for, and if aching muscles have you down then it may be time to explore the powerful and beneficial world of handheld massage guns. A revolutionary device for those in need of immediate relief and relaxation, massage guns have emerged as a game-changer for those who want to enjoy all of the perks of a massage, but without having to make an appointment or beg a friend. Able to get in deep to provide targeted relief, you can treat yourself to professional-level massages privately in the comfort of your own home, and they can work wonders as they serve to speed up your recovery or simply help you unwind after a taxing day. However, not all massage guns are created equally, and if you want to ensure you're getting the most out of this innovative technology, then this in-depth guide was written for you.

What Is A Massage Gun?

Before diving into all of the amazing features and benefits that massage guns come equipped with, you’ll first want to start your journey by familiarizing yourself with what these devices are, so you know what to look for once you’re ready to make a purchase. Also known as a percussion massager or deep tissue massager, a massage gun is a handheld device that is made up of a handle as well as a head, which is able to deliver rapid, percussive movements when applied to your muscles. While it may not have the same finesse and fine-tuned gentleness of a human hand, it makes up for this with both speed and power and it will do a fantastic job of replicating the deep tapping or kneading motions of a professional masseuse. 

Beloved by athletes, gym enthusiasts, and individuals who suffer from back or muscle pain, massage guns are incredibly powerful tools that can provide a range of benefits, and some of the main functions include:

What a massage gun can do for you will depend heavily on your lifestyle and needs, but its versatility and effectiveness make it an invaluable solution that can revolutionize your wellness routine and leave you feeling more relaxed, limber, and pain-free.

Speed & Depth

What makes massage guns so effective is their ability to push deep into your muscles, and instead of targeting your pain and soreness on the surface, they penetrate the actual muscle tissue to address the root cause of the discomfort. By reaching deep into the tissue layers, these powerful tools can effortlessly release tight knots, break up adhesions, and alleviate tension, and this is great when you require more pressure than what a traditional, softer massage typically offers. However, in order to reap the full benefits of a massage gun, you will need to understand the depth and speed of the model you are looking at, as these two aspects tend to have the biggest impact on whether or not you’ll be able to achieve the relief you seek.  

The speed at which your massage gun operates is an integral factor in whether or not it’s effective, and how fast you prefer it to be set at will really come down to both your individual needs, as well as your overall comfort and pain levels. In general, most massage guns tend to operate at a speed of around 1,200 to 3,200 percussions per minute (PPM), and these high-speed movements work to ensure that you can cover a large muscle area quickly and efficiently. Thankfully, most modern models do have variable speed settings, so you can easily increase or decrease the PPM depending on what your body requires during that specific session. 

Equally as important as speed, the depth at which your massage gun operates will directly impact how effective it is at targeting those hard-to-reach muscles, and you’ll want to be sure that whichever model you opt for is able to truly tackle your deep knots and adhesions. Also referred to as the "amplitude" or "stroke length," the depth of a massage gun's percussion is an important factor to evaluate and depending on your preferences and budget, it could range from as shallow as 8mm up to a more impressive depth of 16mm or more. Since the amplitude is not usually something that you can adjust, you will need to decide how deep you want your massage gun to penetrate and then search for options that match your preferred requirements. 

Key Considerations

The speed and depth of a massage gun may be two of the most essential factors you need to consider before purchasing a unit, but they aren't the only considerations you’ll want to take into account. Many of the newer models available do include a number of innovative features that could serve to enhance your overall massage experience. From interchangeable heads to how portable the unit is, some of the key design elements you’ll want to consider are:

As mentioned previously, many massage guns do come with adjustable speed settings, and this is an important feature that you’ll want to check for if you want to ensure you can tackle different areas of your body and different levels of pain. The speed and pressure your back requires, for example, will be much greater than what your neck or forearms need, and variable speeds allow you to customize the intensity of your massage to suit each area and your individual preferences. 

A standard massage gun is generally built with a rounded head on the device, which is a preferred choice for penetrating large muscle areas and achieving greater levels of pain relief and recovery. However, what sets many massage guns apart and enhances their versatility is the included interchangeable heads, and these attachments can offer more targeted relief in specific areas of your body. 

Massage guns make it easy for you to indulge in professional-grade deep tissue massages right in the comfort of your own home, but with most models being battery operated, these portable devices don’t need to be confined to the walls of your house. Perfect for relieving muscle soreness while you’re still at the gym, or a worthwhile travel companion as your fly around the globe, the only thing you’ll need to consider is the overall size and weight of the unit you purchase, and whether or not you’re going to be comfortable lugging it around with you whenever you need on-the-go relief.

How much noise a massage gun makes is something you’ll want to take into consideration, especially if you plan on taking it with you when you go to the gym, the office, or any other shared space. With so much variety on the market, the best way to determine noise level is to compare the stated decibel ratings for each model you’re looking at, with a lower dB indicating that the massage gun produces less noise. 

Since most massage guns are battery operated, you will need to factor in the expected battery life of a model before you make any final decisions. A shorter battery life will mean that you need to charge your unit much more frequently, and this can be annoying, especially if you like to use it on a fairly regular basis. It’s also important to remember that expected battery life will vary depending on the speed and settings you choose, so just because a model advertises a certain amount of time, doesn’t necessarily mean that’s exactly how long you will be able to use it for in-between charges. 

Are Massage Guns Safe?

Designed to be incredibly powerful and strong, many first-time massage gun users will understandably have questions regarding the safety of these products, and you may be worried about whether or not there is a potential for you to damage your muscles by using one. A completely normal concern to have, massage guns are generally considered to be safe products, and when used correctly, they can provide effective muscle therapy and relief without causing harm. Suitable for your neck, back, legs, and arms, massage guns have been developed with both your comfort and safety in mind, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t precautions you should still be taking when you use one. 

For starters, there are some areas on your body that won’t benefit from having direct pressure applied to them, and when using your massage gun you want to avoid applying it to bones, joints or on tendons. In addition, you should always listen to the signals your body is providing during a session, and if you are feeling excess pain or discomfort then that is a good indication that you should back off that specific spot or lower your speed and pressure. 

The best practice when using a massage gun is to always take your time and start slowly, and instead of jumping in at max speed you should begin at the lowest possible setting and go from there. You may also want to initially keep your massage sessions short and sweet, as prolonged use on certain muscle areas could potentially do more harm than good. The best advice is to always read the user manual, follow the instructions carefully, and when in doubt you can always speak with your health care provider who can better assist you in determining whether or not a massage gun is the right product for your needs.