Everyone has a massage gun. You want to buy one too, but you've heard that a massage gun is dangerous? What is behind this claim? Here comes the answer!
Anyone who has ever held a massage gun in their hands knows that the devices can make quite an impression. The vibrations can be very violent and even make your fingertips tingle.
Some of them are particularly large - almost like a drill.
Can a massage gun be dangerous? I asked myself that recently when I held a pretty massive model in my hands. I did some research for you!
Guns have been taking over the fitness market for months. Everyone is getting their muscles massaged by the buzzing, vibrating and thumping jolts.
With the fitness gadget you should be able to simply shoot away muscle pain and tension. At least that's what the advertising and manufacturers promise. But what's really behind it?
Why and for whom can a massage gun be dangerous? How does it really feel to use it? You can read about it here.
How does a massage gun work?
With the massage gun you can specifically massage individual muscles of the body. It creates pressure on the area where you apply it through twists and jerks. These movements are designed to relieve and ease tension and pain. Per minute, most guns reach up to 3200 strokes in the process. These strokes are designed to stimulate blood flow to the muscles, helping them to regenerate better.
Both after sports and for everyday tension.
The device is particularly good at penetrating deep muscles and loosening stuck fasciae. A fascia is a sheath of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, muscle groups. These can stick together now and then and are often responsible for the typical pulling in the neck.
Sounds good at first, right? But why can a massage gun be dangerous if it only loosens muscles? Let's quickly see how to use it properly before you get your answer.
The application
The use of massage guns is intended primarily for people who are active in sports or suffer from tension. But even here you can make some mistakes, which will ensure that the mass gun can be dangerous.
So, pay attention to these tips when using it
- Never hold the gun directly on a bone or a sensitive part of the body such as the elbow or knee
- Slowly slide the massage gun up and down the affected area
- Always start at the lowest level
- Read the other tips on how to use it correctly.
You must pay attention to this when using a massage gun!
Personally, I like to use the massage gun on the calves and thighs when I've just finished a really strenuous run, ski tour or hike. I treat the forearms briefly with the device after bouldering, when the muscles are really tight and "closed".
You don't have to use expensive, bulky and heavy equipment for that. I use this small gun. It is called OM-Go and is uncomplicated in the hand compared to most other models and is clearly one of the lightweights.
It is made especially for hobby athletes and has a very light weight. And do not worry: you can also buy them in black, the pink is actually very girly. :) Performance she therefore but still does not lose. The OM-Go is ideal for everyday use and all who are not professional athletes.
The set contains 4 soft attachments that are optimal for the neck and lower back.
Learn more about the OM-Go massage gun here!
Is a massage gun dangerous?
No, massage guns are not dangerous. Unless you use them incorrectly. Important: Massage guns have no place on bones. They are only made for muscles and should always be used with caution. If you apply too much pressure on the tissue, bruising can occur.
As soon as you feel that the massage becomes painful, you should turn off the device. If a device is hammering your boils at 40 beats per second, then it is indeed the case that a massage gun can be dangerous.
Even if you have muscle injuries, you should keep your hands off the massage gun. Depending on the speed level and brand, the impact can be similar to that of a jackhammer. If you have pre-existing conditions or injuries, this can quickly backfire and be counterproductive.
Under no circumstances should you use the gadget on sensitive areas such as knees, ankles or elbows.
Likewise, the massage devices are not recommended if you are
- pregnant,
- have a heart disease,
- you suffer from circulatory problems,
- Have or have had injuries at the site,
- you have bursitis.
Our recommendation is: If you are unsure whether a massage gun is dangerous for you, first get your pain checked out by an expert. A physiotherapist will help you find the cause of the pain and then recommend a massage gun - if it is helpful for a problem.
It is also certain that you cannot simply shoot away aches and pains and be pain-free after the first application. If in doubt, you are in good hands with a physiotherapist or sports doctor.
Massage guns in test: these are the most popular models!
This is what studies say about how dangerous the massage gun is
Well, that is actually a little difficult. Because studies that confirm the positive effect do not yet exist. But there are also no studies that have found negative effects.
So we'll have to be patient a bit longer. Stiftung Warentest has also not yet put the massage gadgets under the microscope.
One thing is certain: every body reacts differently to pressure and pain points. Do not overdo it and listen to yourself, so as not to overstress the body during the application. Especially in the beginning, it is better to do short sessions than too long. As a layman, it is difficult for you to estimate the frequency, dosage and duration, so read the instruction manual carefully and see how to apply a Massage gun really applies.
Our conclusion
Whether a massage gun is dangerous or not depends, of course, on how you use it. And above all, on which parts of the body. In any case, you must keep it away from bones and joints. I regularly massage my calves or thighs myself, and I've noticed a subtle relief after sports.
However, the devices are not the miracle cure for all tensions. It's always best to have an expert (doctor or physiotherapist) check you out and advise you first.
All the best for you!
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