(Newswire.net — September 24, 2021) — Do you often feel tense and stressed out? Any massage therapist can help ease stress-related discomfort. The problem is you often need to come in for multiple appointments to get your desired results.
But what if you don’t have enough free time or money to come in for appointments? With the number of massage guns available in the market these days, you would find that relief from sore muscles is in your hands.
How do massage guns work and how do you use them?
Handheld massagers like the Hydragun use percussive force to drive vibrations deep into the tissue. This then warms up your muscles and boosts the flow of blood to the problem area. Think of it as a hammer that repeatedly pummels the muscle tissue, which increases the flow of blood in the focus area. The percussive pressure can relax tight muscles as well as break up scar tissues, which helps strengthen and stretch muscles.
When percussive massagers are used properly, they are safe and quite effective at providing relief to parts of the body that often experience stress: like the lower back, shoulders, and neck. Massage guns are also effective at warming up your muscles before any strenuous activity and help you relax when used to cool down.
Warming up muscles
Using a handheld massager for a maximum of 10 minutes on muscles like your thighs or calves “wakes up” those muscles before a workout or any strenuous activity. By warming up the muscles you will use, you lower the risk of injury and damage.
You can also do warm-up exercises to wake up your muscles and get your heart rate going like stretches and jumping jacks. However, if you’re only working for specific muscle groups, using a massage gun is easier, and faster.
Cooling down muscles
The lactic acid build-up in the muscles is one of the reasons for post-workout muscle soreness and pain. Using a massage gun after a workout can eliminate soreness by helping muscle fibers flush out the lactic acid.
What to look for in a massage gun
Massage guns these days are available in various shapes, sizes, and price points. So whether you want to focus on one muscle group or more, you would not have difficulty finding a massage gun that will suit your needs.
If you are buying a massage gun for the first time, you need to consider the following before making your purchase:
Speed – A massage gun with more than 3-speed settings provides a more versatile massage experience.
Weight – You need to be able to hold the massage gun with one hand easily because you would use it for 10 minutes at a time. Best choose a massager around 2-3 lbs in weight.
Noise Level – Some massage guns are quiet, while others literally sound like power drills. If the noise is too distracting to the point that it prevents you from having a relaxing experience, choose a massage gun with a brushless motor.
Battery – The battery life of massage guns varies considerably. Some massage guns have a battery life of more than 3 hours, while some run out of charge in under 90 minutes. Massage guns with replaceable batteries are often more pricey but can save you money over time since you don’t have to replace the entire unit if the battery dies out.
An important thing to understand about massage guns
Massage guns do not directly improve athletic performance. Research and published studies are all clear that these devices, while effective at relaxing muscles, are not performance-enhancing tools.
Research however does point out that using massage guns help prepare muscles for strenuous sports events, which is helpful in improving overall physical performance.