Do Massage Guns cause
Serious consequences?
"Yes" is a decent response. The major arteries, nerves, lymphatic vessels, and significant
body organs might be damaged by massage guns when they are utilized improperly. A massage
gun might be a secure substitute in qualified hands. Untrained users could still be in danger
since inappropriate or excessive use could do more harm than good.
A John Hopkins study claims that every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber, and a tiny layer
of connective tissue holds the muscle in a place called fascia. We can break blood vessels,
produce inflammation, and finally bruise this area by hitting it with a powerful motor.
The purpose of massage treatment is to enhance blood flow, which supplies our muscles with
healthy nutrients and oxygen. By destroying these routes, we negate the potential benefits.
What exactly are massage guns, and how do they operate?
Small and compact, a massage gun resembles and sounds like a drill. If you're utilizing a
massage gun, it should include a variety of attachments and speeds for easing muscular
soreness. Alternative names for massage weapons include vibratory or percussion-based
therapies. These kinds of tools have existed for a very long time.
Most medical professionals and therapists concur that stimulating muscle tissue reduces
pain, increases circulation, and relieves tension. Studies have shown that massagers promote
short-term muscle length and diminish (DOMS) delayed onset muscle soreness. Following
intense exercise, DOMS can result in muscle soreness for up to 72 hours. Muscles massaged
with a gun that was worked throughout the workout can reduce muscle soreness and speed up
muscle recovery.
Is using a massage gun harmful?
A massager gun might be a safe choice in the hands of a competent professional. Still,
inexperienced new users may have various problems, the most serious of which is improper
handling. Use that is improper or excessive could cause additional discomfort and injury.
Tissue injury and unbearable pain can result from continuous pressure or vibration in the exact
area.
How can Massage Guns be dangerous?
They can be dangerous in the following ways.
Damage to blood vessels
When blood vessels break, a medical disorder known as blood vessel rupture results, you could
notice bruises and blood pouring into the muscular tissue as blood vessels rupture.
Dermal damage
Your skin, or dermis, consists of the primary tissue layer defending your inside organs. Any
massage therapy tool or technique initially affects the skin layer of the body. Just below the
epidermis, there are many blood vessels and nerve endings. Even though these nerve terminals
and blood vessels are protected, the protective coatings of collagen and elastin fibers
change significantly with age, gender, and health.
If you are young, muscular, and have thick skin, you might be able to resist the high-frequency
vibrations of a massage gun. The massage gun's lowest setting will probably be too intense for
someone with soft, elastic skin.
Collagen and elastin fiber that has been pulled out of shape
Repetitive fast blows from the percussive massage pistol stretch the collagen and elastin fibers.
The percussion massage gun's quick, constant strikes to your skin over time may cause your
skin to become sagging and stretched.
Skeletal muscle damage
However, the layer of skin that is most harmed by a massage gun is the skeletal muscle. Skeletal
muscle is heavier and thicker than fat and comprises protein, actin, and myosin. The fascia is
a protective covering of fibrous spider web-like tissue outside the force.
Every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber, and muscle are covered in the fascia, a thin layer
of connective tissue that surrounds them and holds them in place. By hammering into this area
with a high-intensity motor, we may damage blood vessels, encourage Inflammation, and
eventually result in bruising.
Massage treatment aims to improve blood flow, which supplies our muscles with oxygen and
nutrients. As you push the massage pistol into your muscle, the skin, fat, fascia, nerves, and
blood vessels are administered hundreds of firm up-and-down repetitions. By destroying these
circuits, the hammering successfully cancels out the prospective rewards.
Nerve Sensitivity is being affected.
As a result of the percussion pistol's pressure, rapid strokes, and mechanical force, your skin's
nerve endings send unwanted messages to your brain. Your blood pressure and heart rate
may increase due to these strong impulses.
More frequent muscle contractions
When neurons fight or fire flight signals, muscles react by contracting needlessly. Increased
muscle contractions, especially in response to external stimuli, are ineffective when a muscle is
trying to relax and release tension.
The following scenarios call for not employing
a massage gun:
Sprain
When a muscle or ligament is genuinely damaged, a sprain results. A quick movement that
stretches the muscle past its breaking point causes this injury. Sprain victims frequently hear
a popping sound as soon as their damage occurs. Massagers can exacerbate ligament and
muscle sprains much like they might with muscular strains.
Muscular Strain
Whenever a muscle is strained beyond its usual range of motion, an injury of this sort results.
This is frequently the consequence of poor form, quick movements, and misuse of the muscles.
The massage gun's intense pounding action puts more strain on your strengths.
Injury causing Inflammatory changes
Damage-related Inflammation is the body's reaction to injury. More blood is sent to the injured
region thanks to this natural reaction. Tendinitis, fasciitis, bursitis, and periostitis are a few
common inflammatory disorders. Patients with inflammation shouldn't use a massage gun
since it might make things worse and delay recovery.
Fractured Bones
Even though this one might seem obvious, others have attempted it. Last fractured bones
shouldn't be subjected to percussion massage gun therapy's pounding motion. This also applies
to individuals who have been given the all-clear to exercise. Any amount of hammering can
shatter or fracture the repaired bone. Never do it!
Safety Guidelines for Using a Massage Gun
Don't go overboard.
More extended periods of stress may not necessarily result in faster recovery. Due to the
strength of the massage gun, keep your sessions to a maximum of three minutes for any
big muscles, such as the quadriceps, and a maximum of two minutes for the neck. Get the
circulation flowing and stimulate the muscles just enough to relax them.
If you are on Blood Thinners
At all costs, avoid using your massage tool on your legs if you take blood thinners to prevent
clotting. Visit a nearby massage parlor instead, and request a Swedish-style massage.
Avoid Nausea
Do loud, high-frequency vibrations make you queasy? If so, proceed cautiously when using your
massager close to your head. A standard massage gun's beat is strong enough to displace the
fluid in your inner ear, which can result in nausea and vomiting in some people.
Sensory Deficit
Additionally, people should avoid using the massager on any numb parts of their bodies. This is
particularly problematic for those who may have peripheral neuropathy, which is usually
brought on by diabetes. You could hurt yourself without even realizing it if you don't have
dependable sensory input.
Read the cautions and restrictions.
Avoid using it when pregnant without first seeing your doctor.
Never administer to minors, the elderly, or anybody with a medical condition for
whom it is not recommended in the unit's documentation. First, speak with your
healthcare practitioner.
Use only as long as instructed in the instructions.
Use is not permitted on the breast, face, or head.
Never rest your body against a massager before bed.
What is the conclusion, then? Are massagers a
good investment? Will they perform as
promised?
It depends, in essence.
Spending much money on physio sessions, sports massages, and other rehabilitation
techniques may add up quickly. A single investment in a product like a massage gun can save
you a ton of money over time.
However, first, a word of caution before we go into economics. As you've already seen from
your study, there may be a buzz around massage guns. It's challenging to decide what to
believe. However, one thing is sure: you'll never hear a manufacturer mention the drawbacks
we've discussed in this piece.
Also, please don't fall for their lies that massagers are a miraculous new invention. They are just
different kinds of decades-old vibrating massage gadgets.
Since massage guns are a relatively recent invention,
further study is still necessary to support many of the
Critical
suggested applications for them. However, be reassured
that we are highly knowledgeable professionals in
massage guns and are making use of the greatest tools
available to keep you updated.
Consideration Dr. Muhammad Ans, MBBS, a licensed physician, is the
author of this article. Before implementing any of the
recommendations in this article, speak with your doctor.
