Do They Work and Are They Worth It?

“You can use a massage gun whenever you’re looking to relieve some muscle tension, but it may be especially beneficial to use after a workout to promote recovery with reduced muscle soreness,” says Leada Malek, DPT, SCS, a sports physical therapist in San Francisco who’s board-certified through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists.

RELATED: All About Post-Workout Muscle Recovery and How to Let Muscles Heal

While Dr. Malek says the evidence is scant to conclusively link training benefits with massage guns, there is research to support the two modes of therapy that are behind the percussive massage treatment of massage guns. Those are: massage, a treatment in which your muscles are being kneaded and manipulated by another person; and vibration therapy, which involves placing a vibrating device on certain parts of your body.

“Massage can reduce tension in muscles and impact flexibility, reducing muscle stiffness, increasing blood flow, and decreasing muscle soreness,” Malek says. And there is some evidence that vibration therapy can have the same effect as massage therapy in terms of limiting delayed onset muscle soreness (the tightness and achiness you feel a day or two after a tough workout).

The Difference Between Massage Guns, Foam Rollers, and Other Muscle Recovery Options

“Massage guns do similar things as massage, but the way they go about it is different,” Malek says. They offer a similar effect as foam rolling and massage. Which you choose may depend on personal preference.

Foam rolling uses myofascial release to decrease muscle tension. Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. For various reasons, fascia can get tight, even inflamed. When that happens, your ability to move can be hampered. Yet the gentle to moderate sustained pressure you apply with a foam roller can help tight areas of the body relax or release, Malek says.

You might get similar effects by holding a massage gun to one area, but it doesn’t qualify as myofascial release because of its rapid, percussive nature, Malek says.

Static stretching, on the other hand, uses slow, sustained stretches on a muscle to promote relaxation and reduce feelings of muscle tightness, and like foam rolling, it has more research to support its benefits, Malek says. (Note that this effect tends to be the case post-workout, but not typically as part of a pre-workout warmup.)

For some people, stretching may be more relaxing because of the nonpercussive impact on the muscle, Malek says. And because you don’t need equipment, it’s more convenient.

RELATED: Quick Fixes for Sore Muscles

How to Use a Massage Gun

You can use a massage gun whenever you want to relieve muscle tension, but it’s most commonly used before workouts to activate muscles and then post-workout to reduce soreness or stiffness, according to UCLA Health. Massage guns are most effective within 48 hours following a workout to help reduce soreness and improve recovery.

To use the gun effectively, find an area on your body that feels tight, and start by moving the gun over the bulk of the muscle. “Add pressure as tolerated, but not too aggressively,” Malek says. (Typically there’s a button or switch on the gun to increase pressure.) Stay in one spot for up to 15 seconds or sweep an area for 2 minutes. Some guns even have a monitor connected to an app to direct how hard and how long you should go in different areas.

Stay away from bony areas. And if you have an injury, check with a physical therapist before using a massage gun on it. Malek recommends avoiding going over any area of acute pain or injury, which can aggravate the issue.

If you feel more sore after using a massage gun, you’ve pushed too hard or too long.

“Remember that the goal is to relax and feel better, not suffer,” Malek says.

And if you have nerve sensitivity, deep vein thrombosis, or you’re pregnant, consult with your doctor before using a massage gun. Also, if you know you bruise easily, make sure the speed and attachment are suitable for your tolerance, Malek says.

What to Look for if You Decide to Buy a Massage Gun

Massage guns aren’t cheap. Top-of-the-line guns can cost several hundred dollars, which is why you should evaluate your purchase carefully. Search online for reviews to start, Malek says.

Because massage guns come in different sizes, consider your own comfort when it comes to how heavy and how large you want it to be, and which muscles you’ll want to use it on, Malek says.

Some come with adjustable heads and handles (making it easier to reach certain body parts). Think, too, if you want to take your device on the go; if so, mini massage guns might be an excellent option, as they can easily fit into a backpack.

No matter the size, check that the massage gun comes with different attachments to help you hit hard-to-reach or difficult spots. It should also have different settings so that you can choose more gentle or more intense percussive movements. And do pay attention to how loud or intense the gun is, as that will also affect your enjoyment.