How often can you use the massage gun?

Massage guns are becoming a trend for good reason. Athletes can now get the same level of professional percussive massage used by physical therapists and athletic trainers in the comfort of their own homes. These tools are a convenient and efficient way to reduce recovery time and improve performance.

However, this can leave athletes wondering if they are using them too much. So, we put together this post to help you figure out how often you should use a massage gun.

Massage guns use percussion to penetrate deep into the muscle to increase blood flow and muscle alertness. For efficient recovery, athletes can use these machines for up to 2 minutes on a given muscle group. And, for various warm-ups and cool-downs, massage guns can be used 2-3 times a day.

Benefits of Massage Guns

Percussion massagers use short, focused strokes to penetrate deep into muscle tissue. And whether you’re warming up or in the recovery phases of your day, these guns have a ton of benefits.

Increases blood and lymph flow

First, percussion massagers increase circulation and bring precious, oxygen-rich blood to the areas where it is needed. In turn, this increases athletic performance by accelerating muscle recovery and improving responsiveness.

Additionally, athletes will find that it also provides powerful pain relief to aid in rehabilitation .

And, as circulation increases and muscles loosen, the lymphatic system is able to drain more efficiently. This leads to less inflammation and a healthier immune system as our bodies are able to eliminate toxins faster.

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Breaks down scar tissue

Additionally, massage guns work well for those with scar tissue or adhesions . By penetrating deep into the muscle fibers, this level of percussion therapy breaks down scar tissue from surgery or injury.

Lactic acid release

One of the best features of these machines is their ability to relieve the muscles of lactic acid buildup. By repeatedly pounding the muscles, toxins and lactic acid are released from within the muscles through improved post-workout circulation. Therefore, cyclists and runners will perform better without muscle pain and cramps. Especially after intense training sessions.

Improves mobility and flexibility

In addition to the obvious benefit of relieving tension, massage guns also relieve muscle spasms and tightness to increase muscle mobility. Additionally, this helps with range of motion in the joints leading to improved performance and injury prevention.

Wellness Benefits

Regardless of why you are using your machine, there are very clear benefits to your spiritual health. Massage guns do a lot to relax the body , loosen muscle knots, and promote relaxation. Not only that, many users experience better sleep thanks to the in-depth therapy.

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Recommended frequency of use

Whether it is to improve performance or recover from a tough workout, massage guns should be used in short sessions. Additionally , it is recommended to use them as needed 2-3 times a day.

For pre-workout sessions, use the massager on targeted muscles for 30-40 seconds to activate them for the next activity.

During the activity the muscles can be reactivated periodically by using the gun for 10-15 seconds on specific areas. This helps with spasms and fatigue to keep the muscles ready for action.

After training, athletes can use the massager on a given muscle for up to the recommended 2 minutes for optimal recovery.

As described above, working your muscles for more than 2 minutes can cause injury or bruising. However, you will find that this is all that is needed to get any benefit from these machines.

Also, most sessions will initially be between 10-30 seconds on a given area. And there is no real limit to how long you can use it all over your body if you have multiple areas of concern.

Can I use a massage gun every day?

Bottom line, absolutely! No matter what stage of your recovery you are at, you can use your massage gun every day.

However, keep in mind that percussion provides a deeper massage than vibration, so always use a light hand with each session at first and only work on one muscle for up to 2 minutes. We’ve found that many higher-end models offer technology that lets you know how hard you’re pushing. This will be key if you’re looking to apply pressure in super deep spots after getting gun-locked.

Additionally, most athletes find that rotating days between this and a foam roller benefits their muscles even more.