One thing occurred as I hit my mid-20s. In some way, my physique started to disagree with me, kicking up a fuss of pains, aches, clicks and clacks from the mere considered me starting to slouch, or do the slightest bit an excessive amount of train.
And whereas I’ve discovered methods to take care of this, whether or not by way of a number of stretching or forcing myself to truly get up and stroll about (I do know, the horror), I’ve all the time hoped for a better answer.
Properly, if the web is any measure to go by, that simpler choice comes within the type of a therapeutic massage gun. Styled like a weapon from a sci-fi motion film, these units are the large factor in residence physio-therapy, boasting claims of their spectacular therapeutic powers.
Contemplate me intrigued. To see whether or not the know-how works, I spent a while with one of many massive names within the enterprise – the Theragun Elite, utilizing it for each my exercises and basic discomforts.
The science
Any product inside the well being tech area needs to be met with some warning and trepidation, particularly if it claims to alleviate a well being downside that you’re going through. So, what does the science say about therapeutic massage weapons…? It’s not clear.
As a reasonably new know-how, there aren’t precisely enormous quantities of analysis into therapeutic massage weapons, particularly when in comparison with different ache reduction applied sciences. Many of the analysis that does exist factors to the concept that they are often useful, however solely in a really small approach.
The analysis that does exist will present that localised vibration will enhance delayed onset of muscle soreness. Nevertheless, the development right here is marginal, and the same consequence may be achieved from sports activities massages or going for a stroll.
In relation to therapeutic massage weapons, it appears to be a like it or hate it scenario. A whole lot of athletes have reported success whereas utilizing these, however whether or not this can be a placebo impact or genuinely from deep muscle reduction continues to be unclear from the quantity of analysis on the market.
There may be extra optimistic analysis round therapeutic massage weapons, together with a examine that confirmed a 14 per cent enchancment in vary of movement within the hamstring muscle tissues when utilizing a therapeutic massage gun. Nevertheless, this comes from a examine carried out by therapeutic massage gun producer Pulseroll.
Equally, a examine by Therabody discovered enhancements in sleep with 87 per cent of members falling asleep sooner, and 56 per cent having greater total sleep scores.
Most of the consultants I spoke to inside the physiotherapy discipline supplied the identical perception – some consultants use therapeutic massage weapons on a regular basis and swear by them, whereas others simply don’t actually get on with them.
So long as you aren’t utilizing them incorrectly, or making an attempt to alleviate recent muscle soreness, there seemingly isn’t danger in utilizing a therapeutic massage gun, so all of it comes down as to if you personally discover success in what they provide.
An important factor to remember is {that a} therapeutic massage gun shouldn’t be thought-about a standalone remedy. “When you’re not doing the entire different issues round restoration like sleeping eight hours, consuming nicely and going for walks, a therapeutic massage gun isn’t going to do something,” Ashley James, director of follow and growth on the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, tells BBC Science Focus.
The setup
Now that we’ve received the science out of the best way, let’s discuss concerning the Theragun Elite. This is without doubt one of the model’s extra premium therapeutic massage weapons, however there are lots to select from, the whole lot from an inexpensive and transportable choice, by way of to the Professional mannequin with a price of £549.
The machine is smooth and well-built, albeit pretty heavy. As soon as totally charged, it can final for as much as 120 minutes which, contemplating you’ll solely be utilizing it for as much as 10 to twenty minutes at a time, is lots.
On the gun, there’s a small show. This informs you of the battery life and what degree of energy you’re at present on. You too can join it as much as a number of exercises, personalised routines and strategies for relieving particular pains.
The expertise
There have been 3 ways I deliberate to make use of the Theragun Elite: to get my blood flowing for train, to alleviate muscle ache from exercises and to repair these backaches that come from sitting down all day.
Total, it felt prefer it labored. Jack-hammering the knots in my again supplied me a reduction on the finish of the day and I discovered that, mixed with some stretching, the gun was an effective way to warm-up earlier than a run.
A stunning use of the gun got here once I wakened after a very intense steel live performance. With sharp pains in my neck and a again ache that may solely be brought on by a gaggle of burly gig-goers slamming into you, the Theragun relieved my pains and helped me go about my day once I felt like I’d been run over with a tractor.
Muscle pains from lengthy runs or extra intensive journeys to the gymnasium didn’t pair nicely with the gun for me. Even when utilizing it calmly, it felt extra uncomfortable than something and wasn’t relieving any of the ache.
After one significantly future, I had some ache in my calves. Utilizing the Theragun at this stage was a extremely uncomfortable expertise.
Equally, whereas the gun did relieve some discomforts, it is usually a wierd feeling utilizing it. The speedy pulsating hits might go away my pores and skin feeling itchy and being punched a minimal of 1750 occasions a minute vibrates your physique in a approach that’s considerably uncomfortable.
Nevertheless, as you’re solely presupposed to be utilizing the machine for a couple of minutes at a time, this by no means causes too many points.
Most of the time, I discovered reduction whereas utilizing the gun. It helped me loosen my muscle tissues simply within the morning and earlier than train, and was a fast repair to pains or tight muscle tissues once I didn’t have time to stretch or train.
Verdict
I attempted utilizing the Theragun earlier than exercises to stimulate blood circulate, once I had post-workout pains, and even simply after a protracted day of working at a desk. In all of those conditions, I did expertise some reduction.
Nevertheless, it’s unattainable to evaluate how a lot of that is merely placebo. From my very own use and the opinion of consultants, plainly a therapeutic massage gun is greatest used alongside a routine of stretching, light restoration train and an excellent sleep routine.
Don’t count on a therapeutic massage gun to remedy you of your whole aches and pains, however for a fast enhance in your restoration, or a quick technique to get the blood flowing for a exercise, the Theragun Elite is a helpful little bit of package.
Options
Pulseroll Professional therapeutic massage gun
Pulseroll is the opposite massive therapeutic massage gun firm subsequent to Theragun. Whereas they’ve a number of choices obtainable, the Pulseroll Professional looks like the most effective mixture of worth and options.
It’s a good bit cheaper than the Theragun Elite, however nonetheless provides loads of the most effective options. It has loads of energy, and just like the Theragun Elite, there’s a display screen to show how a lot energy you’re outputting.
Theragun Prime
When you just like the look of what Therabody produces, however are after one thing a bit extra inexpensive, the Theragun Prime may very well be higher suited to your wants.
It brings the value down considerably whereas nonetheless providing the ergonomic deal with, a number of attachment choices and the identical highly effective drilling that Theragun is thought for.
MuscleGun massager
Whilst you can simply spend an excellent chunk of cash on a therapeutic massage gun, there are equally loads of extra inexpensive options. The MuscleGun brings the value under £200 whereas nonetheless providing you with a number of attachments, a tough case to retailer all of it in and a strong motor.
It gained’t have fairly the identical kick because the Theragun, and the deal with is barely more durable to carry, however for a lower cost, it’s a incredible various.
About our knowledgeable, Ashley James
Ashly is director of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, and former head of medical schooling at healthcare supplier Join Well being. He beforehand labored as an affiliate lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan College, educating musculoskeletal sciences, and likewise as a physiotherapist for Warrington Wolves rugby membership.
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