Massage gun
Author Dorottya Sándor | 2020.09.14.
What is it worth knowing?
Massage gun treatment
Massage guns have become increasingly popular in recent years.
Are these tools really that effective? Before we answer that, here's a little history.
Is a massage gun an effective tool?
Sports scientists have been early 19th century began to investigate the use of mechanical vibrations and oscillations to improve muscle function and sports performance. Vibration treatments are used to physiological responses to mechanical vibrations used as therapy. Vibration is a short and fast vibratory movement that is continuously repeated. Vibration can be used with different devices, as a local therapy or as a whole body vibration.
The massage gun as a neuromuscular vibration tool Jason Werseland was developed by a chiropractor who discovered how to combine healing and ease of use in a single device. Since then, massage guns have become a popular tool all over the world, used not only therapists, but professional athletes are also used. So the answer to our question is: yes, as well as feeling very pleasant, the treatment is just as effective.
How does the massage gun work?
There are many receptors in the connective tissue surrounding our muscles, in our muscles, tendons, joint capsules and ligaments. Our receptors sense different stimuli: pressure, vibration, pain, the position of our joints in space. During soft tissue treatments, by stimulating the receptors with the right intensity, we are able to achieve, through complex neural mechanisms, a reduction in connective tissue tension and thus a reduction in pain. In a massage gun treatment, we stimulate our connective tissue fasciae with pressure and vibration.
It is important to note, however, that nothing can replace a proper warm-up and stretching process before a workout! The massage gun is used as a complementary therapy with excellent results.
The device can be used on several muscle groups throughout the body, but it is advisable to avoid direct contact with the spine, and in case of serious muscle injuries, it is recommended to consult a specialist for a quick recovery!
The therapy can be combined with a number of other treatment options: shock wave therapy, ultrasound treatment, TAPE application, fascia relaxation manual therapies, spit treatments, fascia knife treatment, flossing.
What is a massage gun good for?
Vibrating devices can vibrate at different frequencies, usually in the 30 - 50 Hz frequency range. Different types of handpieces are used in treatments: solid plastic, silicone handpiece. In terms of shape, several shapes are available: spherical, double fork, chisel, conical. We choose the one that best suits the complaint of the region, with the aim of minimising pain.
Therapeutic indications:
- Soft tissue strains
- Muscle aches
- Trigger points
- Heat treatment
- Tennis elbow, golf elbow, spur, glenohumeral syndrome, tendonitis
- Shockwave therapy supplement
- Recovery after training
Therapeutic contraindications:
- Embolism, thrombosis in the medical history
- In case of fractures, before the bone scar is remodelled
- Pregnancy
- Increased susceptibility to haemophilia
- Acute inflammation
- In children, before the growth plates close