The sleek, sturdy device has four interchangeable heads (a bullet, a fork, a flat head and a soft head) and five oomph-inducing speed settings for more targeted recovery. The brand boldly claims it reaches 60% deeper into muscles than standard massage guns to banish deep-set aches and pains. Sure enough, it worked wonders on our tester’s sore, knotted muscles. They even felt a difference after just one use. Standard Ball- Perfect for overall use on large and small muscle groups, with a firmer touch than the Dampener. Generally, a higher price tag will indicate a more reliable product and, when fully charged, a decent massage gun should last for a few days to a week, based on around 15 minutes' use per day. Men's Health Lab Approved The Theragun is a handheld percussive therapy device. The idea is to deliver concentrated force to a muscle to help reduce pain and increase the range of motion. The company claims that it can provide deeper muscle therapy than traditional hand or foam rollers. In a 2014 study, researchers found percussive therapy and deep massage to be equally effective in preventing delayed onset muscle soreness. They also found preliminary evidence that percussive therapy can reduce pain and help lessen the amount of lactate dehydrogenase buildup in the muscles following a workout. However, this study only involved 45 people, all of whom were female. Additional research is necessary to confirm its effectiveness across a larger population.

As we exercise and challenge our muscles, we cause breakdown within the muscle fibers, which in turn stimulates muscle growth and regrowth, hypertrophy (increased muscle size), and strength. Mechanical stimulation of a muscle [with a device like the Theragun] causes increased blood flow and the release of histamines to the stimulated area. What this does is allow the increased blood flow to decrease the inflammatory response, decrease muscle soreness, and break up knots in athletes' musculature." Plonksi has seen anecdotal evidence supporting the use of a Theragun-like device, and no apparent negative effects, but she recommends people always talk to a physician before trying a device. Imtiyaz, S., et al. (2014). To compare the effect of vibration therapy and massage in prevention of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Updated November 2023: We've added the three newest Theragun devices, the Pro Plus, Sense, and Relief. We've also removed other options that are no longer available and updated prices throughout. Float the device across areas in need of treatment, gradually applying light to moderate pressure as needed. Large Ball- Used mostly for treatment of large muscle groups. Commonly used on glutes, hamstrings, and quads.According to a 2020 study, percussive therapy can increase range of motion without hampering muscle power. As a result, the researchers recommend using percussive therapy before physical activity to increase flexibility without sacrificing performance. However, the study only included 16 people, all of whom were male. Wedge- Perfect for shoulder blades and IT bands and commonly used for “scraping” and “flushing,” which help to decrease the amount of lactic acid in muscles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. It's the definition of simple. Just point the gun at your fleshy target – around an inch away from your skin over whichever muscle you’re trying to loosen or warm up – and hit the trigger for instant relief.

Place the base of your Wave Roller on the plate of the Multi-Device Wireless Charger, with the traditional charging port and functional buttons facing upwards. This warranty provides you with specific legal rights. You may have additional rights, which may vary from state to state. Because of individual state regulations, some of the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you. The company says this massager uses Rhythm Therapy based on vibroacoustic science and offers a wider frequency range and lower amplitude than other massage guns. It claims this can "help nourish the body’s parasympathetic mode" to promote rest or increase energy, depending on which function you choose. I can't say if it was vibroacoustically soothing me to sleep, and its highest level isn't as powerful as others in this guide, but I liked using it for day-to-day needs. Our expert said it was a cinch to use, with one responsive control button that was easy to reach mid-massage for cycling through the speeds. The lights help show which setting you’re on and will signal when it’s almost out of juice, ensuring you never have to skip a post-workout pummel.Massage guns, also known as percussive therapy devices, help relax and soothe sore muscles, whether you’re an athlete or just hunching over a desk all day. Theraguns (made by Therabody) tend to be some of the most popular. We’ve tested and like the entire range, but they’re expensive. There are plenty of Theragun alternatives out there for hundreds of dollars less. In this guide, you’ll find a mix of both for all budgets—plus helpful information from a physical therapist and athletic trainer on how these devices can help our bodies. These are our favorite massage guns. The company states that a person can use the Theragun two or three times a day. A person should use it for a minimum of 15 seconds and a maximum of 2 minutes per muscle group, and a full body session should not exceed 15 minutes. Our experts at the MH Lab tested the mettle of the best massage guns on the market. And, as the list below shows, they were more than up to the challenge. They were judged on how easy they were to control, the impact they had on sore muscles, their ability to move across skin and muscle smoothly, and the effectiveness of any interchangeable massage heads included. The design (how ergonomic the handle was), portability and any other innovative features were also taken into consideration when deciding the final hierarchy. Our winning massage guns boast the Men's Health Lab Approved logo below.