(Image credit: Future) The best massage guns are very helpful tools that will assist in reducing soreness and . To determine if continuous use would stress the motor at all, we ran the massage gun unattended for 15 minutes straight at various speeds, and we experienced no overheating. As a commerce writer, Michelle makes it her mission to provide researched and reliable product recommendations. $299 at Therabody. We independently review everything we recommend. So if massage gun on face isnt recommended, where can you start? When using a massage gun, you should never use it directly on bones or tendons, says Dr. Theresa Marko, a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist. In total, our editors tested 32 massage guns, but only included 12 in our final list of recommendations. Just be mindful of the pressure applied with the bullet attachment because it's quite concentrated to a small surface area, and be extra careful to avoid bone, tendons, and ligaments. As fans of deep tissue massage, we also loved that the device comes with multiple smaller attachments for more intense kneading. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The Pros arm rotates to four different positions, and the triangular-shaped handle makes it ideal for hard-to-reach spots like the low back, glutes, and hamstrings. Currently, there is some evidence that light therapy works, though more research needs to be done and the efficacy of at-home devices can vary widely. It features five speeds (from 1,400 ppm to 3,200 ppm) and a 12 mm amplitude. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors. Clockwise from top right: round, bullet, fork, cushion, shovel, flat, and bump. This makes it reliable and convenient. The Opove M3 Pro Max comes with five attachments (clockwise from top right): ball, cushion, bullet, flat, and fork. The HoMedics Therapist Select Percussion Massager promises a battery life of two and a half hours; one charge lasted through our three-week testing period. While we dont recommend DIY massage gun for face treatments, there are some workarounds and new devices that just might make it possible. Compared to opove's M3 Pro model, we found the Apex easier to maneuver, as it is more compact and features a grippy handle for easy holding (a feature that the M3 Pro model lacked). Key Specs:Noise: Not provided | Stall Force: 30 pounds | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Customizability: 4 head attachments | Battery Life: 2 hours, Compatible with other Theragun attachments. Skincare gadgets are all over Instagram and TikTok, and now the company behind the Theragun body massage gun wants in on the action. Best Massage Gun Handle - Theragun Pro. $65 at Amazon. Dartwood Deep Tissue Mini Massage Gun - Quiet and Portable Handheld Massager for Treating Muscle Soreness, Back Pain and Body Ache. Nearly anyone can use a massage gun. Xiaomi Massage Gun can provide high-level performance in the above three aspects, along with the intelligent power control, to give you stable deep tissue massage. Theragun Pro Review Is Therabodys Top Of The Shelf Gun Still Worth It? Its three speed settings and six head attachments make this massage gun versatile enough to hit all muscle groups and sore spots, from gentle relaxation to deep massage. To narrow down the best massage guns, we tested 32 different devices at home and in the Verywell Testing Lab. There have been two published case studies of people who have developed severe medical conditions after using massage guns. We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. Massage Gun Deep Tissue,Percussion Back Massager Gun for Athletes Muscle Massage Gun for Pain Relief with 10 Massage Heads & 20 Speeds (Matte Black) 9,739 3 offers from $34.99 #2 TOLOCO Massage Gun, Muscle Massage Gun Deep Tissue for Athletes, Portable Percussion Massager with 15 Massage Heads, Electric Handheld Body Massager for Any Pain Relief To avoid injury, refrain from using massage guns on bones, tendons, ligaments, and the trunk of your neck. As a safety precaution, the Mebak 3 shuts off automatically after 10 minutes of use; you can restart it immediately. Gary Tanchak, DC is a Chiropractor that takes a comprehensive approach to spinal and extremity injuries. Best for . Plus, we found it easy to use, set up, and to attach the different attachments it came with. See our ethics statement. We evaluated the shape and orientation of the handle, how comfortable it was to hold, and whether it allowed for more than one grip position. Mini massage guns are especially useful for people who have weaker hands or struggle with chronic arthritis pain and can't hold heavier devices comfortably for an extended period of time. This gun is both affordable and effective, generating up to 3,200 percussions per minute across four different speed settings to provide significant therapeutic relief. A low battery can impact its performance and intensity, so you may need to plan ahead and make sure you have a full charge before using the device. View. If you are experiencing joint pain, injury, acute muscle pain, or other musculoskeletaldisorders, make sure to get clearance from your doctor before using a massage gun. Its likely that competitors will mimic this device and create more affordable options in the future, but for now this is the best and only way to go for a device that offers safe and effective facial massage. Imtiyaz S, Veqar Z, Shareef MY. This could not only cause a blood clot, and a person . / Sign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we've tested sent to your inbox daily. When purchased online. More: 13 Best Face Massage Tools for Glowing, Sculpted Skin. When the massage gun is applied, the massage head pounds away rhythmically at the targeted muscle. We plan to test the second-generation Theragun Mini, Therabodys smallest massage gun, which has a 12 mm amplitude and operates at three speeds (1750, 2100, 2400 PPMs). It has a comfortable oval handle with a nice grippy surface and the second-narrowest diameter among our picks. Learn more. Key Specs:Noise: 45 dB | Stall Force: Not provided | Weight: 0.9 pounds | Customizability: 4 head attachments | Battery Life: 4 hours. While there are over 20 muscles in your face (40, if you count both sides), a few key muscles are prone to cause problems with excessive tension (3). The primary tool used to deliver this treatment is the massage gun, which helps to release tight knotsthe primary culprits for back and shoulder pain.. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. If you believe that your copyright has been misused, pleaseprovide us with a messagestating your position and we will endeavor to correct any misuse immediately. . It no doubt has its fans, but one of our notes sums it up: This thing is nuts.. Despite the small size, the massage gun has an ergonomic grip you can hold with one hand, three speeds, and 20 pounds of pressure. Number of attachments: five (ball, bullet, cushion, flat, fork). Runner-up massage gun: MuscleGun Carbon. Attachments: We looked for a variety of attachments, which helps you access a diversity of muscles more easily and comfortably. It's great for both people who like more relaxing, lighter massages and people who like deep tissue massage. In fact, we specifically advise against using one of the most popular brands for this purpose: Theragun. Distance runner Mo Farah, pro basketball player Breanna Stewart, and dancer/actor Julianne Hough are among Therabodys ambassadors. The Mebak 3 comes with seven attachments, the most of our picks. [Updated 2021 Jun 18]. Jen Zeltwanger is an exercise physiologist and runner with 26 years of experience in the health and fitness industry. . - See 53 traveler reviews, 31 candid photos, and great deals for Amsterdam, The Netherlands, at Tripadvisor. How often you use a massage guna few times a day, once a day, once in a blue moondepends on your specific goals, needs, and tolerance. If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. To make it easy, Theragun has added some routines for the TheraFace PRO in their app, which we think are worth checking out. The faster the speed, the more intense the treatment. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement. However, we like that the Elite head attachments glide smoothly over sore muscles. In our tests, its overall effect was slightly more vibratory in comparison with that of our other picks, and overall it delivered a less-powerful massage than other devices we tried. The Theragun Mini is a no-brainer for folks who want the experience of a massage gun without the size/scale of the larger devices. Key Specs:Noise: 40 dB | Stall Force: 30 pounds | Weight: 2.3 pounds | Customizability: 6 head attachments | Battery Life: 6 hours. Shop Derm-Approved Facial Massagers: Conture Kinetic Skin Toning System Conture Kinetic Skin Toning System $209.00 Shop As for Engelman, she recommends the Conture Kinetic Skin Toning System. What's more, the device comes with three additional attachments, including cleansing, microcurrent, and LED light therapy rings to help users work toward a variety of skincare goals. But if you want a strong massage and arent as concerned about design polish, it might fit the bill. We also noted the attachments material (plastic, closed-cell foam, lighter foam) and stability (a few attachments popped out mid-massage). They can perform special manual techniques to improve your symptoms, and teach you techniques to relieve pain and tension at home. Its currently available on Therabodys website as well as in retail stores including Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Dillards, Best Buy, and Target. (People with smaller hands might appreciate the size.) However, the intriguing thing is the device can also do microcurrent and light therapy. Why we like it: The compact Theragun Prime from Therabody has a triangular handle, allowing for multiple grip options meant to ease ergonomic strain. Learn more. For post-activity recovery, relaxation, or targeted attention on a tight spot, spend one to two minutes per area, holding the massage gun gently but steadily on knots or tender areas as tolerated. Using a massage gun on parts of the body that aren't soft muscle tissue could lead to inflammation, pain, or even nerve damage and torn tendons in some cases. The Mebak 3, one of the quietest massage guns we tried, comes with seven attachments (the most of our picks) and has a touchscreen display. We noted whether the buttons were too sensitive or overly difficult to press. How much should I spend on a massage gun? Well update this review with our findings. If you're looking for a quieter massage gun, Clampett believes two . NEW. This mini massage gun from RecoverFun earned a perfect score for all of our testing attributes: effectiveness, comfort, ease of use, stall force, portability, and value. We recommend them without reservation. To get the lay of the land, we read reviews and roundups from the likes of BestReviews, Gear Patrol, Massage Gun Advice, Outside, and Runners World. The massage gun works by applying pressure to the muscle, tendons, and ligaments to help them become relaxed, thereby reducing spasms and painful contractions 8. Its grippy handleangled at about 15 degreesmade reaching for our upper back or calves a little easier. Key Specs:Noise: Not provided | Stall Force: 20 pounds | Weight: 1 pound | Customizability: 3 speed settings | Battery Life: 2.5 hours. To compare the effect of vibration therapy and massage in prevention of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). It didnt perform as well as other options on our list, but we think its still a good investment if youre seeking a truly deep-tissue massage. Best quiet: Cholas . It features a battery life of two to three hours, but we like that you can buy an extra battery to double its battery life. Nguyen JD, Duong H. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Face. Best . LED lights on the display show both the speed and the battery level. Facial massage comes in many forms, but its traditionally done using finger pressure at various points on the forehead, temples, and jaw to help the muscles of the face relax (2). Powerful, with a multi-grip handle: Therabody Theragun Prime, Angled handle, good value: Ekrin Athletics B37, Low-key massage, lots of attachments: Mebak 3, Strong percussion, but a bulky package: Opove M3 Pro Max, Lower-price, entry-level massager: HoMedics Therapist Select Percussion Massager, manual massage (using the hands only) helps decrease pain and improve function, appeared under every players seat in the NBA bubble in 2020, A less-intense massage, but plenty of attachments, HoMedics Therapist Select Percussion Massager, A more affordable massager with an approachable feel, Homedics Therapist Select Percussion Massager, car buffer gave nearly as satisfying a massage as the then-$600 Theragun, amplitude, percussions per minute (ppm), and stall force, official recovery technology partner of the NBA, Sportneer Elite D9 Percussive Massage Gun, sports medicine specialist and clinical associate of orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation medicine at University of Chicago Medicine, dean of the massage therapy program at the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences and New York Statelicensed massage therapist, licensed physical therapist and board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist at UC San Diego Health, science journalist and author of Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery, Expert Advice for Treating Back Pain at Home. The Hypervolt 2 has a traditional shapeunlike the triangular shape of the Theragun Prime, which allows for a few different ways to hold the deviceand is slimmer and more petite. To compare the effect of vibration therapy and massage in prevention of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Get ready for vibrant skin. From there, check to make sure there are open wounds or irritation on the skin of the area you're aiming to target. Rehabbing should be convenient if it is going to be reproducible and consistent, said Jason Hooper, DPT, of UC San Diego Health. We like the ability to cycle up and down through all five speeds, a feature that none of our other picks have.