Do Massage Guns Actually Work? | Expert Physio Reviews the Evidence

In this tutorial, we review the evidence to determine if there is any clinical benefit in using Massage Guns to improve flexibility, performance and to accelerate recovery.
References
*Konrad et al., 2020: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
*Kujala, Davis and Young, 2019: digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab...
Adverse Case Reports:
*Rhabdomyolysis: doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzaa199
*Vertebral Artery Dissection: doi.org/10.5811/cpcem.2022.2....
*Haemothorax: doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm-confer...
Video links:
Sports Massage: • Does Sports Massage Ac...
Foam Roller Link: • Does Foam Rolling Actu...
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[@cryptic6917]

I play footy (AFL) which involves a lot of running, jumping and of course kicking and i was recommended by my club’s head physio to use a massage gun on my hamstrings, quads and calves for after training sessions and games and I’ve found that when I pair using the gun on tense muscles paired with dynamic stretching (kick thrus, opening the gate etc) is very beneficial for my recovery.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

That’s great! If it works for you then great!

[@FitVisual]

great to see somebody properly reviewing the scientific evidence for these and other tools like kinesio tape, I have always been sceptical about their benefits, we must remember there is a huge industry out there that wants us to believe they work. thanks keep up the good work!

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏼

[@NotyProfile]

Let people buy if want to, maybe they see results, its their money

[@Justybow]

its good for people with eds who benefit from their shoulder being held in the right position for strengthening. side note my dad had tape done to his knee after an injury though and it made it a lot worse the next day lol, dont know why that guy decided it would be a good idea for that.

[@cc97ek70]

I've been using the massage gun on a patient with trigger finger for 2 weeks and the patient has seen an improvement in the movement of the finger.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

That’s great to hear!

[@silexdebris]

I’m convinced i cured my trigger fingers and thumb with massage gun! Hadn’t heard anyone else mention this before

[@marcsantos1368]

This is very informative especially the way you speak and encouraging us safety first method. I'm a PT student and I have a massage gun using it on my closed ones.. Thank you for this. Looking forward for more contents.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

You’re very welcome! Thank you for watching! We have some other reviews already on things like K-tape, shockwave therapy, foam rolling etc 😊

[@marcsantos1368]

@@ClinicalPhysio Copy that. Thanks!

[@ClinicalPhysio]

@@marcsantos1368 🙏🏼🙏🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@ramrod132]

Thanks for yet another informative video! What are your thoughts about massage guns being used by a layperson for things like chronic exertional compartment syndrome, where some studies have indicated that sports massage can result in some improvement? Is there enough of a difference between a self-applied massage gun and a sports massage that the gun would not be likely to offer the same results?

[@fabioluislourenco]

what is really useful is this channel. great content as usual! Thanks Clinical Physio

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Thank you so much!

[@SuperBeetox]

My personal experience as a working Physical Therapist is that, massage gun can really enhance blood flow in getting rid of amonia or lactic acid accumulations in our muscles to where deep vibration is applied. I don't apply massage gun to a painful muscles group it will further aggravates the pain and inflammation. Massage gun can perform longer and stronger than hand in my honest opinion..

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Some interesting ideas!

[@eliaspederstad4360]

Im watching this as I use my new massage gun for the first time. Im struggling with sore muscles after workouts and hope this will compliment with stretching out (which I'm bad at). What I get out your video is that is should be careful using it around small important muscle groups like around the neck and the spine, or did I misunderstand?

[@chiefkaha5650]

Hows it going now, 6 months later?

[@eliaspederstad4360]

@@chiefkaha5650 honestly, it’s been sitting collecting dust. But I have great ambitions to get back to working out, so you never know😅

[@chiefkaha5650]

@@eliaspederstad4360 😂 mate, how dare you, that massage gun needs a bit of loving, so get out there and start working out……….. only if you want to 😂

[@MAbubakarofficial]

👋 Your videos are awesome I got an injury for about two years ago during wrestling in my shoulder Now I want to play professional cricket but I cannot throw the ball properly I feel weekness and pain in my shoulder during throwing the ball like baseball throwers Plz can you help me in this case whether I need a surgery or should I try exercises?I am really worried about this

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Hello my friend - I would definitely suggest you need to see a local professional who can assess your face to face . I, or anyone, cannot help you make decisions about your career over the internet! 🙏🏼

[@nickwright7803]

I'm on my feet long term everyday 12 hours. And when I use the gun on my feet 10mins per foot a night. morning I have almost zero pain walking it's amazing so I think for feet that's why people look to use these and have best results now I have 2 guns to cut the time and my hole legs I get done at the same time I haven't turned back. And speaking of back.lower backpain I hang on the teeder dex 2 for 18 mins. I've been doing this for 1 year and can still outperform everyone in a sheet metal shop. But yes I think these guns only work for arms and legs especially the legs it's amazing

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Thank you so much for sharing! Really glad it helps you!

[@halimahussain]

I have severe restless legs. A massage gun has helped massively together with magnesium and potassium supplements.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Glad to hear you are doing well!!

[@SenaiAdulis]

I try to do some high intensity exercise a few hours per week but for the most part i'm pretty sedentary due to the requirements of my job. Something like a massage gun would appeal to me to relieve some tension in my muscles after sitting all day. When it's nice outside i'll try to go out for a walk but living in Canada where it's fairly cold between the months of November to about late march it sometimes takes added motivation to do that.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Wish you all the best with it!

[@MrTyrrell86]

Ive had severe neck spasm for 3 weeks now and on all sorts of medication, will my percussion gun help ? Dont wont to cause more of an issue (if thats even possible) with the amount of pain im in

[@vwmusicplaylist1935]

Any evidence that these can help with tedonosis recovery given the poor blood supply to tendons?

[@ClinicalPhysio]

No I wouldn’t suggest that they have a significant physiological benefit on tendonosis compared to load management and exercise

[@WajdiGary]

I used massage gun and it reduced the pain for many years, without it i would suffer all day work at office.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

I’m glad to hear it has helped you!

[@beastywild]

Hi, I work full time in an office as well and find I get severe pain/tightness at the backs of my shoulders and upper back. Not sure if you had similar issues to me? Did the massage gun help you with those kinds of issues?

[@softcolly8753]

Decent review. I listened to the first part about "scientific studies" and felt that the studies missed the point of using one but then you do go into that afterwards.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

🙏🏼

[@IamPhysio]

Informative

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Thank you!

[@ranayaghi5626]

Great video and topic 😍 I just want to ask .. until now, there is no scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness on the muscles .. it just effect on the ROM according to the first research you mention right ?

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Hi Rana Thank you so much for your kind words Yes correct - in the first paper , the change only occurred in ROM

[@rb3883]

I have a reocurring lower back issue, not sure what's going on, but I can become crippled for a period of weeks, generally flares up after a few weeks of hard training. I had another episode at Christmas last year, possibly one of the worst yet. Received the gun on Christmas day, used it on my glutes and lower back and it "cured me" almost on the spot. A few days later I was back to training. I have no explanation but there's no doubt the gun did it.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Glad to hear it has helped you!

[@AbhayKumar-cm2kh]

Grabs popcorn 🍿

[@ClinicalPhysio]

😂😂👏🏼👏🏼

[@user-wz5pd4bn9b]

I am not athlete. I play table tennis. Because i use my one side of my body more than other, I tend to be stiff on one of my hip. During casual walks, after half an hour, my back aches, because of hip stiffnes. I apply gun to the related muscles, and pain is gone. My hip isn't pulling my spine that much any more. But I guess the most effective one is foam rolling. Nothing beats foam rolling as recovery tool. Not even 1000 dollar massage boots!

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Wishing you all the best and glad to hear you have an option that helps you!

[@ventilator98]

The ones I've tried overheat EASILY! Mine gets VERY hot!

[@studlyhungwell]

Although anecdotal, I have nothing to gain in sharing my experience. Massage guns relieve all sorts of pain, reduce knots, headaches, and make me feel excellent all the time. It actually cured a significant pain I had in my elbow that bothered me for 2 years. They also help everyone I know who uses them and have all had the same positive experiences. I do not know anyone who’s had a problem.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

That’s fantastic! So pleased to hear it has helped you!

[@CairoFahrenheit]

"They feel good" this statement surely means they 'work', if that's all you want from it anyway.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Interesting argument! Thank you for sharing!

[@MidNovemberKid]

No. Have you ever heard about thing called drugs?

[@oldmanfunky4909]

Why do they do test on athlete's when it is us old people over 50 that they should be testing. =P

[@ClinicalPhysio]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@marco00029]

Easy to test: use it on one leg, and see if theres a difference. In me, the not treated leg was stiffer the next day.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Cool!

[@TonyODonnell]

I used a sports physio 20 years ago for deep muscle massage, I was a national powerlifter and needed physio each week , 8 weeks out from competition, The same physio now uses massage guns as part of his treatment as they are very effective for deep muscle and sports massage and save they strain on the hands of the physio. Do they work? of course they do otherwise physio's would not use them, Do they work in the hands of a regular person? not likely as they are not trained in massage !!

[@norwolf4765]

I tried one and it made me more sore than I had been.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

😭

[@FaerieDust]

I just want something that'll make me feel less pain my shoulders and neck (that whole area is basically one big knot), but that doesn't involve me interacting with another human being (I may have a tiny touch of agoraphobia). Then I heard "vertebral artery dissection" and eh... hashtag worth it? No? 😅

[@robnewman9724]

With those first two reports, five minutes of massage doesn't seem like a long enough time to assess anything.

[@MemeGang420]

Time for spinal manipulation

[@ClinicalPhysio]

😂

[@vasileiospetropoulos2046]

Agree) and thrust butterfly thrust! Explanation pleaded

[@Y0ursTru1y]

Is there a vid where he talks about "chiro adjustments"?

[@user-cy9td4ew9n]

Vhow much

[@user-cy9td4ew9n]

How much

[@ClinicalPhysio]

I’m sure they really vary in price but of course feel free to Google!

[@thecheeseboy5991]

Grab me that massage gun 😅😅😅

[@ClinicalPhysio]

😂

[@jamessmith4681]

When a massage gun is more useful than a unversity educated practitioner,know practitioner has become too academic.

[@Piyushrahi]

Massage guns are effective. I don't have one but i have common sense to tell that vibration on soreness muscle is effective. It has nothing to do with ronaldo. Massage gun gives vibration on area where it's needed the most and our hands are not capable of giving that relaxation nor everyone can always go to massage centers after gym exercise soreness. Just educate yourself on how to use it so that you don't end up damaging your nerves or bones. That's why seeing a chart where massage gun can be used is very important before starting that's why companies also show 4 most painful areas on the massage gun box itself

[@bigmacdaddydaddymac]

"Can be quite harmful if used in the wrong places and the wrong way" Take note all you inquisitive people 🤔😏

[@ClinicalPhysio]

🙏🏼🙏🏼😂😂

[@moneymachine100]

introduce yrself first omg does it really take that long omg ! so lame Hi its me here

[@me36166]

Please stop saying massage….its painful

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Sometimes massage is painful!

[@varnium]

Too much talking & lack of demo

[@rickalta2770]

What's a "Maaaaa- sage gun?