Percussion Massagers
 

Anyone using one of these devices for deep tissue massage. Thinking about one as a gift for my wife. Do they work well or just a lot of hype ?
Thanks

I bought one about a year ago. I get frequent muscle spasms due to herniated discs in my neck and back.

I've found them them extremely effective in knocking out the cramps when they stary.

It also helps with general soreness after golf...

Very nice… but… go for the best, Theragun … I tried them and several are quite useless. Not an item you want to cheap out on, if you want it to be effective.

We have one. Got it on Amazon for about $75. It isn't hype- they do relax your muscles.

No. Used a high powered one at the gym for my shoulder. After 15 minutes my shoulder was all black and blue. Never touched one since.

Yes, they work. I went for rehab after shoulder surgery and the therapist used one on me to remove knots. Wasn't a Theragun, those are overhyped. I bought the same one that the therapist used for about $50 on Amazon. Still working well 2 years later and I use it regularly.

On the shoulder the bone is relatively close to the surface, one turns the massager to its side for a softer vibration. Also time matters, initially one spot gets 15 seconds and then you move to the next. Hubby has lower back pain which acts up occasionally to the point of almost crippling, he uses the soft head. The Theragun has several different types of heads, and in a few minutes he is out of pain. The massager increases the blood circulation. But each area of the body responds to its preferred form of massage.
I never travel anywhere without my trusty massager. It gets priority packing along with my tooth brush.

These devices work well for areas that are dense with muscle. If you allow the massager to wander onto areas that have bone just below the surface the result is an unpleasant 'jack-hammering' against the bone.

Try from Amazon. Went through a few but none were to my liking

First, there is technique, how you use it. To get the benefit you are looking for, take the time to learn this. This is important like playing say, basketball, although most basketballs are similar, it’s how you throw it that counts. Second, the better massagers have more options. You chose the ones you like. Amazon is wonderful because you can test your order and send it back to try another one.

All of the decent ones have adjustments for the speed and intensity...

Correct. Use over bone is dicey...

And there are plenty of other brands besides "Theragun" that do the same thing at a much lower price...

Not sure if 'percussion' massagers have rechargeable battery versus electrical cord, but if they do, definitely go for cord IMO. Rechargeable massagers can lose power so fast from my experience.

I bought one from Costco and found it to have more than enough power and adjustment to speed and intensity for useful therapeutic results.
I also found another use that ended up saving the day. My 280zx had a stuck passenger door lock. Neither the key or unlock button could turn the stuck lock cylinder. I held the gun with the soft ball attachment to the outside of the door by the key opening while turning the key and it was able to vibrate the stuck lock open. Imagine that.

I had the opposite experience, I bought one from Amazon for about 50 bucks and the battery lasts for a super long time.

As far as effectiveness....I'd say it's another tool in the arsenal along with the massage stick, foam roller, lacrosse ball, inversion table, giant ball, etc. etc.

Joe