What Are Massage Guns? A Look at its History

The benefits of getting a massage gun are undeniable, especially when you need an escape from your daily routine. The relaxation that comes with it can relieve stress and tension in ways few things have been able to do.

Have you ever had a massage? Then I'm sure it's been one of the best feelings in your life. Now imagine what that feels like for someone else. A 2004 study found increased serotonin and dopamine levels after receiving this treatment from therapists. The same holds true by the National Institutes Of Health research, which concluded that deep tissue muscle massage therapy reduces tiredness and improves sleep.

We all know that a massage is a perfect way to relax after work or during your downtime. However  when you need one every day of the week - it can be tough. Thankfully there are guns for this.

The massage gun is a portable device used for self-treatment. It's often small and handheld, with the option of being able to purchase additional head attachments for deeper penetration or pressure points.

Post-workout, muscle fatigue, and soreness are caused by a variety of factors. One factor that affects your ability to train hard arises from soft tissue damage, which is easy to reduce with the help of percussive therapy and vibration therapies.

The best massage guns are a great tool for deep tissue manipulation and can reach areas you otherwise couldn't. It also relieves muscle pain by breaking up adhesion, promoting blood circulation in the target area, which helps soothe any soreness or discomfort.

You may never have experienced relief compared to a traditional hand massage, where the therapist needs to apply actual pressure. It's like getting deep tissue treatment without any of the painful stuff.

Percussion Therapy And Massage Guns

The ancient art of percussion therapy has been in practice for centuries, with its origins dating  as far as the 1800s.

Tapotement is an excellent example of a massage technique that involves rapid, repeated striking to heighten local blood circulation and increase muscle tone. This process was developed in 1868 by a French physician who called it "tapoustic" because its effects are similar to those felt after tapping on someone's skin with your fingers or feet.

The massage gun market is full of different styles, but tapotement-based models specialize in improving athletic performance.

The benefits of massage guns are said to last just as long, if not longer, than traditional hand massages. In addition, a recent study found that these types of treatments had similar effects on patients even after 72 hours.

History Of Massage Guns

The history of massage guns is a bit more interesting than one may think. It's no surprise that these devices have been around for a long time and when they first became popular, given their use in therapeutic sessions.

The first percussion massage therapy machine came into being in 1974, and it came with a high price tag to match. As a result, this bulky equipment was only used on chiropractic patients until new inventions replaced them throughout the decade. Today's machines are much lighter-weight but still provide great deep tissue compression.

The 21st century has seen the rise of self-massage tools such as massage guns. As a result, it is convenient for us to enjoy an easy and hands-free experience, especially when we are busy with our schedules.

The first deep tissue muscle massage gun, known as Theragun, came out in 2007 from Dr. Jason Werseland after his serious motorcycle accident.

TheraGun was the first of its kind when it came out, but since then, many other companies have released similar products with slight variations. As a result, the devices continue to evolve, and there's no telling what will come next.

Next, TimTam has taken massaging to a whole other level with the release of their new Power Massager. The sleek and ergonomic design is perfect for those looking to get some relief on demand without having to worry about carrying around heavy equipment as conventional massage guns do.

The TheraGun G2Pro is the second generation of this popular deep tissue muscle massage gun. It was introduced in 2017 and had many upgraded features to make it even better than its predecessor.

In 2017, Kyrie Irving was seen using the TheraGun, an electric gun that has many benefits for athletic performance. He was using it during a timeout in the NBA Finals, and it increased its popularity among fans due to athletes such as him adopting them.

Hyperice has been hard at work for the last four years developing their new, improved Hypervolt. It's much quieter than any other massage gun on shelves today and offers a substantial improvement over previous versions in nearly every way.

So, there's no denying that the massage gun industry is booming. Hyperice partnered with FoundryIV to bring these innovative tools into the world of ESports. In addition, TimTam announced their next-generation model late last year, which will make it even easier for athletes to look forward or try out new ways on how they can relieve tension in between matches.

The massage gun is a popular new tool among consumers, with more companies entering this industry. At the end of 2019, many people were using them, and now it's become an average person's go-to for relaxation at home or on vacation.

Have you ever wondered what a massage with this thing would feel like? Well, now's your chance to find out. The benefits of massage guns are many and it can be used by anyone and everyone - even if they don't have any physical injuries or pain issues.

The massage gun is perfect for anyone who exercises, runs, rides, or does literally any activity because it is usable anywhere. It's also helpful if your job requires long periods of standing and sitting at desks.

The versatility of a massage gun is truly unparalleled. You can use it on most muscles in your body and find a way to make this tool work for you. Moreover, the massage gun is a great tool for therapists as well. It is highly beneficial to chiropractic patients, which means that even professionals will find it useful.

How Massage Guns Work?

The new generation of massage guns is powered by removable lithium-ion batteries. They're lightweight, making them perfect for anyone to use. Although they run into trouble sometimes like failing to charge properly, it is nothing that can’t be fixed. These Handheld Power Tools also come with a trigger mechanism, so they function more like traditional tools when you hold them in your hand.

The device has an internally-mounted head that moves back and forth at 2,600 - 26,000 times per minute.

When you pulse the massage gun head, it vibrates and massages muscles. The increased blood flow increases relaxation in your body's tissues which helps to loosen up tight fascia. Furthermore, the high muscle tone is caused by the constant impact, which stimulates nerve endings and causes tiny muscular contractions.

Those who suffer from chronic pain may find relief by using the best massage guns. The theory behind this is that you can 'deceive' your nervous system and reduce the amount of hurt felt on an emotional level, which could ultimately make for better quality sleep.

The pain we feel is an indication that something in our body has been damaged or refreshed. Pain travels to the brain via sensory fibers after being converted into action potential by receptors on those same nerves, sending messages about what caused it so you can take corrective measures if need be.

Our nervous system is amazing because it can respond to pain in milliseconds, but when you get up close and personal with some high-frequency sounds or vibrations-the stimulation becomes too much for our delicate senses.

The massage heads on the gun are comparable to a thousand tiny blows from a hammer. The stimulus is so fast that it overcomes pain signals sent by the nervous system, making sore muscles disappear instantly.

Why Do You Need One?

The best massage guns can provide benefits such as deep tissue massages that are like the ones you would get from a professional therapist. Studies show these types of treatments have similar effects, so it's worth trying out. Some of its top benefits are as follows:

  • Reducing DOMS
  • Relaxing mind and body
  • Improves blood and lymphatic flow
  • Enhance performance
  • Rehabilitation
  • Eases pain and sores
  • Stimulating nervous system

Also check out: Why You Need A Massage Gun

 

What Are Its Drawbacks?

The use of the best massage guns is without any problems as long you know how to operate them correctly. If one follows the manual's instructions, then these tools should be safe for use. However, some of its drawbacks are as follows:

  • Worsening injuries like fractures
  • Injuring the body
  • Noisy
  • Expensive

Conclusion

Massage Guns have been around for a long time. You can easily find one in the market in variable shapes, sizes, and performance standards. The final decision is yours to make but look for a device that meets your daily health and fitness requirements.

Who knows what the future holds for massage guns and what new technology might show up. Still, remain confident and calm as the fit body factory is always here, all the way.

 

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