As the star brands Theragun and Hypervolt on the track grew stronger, fascia guns also seemed to be an overnight hit. Although the fascia gun has only recently gained popularity, it has actually been the tool of choice for professional athletes, coaches and physiotherapists for some time.
The Fascia Gun is a handheld punching tool that combines traditional massage with vibration therapy, which provides a convenient and easy massage method, including improving body flexibility and softness, as well as relieving muscle soreness, helping users to better warm up and rest after exercise, while also maximizing stress and tension and maintaining daily physical and mental pleasure.
While manual massage tools, such as foam rollers, have greater flexibility, an electric fascia gun can achieve massage results without having to rely on your own body weight.
Vinh Pham, founder and physical therapist at myodetox, said: "Using a lightweight massage tool instead of a foam roller (even if it is a vibratory roller) after cycling training can better relieve sore thighs. ”
He explains that the fascia gun "has the effect of massage therapy and is further enhanced by vibration", allowing the intensity and frequency of vibrations to be controlled autonomously while targeting specific body areas. "This vibration increases blood flow to the muscle area and also has a positive neurophysiological effect at the skin, fascia, muscle and nervous system levels." Vinh Pham added.
According to Joluis De Los Santos, a physiotherapist at the treatment facility ExoArmer Therapy and AIM Sports Medicine, the fascia gun also helps improve limb flexibility. Because this type of device can affect the tension of myofascial tissue, which is a flexible connective tissue around the muscles that connects with each other throughout the body and moves like thick gum. Santos explains: "Healthy myofas are strong and flexible, but when the body is injured or there is a lack of movement in an area, the myofascia becomes tight and stiff. In this case, the range of movement of the limbs is limited and the flexibility of the tissues is reduced. The fascia gun has a higher vibration frequency, which can improve the tightness of the myofascia and improve the ability to exercise. ”
In addition, fascia guns can relieve muscle soreness after strenuous exercise (what professionals call DOMS). Muscle soreness is the result of micro-tears in muscle tissue, which Santos explains means that the body begins to repair itself by sending growth factors to the target area. "Increasing blood flow by using a massage gun helps nutrients enter the DOMS area, which reduces pain."
Good fascia guns come with replaceable massage heads, most commonly larger round heads, which are suitable for larger muscle groups such as quadriceps, gluteus, posterior thighs, and latissimus dorsal, while smaller round heads are suitable for smaller muscles. U-shaped massage heads can be used for the muscles of the spine or joints. Tapered or spot-shaped massage heads are usually used for delicate tight or problem areas. A small number of products will come with flat massage heads with acupuncture points, which are ideal for iliotibial bands, posterior thigh muscles and chest massage heads, while wedge-shaped massage heads can be used to relax the neck and upper back.
Pham and Santos agreed that fascia guns should be used according to the needs of the body, and should not exceed 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Can be used for warm-up or muscle relaxation during exercise, or for pain relief with therapeutic properties.
Santos said: "You should avoid using a hard massage head on bone protrusions such as the spine, shoulders or knees, and use the massager constantly, and do not leave it on a certain body part for a long time." "The muscles of the human body are different in every place, and there is a corresponding frequency of application, so it is very important to massage according to the needs of the body. "Some muscles can withstand larger forces, such as quadriceps and gluteus major muscles, while relatively thin areas such as forearms, hands and feet can cause pain," he says. ”
Experts also believe that using a fascia gun is only a small part of keeping muscles healthy. Santos said: "To fully energize the body and improve muscle health, massage must be combined with stretching and exercise. Tools can indeed assist with warm-up, relaxation, and pain relief, but they are no substitute for professional strength trainers, massage therapists, physiotherapists, chiropractors, exercise therapists, exercise doctors, and more. They are just tools that can help improve athletic performance and health in a safe way.
"You still need to listen to healthcare professionals to optimize your exercise goals and address pain concerns." Pham added.
Whether you are a professional athlete or not, what is the usual training and fitness program, fascia guns can bring certain benefits. We have selected 7 fascia guns with different price points and different characteristics here to provide a reference for your health care experience.
Theragun Elite, while expensive, is not only the brand but also an innovation in the industry. While there are still many players in this market, Theragun dominates. The product's total battery life is 120 minutes, the ergonomic multi-grip reduces hand and wrist stress, while the brushless motor with silent technology and the Bluetooth app is configured, but its real core competitiveness is still in strength, which is why it can become the brand of choice for professional athletes. In addition, customizable speeds and six interchangeable massage heads allow users to personalize each massage experience for each muscle, a variety of body needs, and different fitness programs during daily wellness or body recovery.
If you want to buy a quality fascia gun in the range of less than 1000 yuan, then Sharper Image's Powerboost fascia gun is a good choice. All its components are neatly packed in a suitcase for easy storage and portability. This product comes with a variety of massage heads in various shapes, including ball, flat, stick, fork and taper, and can be customized to suit the body's needs.
Although homedics's fascia gun is also a product of less than 1,000 yuan, the technology used in it is not ambiguous. The user can switch between six different intensities and six different massage heads. This product is highly valued by physiotherapists and coaches for its powerful potency and adjustable rate frequency.
Hyperice has the same product quality and technology as Theragun, this small size and powerful motor product is easy to use and easy to operate. At the same time, Hyperice, as the official massage brand of the NFL, is in a leading position in the field of body function recovery products. Although the brand's full line of products are widely favored, in terms of effect and portability, Hyperice Hypervolt Go is indeed irreplaceable, and its reputation is also very good, with more than 1,000 super high praise on Amazon.
Theragun Mini is the label's lightest and most portable fascia gun, and it can be tucked into a jacket pocket or stowed in a short trip bag without any presence, which is why the brand has made the list twice. Users can relieve cramps and muscle pain anytime, anywhere, and can freely choose from 2100 to 2400 strokes per minute, which has surpassed the industry's typical products.
Skg's Fascia Gun is the only product in this recommendation that combines heat therapy to help rejuvenate muscles. It has three speeds, three temperature settings and three versatile massage heads. The temperature setting that simulates the hot compress experience can relax the body and flexible the muscles and bones. The product is designed to be palm-sized, and users can change settings simultaneously with one-handed operation – a convenient feature that most other brands don't have. With up to 3,200 hits per minute, this product is already a great example of an affordable massage tool.
The product can be switched 20 different speeds via touch screen adjustment to ensure that the user can get the precise massage the body needs. In addition, the product will explain what speed can awaken the muscles, relax the fascia, break down lactic acid to soothe muscle soreness, provide a deep massage, and switch to professional mode. With speeds ranging from 1400 to 3200 revolutions per minute, 8 hours of battery life and six different interchangeable massage heads, it's a very cost-effective product. BINC
Written by: Vanessa Powell
Edit: Lee
Image source: Network