Are massage guns a gimmick?

How marketers sell you on this gimmick being valuable

To sell a gimmick marketers must sell you on the idea that it actually has real value. In the case of massage guns this has been done by making false claims and misrepresenting scientific evidence about their effectiveness. Of course some celebrity endorsements help, but celebrities are not experts and likely a lot of money changes hands. In this article I’ll show you:

• the gimmick massage gun makers are trying to sell,
• the false claims,
• how scientific evidence about the effectiveness is misrepresented,
• safety concerns about massage guns, then
• effective “non gimmick” alternatives

Percussion massage: the gimmick therapy

What percussion massage is

Massage gun marketers have modified therapeutic vibration massagers to create a new therapy called percussion. Vibration massage is a therapy where vibrations are used to penetrate your muscles in a similar way to the way sound waves of ultrasound do. Just like with ultrasound, the heads of therapeutic vibration devices do not need to penetrate. They just sit on the surface, and it’s the vibrations that penetrate and do the work. Massage gun marketers have modified those vibration massagers to drive their heads into the muscles. In doing so the gimmick claim is that this increases the penetration and adds the benefits of conventional massage. Lets use a simple analogy of a construction compactor and a jackhammer to explain why this is such a bad idea.

Why the gimmick of percussion massage is such a bad idea

Vibration therapy machines work like like the vibrating compactors used in the construction industry. These are designed to send vibrations deep into the ground while not harming the surface.

The false claims made by massage gun marketers

How marketers misrepresent scientific evidence about the effectiveness

Massage gun safety concerns

Even the shape of a massage gun is a gimmick

Even the shape of a massage gun is a gimmick. Having a distinctive shape and calling them “guns” is excellent for marketing, but as this diagram shows it has no functional value. Contrast that with the ergonomic shape of a vibration massager who’s maker focused of ease of use.

The alternative to massage guns

You probably realise now that your effective “non gimmick” alternative is to get a genuine vibration massager. As discussed, vibration massagers have been used by professionals for a very long time. They are clinically proven and have a host of scientifically proven benefits. In this section I’ll show you some examples of these machines. Any one of them will do an awesome job: much more effectively and safer than any massage gun. The two European ones are relatively expensive, but not when compared with high end massage guns. The difference is you are paying for very high quality rather than marketing and celebrity endorsements.

Our contribution: easy to use affordable vibration massagers

About 15 years ago we were looking for something that would deliver the quality therapeutic effects of those professional machines, but be affordable and easy to use. We couldn't find any so we've tried to do like Henry Ford did with cars: take them from being something only professionals had to something for everyone. If you are interested in how we did it please see our appendix how we have provided excellent massagers for very reasonable prices. Also, check out our personal use vibration massagers: The General Purpose Massager and the Ultimate Quad Head Massager.

Video: Dr Graeme demonstrating our massagers

Appendix one: how to tell the difference between a percussion and vibration massager

So, if you’re after a massager how do you tell the difference? There is some crossover between the two types of machine, but there are certain characteristics to look for.

Appendix two: example of a trial of Theraguns where the scientists used a damper to reduce percussion and increase vibration

The following is a quote from a clinical trial of the Theragun Pro. Please note that it appears that it must have been determined that it was a rediculous idea to drive a jackhammer head in 16mm so they have used a damper attachment.

The Theragun® G3 Pro (Therabody, Los Angeles, CA, USA) device was used for the experimental treatment in the PTG. The PT treatment provided by the device during this study had the following mechanical characteristics: amplitude (16 mm), torque (60 pounds), and frequency (2400 per minute). PT was applied to each participant immediately following completion of the last rep at the end of each set. PT was applied to the pectoralis major and minor, given that the standardized grip used in our study was 100% or more of the biacromial width [24], and the bench had no inclination (0) [25], with the pectoral as the muscle group with the highest activation during the BP exercise. PT was applied to the muscle in the PTG with the dampener attachment using moderate force and fast movement, gliding up and down along the muscle belly from the origin to the insertion for 15 s, ensuring constant pressure at all times, and following the direction of the muscle fibers. (3)

Appendix three: how we have delivered effective quality massagers at very reasonable prices

Originally we built our massagers for our own use and for our own patients, then this extended to supplying colleagues for themselves and their patients. The following are the main reasons we have been able to supply such excellent quality for a very reasonable prices.

Having our massager built

From the beginning we’ve used a factory that was very efficient at making good quality consumer products at very reasonable prices. We then designed simple machines purely concentrating on functionality and durability rather than gimmicks that would add costs with no benefits. We then asked the factory to build them using proper commercial grade parts like motors and bearings rather than the lower quality parts that normally go into consumer machines. This gave us an excellent quality product for a very reasonable price.

No advertising

We are happy to give colleagues sample machines to try, but have never spent a cent on advertising, let alone sponsorships and celebrity endorsements. We’ve always had extreme faith in the integrity of fellow professionals, knowing that if we provide a good solution at a fair price they will tell colleagues and recommend them to patients/clients.

No “middle men”

Our massagers go straight from the factory to the warehouses, then are sent directly to either retail customers or fellow professionals who on sell to patients or customers. We have no agents or distributors taking their cut. Also, no one gets a commission or affiliate fee for recommending them. Not only does that add to the cost and open the possibility of making recommendations not in the best interest of the recipient, but in my profession and most others it is considered illegal or unethical to take “kickbacks” for recommendations. Again we have extreme faith in the integrity of fellow professionals.

References

1. Chen J, Zhang F, Chen H, Pan H. Rhabdomyolysis After the Use of Percussion Massage Gun : A Case Report. Phys Ther. 2021 Jan 4;101(1)
2. Martin JD of H and WU of winchester. A critical evaluation of percussion muscle gun therapy as a rehabilitation tool focusing on lower limb mobility. A literature review. 2021.
3. Garc M, Jurado-castro JM, Ben J. Acute Effects of a Percussive Massage Treatment on Movement Velocity during Resistance Training. Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul 21;18(15):7726.