Theragun or other percussive massage gun? (Update in OP)

[Deleted]

If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.  What brand/type do you have?  Would your recommend it?  Is it worth the price?  Does it really work for muscle soreness and getting the knots out?  How easy is it to use on yourself?  I'm seriously contemplating buying one and would love to hear reviews before dropping that kind of cash on something I can't try out in person first.

UPDATE: In case anyone cares, we ended up getting the Opove M3 Pro, which is the current model of what two posters here recommended.  Amazon had it for $100 and it had great reviews.  We got it yesterday and, OMG, we are in love.  We went from wondering if we would use it at all to thinking we both need one.  It feels so good and immediately makes a different in sore/tight muscles and knots. 

[msmerymac]

Yes, I have the theragun. Even on the lowest setting, it's INTENSE. I don't know that I would have bought it for myself, but my husband bought it for me (and had a discount code). I have the prime: www.theragun.com/us/en-us/prime-us.html

You can use it on yourself - I can use it on my shoulders, but you can't get all angles. The handle is designed so you can get a lot, though.

[iheartbanjos]

I have a Theragun and I love it. I can reach most anyplace I get knots and can work them out. MIL got it for me for Christmas, and I assume she got the least expensive one.

[alicethellama]

My H got me one as a surprise. I didn’t care for it at all, and returned it. The vibration was way too intense. And I like deep tissue massage and can take a lot of pressure, but the vibration on this was just jarring and not at all therapeutic for me.

[mcsangel2]

I know of a former elite athlete who uses one in his warm ups and cool downs and he says it's really effective and saves a ton of time (important because he's now older and his warm up period would be considerably longer than a younger athlete otherwise).

[brewco]

I have one I got from Costco for $80 that I love. It has 0-99 levels of vibration and 8 different "heads" for using on different muscles. It is large, and a bit awkward until you get used to using it, but I can do everything except my upper back with mine. I'm sure there are smaller, quieter ones out there but I liked the price point of the one I got.

[lolalolalola]

I also have a theragun prime. I love it. I use it on my lower back and flutes all the time and my massage therapist even noticed my muscles are looser than before I was using it.
Agree with the others. I’ve only ever used the lowest setting. It’s intense enough for me! I got it during their last big sale, it was $100 off.

[Vespasia]

I have this one and absolutely love it: www.padousa.com/purewave-cm7-plus-8-tips/

I am pretty sure it was recommended here in a similar thread a few months ago.

[Deleted]

We have this one: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TVCF86M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 We also have a backup battery which I highly recommend since someone (ahem, me) has a bad habit of leaving it on after using it LOL

We do love it, especially the small attachment which gives that pinpoint massage that is great for things like feet.

[preppy]

I got this one from Amazon for DH for xmas. We both love it. It holds a charge for a really long time and it feels amazing.

Massage Gun Deep Tissue Percussion Muscle Massager for Pain Relief, Handheld Electric Body Massager Sports Drill Portable Super Quiet Brushless Motor, opove M3 Pro www.amazon.com/dp/B07TVCF86M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_PW0R97WTNGE94NV42KA2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[VillainV]

We have and love the Pado Purewave. The handle makes it possible to use it on your own back and shoulders, which I can’t figure out how to do with a gun-shaped massager.

[TBM]

I have a theragun mini. I like it more than the one with handle...that one seemed too heavy and hard to use in the places I use mine most on my back.

It is pretty intense, but it really works. I am always surprised that it takes so little time to get results. I have had long massages that concentrated on my neck and shoulders that didn't give the results that the mini gives me in 30 seconds or so.

[ellipses84]

We have the hypervolt gun. I don’t love the feeling of it during a massage but I feel amazing after. It’s easier if someone else uses it on your back. It’s great for other sore muscles, like legs. We had a battery issue almost a year into having it and the company sent a new one for free. It was a gift, so I have no idea what it cost, but I think it was $$$. Now there’s more options on the market. If I needed a new one, I’d probably get the one from Costco knowing I could return it if it wasn’t great.

We also have a neck massager with handles you can pull to tighten or adjust, from sharper image, that works great on the neck pain you get from using a computer/ mouse all day. It’s impact isn’t as long lasting as the gun, but it’s easier to relax and use while watching tv.

DH has an inversion table which helps more with his sciatica / lower back and he loves the gun. My pain is mostly shoulders/neck and the gun is the only thing besides a chiropractor that makes a significant difference (we’ve hardly gone to the chiropractor since getting it and our chiro thought I needed more massage therapy rather than chiropractic adjustment for my issues anyways).

[bee20]

I have the $80 costco one. It doesn't do much fore sore muscles from overuse but it feels good while it's massaging and is good at breaking up recurring knots (much faster than foam rolling). I've noticed even on the lightest setting I'm a little sore for a few hours after similar to a deep tissue massage.

[kittenponypony]

I tried the Theragun and didn’t like it — too intense, hurt in a bad way

Reading all these positive reviews is making me wonder if I somehow did it wrong. I always carry tension in my shoulders/neck which responds really well to normal massage

[foundmylazybum]

We have a hypervolt. I love it. It has truly helped and even released trigger points.

[bee20]

Feb 16, 2021 17:16:36 GMT -5 kittenponypony said:

I tried the Theragun and didn’t like it — too intense, hurt in a bad way

Reading all these positive reviews is making me wonder if I somehow did it wrong. I always carry tension in my shoulders/neck which responds really well to normal massage

I'm a self-massage fiend apparently, because for neck/shoulder tension I actually like the U-shaped sling style.  They are less jarring and you can have your arms at your side which helps hit the areas I get tension in.  I use the gun for the larger muscles in my hips and legs where I get knots from running.

The more expensive style have rollers that look like rubber casters, the cheaper kind have rotating balls.  I have the heavy duty kind that actually feels like hands (it can essentially pinch the top ridge of your shoulder, which I need) but a friend raves about her cheaper one so I think either would work if your tension is more on the flat parts of your shoulder/neck. 

ETA:

Roller Kind (It was on sale under $100 when I bought it): www.target.com/p/sharper-image-realtouch-shiatsu-wireless-neck-and-back-massager-with-heat-gray/-/A-81828175

Rotating Kind (Not sure what brand she has, but looks like this): smile.amazon.com/Shiatsu-Back-Shoulder-Neck-Massager/dp/B074S9BJ6B

[notoriousmeg]

We have the hypervolt and love it. I also got H the hyperice foam roller for Christmas, and he loves it. He runs a lot.

[stephm0188]

I have a Theragun Prime and love it. I use it daily. I run a lot, and my calves and achilles would be suuuuper tight in the morning when getting out of bed. Since using the Theragun, I haven't had any issues. I've used it to release tension in my shoulders as well.

I really like that it has a guided app that tells me how long to use it on each area and indicates if I'm using the appropriate pressure.

[milehighmama12]

Does anyone use it for sciatic pain? I’ve tried reading reviews on several different types but can ever seem to really tell if it helps with sciatica.

[sadlebred]

I bought this one a few months ago. Sort of like a Purewave. I've been really happy with it. I have short arms and can't reach my back with a regular style percussion massager.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GJY3J5B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Deleted]

Feb 17, 2021 18:24:55 GMT -5 milehighmama12 said:

Does anyone use it for sciatic pain? I’ve tried reading reviews on several different types but can ever seem to really tell if it helps with sciatica.

I didn't buy it for that and, fortunately, don't struggle with sciatica anymore.  It is the devil!  However, I think it would help.  My glutes tend to be really tight and it's so hard to get to the underlying muscles. Traditional methods like foam rolling or using a tennis ball can be so painful.  Sciatica is often caused by a tight piriformis muscle, and this goes right to it!  It feels amazing.  Absolutely incredible.  Mine cost $100, which isn't nothing, but would certainly be money well spent if it does help. 

[Aloe Vera]

Feb 17, 2021 18:24:55 GMT -5 milehighmama12 said:

Does anyone use it for sciatic pain? I’ve tried reading reviews on several different types but can ever seem to really tell if it helps with sciatica.

I got a massage gun for Christmas to alleviate nerve pain. For me it's in my thumb. The muscles in my neck and shoulders are so tight they cause excruciating nerve pain in my thumb (I had a MRI to rule out discs touching the nerve). The massage gun is very effective. I am able to target the muscle and after 1-2 min I get relief for the rest of the day.

[milehighmama12]

Feb 18, 2021 8:35:37 GMT -5 @peep said:

Feb 17, 2021 18:24:55 GMT -5 milehighmama12 said:

Does anyone use it for sciatic pain? I’ve tried reading reviews on several different types but can ever seem to really tell if it helps with sciatica.

I didn't buy it for that and, fortunately, don't struggle with sciatica anymore.  It is the devil!  However, I think it would help.  My glutes tend to be really tight and it's so hard to get to the underlying muscles. Traditional methods like foam rolling or using a tennis ball can be so painful.  Sciatica is often caused by a tight piriformis muscle, and this goes right to it!  It feels amazing.  Absolutely incredible.  Mine cost $100, which isn't nothing, but would certainly be money well spent if it does help. 

I am so glad you’ve gotten relief. My muscles are so tight and I do try to stretch them but it’s just never enough. The area is so tender that I almost can’t bear doing the tennis balls. I think I will start saving my pennies!

[Jalapeñomel]

Im reviving this because I think I want one for Mother’s Day.

Is it hard to reach your neck and shoulders on your own?

[gummy]

Apr 15, 2021 17:18:14 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Im reviving this because I think I want one for Mother’s Day.

Is it hard to reach your neck and shoulders on your own?

I have a Theragun Pro and it's not hard to use it on myself. What is hard is relaxing enough when I use it on myself. I find myself tensing when I have to do it but maybe I'm weird.

[Jalapeñomel]

Apr 15, 2021 17:32:47 GMT -5 gummy said:

Apr 15, 2021 17:18:14 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Im reviving this because I think I want one for Mother’s Day.

Is it hard to reach your neck and shoulders on your own?

I have a Theragun Pro and it's not hard to use it on myself. What is hard is relaxing enough when I use it on myself. I find myself tensing when I have to do it but maybe I'm weird.

Yeah I was wondering that too.

[icedcoffee]

I got a theragun mini a few weeks ago. It only came with one attachment. Any recs on which other attachments I need? Or should I just get them all? Lol

[ellipses84]

Great update, OP!

[mention]milehighmama12 [/mention]
DH has sciatica issues. He had such a bad bout a few years ago he needed months of chiropractor, massage, acupuncture and eventually physical therapy. He’s been good about doing stretches he learned in PT whenever he feels his back tightening up but the hypervolt gun really helps. He’s in the sports industry and it’s used a lot by him and others he knows for loosening / warming up muscles, even legs, before intense exercise.

[mention]jalapenomel [/mention]
I can use it myself on my problem areas like neck, shoulders, and lower back, but it’s challenging to get the middle back. I also have a u shape sling style that isn’t as effective for big knots but still feels good and can sit in your neck/ shoulders or be slid down to get the whole back.

[redheadk]

We have one that dh bought a while back. I can use it on myself but rarely do; I’m one who has trouble relaxing when I do it myself. We mostly do it for each other. I get sinus and tension headaches that are bad enough I can’t sleep. Dh will use the theragun on my upper back and shoulders for a few minutes then I fall asleep easily and wake up feeling great.