Do Massage Guns Work For Knots?

Muscle knots - those tense, tender spots that seem to appear out of nowhere - are a common source of discomfort for everyone. They develop after long hours at a desk, intense workouts, or even from tension and stress. While stretching and massage are popular solutions, a newer tool is gaining attention: the massage gun. 

Massage guns are effective due to their powerful percussive therapy, and that’s why they’ve become a favorite among athletes and wellness enthusiasts. But does it really work for knots? That’s probably all you want to know when you’re in pain, right?

To answer this question, let’s look into what a muscle knot is. 

What are muscle knots?

Medically known as myofascial trigger points, knots are areas where muscle fibers tighten and contract when not actively in use. These points of tight muscle tissue lead to discomfort and limited range of motion, and they can occur anywhere in the body, though they’re most common in the neck, shoulders, back, and calves. The culprits that cause muscle knots are:

• Muscle overuse
• Careless lifting, bending, pulling, and pushing movements
• Poor posture
• Tension and stress
• Lack of physical activity, causing muscle weakness and increased risk of injury

Probably the worst part of these knots is that they are annoyingly persistent. Left untreated, they repay you with additional muscle tightness, muscle tension, pain, and discomfort. While traditional massage therapy does help for treating muscle knots, it requires regular sessions that are both costly and time-consuming. This is where the value of the massage gun becomes apparent. 

How a massage gun works on knots and tight muscles

Massage guns, like the Bang Massage Gun, utilize percussion therapy, a method involving rapid bursts of pressure that penetrate deep into the muscle tissue (similar to a deep tissue massage). The hand-held device delivers these pulses through a motorized head, which moves back and forth. 

This percussive action can be likened to beating on a drum - it’s got the same rhythmic motion. The result? Increase blood flow to the muscle, reduced tension, and the breakdown of those pesky muscle knots. 

If you want to know how a massage gun works specifically to relieve muscle knots, keep reading, But if you’ve seen enough, you can take a look at the massage gun catalog.

3 Amazing benefits of using a massage gun to alleviate muscle knots

Treating muscular knots is a three-prong approach. You have to attack them from different angles to get rid of them completely. 

Increase the flow of blood to the muscle

The repetitive motion of the massage gun increases the blood flow to the area, and this delivers a good dose of oxygen and essential nutrients that can aid in muscle recovery. This boost in circulation is essential to loosen tight muscles. 

A traditional massage therapist will use long, smooth strokes over the muscle, addressing muscle knots by kneading them out. If you’ve had massage sessions, you know that you can feel the blood flow increase by the increase in heat in the area the therapist is working on. 

A massage gun provides percussive therapy, and also the light pressure that you can apply because it’s a hand-held device. You get the double benefit of vibrations and strokes, increasing blood circulation to the area. 

Add a massage gun attachment for tricky areas, and you’re guaranteed to get to the knots wherever they might be hiding, and causing you discomfort. For example, the BANG™ PRO Massage Gun has six unique attachments that will get into hard to reach areas and help with muscle knots. 

Relieve muscle tension

The pressure from the massage gun helps relax and soften the muscle tissue, releasing areas that have become tight or strained. Sore muscles like repetitive motions and gentle pressure over extended periods. 

This is achievable with a massage gun because it does the hard work for you - allowing the muscle fibers to lengthen and return to a healthy state without causing pain. For the same level of muscle relaxation to be achieved by a physical therapist would take multiple sessions. 

Break up adhesions

When muscles are injured or overused, scar tissue develops, and these adhesions decrease mobility in that area because it is essentially muscle tissue that is stuck together. With a massage gun, the vibrational therapy works deep into the muscle layers, which can release the bound muscle fibers, and lead to a more fluid, pain-free movement. 

It's important to respect the natural healing mechanisms of the body and remember that the muscle fibers have adhered to one another as a protective mechanism against further injury. 

Therefore, you should start slowly when working on scar tissue, or tissue adhesion. Choose the lowest vibration speed and work gently over the affected area. A licensed massage therapist uses a technique called myofascial release to do this and is careful to monitor pain levels and discomfort, therefore you should do the same when you use a massage gun. 

If you’re concerned about increasing pain or want to prevent muscle knots after a workout, a good alternative to a full-sized massage gun is a mini massage gun. This smaller device is perfect for travel, and keeping with you wherever you are, so you can work on trigger points on the go. 

Are massage guns effective for relieving muscular knots?

So, can massage guns like the Bang Massage Gun really get rid of muscle knots? The answer is a resounding yes! Many people have found them effective for relieving muscle stiffness and decreasing significant pain associated with muscle knots. 

Using the Bang Massage Gun for knots

The Bang Massage Gun is designed with features that make it highly effective for targeting muscle knots. Here’s a quick guide on how to use it effectively for some of the areas prone to muscle knots. 

1. Neck and Shoulders

Attachment:	Use a softer attachment like the silicone head to avoid excessive pressure on the neck area.
Speed:	Cycle through thirty levels of percussion with the digital controls on the back of the device and choose from six different head attachments, to get into hard to reach places and eliminate knots.
Technique:	Move the massage gun slowly across the shoulder and neck muscles, focusing on any tight areas. Avoid direct pressure on the spine, skull, or shoulder blades.

2. Lower back

Attachment:	Use a larger, rounded attachment for broader coverage.
Speed:	A moderate speed works well to avoid overstimulating the area. Start slowly and increase the speed as you feel the tension in your back slowly releasing.
Technique:	Use long strokes to help the muscles release tension and work out the knots. Move the gun horizontally and vertically across the lower back. For severe knots, use short bursts on the area, then continue with broad strokes.

2. Calves

Attachment:	A firm, cone-shaped attachment can work well to target stubborn knots in the calf area.
Speed:	Calves are often very sensitive, so low to moderate speed works best for this area.
Technique:	Hold the massage gun at a slight angle and move along the length of the calf muscle. Focus on any tight spots by applying gentle pressure.

By following these techniques, you can safely and effectively use the Bang Massage gun to relieve tension and break up knots. Safe and effective use is the number one priority when using a mechanical device like a massage gun. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your massage gun:

• Avoid sensitive areas: Steer clear of bony areas, joints, and tendons, as they can be damaged by excessive percussion.
• Limit your sessions: Overuse can lead to muscle soreness or even bruising. Start with short, 1-2 minute sessions on each muscle group, then gradually increase if needed.
• Aim for longer sessions with slower speeds: If you have severe pain or underlying medical conditions, allow your body to get used to percussion massagers. Because it's a home based tool, it should be incorporated into a daily routine that aims to manage myofascial trigger points and reduce pain. 

With these simple tips for safe usage, your massage gun can become your number one go-to device for pain relief and easing tension. 

Conclusion

Whether you’re a busy professional, an athlete, or a workout enthusiast, the ability to relieve muscle knots at home can be a game-changer for your wellness routine. Massage guns offer a convenient, effective way to eliminate those pesky knots, and relieve muscle tension. 

A massage gun provides the right combination of percussion and power to tackle muscle aches and pains by increasing blood flow, soothing muscles, and breaking up adhesions. 

If you’re ready to feel relief and say goodbye to persistent muscle tightness and tension, visit www.bangmassagegun.com.au to find the perfect model for you.