August 05, 2022

Using a massage gun for sore muscles

Estimated read time 3 minutes.

Sore muscles can really drag you down. That constant dull ache and stiffness makes going about your everyday a little harder and slower than it needs to be, and often affects your mood as much as your movement.

Whether that soreness is a result of being on the go all day long, the aftermath of a tough workout or hard training session, or due to an injury, a muscle gun can bring fast relief whenever you need it.

Is a massage gun good for sore muscles?

In a word, yes. People often ask, ‘should you use a massage gun on sore muscles’, and there’s clear evidence – and the testimony of millions of muscle gun users – to say with confidence that they’re hugely effective at reducing muscle soreness.

And because they’re such powerful, portable and versatile devices, you’re always in control. Without ever having to pay for a massage therapist to treat you, you can enjoy the benefits of self-massage on a range of muscle groups, including

Biceps, triceps, deltoids and forearms
Calves, glutes, hamstrings, IT band and feet
Chest and deltoids
Upper and lower back

But remember, the key word in all this is ‘sore’ muscles. If you’re in real muscular pain, treating the area with a massage gun is not the best course of action. If that muscle pain is severe, it’s best to get it checked out by a doctor.

How does a massage gun help sore muscles?

All massage works by increasing blood flow to an area, which loosens the muscles and eases the tightness and soreness you feel. Many people will have used foam rollers to do this job – often before and after exercise – but the type of percussive massage that a massage gun provides is far better at targeting specific muscles and areas.

Anyone who has ever felt soreness the day after exerting themselves physically will know all about Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, or DOMS for short. For athletes and non-athletes alike, this soreness will typically peak 48 hours after the activity, and sometimes hang around for days.

Luckily, muscle guns are great for DOMS muscle recovery, and easing the sore sensation that can make moving tired muscles painful.

Using a massage gun for tight calf muscles

The calves are one muscle group where many people suffer from soreness, and where self-massage can really help. Here’s how easy it is to use a massage gun for sore muscles in this area:

Select your preferred attachment and insert it into the device. When using our own MuscleGun Carbon massage gun, we recommend the ball attachment.

Using the control panel on the top of your device, choose your desired speed setting. Again, we recommend speed setting four.
Starting at the top of the muscle and working downwards, gently float the device across your calf muscles in a sideways motion. Do this for around two minutes.
Gradually apply more pressure and adjust the speed setting if the muscles are particular tight. Continue the movement with your device until the soreness eases.