{"id":14120,"date":"2022-08-30T00:47:02","date_gmt":"2022-08-30T07:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/massagegunadvice.com\/?p=14120"},"modified":"2024-02-27T02:03:27","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T10:03:27","slug":"best-massage-gun-for-arthritis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/massagegunadvice.com\/best-massage-gun-for-arthritis\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Massage Gun For Arthritis – A Physical Therapist’s Recommendation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you or a family member is dealing with arthritis, you\u2019ve probably spent many hours looking for solutions to decrease pain and improve quality of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As massage guns become more mainstream, they are being used for an increasing variety of problems. It\u2019s no wonder we\u2019ve gotten so many questions from readers living with arthritis. We enjoy using massage guns for a variety of problems, but are massage guns good for arthritis? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We think yes (but not for the reason you might think), and you\u2019ll want to keep reading to learn more about arthritis, important massage gun do\u2019s and don\u2019ts, why we think the Ekrin 365 \u21b4<\/a> is the best massage gun for arthritis<\/strong>, and our favorite alternative device options (including Theragun for arthritis).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Why Trust Our Advice and Some Disclaimer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Because research is still needed for many percussive therapy uses, we cannot guarantee benefit from use or safety from harm with use of massage guns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, we are massage gun experts<\/a> with lots of experience to provide our expert opinions. We are also constantly using the best-available resources to offer the best advice to our readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article is written by Dr. Alex Stone<\/a>, a licensed physiotherapist. The information in this post has not been reviewed by a medical doctor (MD). Always consult your trusted medical professional before using any new health advice.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Forms of Arthritis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several forms of arthritis, but the most common are osteoarthritis<\/strong> (OA<\/a>) and rheumatoid arthritis<\/strong> (RA<\/a>). Both can have a serious impact on the way we look, move, and feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Osteoarthritis refers to painful and stiffness of joints due to wearing down of joint cartilage, and it\u2019s considered a degenerative problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we age, the cartilage in our joints naturally wears down, but repetitive stress of a joint can accelerate the process, causing uneven wear on one or several joints. Once joint cartilage is worn down significantly, friction and impact cause progressive pain and shape changes in the bone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rheumatoid arthritis refers to an autoimmune problem where the body attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. This problem can begin at any age, but it typically affects older adults and may be associated with other autoimmune conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Woman with RA holding Ekrin 365 – voted by us the best massage gun for arthritis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Are Massage Guns Good for Arthritis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Massage guns are a relatively new form of percussive massage therapy, and they might be helpful for managing arthritis<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When joints become inflamed and stiff, movement becomes painful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Massage therapy works to decrease pain and swelling in a joint, and muscle tension around that joint. Because of this, many studies show short-term improvements of arthritis pain from regular massage therapy\u200b1,2\u200b<\/sup><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even better, regular massage therapy is documented to reduce pain<\/strong> and improve function for tons of other musculoskeletal (muscle and bone) conditions, including low back pain and shoulder pain\u200b3\u200b<\/sup><\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because percussive massage therapy shares many similarities with traditional massage, we can assume some of the same benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lucky for us, massage therapy is a very effective way to reduce the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Percussive massage therapy (using massage guns) is useful because it can decrease muscle stiffness, improve circulation, improve range of motion, and block pain signals between the body and brain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This combination of reduced muscle stiffness, improved circulation, and dampened pain signaling may be very helpful to manage the common symptoms of arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Massage guns are especially helpful because they allow you to perform a DIY massage<\/strong> in the comfort of your own home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is especially important because many individuals with arthritis pain may be less mobile, and less likely to travel to a treatment office for traditional massage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of their portability, you can also use your massage gun regularly even if you\u2019re traveling, charging with a wall outlet, USB, or in the car. This is very helpful for those of us traveling for work, who probably don\u2019t have time to schedule a massage in every city that we visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, pick up that massage gun and let\u2019s get to work!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Massage guns can help manage arthritis.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Massage Gun Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts for Arthritis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For best results and optimal safety, there are some basic guidelines for safe use of your massage gun<\/a> that you will want to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Do<\/mark><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Develop a regular routine with your massage gun<\/strong><\/mark>, fitting it into your normal workout or wind-down evening routine to achieve more consistency. You will notice better effects when you perform massages on a regular basis.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Do<\/mark><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start gently and slowly increase<\/mark><\/strong> the time and intensity that you are using your massage gun. Listen to your body and adjust based on how you are feeling.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Do<\/mark><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consult your trusted healthcare professional<\/mark><\/strong> with arthritis training if you are struggling with severe symptoms of arthritis, especially if you are experiencing more pain with massage.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Don\u2019t<\/mark><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t use your massage gun directly on your joints.<\/mark><\/strong> This might seem confusing at first, but you\u2019ll quickly find that most joints are covered with sensitive bone that is very uncomfortable (and unsafe) to repeatedly hit. This is especially important for those using a massage gun for knee arthritis.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Don\u2019t<\/mark><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t massage directly over cuts, scrapes, or bruising.<\/mark><\/strong> Direct pressure over these areas may increase pain or swelling and prevent you from using your massage gun down the road.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Don\u2019t<\/mark><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t quit using your massage gun if you are sore afterwards.<\/mark><\/strong> Soreness is a normal part of the body\u2019s recovery process, so focus on adjusting your technique to keep the soreness minimal next time. Those of us using a massage gun for hip arthritis might be shocked by soreness at first, but adjusting is key.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Okay, let\u2019s talk about how to pick the best massage gun for arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Choosing a Massage Gun for Arthritis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What to Know About Amplitude and Stall Force<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many factors to consider when selecting a massage gun, including speed, noise, and attachments. We want to focus exclusively on two major factors: amplitude<\/strong> and stall force<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Amplitude<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Amplitude<\/strong> (or stroke length) is the distance traveled by the massage gun head during each percussion (punch), and massage guns are typically classified as high-amplitude or low-amplitude. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-amplitude devices<\/strong> (such as Theragun<\/a>) deliver 14-16mm of motion – they feel more intense and \u201cpunchy\u201d due to their larger amplitude<\/a>, but rev slower at around 2400-2700 RPM. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low-amplitude devices<\/strong> deliver 10mm or less of motion – they feel more vibrational due to their shallow hits, but rev faster at around 3000-3300 RPM.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Our Advice<\/mark><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re unsure which type of device will fit your needs, opt for a medium-amplitude device<\/strong> with about 10-13mm of motion to reach the \u2018sweet spot\u2019<\/em> for most conditions.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Medium-amplitude devices are very, very versatile because they can be used for fast revving or hard-hitting, depending on your needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our top pick for a medium-amplitude device is the Ekrin 365<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These two devices (Theragun Prime and Opove Apex) are representatives of the high amplitude group. 16 and 14.5 mm, respectively, is substantial.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Stall Force<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Stall force<\/strong> is the amount of force required to stop or stall the massage head from operating, which indicates the amount of pressure you can apply to your muscles while holding the device. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our opinion, high stall force<\/a> isn\u2019t a requirement for managing arthritis, but having the option to push harder on larger muscle groups (larger muscles of the thigh and hip) is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t recommend low-stall-force<\/strong> guns because the quality of percussions (hits) will lessen during basic use, which prevents you from using your massage gun for different reasons that might require more force (like using your massage gun for hip arthritis).<\/p>\n\n\n

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Our Advice<\/mark><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our advice is to aim for a minimum stall force of 25-35lbs<\/strong>. A device with more stall force is perfectly fine, but you likely won\u2019t need to use that much pressure while massaging around arthritic joints. Our top device pick for arthritis, Ekrin 365<\/a> (aff link), has a stall force of around 35lbs.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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Other Features to Be Aware Of<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The ergonomics<\/strong> of your device should allow for comfortable use – we really like angled handles to reduce stress on the wrist and hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weight<\/strong> of the device should feel light for you, and you shouldn\u2019t feel any strain in your arms from operating the device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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All the recommended devices are distinguished by excellent ergonomics.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The attachments<\/strong> that come with your device should be varied, including at least one soft\/cushioned head for sensitive areas<\/strong>. Most devices come with a variety of attachments, but we find that 4-6 heads is usually enough for any job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other features such as speed selection and build quality can be important, but we believe the key factors above will make the most difference in managing your arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ekrin 365 comes with a fantastic, soft-silicone attachment; If you opt for Theragun, consider buying the Supersoft attachment<\/a> (it’s included in the Pro version).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Best Massage Gun for Arthritis – Our Recommendation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ekrin 365 – Our First Pick<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Ekrin<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n
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Our testing impressions:<\/div>\n\n\n\n