We’ve been talking about massage guns for a while now, but the sports recovery tech world is growing daily. Every once in a while, something new pops up.

Achedaway contacted us and asked us to take a look at their new dynamic cupping therapy device. We were intrigued, and now we can tell you all about it here.

Is this a new fancy gadget or a new take on flame cupping therapy and dry cupping, which has been known to exist for centuries?

HINT: It’s a nifty electric cupping therapy device, perhaps a fresh take on fire cupping therapy, but there are areas to improve on – read on for more ⤵

Cupping Therapy Massager and Dynamic Cupping – What is it? Benefits?

Like we saw with massage guns, most sports recovery treatment methods become famous when celebrity sportspeople embrace them – put it on a celebrity and watch it go boom!

The same thing happened with the cupping therapy massager. Although this treatment method has existed for centuries – about three and a half millennia – it didn’t become mainstream until the world watched Michael Phelps’s circled bruises in the 2012 Olympics.

Questions were asked, and those who knew about the cupping therapy massager manufactured more of it quickly.

But What is Cupping?

The Chinese and Egyptians used it thousands of years ago to treat different ailments. The method started with heat being placed inside cupping cups (using flammable liquid like alcohol), then the flame cupping was placed upside down on the patient’s skin.

They become muscle suction cups, which create a suction effect due to the cooling air inside the cup.

However, the flames do not get close to the patient’s skin. With advanced technology and new methods, pressure valves are used instead to create massage suction cups.

Myofascial cupping is a technique in which suction draws skin, fascia, and muscles into the cup, providing blood circulation⁽¹⁾ and relieving pain.

Dynamic Cupping: Achedaway Cupper

But then there’s dynamic cupping, which involves full-range motions and sport-specific movement.

Cupping cups are placed on the injured area. A medical practitioner (a certified cupping therapist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, or acupuncturist) starts gliding cupping around to affect the underlying tissue.

Another cupping technique employed by this method is affixing several cupping cups across desired spots and then letting the patient go through a series of movements or specific sport-specific movements – this is a great athlete cupping therapy.

Myofascial cupping has great benefits⁽³⁾ if done correctly:

• Cupping and lymphatic drainage: The dynamic cupping method improves lymphatic circulation by flushing toxins in the affected areas.
• Improved blood flow⁽¹⁾: The suction from gliding cupping over the affected area increases blood flow. This means oxygen and essential nutrients can travel to the pain areas and repair the damaged tissues.
• Relieves muscle stiffness, removes knots, and reduces muscle tension: Muscle suction cups stretch muscles and remove knots. Gliding cupping over the affected areas can also stretch out fascia and minimize muscle tension.

AchedAway Cupper vs. Traditional Cupping: What’s the Difference?

Here, we have added a simplified table for comparing an electric cupping therapy machine against the traditional cupping.

What Cupping Method does the Achedaway Cupper Utilize Then?

The Achedaway Cupper not only employs the dynamic cupping method, but it takes this technique a notch higher.

The Achedaway Cupper brings dynamic cupping technology, or what they call smart cupping, to the forefront. Although to some extent this may sound like a marketing ploy (what’s the difference with any other cupping cup anyway?), It’s not.

Although the cupping cup can still be used for traditional (static) and dynamic cupping, it has a unique twist. It uses rhythmic suction and release alterations. This electric cupping massage feature is not common, and you won’t find it with manual cupping cups or even the ones that use pumps.

This Achead Away Cupper makes cupping a unique experience by dynamically changing pressure. It’s not just any other gadget; it’s a serious proposition for those involved in glass cupping therapy. It’s also a superior alternative to the already existing dry cupping.

Bottom Line:

The Achedaway Cupper, an electric cupping therapy machine, employs the dynamic cupping method.

However, it does so in a unique way. Although it doesn’t do gliding cupping on its own (would be cool if it did), the dynamic pressure concept is genuinely remarkable and unrivaled.

Achedaway Cupper Review

Let us now take a look at the cupping therapy massager itself.

Achedaway Cupper Specifications

Achedaway Cupper: First Impressions

The cupping therapy massager comes in a stylish box that somewhat resembles what we’ve seen with Hyperice packages – this one is smaller, though. Unboxing it, we found a compact smart cupping device that measures 3.7 x 3.7 x 2.83 inches, making it highly portable.

The Achedaway Cupper looks and feels like a premium-quality product. The build quality is perfect, and the materials used are premium. The material used is plastic, but we like this kind of plastic. It looks like it’s going to last a while.

The appearance is stylish. It’s a glossy plastic that is a fingerprint magnet but looks exquisite when cleaned. It’s matte black (plastic) on the side. The buttons are rubberized and feel nice when pressed.

The Achedaway Cupper is light, just 0.47 pounds (or 215 grams with a middle-sized cupping cup installed). The cupping cups look fragile, and you can quickly tell they won’t handle a drop.

But the folks at Achedaway knew this and added a lanyard. It’s a simple yet effective way to secure the smart cupper when used. If you need extra leeway, an extension cord (included) can make it even longer.

This is perfect for cupping the back. You can put the lanyard over your neck to secure the cupping glass in case it suddenly loses suction and falls off your back.

The Cupping Cups

The Achedaway Cupper is fitted with a cupping cup already in case you want to use it immediately.

There are 3 interchangeable cupping cups:

• The medium cupping cup is already mounted (screwed on)
• The small cupping cup is unique from the large and medium cups. It’s curved to make it easier to stick on curved body areas (e.g., cupping leg, cupping on shoulder, cupping therapy knee, cupping foot, etc).
• The large cupping cup is flat, like the medium cup. These two are used on large muscle groups, such as leg cupping therapy (or cupping for buttocks, cupping the leg, etc.).

This electric cupping machine also has replaceable filters that sit tightly between the cupping cup and the smart device. The filters serve two roles:

• To block out granular and liquid impurities in case you use lotion during the massage.
• It acts as a seal to prevent air entering and leaving the massage suction cups.

We also found a USB charging cable and an instructional manual. The manual has information on operating the cupping therapy massager, charging it, cleaning guides, and other helpful tips, like using the Achedaway Cupper App to control the device.

Our overall impression is that this is a superb dynamic cupping device, and it feels great to have it with us.

We sort of freaked out with all the buttons and different LED lights indicating different things, but it’s nothing we haven’t dealt with before (especially with massage guns). Once you start using the cupping therapy massager, it quickly becomes clear how it works. It’s intuitive and straightforward to use.

Achedaway Cupper How to Use | Cupping at Home

That said, the Achedaway Cupper gives you some interesting massage modes and controls; this is where it gets intriguing.

Massage Suction Cups: Pressure

Applying suction pressure is essential to fire cupping therapy⁽²⁾ (or when using pump cupping cups).

This electrical cupping has an impressive suction pressure range (variable suction intensity). It has 5 levels between 20 kPa and 60 kPa, which translates to 2.9 Psi—8.7 Psi or 0.2 bar—0.6 bar.

Well, what are those anyway? Let’s put it this way, this little device is a powerful sucker – precisely what massage suction cups are meant to be, but this one’s a bit stronger.

The first setting (the default one) already gives you 20 kPa, which is quite powerful. Scroll all the way to the fifth setting, and the intensity is tremendous. It may not be the perfect place to go unless you are a demanding user who needs it.

Depending on your desired level, you can easily control the suction intensity by pressing the suction button a few times. You can also use the Achedaway Cupper App (we’ll talk about it soon) to change the intensity. The red bars on the dynamic cupper will indicate which level you’re at.

Electric Cupping Therapy: Modes

But the dynamic cupping isn’t complete without the 5 pre-programmed modes. These are rhythmic alterations of suction and release, in different combinations and at varying pressure increments.

They’re effective for trigger point therapy and improving circulation (lymph and blood)⁽¹⁾. They also play an essential role in myofascial release, flexibility, and range of motion.

Press the M button on the cupping therapy massager to select a mode. The level increases with each press of the button. The green bars LEDs indicate the current level.

The modes work as follows:

• Mode 1—Wake-up mode:
  Pulse mode is for quick suction and quick release.
• Mode 2—Relaxing mode:
  This is also a pulse mode and a quick and slow suction combination. It does more suction than the first mode. It slowly releases the pressure and then starts over.
• Mode 3—Massage mode:
  This one performs a more prolonged suction and holds the pressure for a moment before releasing it—the release is shorter than in the previous mode.
• Mode 4—Professional mode:
  It starts with a more prolonged suction followed by a series of very short extra suctions with 3-second intervals between the extra bursts. It doesn’t really pulse but keeps the suction high the whole time. It does that for about 1.5 minutes and then turns off.
• Mode 5—The Powerful mode:
  It combines short and long suctions for extra intensity. It’s pretty powerful, especially if you switch the suction power to level 3 or above.

Red Light Therapy: Cupping at Home

The Achedaway Cupper has Red Light Therapy. You can turn it on or off by pressing the bulb icon.

Red light therapy may sound like an extra feature but is excellent for pain management and decreasing inflammation. It heals muscles and skin tissues. Low levels of red or semi-infrared light translate to heated muscles that support healing.

How Does the Achedaway Cupper App Work?

This cupping electric is Bluetooth-enabled and works with both iOS and Android. It’s a simple yet flawless App.

The connection to the cupping therapy massager is seamless, and once connected, you can use the App to:

• Control suction intensity
• Switch between modes, and
• Turn the red light therapy on or off

The Achedaway Cupper App also has a convenient timer feature. Once set, the timer activates the smart cupper automatically and shuts off automatically when the time elapses.

But do you really need the App? Yes, you need it when:

• You have multiple Achedaway Cuppers and need to control them. The app allows you to connect to various devices and control them.
• You are cupping the back and can’t reach the buttons on the smart cupper. It works perfectly until you need to pause the device. There isn’t a stop or pause button on the app, so you will have to reach the device to do this.

Battery on the Achedaway Cupper

We’ve talked about all the nice things this cupping therapy massager can do and how it works, but how much use can you get before you need to charge it again?

Well, a 1800mAh capacity battery isn’t a bad thing for such a small cupper.

The battery life is up to 3 hours, but it will vary depending on the suction level. Since you will not take much time massaging a single spot, 3 hours is more than you need for a full massage.

We love that the device charges via USB instead of a dedicated charger. You can also charge it with a power bank when traveling with your Achedaway Cupper.

The battery only takes 2 to 2.5 hours to charge fully. The battery charge indicator flashes red on the dynamic cupper as it charges and changes to green when fully charged. The charge indicator is also on the app.

Is The Achedaway Cupper Noisy?

You can rest easy because this smart cupper is not noisy. You can hear the suction pump engaging, but it’s nothing discomforting.

You will occasionally hear a beep or two when you press the buttons (even on the App), but these are feedback tones and nothing unusually irritating. The beeps are default and cannot be turned off.

Cleaning Cupping Glass

Yes, the cupping cups must be cleaned, but this is also a breeze. If you’re not sure what to do, there are instructions that will help.

In a nutshell, though, you need a dry cloth. The plastic cupping cups are detachable and can be removed and cleaned easily and quickly.

Pricing and Warranty

Achedaway sells a single cupping therapy massager for $169 and a double electric cupping set for $299. But we have an Achedaway discount code—MGA25—that gives you a $25 discount, so you can get a single one for $144 and a double one for $274 (more suction cups for back, the better).

If you buy directly from achedaway.com, you will get all the support you need. It’s also a way to support this excellent brand. Their website has many real user reviews with pictures.

You will get a 1-year warranty and 30 days to return the product if you encounter any problems.

What We Would Love Achedaway to Improve on the Cupper

We love the cupping therapy massager, yes (we fell in love with it at first sight), but a few things could be added or improved:

• There is no pouch or carrying case:
  A pouch or a protective bag to carry the Achedaway Cupper with you would be a terrific addition. The smart cupper looks fragile, and we all know the box doesn’t last. A small pouch similar to what we saw with the Theragun Mini would be enough.
• Backlighting should be added:
  The buttons are great and have icons, but they’re not backlit. This may present a challenge when operating the device in a dimmed room. Also, because the dynamic cupping is round, you can’t tell which button to press unless you can see it.
• A setting to mute the beeps:
  There’s a reason we mute the beeping on our phones. It can be unpleasant when you don’t want to hear the beeps. There should be a setting to turn them off, at least within the App.
• These suction cups for the body should be a Pause or Stop button within the App.
• There should be more practical information on how to use the smart cupping massager on certain body parts, such as how long to use the device, best practices, etc., but we didn’t see that information in their manual.
• Guided sessions could be included:
  Since there’s the Achedaway Cupper App, it would be nice to see some guided routines on how to use cupping at home in different scenarios and on various body parts.
  We saw Hyperice and Therabody do this.
• There is no Automatic gliding cupping:
  Wouldn’t it be super-amazing if the smart cupper could actually glide through the body as it massages you – perhaps a setting for this? Call it wishful thinking, but nothing is too wishful these days.
• We hope to have an option to extend the warranty:
  It would be awesome to have this because it shows that a brand is willing to stand behind its product. We wouldn’t mind paying for such a thing.

Is Achedaway a Good Brand?

Yes, Achedaway is a remarkable and trusted brand. They have an excellent reputation for designing quality products.

They’re a Chinese-American company that has been around since 2019—that is a lot and more than enough in the fitness tech industry. Their name stands for pain relief: ached away! We have used and loved their products for a while now. They consult with experts before developing their best recovery tools for athletes.

We have known them through their massage guns. First, with the Achedaway and then the Achedaway Pro, which we have recommended in many of our massage gun reviews.

With the Achedaway Cupper, they are undoubtedly venturing into alternative fitness recovery avenues, which is good to see from a brand we know so well. Just like Hyperice and Therabody, the brand is on an upward trajectory and thriving.

FAQs

Achedaway Cupper Review Conclusion

Let’s recap a few things before we end this Achedaway Cupper review.

This innovative cupping therapy massager takes cupping to a whole new level. We love the concept of the dynamic cupper, and we’re confident that fitness enthusiasts will also love it once they get to use it. It has a well-executed design, is portable, and is nicely built. The cupping cups are easy to clean, and the battery life is decent enough.

But it all comes down to the dynamic suction, the pre-programmed modes, and the Red Light therapy. It’s marvelous! We can wholeheartedly recommend this cupping therapy massager for these features alone.

In our opinion, the value for the money is outstanding. It’s not a pricey item, and many people may be able to afford it as continuous cupping therapy cost could be hard on your wallet.

Plus, just to remind you, you can save $25 if you use our Achedaway coupon MGA25 (Achedaway promo code) to reduce cupping therapy cost. You can get your Achedaway Cupper here.

Thanks for reading – feel free to comment below and ask questions here if in doubt.

[wp-review id=”8729″]

But is the TheraCup the first smart cupping device? Not really. We reviewed the Smart Cupper by Achedaway in November 2021.

Therabody had a very busy 2022. They released 8 new products—the most in a year. What were those? Did we review them? Perhaps not all of them, but we’ve mentioned some, and we will address them eventually.

We enjoyed reviewing their massage guns (Theragun Pro 5th Gen and Theragun Mini), but today, in this review, we’ll discuss their smart cupping massage – the TheraCup. We’ll see how it performed during our tests.

Cupping Therapy Massager: How It Boosts Muscle Recovery and Relieves Pain

Does fire cupping work?

If you were among the people who were taken aback by Michael Phelps’s “gory-looking” marks on his back at the Olympics in Rio 2016, you are probably already familiar with fire cup treatment.

Fire Cup Therapy | The Background:

The medical name for cupping is myofascial decompression.

How does fire cupping work?

Cupping is an ancient Chinese treatment that loosens the fascia around muscles. It is sort of the reverse of massage therapy, which works by pulling on the skin rather than pressing against it.

Multiple fire cupping cups are placed on the patient’s back, shoulders, or neck and left for a short while.

If you don’t know what fascia is, it’s the connective tissue that holds muscles to the skin. The fascia tends to stiffen when the muscle is overworked (from exercise) or underworked (from a sedentary lifestyle).

A cupping therapy massager can help release the pressure within these connective tissues.

There is a reason celebrity athletes love flame cupping. They are top-level performers who need to be in tip-top form to do what they do best. In addition to Phelps, we saw Conor McGregor with cupping marks early in 2023.

We’ve also seen peculiar fire cupping marks on NBA players like Stephen Curry, Steven Adams, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. We also saw former New England Patriots linebacker James Harrison using fire cupping therapy as part of his recovery routine.

This tells you just how popular (and definitely effective) flame cupping is.

These are just a few areas where people have reported relief after a fire cup treatment. But there are more proven benefits (backed by scientific studies) of hot cupping, including;

• Relieving lower back pain: Studies in 2015^​1​ and 2017^​2​ found that fire cupping massage is effective against chronic lower back pain. 
• Helping sports recovery: A minor 2020 study^​3​ found that fire cup therapy can effectively improve hamstring issues like tightness and strains. 
• Management of osteoarthritis pain: A major study in 2021^​4​ found moderate evidence that cupping therapy with fire can help reduce osteoarthritis pain in the knee. This may be especially relevant for older adults who are struggling with osteoarthritis symptoms but don’t want to have joint replacement surgery.

You can also check out more about cupping at home in our review of the Achedaway Cupper.

Types of Cupping | Which Ones Does TheraCup Use?

There are different types of cupping techniques used today. Some may be new due to advancements in technology, but others are as old as the treatment itself. Let us look at some of them.

Traditional Cupping | AKA Fixed, or Static

This method uses negative pressure. One example is when a flame is lit inside the cup to suck out the oxygen. The hot cup is then quickly placed on the skin, creating a vacuum.

Another non-flame method (also known as negative pressure) involves using glass suction cups; a pump is attached to the cup, which sucks the air out.

Dynamic Cupping

This method incorporates both negative pressure and movements. It can take different forms.

For example, you can use rubber cuppers that create weak suction, allowing you to glide the cup over the skin (which is usually oiled).

You can also get smart cupped using more advanced therapy cuppers that dynamically change pressure. The Achedaway Cupper utilizes this technique.

All these methods represent a type of cupping known as “dry cupping massage.” This type of cupping is non-aggressive. There is also “Wet Cupping,” where incisions are made over the Dry Cupping areas, and new cups are placed over the cuttings.

So, what about the TheraCup? 

The TheraCup promises therapy cupping via suction combined with heat to create a versatile, portable smart cupping device.

However, it’s not just the heat and the suction; they have added vibrations for soothing massages or to enhance tissue tension release.

Theoretically, it appears to be a robust Therabody fire cupping massage without the fire — but is it?

TheraCup Review | Therabody

TheraCup Specs

TheraCup Design

Therabody Theracup comes in a tiny package—a box measuring 6 x 6 inches. We noticed Therabody’s new approach to packaging, which reduces plastic usage.

The “smart cupped” comes in a neoprene carrying pouch. Everything is inside.

The Theracup already has a cup attached to it.

There are two extra glass suction cups, each in a different size. They have the same height and outer diameter (OD), but each heat cup has a different inside diameter. These glass suction cups are meant to work on other muscles.

The glass suction cups’ inner diameters (plastic cups, by the way) are as follows:

• 35mm or 1.38 inches
• 45mm or 1.77 inches
• 55mm or 2.17 inches

In addition to the Theracup and the suction cups, the smart cupping device comes with a USB-C cable for charging and a basic manual in different languages.

The Theracup cupping is very compact: 4 inches tall and 2.3 inches wide with the cup mounted. It’s also very light, weighing 8 ounces (228 grams) according to our scale. It has a quality feel, as you’d expect from Therabody. 

The glass suction cups are made of transparent, tinted acrylic plastic, but they have a sleek appearance with nice, rounded edges. The Theracup feels pleasant to the touch, and although it’s mostly plastic, it features rubber around its edges for improved suction.

Therabody took a simple, minimalist approach here—nothing feels overdone. The blue rubber ring on top adds to the overall visual appeal.

TheraCup How to Use | 6 Steps

Here’s how to use this essential device that replaces fire cup treatment:

1. Decide where you want to apply the treatment and place the Theracup (choose one of the 3 glass suction cups included with the device). 
2. Turn on the device using the On/Off toggle switch at the side (the device beeps when ready). 
3. Press the central button (the smart cupper indicator) briefly to initiate suction. Press the button again to increase the suction level, which can be adjusted to up to three levels.
4. The side buttons activate vibrations (represented by the wave icon) and heat (represented by the fire icon). These, too, have 3 levels. 
5. While the TheraCup is on your skin, you can adjust suction, vibrations, or heat intensity to your liking. The 3 LEDs next to the buttons indicate the selected setting. 
6. If you don’t want to combine the suction with the vibration or heat settings, you can long-press the respective buttons to turn them off. However, you can’t use the complementary settings without the suction, which is the main attribute of the cupping with heat.

How Does the TheraCup Perform?

Therabody promises three therapies in one smart cupping device:

• Suction, heat, and vibration.

How does cup therapy work? Let’s see it…

The Smart Cupped | Suction

You’re probably wondering, how well does this Theracup smart cupping device perform? To give a straight answer, we’d say it performs pretty well. Here’s how the suction works.

As we saw above, there are three suction levels.

• 30kPa (0.3 bar) or 4.35psi ,
• 40kPa (0.4 bar) or 5.8psi, and
• 50kPa (0.5 bar) or 7.54psi.

What’s with the numbers? Do they mean anything?

Simply put, TheraCup produces a pretty powerful suction. Even at the first level, the suction is robust. Once you’ve hooked it onto your body, there is no chance the glass suction cups will fall off.

The highest suction level can be pretty intense for ordinary folks. Unless you are a demanding user, we advise sticking to the first two levels.

But can you do a gliding cupping massage with the TheraCup?

Yes, we tried gliding the cup on the skin, but it’s quite a hassle. The suction pressure is quite high, even at the first level, allowing the cup to glide smoothly.

However, when we applied oil to the area, the process was still sticky; however, we had better success with a gliding cupping massage.

TIP: Just a heads up, it feels slightly painful to force-glide the Therabody cupping on the skin. 

But we know people who love gliding the cup along the application area. Ladies, in particular, love cupping therapy for cellulite. In that case, we believe there is room for an upgrade here—perhaps even a new cellulite cupping treatment (e.g., Theracup cellulite) with the same concept but with slightly less suction, allowing for a gliding cupping massage. 

The Heating

The heating setting has three levels:

• 106F or 41 degrees Celsius,
• 109F or 43 degrees Celsius, and
• 113F or 45 degrees Celsius.

When the skin gets sucked into the Theracups, it touches the ceramic lining inside the hot cupper, which gets warm. It heats up pretty quickly, too – it takes about 10 to 20 seconds.

The feeling is fantastic – we have to praise Therabody’s execution here.

But the heating isn’t just to warm and keep you comfortable; it greatly affects the hot cupping process. Heating hastens the loosening of the fascia in the muscle and boosts blood flow to the tissues. 

The combination of cupping and heating brings back the good fire cup treatment. Unlike the Achedaway Cupper, the Therabody TheraCup doesn’t utilize red light therapy, but the heating component works great.

TheraCup Vibrations

Vibrations also enhance the effectiveness of fire cupping massage without the fire component. They penetrate deep into the tissue and help relieve tension.

However, for even better effectiveness, you’d need high-tempo vibrations, which TheraCup doesn’t seem to have. Granted, the manual advertises 1800 to 3000 shakes per minute, but the vibrations are gentle (even on the third setting). They are not quite as effective as the suction-cupping with heat combo. 

We assume Therabody only included the vibrations to provide soothing massages and help you relax.

But maybe they really did want the vibrations to increase the intensity of the hot cupping. If so, why make the vibrations so gentle?

If that’s the case, we believe the intensity is lost along the glass suction cup. The vibrations must travel from the top to the bottom, where the acrylic cup comes into contact with your skin. We are guessing that’s where the vibrations may be absorbed.

TheraCup Safety Features

The number of safety features Therabody chose to include here is impressive.

They include:

• The auto-shutoff after 3 minutes indicates that you should move the device to a different location. 
• Pressure detection – the device automatically shuts off when the vacuum pressure exceeds 60 kPa. 
• The device also monitors heat levels
• There is a warning when you select the highest suction level

Can TheraCup Connect to an App?

Well, this may be somewhat surprising, but Achedaway beats Therabody here. TheraCup doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity.

The Achedaway Cupper has an app that enables you to control the smart cupping device, which is handy when using it on your back.

Let’s hope Therabody thinks about connectivity for future TheraCup iterations.

Battery

We don’t know the battery’s capacity, but the device can last 120 minutes on a full charge.

However, if you use high-level suction and too much heat, you might not get enough juice for two hours. Even so, the treatment per spot takes only a few minutes, and two hours will be enough to treat a large area.

Kudos to Therabody for making this a USB-C charging device. You can charge it using a power bank. We’re assuming there isn’t too much juice because it takes 1-2 hours to fully charge the device.

The charge indicator is simple. It lights

• green when fully charged,
• blue when mid-charge, and
• orange when low charge.

The light flashes when charging and turns solid green when the battery is fully charged. 

TheraCup Cleaning

Cleaning is not an issue. The Thera Cups’ shape makes them easy to clean, and they are also removable.

Use a clean cloth or alcohol-free cleansing wipe to gently wipe down the device and attachments.  Do not submerge the TheraCup in soap and water, as it is not waterproof. Before storing, make sure all components are dry to prevent moisture damage.

TheraCup Pricing and Warranty

A TheraCup single costs $159, a TheraCup 2-pack costs $279, and a TheraCup 6-pack costs $799. We believe the price is fair for what you’re getting.

You can save a few bucks using the X8YZF10 promo code at checkout. This coupon only works at therabody.com.

The TheraCup comes with a 1-year warranty, providing 90 days’ coverage for the acrylic cups.

But you can’t put it past Therabody to charge exorbitantly for their devices. The competition offers similar smart cupping massage but at fair prices. You can check the alternative below.

Best Therabody TheraCup Alternative: Achedaway Cupper

The Achedaway Cupper is the only viable alternative to the Therabody TheraCup that we know of. It’s a proven smart cupping device that has been on the market since 2021 and has received many positive reviews, including ours.

Let’s clash it with the new TheraBody Cup device:

Achedaway Cupper | 3 Different Hot Cup Sizes

The Achedaway Cupper is flatter and shorter. Its large cups help it stick better to the body vertically (relative to the ground, for instance, when you put it on your back while standing).

However, TheraCup’s smallest cup is excellent for use on smaller muscles.

Performance

It offers a slightly different proposition than the TheraCup. In our opinion, it is somewhat more robust.

The suction is dynamic, which means the pressure fluctuates to move the skin up and down. This effectively increases blood supply to the tissues and helps to eliminate toxins more quickly. The TheraCup can’t do this.

Instead of direct heat, it utilizes red-light therapy, which has proven benefits but doesn’t vibrate.

How does Theracup suction compare to Achedaway?

The Achedaway Cupper has a broader range, from 20 kPa to 60 kPa, and can be adjusted up to 5 levels. This makes it stronger at higher levels.

Can the Achedaway Cupper glide comfortably?

Theoretically, we believe it should be easier to glide the TheraCup than the Achedaway Cupper. Since the strong suction hinders gliding, and the Cupper is stronger, moving it along the body might be harder. Practically, though, it feels about the same as the TheraCup.

Smart Connectivity

The Achedaway Cupper can be controlled via an app and has a lanyard, making it easier to use than the TheraCup. 

Battery

The battery seems to last longer than the one in the Therabody TheraCup. It has a capacity of 1800 mAh and lasts 2-3 hours. Even so, the Achedaway Cupper is lighter than the TheraCup—it weighs 215 grams. 

Achedaway Cupper: Price and Warranty

The prices are similar. Use the MGA25 code to get $25 off, which includes a one-year warranty.

Therabody TheraCup: Bottom Line

After testing it ourselves, it suffices to say that this is an excellent smart cupped device from a trusted brand. We are totally sold on the suction-heat combo (sprinkle in the vibrations to relax).

It’s not just a gadget you buy to try out; it does what it claims to do. It’s a great choice for amateur and professional athletes, physiotherapists, and physios, and it is also reasonably priced.

We are glad the Achedaway Smart Cupper has competition now. We hope this drives prices down further. Even so, they are reasonably priced. Plus, you’re getting them from top brands.

Until next time!

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FAQ: Cupping Therapy Essentials

Apparently, people have been punching themselves in the face using Theraguns. Yes, Theraguns are very punchy massage guns because of those long amplitudes.

We know people have been abusing their faces with Theraguns because of the number of emails we have received asking us whether it’s healthy to use a Theragun on face.

Well, we didn’t know how to appropriately answer these questions without harming people’s faces even more. Turns out Theragun must’ve been bombarded with similar questions throughout their existence. 

They released the TheraFace PRO in Q1/2022 – the quintessential Theragun facial tool. But after seeing what this innovative genius from Therabody can do, we would say it’s more than a Theragun face massage gun (at last!). There’s more to it than just making your face feel nice and rejuvenated.

We have studied it, and here’s what we think about it.

What is TheraFace PRO? – Who is it for?

Yes, it is the TheraFace PRO percussive facial therapy, but it doesn’t end there. The Thera Face is more of a facial spa than just a massage gun for face.

Therabody calls it “an advanced solution for better facial wellness”, and we agree. It’s a 4-in-1 solution cleverly designed for a premium beauty massager. The TheraFace Pro combines many treatments in one tiny but very interesting product.

TIP: Here, you can read if you can use a massage gun on your face.

Here’s what you can expect the TheraFace PRO with its ingenious TheraFace hot and cold rings to do for you;

• Reduce facial tension and relax the jaw and facial muscles.
  Thanks to optimized percussive facial therapy, you don’t have to endure the counterproductive heavy punching from regular percussion guns anymore.
• It can firm and tighten the skin.
• Improves muscle tone and contours of your face.
• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
• Helps to remove the facial buildup of dirt, debris, and oil.
• Reduces under-eye puffiness and rejuvenates the skin with cold therapy.
• Soothes the pain and lets the face relax with heated therapy.

But all these things make it sound like the Thera Face is best suited for women. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Therabody isn’t just looking to wow women with this innovation. Caring for your face isn’t just a trend for women—men can benefit just as much from supporting facial health.

We have to agree with them. Our faces express emotions and have much to say about our overall well-being. Facial muscles do a lot of work when awake during the day, and the modern lifestyle doesn’t help keep them healthy.

That necessitates keeping our faces healthy, just like the rest of our bodies. It doesn’t matter whether you are a man or a woman; these things affect us equally.

Let’s find out more about this fantastic Theragun TheraFace.

TheraFace PRO Review: What You Need to Know

TheraFace PRO Specifications

What it Comes Equipped With

Here are some of the things you will find when you open the package;

• 1 beauty massager
• 3 TheraFace Pro attachments
• 1 TheraFace LED (treatment ring)
• 1 TheraFace microcurrent (ring)
• 1 TheraFace cleansing ring
• 1 TheraFace conductive gel (for microcurrent treatment)
• 1 pouch to carry some of the TheraFace Pro attachments
• 1 TheraFace Pro charger
• 1 USB-C charging cable. That’s right; this was the first Therabody device with a convenient USB-C. Awesome!
• A user manual in different languages
• Optional TheraFace Pro attachments (bought separately): TheraFace Pro hot and cold rings.

Now, let’s have a look at the Theragun TheraFace itself…

First Impressions

We buy and test a lot of massage guns. We’ve become so accustomed to them that we can immediately tell whether a device is worth its weight in gold or not.

Everything about this TheraFace PRO looks impeccable. From the quality of the packaging to the contents inside, everything screams top quality. 

They didn’t cut any corners with this Therabody face gun. From the outstanding quality of the materials used (including soft rubberized plastic) to the attention to detail with the accessories included with the device, it feels pretty premium.

You can tell they wanted to make this TheraFace Pro tool as high-end as possible (not that they make anything cheap). We’ve seen devices cut corners with the quality of material used to build them, but that is not the case here. 

The Therabody red light feels innovative – certainly the first of its kind. We’ve yet to see anything like it. There are many clever solutions here.

For instance, the magnetic TheraFace Pro attachments and ring-mounting system look futuristic. There is also a simple but effective OLED screen that we have seen many brands fumble with – not Therabody here. 

The beauty massager is optimized for the face. If ever there was to be a Theragun face massage, then this is definitely it.

Size and Weight

It’s dinky and easy to hold – it looks like those tiny beard trimmers. It’s only about 5.5 inches tall, 2.55 inches wide, and about 2.16 inches thick, making it very compact.

It’s also very light – you wouldn’t have a Theragun on your face that needs two hands to maneuver comfortably. This one weighs just 0.61 pounds with the ring and a tip. 

Noise

This Theraface Pro review wouldn’t be complete without discussing how loud this TheraBody red light therapy is.

After all, you need a quiet TheraBody facial device if you use it close to your ears. It is not just us; many users have also complained about the noisy large Theraguns.

The good news is that this Theragun facial tool is very quiet—finally, a hushed Thera. It’s so pleasantly quiet that we didn’t feel the need to use our decibel meter to determine how buzzy it is.

We measured it anyway—and if you’re curious, here’s what we found: the first speed registers around 49 dB, the second about 51 dB, and the third hits roughly 52 dB.

It’s a very quiet Therabody facial device.

Practical and Well-Thought-Out

Designing this TheraFace Pro tool must’ve been a tough task. You’d think creating a beauty massager for the face wouldn’t be so tough for Therabody. However, combining many different therapies in one tiny device isn’t quite the same thing.

Even so, we have to applaud what they did here. We noted some critical design choices in making this device.

• The attachments and rings can work together:
  That means you can perform more than one treatment at once. For instance, the TheraFace LED light (ring), the cold therapy ring^​1​, and the cleansing ring all work when you are massaging your face using Thera Face. 
• The magnetic attachment-mounting system is incredible:
  You don’t need to push or twist anything – move the Theragun micropoint attachment close to the tip, and it will fix it. It feels incredibly nice to have this here.
• The attachment/ring automatic recognition:
  Thera Face knows the specific ring or attachment mounted. That means you won’t need two buttons to operate the device.

Display

When the Thera Face is turned on, the OLED display lights up. On it, you can see the:

• Battery charge status,
• The ring is currently mounted, and
• The selected therapy mode.

For example, you’ll see the snowflake icon when the Theraface cold ring is attached.
The screen also shows the percussion speed and the therapy:

• heating,
• cleansing,
• microcurrent
• Cold therapy. 

It’s a bit confusing to see only 3 buttons with all these therapies on the Theragun TheraFace. However, once you start using it, everything becomes clear. It’s very simple and intuitive to use.

So let’s take a closer look at it…

TheraFace Pro How to Use

We have seen everything included here and what everything can do, but this is a new concept on the market.

So, how to use TheraFace Pro? Here’s how:

Percussive Therapy

This is where we know Theragun excels. There are 3 TheraFace Pro attachments—all black.

They include what we’d call a flat head, a cone head, and a Theragun micropoint attachment.

Flat Head

Although tiny, the flat head is probably the universal one and should be used most of the time.

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Cone Head

The cone head should be used for pressure points and targeted areas, including massaging around the eyes and the nasolabial line.

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Theragun MicroPoint attachment

Theragun micro-point attachment is rare (it doesn’t look like any we’ve seen before) and made of soft silicone sticks.

It’s probably meant to improve blood flow in the larger areas of your face, such as the cheeks and forehead.

The TheraFace Pro attachments are smaller than any we’ve seen from Theragun. They are soft and gentle (they should be; no one wants a rough attachment on their face). Even the cone attachment has a lot of give.

The attachments feel great on the face when used. We’ll compare them with the attachments we saw with the addsfit Max (those were magnanimous compared to these though).

The attachments and the tip of the Therabody face gun are magnetic. You simply put them on there, and they’ll stick. They administer percussive massage quite nicely on your face. 

Performance Aspects – Amplitude, Stall Force, and Percussions

Since it’s partly a massage gun, we have to talk about its performance mainly.

According to Therabody, the amplitude (the length of the tip of the massage gun attachment that determines how deep a massage you can get) is 3mm, which is pretty tiny compared to the bigger siblings (i.e., Relief has 10mm, Mini and Sense have 12mm, Pro, Elite, and Prime have 16mm). 

A 3mm amplitude sounds tiny for a massage gun, but that’s because there aren’t large muscles on your face. We’re impressed with the choice here. It’s just about perfect – anything lower or higher would not work correctly. 

Interestingly, the percussion range wasn’t touched. It’s the same range as every other Theragun: 1750- 2400 RPM.

• The first speed has 1750 RPM,
• The second has 2100 RPM, and
• The third has 2400 RPM.

What about the no-stall force (the force a massage gun can withstand before stalling)? Would it even be right to talk about stall force for a facial beauty massager?

Well, you won’t need to press the Thera Face hard against your face. That means you shouldn’t expect this device to have a lot of stall force like those intended for other parts of your body.

Surprisingly, though, we tried applying some pressure (to test the no-stall force), and we have to say, there is a bit of power here – it doesn’t stall that easily.

Even when it stalls, it kicks back almost immediately when the pressure is released.

Effects of a Percussive Massage

Using the TheraFace PRO for a percussive facial massage is quite beneficial. Expect to treat minor jaw stiffness with a short massage session. It also helps you relax as the skin gets warmer due to increased blood flow. 

As with any other body part, percussion therapy gets you the best results when done regularly.

That is why Therabody has introduced new routines for facial treatment that are worth checking out. You can apply these routines as suggested and note how you feel over time.

Theracare hot and cold rings: Compatibility with Heads

You can combine massage therapy with Thera Face rings. For example, you can have the Theraface cold ring on and the Theragun micropoint attachment.

The combination of treatments provides faster, even better results.

For instance, you can have the TheraFace LED on as you massage. You can also combine the TheraFace cold ring with percussion therapy (our favorite). The feeling on your skin is magnificent, and you also save time when you combine therapies like this. 

Overall, it’s hard to imagine how they could’ve done any better as far as the Theraface Pro percussive facial therapy is concerned.
Also, the fact that you can combine it with cold, light, and the cleansing ring is brilliant. 

TheraFace LED: Light treatment explained

The LED ring has Red, Blue, and Red+Therabody red light.

LED therapy has gained popularity among aestheticians because it is safe and has minimal side effects. It also doesn’t use ultraviolet waves.

The different TheraFace Pro red light wavelength^​2​ are helpful in

• treating acne (the blue light), reducing inflammation, and
• improving circulation (the red and infrared lights).

This also means that TheraFace LED can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a healthy glow.

PRO TIP: We have already seen another device that incorporates LED therapy into its operation. I’m talking about the Achedaway Cupper, a smart device for hot cupping.

TheraFace Microcurrent: Treatment explained

Therabody Microcurrent: The Ring

It aims to firm and tighten skin and improve muscle tone in the face and/or neck.
Gentle stimulation is said to help firm and plump for a youthful glow.

According to recent research^​3​, using low-level electrical currents on the skin has massive benefits. These include lifting, toning, smoothing, and more.

The Microcurrent Theraface is also responsible for improving the functioning of facial muscles by:

• helping in circulation,
• reducing inflammation, and
• healing wounds. 

It’s not really a silver bullet for bad skin health, but if used regularly, it can work just as well as any anti-aging treatment. You can use Theraface microcurrent on all parts of your face.

Numerous microcurrent devices are already on the market. However, we haven’t seen any attempt to incorporate multiple therapies in one device.

With microcurrent therapy, TheraFace PRO can seriously rival Nuface and others.

How Does the TheraFace Microcurrent Feel?

The electric impulses are never painful. You will feel a slight tingly effect, but nothing more. There is a chance you will immediately feel your skin tighten.

After using it for a while, expect a lifted appearance, better facial contour, and good skin tone.

TheraFace Pro Cleansing Ring

The TheraFace Cleansing Ring

The TheraFace cleansing ring looks rather simple, but you can’t help but notice that just as much thought went into making it as the rest.

The ring is included to help you remove facial build-up (dirt, oil, debris).

Like all the others, this ring is magnetic so that you won’t have a problem attaching it. It’s a full ring without a hole in the middle, meaning you cannot combine this therapy with percussion therapy.

However, the way the ring is built, it can work as the fourth attachment. The ring endings resemble the Theragun micropoint attachment, but the contact area is larger, gentler, and softer. 

Once attached, the middle part is flexible enough for the Theraface Pro percussive facial therapy. This means that you can clean your face and massage it at the same time with this ring. Awesome!

TheraFace Hot and Cold rings: Additional therapy

The Theraface hot and cold rings must be purchased separately at $109. We mentioned that Therabody also paid attention to detail here.

The setup comes in a stylish zippered pouch made of good-quality leather—it’s soft and feels very premium.

The pouch is thermally insulated (presumably to keep both the rings and the pouch safe). A manual explains how to use the rings. 

TheraFace Cold Ring

TheraFace Pro Cold Ring

Cold therapy helps to reduce puffiness under the eyes. It’s also known to relieve pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms.

The ring has two metal stripes that get cold once activated.

The placement of the metallic piece on the ring suggests that the manufacturer was targeting the area under the eyes.

However, it’s not just the eyes, you can use cold therapy on your forehead and the back of your neck – it’s safe to use on any other part of your body. 

The cool thing about this ring is that it can be combined with percussion therapy. For double treatment, you can use any of the 3 Theraface Pro attachments and the cold ring.

The ring has 3 temperature levels;

• 79 degrees Fahrenheit (26 C°)
• 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 C°)
• 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 C°)

TheraFace Hot Therapy

TheraFace Hot Ring

This one will give your skin a soothing, relaxing, warm feeling.

It’s great for relaxation after a long day. Heat also reduces pain, improves blood flow, and helps to relieve sore and stiff muscles.

Like the cold ring, the TheraFace Hot Ring has 3 temperature levels as follows:

• 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 C°)
• 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 C°)
• 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 C°)

However, unlike the cold ring, this one cannot be used with percussion therapy. This is a bit of a bummer because otherwise, you’d have the very first mini-heated facial massager—how cool!

Plus, heating in massage guns makes them even more effective. We’re guessing the folks at Therabody thought it would be too much for the skin.

Are the TheraFace Hot and Cold Rings Worth the Extra $109?

While it’s not necessarily a must-have, we highly recommend that you buy these as well. Without the TheraFace hot and cold rings, you feel like you’re missing something.

We highly recommend trying the TheraFace cold ring, especially along with percussion therapy; the feeling is amazingly relaxing and refreshing, especially on a hot day.

The TheraFace heated ring is also magnificent and adds more therapy to the others. We like that both rings cool and heat almost immediately – it’s only a 15-second wait.

The leather pouch is something special, too; perhaps a reminder that you paid $109 for it!

TheraFace Beeping: Controlled Timing

When you use the microcurrent, the LED light, and the hot and cold rings, the device beeps every 15 seconds. This is done to help you get the treatment right—it’s called controlled timing.

The beeps work as follows;

• 2 beeps mean the ring has accidentally disconnected.
• 3 beeps are meant to notify you that the treatment is over. The beeps happen after 8 minutes.

The beeping isn’t really very aggressive, and you won’t feel disturbed. However, we wish there were an option to silence them. Perhaps the OLED screen should’ve been used to indicate the progress.

But it’s not really a major bummer and doesn’t take away any points from the performance of this device.

The Battery

With all these therapies in one gadget, you’d be interested to know how the juice holds up. Well, the battery is surprisingly formidable.

You can do at least a few longer sessions on a single charge, no problem! If you use it normally, we’d say the battery will last about a week before you need to charge it again.

Keep in mind that the battery performance will depend on these factors;

• The intensity of the percussion massage settings.
• The pressure applied during a massage.
• The level of intensity during a microcurrent treatment, as well as the hot and cold therapies.
• Whether you combine percussion massage with ring therapies, they include red and infrared massages, among others.

This time, the battery is charged via USB-C, which offers better convenience than using a wall charger.

A Theraface Pro charger is included, but it is not a charging stand. You’ll probably need it to rest your device on your bathroom stand (or somewhere else).

You’ll see the battery percentage indicated on the screen when charging. 

What to Improve on TheraFace? Here some Ideas

Don’t misunderstand us. Therabody deserves lots of kudos for developing a simple yet effective Theragun facial tool. However, we hope for specific improvements for later iterations.

Some suggestions would be;

• Add Bluetooth so the device is consistent with the rest of the Theraguns.
• Add a possibility to mute the beeps (at least within the app).
• Let the stand also be a charging stand.
• Combine the TheraFace hot and cold rings into one ring that can also work with percussion massage. This would simplify things and also allow heated percussion massage.

Is TheraFace Pro Worth the Money?

Currently, TheraFace costs $419.99 and an extra $109.99 for the TheraFace hot and cold rings.

That is not pocket change for many folks. But we believe this device is actually worth the $530 bucks.

Here’s why;

• It’s a Theragun face massage, and as we know, there isn’t one that costs less than $199.
• It supports TheraFace Microcurrent therapy. The next best thing for this kind of tech is NuFace, which costs over $200. But the NuFace only has that one therapy.
• It includes TheraFace LED with 3 different wavelengths, as well as hot and cold therapies.
  How much do you think these would cost?
• You can clean and massage your skin simultaneously – a unique feature of the Theraface cleansing ring.
• We have yet to see a device that combines any of the treatments included.

Our Verdict:

Considering the premium quality of the theraface pro and all the other advantages, $409.99 and an extra $109.99 feels just about right.

You get a uniquely designed 4-in-1 device from a reputable brand.

It has a superb finish, clever concepts used, and attention to detail. Above all, it does what it’s touted for.

TheraFace Pro – FAQ

Review Conclusion

We’ve come to the end of our TheraFace Pro review. We always appreciate when brands try to be innovative. It doesn’t always happen, however. This time, however, we have a real innovation.

It’s a fresh, well-designed, and incredibly well-executed beauty massager. Therabody has finally answered the calls for a “Theragun on face.” And they did it in style, offering a percussive device and a whole new concept of facial wellness at home. 

We like the fact that it’s not just any gadget. It works perfectly as intended as a percussion massager, and the other therapies also have real benefits.

Yes, it is expensive, but the quality is top-notch, and the value is clearly visible. It’s a 4-in-1 device that allows for multiple treatments. You can also combine some treatments and double the benefits in one go. You get an all-in-one facial solution that both men and women can conveniently enjoy using at home.

We highly recommend it if you can afford it! Get yours here at Therabody.com.

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Compression therapy can help by improving blood flow, reducing muscle soreness, and speeding up recovery, allowing you to return to peak performance faster. 

In this guide, you’ll learn what compression therapy is, its benefits, and its key uses.

Why Trust Us and Some Disclaimer

This article has been written by a licensed physiotherapist, Dr. Alex Stone, DPT, and reviewed for accuracy by, Dr. Gary Tanchak, D.C.

In addition to our content being written by experts, we extensively test all devices that we recommend, and have a clear review process established.

You should know that research is still limited on massage guns, so many ideas will still need testing and vetting. However, we have reviewed several resources to ensure we’re providing the most reliable information.

This post is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. We encourage you to check with your medical doctor before using any of the advice given here.

What Is Compression Therapy?

You might’ve seen athletes in professional sports recovery rooms – NBA players, soccer players, and Olympic runners – lying back with huge foam-like trousers covering their legs, looking like they’re preparing for a space mission. You could’ve even mistaken them for oversized leggings. They are not leggings, but a key part of a recovery method known as compression therapy.

So, what is compression therapy, and is it a good sports recovery therapy for athletes?

Let’s Define Compression Therapy

Simply put, pneumatic compression therapy is all about applying controlled pressure to specific areas of the body, usually with specialized garments or devices. The goal? To improve blood circulation, one of the compression therapy benefits

By doing so, it helps reduce swelling, supports faster recovery, and boosts overall performance. It’s a simple, yet powerful tool to help your body recover more efficiently after intense physical activity.

The pressure helps move blood from your extremities back toward your heart, reducing swelling and inflammation. This is done by Normatec compression boots, the pioneers of this technology.

This process enhances oxygen delivery to tissues, speeds up the removal of waste products like lactic acid, and promotes faster muscle recovery^​1​. 

If you are an athlete, or recovering from injuries, or have circulation issues, this is a non-invasive way to support healing and performance.

How Does Compression Therapy Work?

Alright, so how exactly does compression therapy work? The science behind it is pretty fascinating. 

Essentially, it uses controlled, graduated pressure to stimulate blood flow and reduce inflammation^​2​. We like to compare it to carefully rolling up a yoga mat. 

Here’s how: Normatec compression boots and other garments apply the highest pressure at the extremities—like your ankles—and gradually ease up as they move toward the center of your body. 

This is known as pneumatic compression therapy, and it forces blood back toward your heart, preventing it from pooling in your veins. 

On the schematic below, at the top, the pneumatic compression therapy starts from the foot (zone A). A few seconds later, the compression therapy moves to the ankle (zone B) and subsequently reaches the last zone while holding pressure.

Normatec compression (from Hyperice), RecoveryAir (Therabody), and other brands also have different pneumatic compression therapy operating modes. In the schematic below, compression starts at the foot (zone A) and continues up the leg, one zone at a time.

By promoting better circulation, your muscles get more oxygen and nutrients, which speeds up soreness after a workout.

But it doesn’t stop there. Pneumatic compression therapy also helps flush out waste products like lactic acid—the stuff that builds up after intense exercise and causes muscle soreness. 

And there’s more compression therapy benefits: it reduces inflammation by preventing fluid from building up in your tissues (what’s called edema). 

By applying gentle pressure, it keeps fluid from leaking out of your blood vessels, minimizing swelling and speeding up the healing process.

Can Compression Therapy Help Circulation Issues?

Compression therapy isn’t just for athletes. It’s also a powerful tool for people dealing with circulation issues, like chronic venous insufficiency^​3​ or other conditions that impact blood flow.

If you are wondering how to improve blood flow to feet or suffering from tired, swollen legs, compression therapy provides a non-invasive, effective solution. 

It enhances the body’s natural pumping mechanism by stimulating your calf muscles, which push blood upward and prevent it from accumulating in your legs. By addressing these circulation issues, compression therapy benefits are long-lasting and can help improve your overall comfort and well-being.

Key Compression Therapy Benefits

One of the standout benefits of compression therapy is its ability to boost blood circulation, especially in the legs and feet.

Better Blood Circulation and Improved Flow

One of the standout benefits of compression therapy is its ability to boost blood circulation, especially in the legs and feet.

By applying graduated pressure, compression therapy essentially gives your circulatory system a helping hand. The pressure is strongest at the extremities, like the feet and ankles, and gradually decreases as it moves up the leg. This helps improve venous return, meaning blood is pushed back toward the heart more efficiently, which prevents it from pooling. 

Better circulation also means faster delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscles, speeding up recovery after a tough workout. 

If you’ve ever wondered how to improve circulation in feet, pneumatic compression therapy is one of the most effective methods. It not only helps blood flow but also supports the removal of waste products like lactic acid. 

This is key because lactic acid buildup is a common cause of soreness after workout, making recovery slower and more uncomfortable. 

By flushing out these waste products more quickly, you experience less muscle soreness and fatigue, and your muscles are able to repair themselves faster.

In the long run, this enhanced blood flow and reduced swelling help athletes and fitness enthusiasts maintain peak muscle performance, ensuring quicker recovery times and better endurance for those intense workout sessions.

Reduced Swelling and Inflammation

Compression therapy also shines when it comes to reducing swelling and inflammation, especially after an injury. 

When an injury happens, fluid tends to build up in the surrounding tissues, leading to swelling (Edema) and discomfort. 

Pneumatic compression therapy helps by applying steady pressure, which prevents excess fluid from leaking out of blood vessels and lymphatic channels.

Are you trying to treat swollen ankles? Compression therapy cuts down on swelling and inflammation—two things that slow down healing.

It also boosts circulation, sending oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to the injured area more efficiently. 

This not only speeds up the recovery process but also reduces pain, allowing the injured area to heal faster and get back to normal function.

Faster Muscle Recovery After Workouts

Compression therapy is a game changer for faster muscle recovery after workouts, especially for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who need to stay at their peak. 

Because it boosts circulation and flushes out lactic acid, it reduces muscle soreness and speeds up recovery after intense exercise. This allows athletes to train harder and more often without the usual downtime from fatigue or soreness.

For those who love pushing their limits, quicker recovery means fewer aches and faster returns to performance. 

It also helps avoid overtraining by reducing strain and muscle fatigue, which supports long-term fitness goals. 

The result? More effective workouts and muscles that are better prepared for the next session. This way you can stay consistent and injury-free.

Top 5 Signs You Need Compression Therapy for Recovery

If you’ve been experiencing recurring soreness or sluggish recovery, it might be time to consider compression therapy. 

Let’s break down some common signs that suggest you might need it:

• Persistent Swelling or Edema: This is characterized by swelling in your limbs that doesn’t go away with rest or elevation.
  If swelling sticks around, it might signal fluid retention or poor circulation. Compression therapy applies gentle pressure to move fluid out of affected areas, helping reduce that puffiness and prevent it from building up again.
• Chronic Muscle Fatigue or Soreness: Here, your muscles feel sore or fatigued long after a workout.
  This could mean you’re not recovering as quickly as you should. Compression therapy improves blood flow and helps flush out waste products like lactic acid, speeding up recovery and easing muscle pain.

• Difficulty with Post-Exercise Recovery: This is when recovery seems to drag on, and you struggle to return to your usual activity level after workouts.
  This can affect your overall performance. With compression therapy’s ability to boost circulation and reduce inflammation, you can bounce back faster and stay on track with your fitness goals.
• Post-Surgical or Post-Injury Swelling: The swelling and discomfort after surgery or an injury can take a toll on you.
  It can slow down recovery. Compression therapy can help reduce the swelling and encourage fluid reabsorption, leading to quicker, more efficient healing.
  If any of these signs sound familiar, compression therapy might be worth exploring. However, it’s always a good idea to check with a healthcare professional to ensure it’s right for your specific needs.

• Poor Circulation: You’ll know this when you feel cold, numb, or notice tingling sensations in your feet or hands, or even see varicose veins forming.
  This won’t just make you uncomfortable—it can lead to complications if left untreated. Compression therapy can help improve blood flow, alleviate symptoms, and support better vascular health.
  If you suffer from poor circulation and have been wondering, what helps increase blood flow to your legs and feet? Compression therapy could just be the thing you need. Your healthcare provider could also recommend leg circulation exercises, such as walking and squats, alongside this therapy.  

Compression Therapy for Sports Recovery

Both professional and amateur athletes are increasingly using compression therapy as a way to boost performance and recovery.

Why Athletes Are Turning to Compression?

By improving blood circulation and reducing soreness after workouts, compression helps athletes bounce back faster after intense training sessions, which allows them to train more consistently at a higher level. 

For athletes, it’s not just about post-workout recovery—many use compression garments before competition to increase circulation, warm up their muscles, and lower the risk of injury.

Endurance athletes, like runners and cyclists, especially benefit from compression therapy because it promotes better oxygen delivery to muscles, reducing fatigue during long events. 

For amateurs, the benefits are similar: faster recovery, reduced swelling, and improved muscle readiness.

This means less downtime from muscle soreness or minor injuries and more time pushing through training sessions. Compression therapy has been embraced by seasoned pros and even weekend warriors. This is because it offers a holistic approach that helps improve performance while minimizing interruptions to your routine.

Compression Therapy vs. Traditional Methods

Athletes have long relied on traditional methods like massage therapy and foam rolling to help their bodies recover from intense physical activity. 

These techniques, combined with newer approaches like compression therapy, offer a variety of ways to speed up recovery and maintain peak performance.

∙ Massage Therapy 

Athletes often turn to massage spa to target specific areas of muscle tension, soreness, or injury.

By manually manipulating soft tissues, massage increases blood flow to problem areas, relieves muscle tightness, and helps release adhesions (knots) that form after intense activity.

For many athletes, regular hand massage is essential for maintaining flexibility, reducing stress, and preventing injury. It’s also highly effective for addressing localized pain and stiffness, making it a go-to for deep muscle relief. 

However, you see them looking for ‘massage near me’ on their phones until they find a professional therapist, which can be time-consuming and limit accessibility for some athletes.

∙ Massage Roller / Foam Rolling

Foam rolling is a popular self-massage technique where athletes use a foam roller to apply pressure to tight muscles and fascia (connective tissue). Believe it or not, there is a collapsible foam roller too!

It’s often used as part of a warm-up or cool-down routine to break up adhesions, improve muscle flexibility, and reduce stiffness. 

Foam rolling also helps improve mobility and range of motion, which is crucial for preventing injuries and enhancing athletic performance. 

However, it requires active participation, and for some people, the pressure can be uncomfortable. 

It’s highly effective for targeting specific muscle groups, but less so for improving overall circulation.

Supplements that improve blood flow

Apart from massage and foam rolling, another method that sometimes goes under the radar, is supplements that help with circulation. 

These dietary supplements can play a pivotal role in boosting circulation and recovery. Using the right supplement for better blood flow not only enhances recovery but also helps manage chronic circulation issues.

For instance, omega-3 fatty acids are a popular supplement to help blood flow, known for improving vascular function by promoting blood vessel dilation. Similarly, magnesium aids in relaxing blood vessels, making it an effective way to enhance blood flow to the extremities, such as the feet.

Supplements like L-arginine and Ginkgo Biloba also improve circulation by boosting nitric oxide levels and enhancing vessel flexibility, which is crucial for those looking to increase blood flow and reduce muscle soreness after workouts.

Here’s a comparison table highlighting the key comparisons between traditional recovery methods and compression therapy:

While all these methods can play a role in muscle recovery, compression therapy stands out for its passive, all-around benefits to circulation and recovery, making it an ideal choice for both athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Final Thoughts: Is Compression Therapy Right for You?

Deciding whether compression therapy is right for you depends on your individual needs and lifestyle. Here are a few aspects to consider.

Aligning with Your Goals

Compression therapy can be particularly beneficial if your objectives include enhancing recovery after workouts, managing chronic pain, or improving circulation. 

Whether you’re an athlete seeking faster recovery or dealing with health conditions like lymphedema^​5​, the key is to identify how compression therapy supports your specific needs.

Integrating Into Your Routine

For compression therapy to be most effective, it needs to be used consistently as part of your regular routine. 

Consider how it can fit into your daily life, especially if you’re an athlete, recovering from surgery, or managing swelling. 

Consistency plays a crucial role in achieving the best results.

Unlike the previous two models, the Wave Roller and Wave Duo, the Wave Solo is more like a lacrosse ball than a roller. This makes it perfect for targeted trigger point release. But don’t let its simple design fool you – it’s packed with smart features that make it stand out from the crowd.

We got our hands on the Wave Solo and did some serious testing. We even measured the vibrations to give you an accurate idea of what to expect. And let’s just say, we were impressed.

Therabody has once again managed to reinvent a category by adding some tech wizardry. So, if you’re in the market for a device that can provide targeted relief, the Wave Solo might just be the one for you.

Is the Theragun Wave Solo worth the hype? Keep reading to find out!

Theragun Wave Solo Review

Therabody Wave Solo Specifications

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First Impressions

So, what was our first impression of the Theragun Wave Solo? Well, we have to say we were surprised by just how small it was! It comes in a cute little square box that’s only about 4″ x 4″.

But don’t let its size fool you – this little guy packs a punch.

You might notice that the name is a bit confusing. It’s called the Theragun Wave Solo, but now the company is called Therabody. However, the Wave Series is still branded as Theragun, so it can get a little confusing. Some people even call it the Therabody Wave Solo – but don’t worry, it’s all the same thing.

What’s Included?

Let’s talk about what comes in the Theragun Wave Solo package. First off, you’ll find a basic-but-soft pouch with strings, which makes it super easy to carry around with you wherever you go. We love the convenience factor here!

Inside the usual Therabody envelope, you’ll find a manual, a few cards (including the Theragun story and a letter from the CEO), and of course, some usual warnings. It’s always important to read the manual to make sure you’re using your Wave Solo safely and correctly.

And let’s not forget the best part – a Theragun sticker! Who doesn’t love stickers, right? We love the little touches like this that make unboxing a new gadget even more fun.

And last but not least, in the Theragun Wave Solo package, there is also a USB-C cable for charging. This allows you to easily charge your device using a compatible charging port, making it even more convenient to use on-the-go.

Design

Okay, so here’s our overall feeling about the Theragun Wave Solo. First off, we have to say that we were impressed by the size – it’s small, but perhaps a bit bigger than a usual lacrosse ball.

We found it comfortable to hold in our hand, and the flat bottom where the control panel is located makes it easy to stand in place, for example, on a desk.

Speaking of the control panel, we love the familiar blue ring surrounding it. It looks sleek and high-tech. And the controls are just like in the Wave Duo – a one-button setup.

A short press while off shows the battery tatus, while a longer press activates the device.

A short press while on increases the speed, and there are three LED indicators to show which speed is being used.

Plus, there’s one LED in the middle of the button to show battery status and Bluetooth connection status.

When the Therabody app takes over the control, all indicators keep flashing, which means that you can use the app to control the device speed. We found this feature to be really handy, and it worked seamlessly with the device.

Size and Weight

The Theragun Wave Solo is small, but still bigger than a usual lacrosse ball. We measured its diameter to be about 3.3 inches, and it’s incredibly lightweight at only 0.7 lbs.

This means it can easily be stored in a bag, taken on a plane, and is highly portable. So, whether you’re on-the-go or just want to use it at home, the Wave Solo is a great option.

Shape and Texture

The Theragun Wave Solo has a spherical shape, but it’s not a full sphere.

Instead, it has a flat bottom where the control panel is, which cleverly makes it stand in place, even on a desk. Unlike some other balls, this one is not prone to accidental clicks, thanks to the slightly inlet panel.

The texture is the same as in the Wave Duo, made of firm, silicone rubber that’s hypo-allergenic. This material is great because it won’t slip away easily, and there’s minimal give to it, which is exactly what you need for a lacrosse ball.

The wave grooves give it a unique texture and a signature look. The grooves are designed to provide better traction, so the device doesn’t slip when you’re using it, and they also give a more impactful feel to the therapy.

Performance

Now, let’s talk about the performance! This little ball may look small, but don’t be fooled – it packs a powerful punch thanks to its secret weapon: vibrations.

If you’re looking for pinpointed therapy, the Wave Solo is your new best friend. It’s highly effective for foot massages, especially for conditions like plantar fasciitis.

But don’t let its small size fool you, this ball is versatile – you can use it behind your back, roll a calf, forearm, glute, or a hamstring on it, and it will work wonders.

Why are vibrations so important? Well, clinical studies have already proven the benefits of vibration therapy ^​2​, and there are two main advantages.

• Firstly, it helps with recovery by breaking up fascia, enhancing mobility, increasing blood flow, getting more oxygen to tissues, and facilitating lymphatic drainage.
• Secondly, it provides pain relief by overriding pain signals to the brain, impacting the nervous system, and releasing tension ^​3​.

So, did Therabody address these benefits with the Wave Solo? Absolutely! This little ball may be the smallest of the three Wave products, but it’s the second-fastest vibrating device after the Wave Roller.

In fact, it vibrates slightly faster than the Theragun Wave Duo, which has a 5-speed setup that allows for 1400 to 3000 rpm. The Wave Solo has three speeds, and it revs up from 1800 to almost 3200 rpm.

How do we know this? We used a laser tachometer to measure the vibrations of all three devices.

The only device that vibrates faster than the Wave Solo is the Wave Roller, which maxes out at 3400 rpm and starts from as low as 1200 rpm.

At 3200 maximum vibrations-per-minute, the Wave Solo delivers in full. This is why we think it stands out from the competition because many vibrating tools don’t go past 2500 rpm.

The Wave Solo feels intense, even aggressive, because of its size and firmness. The contact area is smaller than in a standard roller, and it’s more like a bullet attachment in a massage gun as compared to a soft ball. This is why it’s best for triggered therapy.

How to Use the Wave Solo – With the Therabody App

One of its coolest features is the Bluetooth connectivity, which means you can connect it to the Therabody app on your phone.

Now, we’ve talked about the app before, and let us tell you, it’s a real game-changer. Not only is it beautifully designed, but it also has over 30 built-in massage routines to choose from.

These routines range from warming up before a workout to soothing an achy back or plantar fasciitis. There are even wellness routines for your morning and evening!

The best part is that the app takes control of the device and guides you through the routine step by step. No more scrolling through confusing YouTube videos or trying to figure out what to do on your own. The app has got you covered.

Plus, you can customize each routine by adjusting the vibration intensity to your liking and even save it as your favorite.

So, if you want to take your Wave Solo experience to the next level, download the app and let it be your guide.

Noise

When it comes to noise, the Wave Solo is a pretty quiet device, especially compared to some of its competitors like the Hyperice Hypersphere.

We tested the noise level and found that it ranges from 49 dB to 63 dB, with silence in the room at 35 dB.

While it is a bit louder than the Wave Duo, which had 43 dB to 61 dB, the sound is still relatively smooth and not too bothersome.

One thing to note is that it can get a bit noisier on solid floors, so we recommend using it on a carpet or yoga mat to minimize any sound.

However, we were pleasantly surprised by how quiet the entire Wave Series is, including the Solo. So, overall, noise shouldn’t be a major issue with this device, and you should be able to enjoy a relatively peaceful massage experience.

Battery

Don’t you just hate it when your massage ball dies mid-session? Well, fear not because the Wave Solo’s battery has got your back (or your sore back, to be precise)!

The ball has an advertised battery life of 120 minutes, but let’s be real, higher speeds will drain it faster.

Still, charging it is a breeze thanks to the included USB-C cable, and you can even use a power bank if you’re on the go.

When you plug it in, the LED light will blink, and when it’s fully charged, it’ll stay solid green. No need to wait around for hours, get back to rolling in no time!

Pricing and Warranty

The Wave Solo comes at an affordable price point of $79, which is a steal considering it’s a smart device from a top brand that provides high intensity vibration therapy. Plus, if you use the X8YZF10 code, you may get an additional 10% off at therabody.com.

The 1-year warranty is just okay, but it’s good to know that you’re covered in case anything goes wrong.

Theragun Wave Solo vs. Duo

A Comparison of Theragun Wave Solo and Wave Duo: key differences explained.

• Size: Duo is almost more than 2x larger: 6.9″ x 3.8″ vs. 3.3″ One of the Wave Duo’s two connected spheres is actually larger than the Wave Solo.
• Weight: Duo 1.97lbs, Solo 0.7 lbs
• Shape: The Wave Duo is peanut-shaped, duo-sphere; The Wave Solo is a single sphere.
• Firmness: The same firmness
• Material: The same texture, silicone rubber — both hypo-allergenic
• Vibration range measured: The Wave Duo has 1400 – 3000rpm, Solo has 1800 – 3200rpm, or vibrations per minute
• Speeds: The Wave Duo has 5 speeds, The Wave Solo has 3 speeds
• Bluetooth: Both are Bluetooth-enabled, and work with the Therabody app
• Noise: Both are quiet and have a smooth sound, but Solo’s a tad louder: 49-63 dB vs 43-61dB Duo
• Battery: 200 minutes with the Wave Duo vs 120 minutes with the Wave Solo (both will die faster when at higher speeds)
• Charging: Both have a USB-C charger
• Carrying: Both have pouches, almost identical, but different sizes.

Therabody Wave Series	Wave Solo	Wave Duo
Vibration Range Measured	1800 – 3200 rpm	1400 – 3000 rpm
Material	Rubber	Rubber
Size / Weight	3.3″ / 0.7 lbs	6.9″ x 3.8″ / 1.97 lbs
Noise Level	49 – 63 dB	43 – 61 dB
Battery Life	120	200
Price	$79 at therabody.com	$99 at therabody.com

Review Summary

In conclusion, the Therabody Wave Solo is an excellent device for pinpointed treatment and a great replacement for a lacrosse ball.

From a trusted brand, this device provides plenty of intensity for such a tiny device, making it a great travel companion for use on a plane, at the office, at the gym, or at home.

Despite being the cheapest of the Wave series, it does not feel like a downgrade compared to the other two devices.

While it may not be as intensive as the Wave Roller or as versatile as the Wave Duo, it is still as good as the other two.

We were curious to see how different it is from the original Wave Roller that we also reviewed. It turns out that Therabody wanted to create a more purposeful device, one that could effectively target areas like the neck, spine, and back, as well as a few others.

But does this design actually deliver on its promises? Is it powerful and effective enough to make a real difference in your recovery routine?

Let’s find out!

Vibrating Foam Roller Benefits – Are They Worth It?

If you’re familiar with foam rollers, then you know how they work to relieve sore muscles, improve flexibility, and speed up recovery after a workout. But did you know that there’s a type of foam roller that takes things to the next level? That’s right, we’re talking about vibrating foam rollers!

While regular foam rollers are great for self-myofascial release ^​1​, vibrating foam rollers are a bit more special. They have numerous benefits because they vibrate, and this offers localized vibration therapy where certain sections of the body are targeted. It’s the same idea as massage guns, but today we’ll focus on foam rollers.

One of the most significant benefits of vibrating foam rollers is that vibration therapy^​2​ improves localized blood flow and muscle oxygenation.

Muscle tissues benefit immensely from oxygenated blood. The tissues remain healthy and experience less pain and tension, acquire more mobility, and have decreased chances of injury.

With vibration therapy, you can say goodbye to DOMS^​3​. Studies suggest that vibration therapy can help significantly reduce calf pain and gluteal pain in male runners.

In addition to reducing pain, vibrating foam rollers can also fasten the recovery rate of ankle and hamstring muscle strains, and there are no side effects of using this method of recovery.

Vibration therapy can also improve balance. It has to do with priming the nerves to detect motions and sensations within the body. A special vibratory reflex is enhanced.

But that’s not all. There are plenty of other benefits of vibration therapy, many of which we’ve learned from using massage guns.

Vibration therapy can speed up muscle recovery^​4​ by breaking up fascia, enhance mobility, increase blood flow and get more oxygen to tissues, and facilitate lymphatic drainage, among other things.

However, for vibrations to be effective, a proper intensity is needed, and this is where things can get tricky.

Many brands fail to provide the frequencies you can expect, and even if they do, they often overpromise and underdeliver.

But we know a way to measure it, and as you’ll see, the Theragun Wave Duo is efficient and effective in this regard.

Therabody Wave Series Devices

The Theragun Wave Duo belongs to Therabody’s Wave Series family of devices, aimed at aiding post-workout recovery.

The series comprises the Wave Duo, with its rounded design, the Wave Solo, and the classic form roller-shaped Wave Roller.

All three devices feature built-in vibrations and Bluetooth connectivity, which offer a cutting-edge method for rolling and recovery.

We already know the Wave Roller had a lot to offer. Is the Therabody Wave Duo different? Well, let’s find out in this Theragun Wave Duo review, shall we?

Theragun Wave Duo Review

Specifications

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First Impressions

When you first receive the Theragun Wave Duo, you’ll notice right away that it’s a small roller.

The box is about 8 inches by 4 inches by 4 inches, so it won’t take up much space. The packaging features both the Theragun and Therabody logos, but once you unpack it, you’ll find a pouch with the Theragun logo on it, indicating that they didn’t decide to rebrand this product.

The best part? There’s less plastic involved than in the Wave Roller, with just one small plastic piece holding the USB cable. We believe it’s probably unnecessary, but at least everything else is made of eco-friendly paper and cardboard.

What Else Is Included?

We also found a soft and simple pouch that is easy to carry around. It’s a great alternative to a hard case, especially since the device is durable and not easily breakable.

Along with the roller, you’ll also find a Therabody envelope that includes the manual, a few cards, and the usual warnings. It’s a basic package, but it gets the job done.

Design, Size, and Weight

The Theragun Wave Duo roller may be smaller than expected, but it’s still a great size for portability.

At just 6.9 inches wide and 3.8 inches tall, it’s compact enough to take with you on the go. And weighing in at 893 grams (or 1.97 pounds), it feels light in your hand.

This is a big plus compared to the bulkier and heavier Wave Roller. You can easily toss it into your gym bag or backpack without worrying about adding extra weight.

The first thing you’ll notice taking it out of the box is the peanut-like shape, which is unique and sets it apart from other rollers. It’s made of firm silicone rubber, rather than foam, which is another notable difference.

The full matte black finish and blue ring around the control panel give it a stylish look. Note: there is a slight rubber smell, but it’s not overpowering and fades after a few days.

Controls

The control panel is located on the side, with just one button, unlike the Theragun Wave Roller which had plus and minus buttons. A short press while it’s off displays the battery status, while a longer press turns it on.

When it’s on, a short press increases the speed, with 5 LED indicators to show which speed is being used.

There’s also an LED in the middle of the button to show battery and Bluetooth connection status.

One feature we love about the Wave Duo is the ability to control it with the Therabody app. Once the app takes command, the device’s LEDs will blink, indicating that you can conveniently adjust the speed settings using the app.

Shape and Texture

The Wave Duo’s shape is certainly unique – like a peanut, it curves in a way that’s clearly intended for back and neck use, taking pressure off the spine. According to Therabody, it also delivers just the right angle of pressure to the areas that need it. 

The texture, on the other hand, is firm – quite the opposite of the soft foam texture on the Wave Roller. It has minimal give to it, but thanks to the rubber, it feels better than hard-plastic or hard-foam textures.

The wave grooves on the texture are shallow and generic, perhaps only 2mm deep, but they help with traction, ensuring you won’t slip on this thing.

According to Therabody, the rubber texture is hypo-allergenic, which is a plus for those with sensitive skin. 

Vibrations

Here things start to get even more interesting.

When vibrations are turned on, things get super intense. The Wave Duo roller has 5 speeds, with a range of c.1400 to 3000 rpm (we measured 1400, 1800, 2400, 2700, and 3000 rpm).

This range is very good, and it ultimately means this device can facilitate tension release. It’s not as powerful as the Wave Roller, but at 3000 rpm, it does the job very well.

That said, the Duo is better for pinpointed areas (with a lower contact area than the Wave), which also means it feels more aggressive. On low speeds, it feels pleasant and soothing.

Rolling on the Wave Duo Roller

So, how does rolling on the Wave Duo roller feel?

Well, let’s just say it’s pretty intense. But that’s a good thing! And when used in conjunction with vibrations, it can be quite effective.

The Wave Duo Roller is best for back, back of the neck, carpal tunnel and smaller muscle groups like forearms, calves, and IT bands (when rolling on a side). However, larger muscles like quads, hamstrings, and even glutes can also benefit from it.

The peanut shape makes it feel a bit different, as the pressure comes from an angle. Therabody says, it delivers just the right angle of pressure to areas that need it.

The Wave Duo definitely a nice addition to a soft-foam roller, although this one is more aggressive due to the shape and firm texture.

How to Use the Wave Duo

Using a foam roller is pretty much straightforward for those who are experienced.

However, the Therabody Wave Duo is not just a regular roller; it’s got Bluetooth connectivity, which means it can be controlled through an app, and that’s where the fun begins.

The Therabody app is an amazing tool that lets you control the device automatically, so you don’t have to worry about anything. The app will guide you step-by-step on how to use the Wave Duo, which body part to roll, and how intensively.

You can choose between warm-up, recovery, and wellness routines, and even get suggestions for specific rolling exercises for different ailments like shoulder pain, carpal tunnel, or shin splints.

What we love most about this is the visual guidance provided by the app. You can watch movements and techniques being demonstrated, and then follow along with the built-in routines that use three different types of movements: dynamic, lateral, and standard.

• Dynamic movement involves anchoring a part of your body and then moving the adjacent joint to adjust tension
• Lateral movement involves anchoring a part and then moving the corresponding limb back and forth in a rocking motion.
• Standard movement involves moving parallel to the muscle fibers for maximum effect in relieving tension.

While the app controls the device automatically, you still have the option to adjust the speed manually if needed. You can also fully customize the time intervals, intensity, and other settings to suit your needs. It’s a goldmine of ideas, especially for beginners who are just starting with the Wave Duo.

The Wave Duo is intended for use on the back/neck, but it can also be used for medium-to-large groups. And if you don’t feel like using the Bluetooth feature, you can always use it as a regular roller.

The best thing to do, though, is to use the app and let it guide you through the process.

We have a couple of tricks to make the most of the Wave Duo Roller:

• First, position it against a wall rather than placing it directly on the floor. By doing so, you can achieve more precise movements and apply less pressure on your body.
• Second, put it between a desk chair and your back when working for a few minutes. Due to its shape, it won’t hit the spine, but it will take good care of your low to medium back muscles.

Noise

If you’re someone who’s conscious about noise levels, you’ll be pleased to hear that the Therabody Wave Duo is impressively quiet. Even though the Wave Roller was already considered quiet, the Duo’s noise level is even lower.

This is thanks to a combination of factors, such as its 400 RPM lower top speed and the dense silicone rubber used to wrap the roller, which acts as a better insulator.

During our tests, we found that the Duo produced between 43 dB to 61 dB of noise when a total silence in the room was at 34-35 dB.

While the roller won’t disturb others in most cases, it’s worth noting that when used on a solid floor, it may develop more noise due to vibrations. But placing it on a yoga mat or carpet will prevent this issue.

Additionally, since the roller’s shape makes it perfect for use without vibrations, you can use it just like a regular foam roller, and it’ll be totally silent.

So, if you want to use the Wave Duo without any noise, you can definitely do so.

Battery

The Wave Duo has a battery life of 200 minutes, which is more than enough to get through multiple sessions. In fact, this thing performs slightly better on battery than the two other Wave Series products.

The battery drains faster at higher speeds, but even two hours of battery life is plenty for most people.

One great feature of the Wave Duo is that it has USB-C charging, which was not included in the Wave Roller.

You can easily charge it from a power bank, and the cable is included. When you plug it in, the LED will start blinking, and once it turns solid green, it’s fully charged.

Just keep in mind that there’s no wireless charging option for this one.

Cleaning the Wave Duo

Keeping the Wave Duo clean is a breeze! The rubber is easy to wipe down with a magic sponge or microfibre cloth, so you don’t need to spend a lot of time scrubbing.

Just make sure to avoid using any alcohol-based cleaners or harsh chemicals.

And while the rubber is easy to clean, the electronics inside the device mean you should avoid getting it wet. So, stick to dry cleaning methods to keep your Wave Duo looking and working like new!

Pricing and Warranty

The Wave Duo is priced at $99, but if you use the X8YZF10 code, you should be able to slash the price by 10% and get it for just $89.10!

That’s a great deal for a smart device from a top brand like Therabody, with Bluetooth and the ability to provide 3000 rpm intensity.

There aren’t many comparable devices on the market, so Therabody definitely has an edge.

Just keep in mind that the 1 year warranty is just okay.

Theragun Wave Duo vs Wave Roller

Theragun Wave Duo vs. Wave Roller: Understanding the Key Differences:

• Size: The Wave Duo is almost 2x smaller: 6.9″ x 3.8″ vs. 11.65″ x, 5.1”.
• Weight: The Wave Duo is 1.97 lbs, the Wave Roller is 3.82 lbs.
• Shape: The Wave Duo is peanut-shaped, ergonomically-contoured; The Wave Roller is flat, has a regular shape.
• Firmness: The Wave Duo has a firmer texture. The Wave Roller is softer, with much more give to it.
• Material: The Wave Duo’s texture is rubber, and the Wave Roller’s is foam — both hypo-allergenic.
• Vibration range measured: The Duo 1400 – 3000rpm, The Roller 1200 – 3500 rpm, or vibrations per minute.
• Speeds: Both have a 5-speed setup.
• Bluetooth: Both are Bluetooth-enabled, and work with the Therabody app.
• Noise: Both are quiet and have a smooth sound, but the Duo’s quieter: 43-61dB vs. 48-66 dB.
• Battery: 200 minutes for the Duo vs 180 minutes for the Wave Roller.
• Charging: The Duo has USB-C, the Wave roller has a wall charger.
• Carrying: The Duo has a pouch, and the Wave roller has a shoulder bag with a stripe.

Therabody Wave Series	Wave Duo	Wave Roller
Vibration Range Measured	1400 – 3000 rpm	1200 – 3500 rpm
Material	Rubber	Foam
Size / Weight	6.9″ x 3.8″ / 1.97 lbs	11.65″ x, 5.1” / 3.82 lbs
Noise Level	43 – 61dB	48 – 66 dB
Battery Life	200	180
Price	$99 at therabody.com	$149 at therabody.com

Review Summary

So, there you have it, the Theragun Wave Duo review!

The Therabody Wave Duo is an excellent vibrating roller from a trusted brand that’s designed to primarily target the back and neck, but it works well on other parts of the body too. While it may not be as intensive as the Wave roller, its firm texture and curved shape make up for this.

The roller is nicely portable, and most importantly, it works. The vibrations are a real deal, and the 3000 rpm is enough to provide relief and ease pain while rolling fatigued muscles.

The connectivity and Therabody app have been a major selling point for us, with the built-in routines being awesome. The app allows you to roll on those things repetitively, using the same settings, for an optimal pre and post-workout routine.

This roller is a great choice for active people who want to take their recovery routine to the next level.

Give it a try, and we’re sure you’ll love it! (TIP: Don’t forget to use the discount code we’ve shared.)

Interestingly, it was actually the first product by then-Theragun (now Therabody) that wasn’t a massage gun. But even a few years later, it still feels like a very solid proposition.

hat’s right; it’s an innovative recovery tool. We really like it, and we think you will too. Read on to find out more. We’ll try to make this review as detailed as possible.

Vibrating Foam Roller Benefits – Are They Worth It?

Foam rollers have been a staple for fitness and recovery enthusiasts for some time now.

There are a number of foam roller benefits: they help with warming up, cooling down, muscle relaxation, and pain reduction, amongst others. Specifically, they target soft tissues, helping the muscle stay loose, healthy, and pain-free.

The hype lately is with vibrating foam rollers. But are vibrating foam rollers taking over, or can the two be used in tandem? Well, it’s safe to say that both types of foam rollers have their benefits.

Generally, foam rollers are cheap and easy to use in the comfort of our homes. They take a few seconds to learn and use and can be used for as long as necessary. You can choose what you want to treat, the length of the treatment, and the intensity.

Vibrating rollers, however, add a bit more to the overall effectiveness of foam roller therapy. They offer vibrational therapy ^​1​ in addition to traditional foam rolling. Vibration therapy can be whole-body ^​2​ or localized, and a vibrating foam roller falls into the localized category.

Vibration therapy enhances blood flow to muscles and significantly improves oxygen flow to these tissues. It reduces DOMS ^​3​, and helps manage muscle pain in commonly affected areas like the calves and glutes.

We know from working with massage guns that vibration therapy helps speed up muscle recovery by breaking up fascia, enhancing mobility, increasing blood flow, getting more oxygen to tissues, facilitating lymphatic drainage, and more.

However, for vibrations to be effective, a proper intensity is needed, and this is where most brands fall short. Most brands do not specify what frequencies they use, and even if they do, they often overpromise and underdeliver.

We, however, found a way to measure it, and as you will see, the Theragun Wave Roller is the real deal in that aspect.

It can vibrate extensively, as we proved by measuring it. Its frequency ranges from 1300 rpm to 3400 rpm, making it a powerful device that provides relief and enhances recovery.

Wave Series by Therabody

The Theragun Wave Roller is part of Therabody’s Wave Series family of devices designed to help with post-workout recovery.

Along with the Wave Roller, the series includes the Wave Duo and the Wave Solo. While the Wave Roller features a classic foam roller shape, the Wave Duo and Wave Solo have a rounded design.

All three devices come with built-in vibrations and Bluetooth connectivity, providing an innovative approach to rolling and recovery process at all.

In this post, we focus on the Theragun Wave Roller.

Theragun Wave Roller Review

Now, on to the review. What can we expect from this Theragun wave roller?

Theragun Wave Roller Specification

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First Impressions

First impressions are important, and the Theragun Wave Roller definitely delivers on style. It comes in a sleek box, just like every other Therabody product. The box measures about 13.2″ x 8.5″ x 5.9″, so it’s a decent size.

One interesting thing to note is that the roller is still called the “Theragun Wave Roller” despite the company’s recent rebrand from Theragun to Therabody. It’s an interesting decision, given how much they’ve been promoting the Therabody brand name.

When you open the box, you’ll notice that some plastic is still used in the packaging. This is a departure from the trend of reducing plastic in packaging that we’ve seen in other products. However, the packaging is still protective enough to keep the roller safe during transport.

Inside the box, you’ll find a pouch with the Wave Roller inside. The material is thick fabric, and while we wouldn’t call it premium, it’s definitely protective enough. We really like the additional zippered front pocket and the drawstring on top. It’s great for storing small items like a phone or keys while you’re using the roller.

We also appreciate the adjustable strap that allows you to carry the roller on your shoulder or in your hand. It’s a nice touch that makes it easy to take the roller with you on the go.

Device

From the moment we laid our hands on the Theragun Wave Roller, we knew we were in for a treat.

The size is just perfect – not too big, not too small – and the texture is incredibly soft and luxurious, which gives it a premium feel. We’re not sure if it’s matte black or satin, but it looks absolutely fabulous.

And yes, there’s a bit of smell, which actually reminds us of the scent of a brand new car inside – we’re not complaining! 

Controls

The control panel is surrounded by a cool blue ring and is very basic and easy to use.

It’s just three buttons: one for activation (at the center, with an LED of different colors depending on the state of the battery), and two for adjusting the speed (– and +).

Additionally, there are five white LED indicators to show which speed you’re on.

Size and Weight

The Theragun Wave Roller is a great size for a roller, measuring 11.65″ x 5.1″ (Therabody advertise it as 12″). It’s a universal, full-body size that feels just right for most people. Don’t let its size fool you, this is not a small product by any means.

Despite being a fairly heavy roller at 1736 grams or 3.82 lbs (again, Therabody spec says it’s 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg), the extra weight has its benefits. The roller feels more stable, rolls better, and doesn’t “escape” easily when under the body.

So, unless you plan to carry it in your bag every day, the weight is actually a plus!

The Foam

Let’s talk about the star of the show, the Wave Roller. It’s not your typical hard-surface foam roller, folks! This one has a thick layer of high-density EVA foam that feels similar to most Theragun massage gun attachments.

The roller is softer than harder, so when you press down on it, you can sink in about an inch deep. This is where things get really interesting.

Therabody claims that the foam used in the roller is specially designed to dampen sound from the vibrating motor, making your rolling experience both quiet and powerful. We can attest to this claim – it’s not often that you can use a vibrating foam roller without waking up your entire household.

The foam also has a reasonable amount of give, making it a comfortable experience overall. Plus, Theragun claims that the surface material is hypo-allergenic, which is great news for anyone with sensitive skin.

The signatory wave texture of the roller is what really sets it apart. The waves are not aggressive, so there are no ridges, bumps, or points. Instead, the waves are what Theragun calls “penetrative,” meaning that it’s the vibration that does the work rather than the shape of the roller.

And the wave contour itself is the reason behind the name “Wave Roller.”

All in all, the Theragun Wave Roller looks like an excellent addition to your recovery arsenal, providing a unique and effective way to roll out your muscles.

Vibrations

If you’re looking for a massage roller that really delivers, the Theragun Wave Roller might just be the one for you.

This clever little device packs a serious punch, thanks to its impressive vibration technology and wide range of speed settings.

At first glance, the Wave Roller might not look all that different from other rollers on the market. But don’t be fooled by its unassuming appearance – this is a roller that means business. With five different speed settings to choose from, you can customize your massage experience to suit your needs.

So, just how powerful is the Wave Roller’s vibration technology?

We put it to the test with our trusty laser tachometer and the results were impressive.

The range is very wide, and that’s amazing. The roller starts at 1200rpm, but at the top end, it can achieve an incredible 3400 verified rpm, making it one of the most powerful non-wired devices out there.

Compare that to the Theragun massage guns, which offer a maximum of 2450 hits per minute – albeit at a highly percussive amplitude of 16mm.

So what does all that vibration mean for your muscles?

Well, it turns out that high-frequency stimulation can actually help to override pain signals to the brain, leading to a release in muscle tension. And if you’re dealing with sore or tired muscles, the soothing effect of the vibrations can be a real game-changer.

But what really sets the Wave Roller apart from other rollers on the market is its effective motor. With 3400 vibrations per minute, this roller can really get to work on those stubborn knots and trigger points.

And thanks to the wide range of speed settings (also controlled by Bluetooth and Therabody App, more on that in a moment), you can customize the intensity to your liking. At 1200 rpm (speed 1), the roller feels gentle and soothing, while at the top end it gets seriously intense.

Of course, the real test of any massage roller is how it feels in use. And we have to say, the Wave Roller doesn’t disappoint. Even by simply holding it, you can feel the power of the vibration technology. And when you roll it over your muscles, you’ll feel the vibrations penetrating deep into the tissue.

Rolling on the Wave Roller

So how does it feel to roll on this thing?

Rolling on the Theragun Wave Roller is a pretty good experience, actually. It’s a nice addition to a typical hard-foam roller, and working on this thing is much more relaxing.

The vibrations certainly help a lot, but the surface of the roller is just so pleasant to roll onto. Trust us, you’ll love it!

Now let’s discuss how to use it.

How to Use the Theragun Wave Roller

If you’re looking to up your foam rolling game, this device is the way to go.

While it works just like a regular foam roller (it works on large muscle groups e.g., quads, hamstrings, and glutes; you can also roll over it on your back or the sides), it also has a unique feature that sets it apart: Bluetooth connectivity.

That’s right, this foam roller can connect to your phone and the Therabody app, which can provide you with built-in routines, guidance, and customization options to enhance your rolling experience.

To get started, simply install the app and pair the roller with your phone. From there, the app takes over, adjusting the speed and guiding you through each step.

You can choose from warm-up, recovery, and wellness routines, and the app can even suggest specific rolling exercises for different ailments, such as shoulder pain, carpal tunnel, or shin splints.

One of the most interesting things about the Wave Roller and the App is the different types of movements it suggests.

The app can guide you through “dynamic movement”, where you anchor a part of your body and move the adjacent joint to adjust the tension on the spot you’re focused on.

You can also try “lateral movement”, where you anchor a part of your body and move the corresponding limb back and forth in a rocking motion.

And of course, there’s the “standard movement”, where you roll parallel to the muscle fibers for maximum tension relief.

Customization is also a key feature, so you can adjust the time intervals, intensity, and other settings to suit your individual needs.

And as you become more experienced, you may find that you don’t even need the app anymore. However, for beginners, it can be a goldmine of ideas and guidance for using the Wave Roller to its full potential.

Noise

Ok, there are still a few aspects that we need to touch on to close this Theragun Wave roller review. Let’s start with the noise level.

First off, there’s nothing to worry about with this one. We purchased ours in 2023, so it could be a newer version, but we’ve heard that older ones were loud, but not this one. If you’ve ever used a massage gun, this is way nicer to hear. 

TIP In fact, there are some really quiet massage guns worth checking.

Since it’s vibrational rather than percussive, the sound is smooth and non-aggressive. You can tell that the thick foam layer does a good job insulating the motor.

The noise level ranges from 48 to 66 dB on our noise meter, but it’s perfectly okay. You can even use it in the evening while watching TV without disturbing your sleeping loved one or pet.

The only problem is that if you use it on a solid floor, it will develop more noise and shake the floor, so using it on a yoga mat, carpet, or other soft surface will absorb the vibrations. But, if you want, you can always turn it off and use it as a regular foam roller.

Battery

Let’s talk about the battery life. While we don’t know the exact capacity, after it’s weight, it’s safe to say that you can get up to 180 minutes of use on low speeds.

However, if you crank up the intensity, the battery will drain faster and you’ll likely get closer to 120 minutes of use.

Charging the roller takes about three hours according to the Therabody manual, but we’ve managed to charge ours in just over two hours.

One of the coolest features of the Wave Roller is the battery indicator, which is located in the middle of the power button.

Here are the possible states:

• A solid green light means the battery is fully charged.
• A flashing green light indicates a high charge.
• A flashing blue light means you’re halfway charged.
• A flashing red light means it’s time to charge up.

Interestingly, the Wave Roller can also be charged wirelessly via a wireless stand charger (to be purchased separately), which also works with the Theragun Elite and Pro models.

Unfortunately, there’s no USB-C port here, so you’ll have to make do with the included 12V wall charger.

Cleaning the Wave Roller

Cleaning the Wave Roller is a breeze! With its unique shape, it’s easy to wipe down with a cloth, and there are no complicated cleaning instructions in the manual.

However, we do suggest avoiding water since the roller has electronics inside and we don’t have any information on its IP rating. So, stick to using a cloth to keep it clean, and you’ll be good to go!

Pricing and Warranty

Let’s talk about everyone’s favorite topic – pricing!

The Theragun Wave Roller is priced at $149, but if you use our exclusive X8YZF10 code, you can get 10% OFF and snag it for just $134. Buy it at therabody.com here.

We think that’s a very reasonable price considering how effective and versatile this product is. Although it does have many competitors in the market, not many of them can vibrate as fast and as widely as the Wave Roller.

In terms of warranty, the device comes with a 1-year warranty, which is pretty standard for a durable product like this one. But let’s be real, with how well-built the Wave Roller is, you probably won’t even need to use the warranty.

All in all, we think the pricing and warranty are both solid and make for a great investment in your overall wellness.

Theragun Wave Roller Review Summary

There you have it, our Theragun Wave Roller review. The Wave Roller from Therabody is an excellent product from a trusted brand.

For those who have not yet tried vibration therapy, this roller is a great way to experience its benefits. We have confirmed that the Wave Roller can vibrate extensively, with a range of 1200 RPM to 3400 RPM, providing ample intensity to relieve tension and enhance recovery.

The combination of a foam roller with smart features is a winning combination, making this device more than just a gadget. It is a powerful tool that does what it says.

Overall, the Wave Roller is a good choice for amateur and professional athletes, gym goers, and active people in general. It is a product that we highly recommend for anyone looking to enhance their recovery and relieve tension.

It’s probably one of a kind (Achedaway’s new idea) because we haven’t seen anyone else with it.

However, it follows the same path of taking something that’s been around for centuries, leveraging it with new tech, and sprinkling it with smart features. We know of their massage guns (including the flagship Achedaway Pro) and, more recently, a dynamic cupping device.

Today we’ll find out about this scraper. Do you need it? What problems does it solve, and is it worth the price tag?

Let’s find out…

Scraping Therapy and Gua-Sha

We can’t talk about Achedaway’s scraper tools without talking about the scraping method and Gua-Sha. They are connected, you’ll see!

TIP In a hurry? You can jump straight to the review.

What is Gua-Sha?

It’s an ancient Chinese healing treatment that professionals use to alleviate some conditions such as tendinopathy, joint stiffness, and chronic pain. The professional strokes a smooth-edged tool on your skin while applying some pressure.

Gua-Sha can treat tendinopathy, joint stiffness, and chronic pain across different parts of the body. You can combine it with other treatments such as massage, acupuncture, and heat therapy.

How Does it Happen?

The technician will apply some oil on your skin and then use the tool to apply long downward strokes.

You can get Gua-Sha on your:

• Neck
• Butt
• Back
• Legs
• Arms
• Back

The technician gradually applies pressure to the strokes. They will only apply as much pressure as you are comfortable with.

The process can help in blood flow and give your skin a “lift.” This helps to reduce toxins in your body and boost healing.

You can also apply Gua-Sha on your face; only remember to be gentle. 

What are the Benefits?

Gua-Sha is effective in loosening up tight fascia and muscles, myofascial release, and improving blood flow. However, it’s best known for relieving conditions that cause chronic pain.

Some of these conditions include:

There are other proven benefits of Gua-Sha, including neck pain relief, treating delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and perimenopausal symptoms. These are just some areas that Achedaway’s new device can help. 

Who Uses Scrapers?

Mostly physiotherapists on their patients, who may have one or a few symptoms that the use of a scraper can alleviate.

Athletes can also use scrapers, and DIY folks who know how to use the tool to their benefit.

Women may also use a scraping tool to treat cellulite. Since Gua-Sha promotes fluid release, it may also aid in releasing body tension and easing cellulite build-up.

The release of muscle tension helps to break up fascia. This improves blood flow through the skin capillaries allowing more nutrients into the skin. It also encourages waste to leave the skin. 

Achedaway Scraper Review

Enough about Gua-Sha and now on to the Achedaway scraper review.

Achedaway Scraper Specs

First Impressions and Design

Achedaway has this impressive habit of including a case with many of their products. The Achedaway muscle scraper comes in a decent-quality case. It measures 10 × 6 × 2 inches (i.e., length × width × thickness).

The device itself measures 8.78 × 5.51 × 1.22 inches – so pretty compact. It’s also light and only weighs 0.77 pounds, or 350 grams. Most of the weight is on the batteries and the steel blade. It feels like they put batteries on either side of the handle because it feels well-balanced.

The size of the steel blade feels just about right. The edges have different shapes to allow for different scraping techniques (we’ll talk more about this below).

The manual is included with the device. It includes the device’s specifications and how-to-use information with sketches on how to hold it. 

What about the controls?

Well, they are very simple and intuitive. 

• There’s one button to turn it on and off (long press in both cases)
• Short presses will change the heating level. The levels are indicated as 1-3 vertical bars. The temperature is also displayed.
• There is a large battery charge status indicator. The display is colored. 

Are there any accessories?

Just the USB cable that you can use to charge it. We probably shouldn’t expect much because this is a scraper after all, not a massage gun that often comes with attachments and other embellishments.

Even so, shouldn’t they at least include a lotion to make it more premium? Therabody included one with their TheraFace Pro anyway. But this device is perhaps mainly intended to be used by professionals who more than likely already have their preferred lubricant solutions.

Another thing, Achedaway has always focused on the core product rather than the extras. This is partly why we like them; they have a product-first policy.

Ergonomics

One of the major problems of scraping tools is that many of them tend to be small and difficult to hold – or at least get a good grip as you apply the strokes. This causes hand fatigue pretty fast. It’s worse when you are doing small, fast strokes.

Again, since scraping involves using oil or a lubricant, the metal scrapers get slippery. This adds more friction and tension to your wrists, hand, and fingers.

Achedaway found a way to incorporate a large handle with ridges on it so you can hold it confidently. The handle has a triangular design (hello, Therabody!), offering a much larger grip area and an ergonomic shape.

The handle is made of hard plastic, but good quality plastic.

We figured they could’ve perhaps made it shorter and put some soft rubber on it. But we realized that scrapers are used with massage lubricants. That means they need to be cleaned and sanitized. The hard plastic is the better choice because you can easily keep it clean and still comfortably handle it as you scrape away.

How Does it Work, and What’s Unique?

Scraping

This is a scraper that screams convenience all through. It’s an all-in-one device with well-thought-out blade shapes and edges for multipurpose use.

The main blade – large steel one called the “concave heated metal strip” works on large areas. It’s about 8 inches long. It has a concave shape – slightly curved or angled to reach major muscle groups.

It’s a bit sharp. Maybe sharper than some other scrapers we have seen, but not extremely sharp (the edge is rounded). 

One side is a “sharp metal edge” that is useful when holding at a 90-degree angle.

This is for pinpoint treatment and when you need to reach tiny areas like between the toes.

The other edge is called the “convex metal edge.” It’s smoother than the other edge.

It resembles a thumb and is good for smaller muscles or when you don’t need aggressive pinpointed treatment. It works around the ankles. 

As a result, you have a top-quality, versatile, and easy-to-use scraper for most body parts.

Heating Component

There is a built-in heating component, which is largely the most important feature of this device.

This is a great innovation as far as scraping tools go. This is because, earlier, physiotherapists had to use hot blankets or towels, hot stones, or water heating pads to avoid the initial feeling of a cold steel blade on a patient’s body, especially on a sore area.

Also, heat warms the tissues and makes the massage or scraping more effective. Generally, heated therapy improves muscle relaxation and reduces stress in the muscle tissue (we wrote more about it in our heated massage guns post).

But the methods employed above are often messy and inconvenient. They also always fell short of providing consistent heat. This scraper eliminates that. This scraper keeps the blade pleasantly warm during the whole treatment.

It heats up very fast – it takes about 20 to 30 seconds to warm up. This allows for a warm first contact with the skin.

The heating is also pretty strong:

• Heat 1: 104°F (40°C),
• Heat 2: 113°F (45°C),
• Heat 3: 122°F (50°C).

The physio will not leave the blade on one spot here. Instead, they will glide it along the skin. We recommend starting with the lowest (default) setting to avoid burns.

You can also use the device without the heating function. Simply don’t turn it on! 

Vibrations

We have to conclude that the folks at Achedaway love vibrations. Most of the devices they designed had either a vibration or percussion component. This one follows suit.

However, the vibrations here aren’t the main feature.

The vibrations feel very delicate. Don’t expect a proper vibration therapy device here. It’s more of a feeling of vibrations (they are more in the background) than real vibrations. They are meant to create a soothing effect (relieve stress). 

The vibrations can’t be turned off when the device is on. However, perhaps to save on the battery, a built-in sensor detects when you are holding the handle. The vibrations stop when you put the device aside. 

That said, it looks like Achedaway didn’t want to have vibrations as the main feature of this device. It’s probably for a good reason.

After all, the vibrations aren’t needed as much as the heating component. Nevertheless, the device vibrates and creates a pleasant, gentle sensation. 

Achedaway Scraper in Use

We’ve put the Achedaway Scraper to the test, and found it both easy to use and effective. The heating component worked perfectly, and when used with a lotion, it feels absolutely fantastic. Note: the device can be used for DIY scraping on areas such as the back of a neck, arms and legs, but you will likely need someone’s help to use it on a back.

Battery

The battery has a 3200mAh capacity, which is surprisingly large, given how light the scraper is.

Achedaway indicates that the battery will take 4 hours to charge, but we had a full battery in much less time. The key is not to let the battery completely die before you can charge it.

The battery charge can last for 2 straight hours. It can be less if you consistently use the highest temperature setting. In practice, this is good enough to handle patients, but we feel busy professionals might need an extra device. For individual use, though, one is more than enough. 

You cannot use the device while it charges. A USB-C cable is provided for charging. There is a large battery charge indicator on the display. 

Cleaning

Cleaning the Achedaway muscle scraping tool is not such a biggie. The simple shape and one-part design make it a breeze to clean.

Use a clean non-woven cloth to clean it. The manual says you should avoid acidic and alkaline cleaners or alcohol, thinner, petrol, or nail cleaner. Don’t use strong cleaning agents.

Pricing and Warranty

One device costs $224, or you can buy a double pack for $449 using our exclusive MGA25 coupon (which gives you $25 off at the checkout). The regular prices are $249 for one and $449 fot two devices, respectively.

We believe, based on the features and the convenience you get, that the price is fair.

It’s best to buy it off Achedaway.com to support the brand and establish direct contact (they are responsive). You can also read real user reviews with pictures on the website.

You get a 1-year warranty on the device. You also get 30 days to return the product if you don’t like what you get. 

Achedaway Scraper Review Final Thoughts

We’ve come to the end of our Achedaway scraper review. We must say that this is an innovative device that takes muscle scraping to a new era. The concept is superb. It’s even better that you are getting it from a trusted brand whose mission statement is rooted in its name – Ached-away.

This is a great device for physiotherapists and masseurs (you may want to get the double pack if you specialize in scraping techniques).

Both pro and amateur athletes may find this tool useful for speeding up muscle recovery post-workout. Scraping is good for everyone if done properly and safely.

The device is portable and top-quality. Most importantly, it’s not a toy; it works as intended. The price seems fair, especially for professionals – more results, less frustration.

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