Massage guns are gaining popularity for good reason. However, there are times when a massage gun should not be used.

The best massage guns use a motorized, quick percussive motion to relieve tension, improve blood flow, and stretch muscle tissue. Adding it to your exercise routine as part of a warm-up or cool-down may make the difference between waking up stiff and sore (or worse, injured) and waking up ready to tackle the day! .

However, massage guns are not appropriate for every body or situation. Do not use a massage gun in the following situations:

While it is obvious not to use a massage gun directly on a broken bone (or any bone), you should also avoid using a massage gun on an area where the bone is healing. The great force produced by a massage gun can damage vulnerable joints and bones, increasing the likelihood of re-injury.

If a broken or healing bone is located near a regularly treated area, consult a physician or physical therapist about the appropriate time to resume use of a massage gun.

Sprains and contusions are different injuries, although they often present with the same symptoms of pain, sometimes swelling and bruising, and limited range of motion. A sprain is the result of a ligament being stretched beyond its intended range (like a "turned ankle"), whereas a strain occurs when muscle tissue or tendon is overstretched (commonly referred to as a "pulled muscle").

Sprains and contusions are usually painful enough to make using a massage gun seem like torture, but just in case, during the acute phase of an injury, strong vibration can cause more damage to the healing tissue. Massage guns should be avoided in the immediate aftermath of a sprain or contusion.

According to this study (open in new tab), vibration therapy may indeed be helpful for sprains as part of a comprehensive recovery protocol, but should always be done in close collaboration with a trained medical professional and follow their guidance.

One of the many benefits of massage gun use is increased blood flow to the treated area, which may result in temporary inflammation. In most cases, this is not a bad thing - the blood takes in nutrients and removes toxins, and inflammation is a healing response. However, if the patient already has an inflammatory injury (tendonitis, bursitis, fasciitis, etc.), increased inflammation in the affected area may increase pain and ultimately delay recovery.

If you have an ailment ending in "itis," use the massage gun with caution. As always, it is best to consult a physician before attempting percussion therapy.

Massage guns are best for stiff muscles and connective tissue, but are less suitable for internal organs, bones, and the spine. Avoid bony prominences (like hip bones, knee joints, or rib cage), kidneys (close to the surface of your skin and not protected by muscles or other tissues), and spinal column (sensitive discs, nerve roots, and spinal cord can be damaged), as these areas are much more likely to suffer injury from the blunt force that massage guns produce Avoid the spinal column (sensitive discs, nerve roots, and spinal cord can be damaged).

Remember that massage cancers can cause inflammation, so you should avoid using them if you have an inflammatory medical condition like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or certain cancers - you do not want to increase inflammation when your body is already in an inflammatory state You do not want to increase inflammation when your body is already in an inflammatory state.

A diagnosis of this kind does not necessarily mean that you need to ditch your massage gun altogether, but consult your doctor before starting a percussion therapy routine.

The use of massage guns is not recommended for individuals with hypertension (high blood pressure), peripheral arterial disease, moderate to severe varicose veins, a history of deep vein thrombosis, osteoporosis, muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy, or autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis or lupus. Although the vibrations of a massage gun can be pleasant, their intensity can aggravate symptoms.

Again, a diagnosis of one of these diseases does not automatically prohibit the use of massage guns altogether. Consult your physician before using a massage gun.