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How do I massage my back, shoulders, and neck?
One way to give yourself an effective massage is through a quality massage chair. Massage chairs are an excellent muscle recovery tool as they let you target specific areas of your body, including your back, shoulders, neck and more. For example, most standard massage chairs boast leg massaging capabilities to relieve sore leg muscles, as well as built-in back and shoulder rollers to work out deep knots and increase mobility. If you’re just starting out with your massage chair, it's recommended to ease into each new session, starting off with no more than two or three massages per week for the first couple of weeks. From there, assess your level of comfort and soreness and proceed carefully.
How do I use a massage therapy gun?
Massage therapy guns use a percussive pulse to penetrate deep into muscle, which helps to increase blood flow, cut down muscle recovery time, relieve soreness, boost performance and more. Massage guns are most used directly before or after working out, as they can target specific spots that may require attention during either warmup or recovery. A typical massage gun session begins with the user applying pressure over the bulk of their chosen muscle for 15-20 seconds at a time. Alternatively, you can safely sweep a broader muscle area with pressure for up to 120 seconds. Be sure to avoid direct contact with any pre-existing injuries, and try to stay away from bony parts of the body. Pregnant women should consult with their doctor before using a massage gun.
How often should I use a massage therapy gun or massage chair?
For best results, massage guns can be used for up to 120 seconds on any given muscle group, and up to 2-3 times per day. Alternatively, most standard massage chairs can be safely used approximately 3-4 times per week for recovery purposes.