Been having a lot of trouble with my lower calf muscle, tried a lot of different massagers, stretches and rollers… anyone had any success with the Theragun or any of the “gun†style recovery tools? Or are they just an expensive gimmick. As always thanks for the help and advice in advance.
I’ve used the HyperVolt Hiperice and it felt pretty good. However, I prefer this much cheaper Shiatsu messager I got on Amazon. The good thing about it is you can use it wherever you need massaging and not have to hold it (I fall asleep sometimes it’s so relaxing). Does a great job on the bottom of my feet too (which is worth it just for that to me). I use it nearly everyday for some part/parts of my body. I got it for $30 during a “Lightning Deal” so figured it was worth a gamble. It’s been worth every penny and then some. They also sell a battery operated non-corded version, but having a cord doesn’t bother me since I usually am laying on the couch watching TV when using it. Amazon sells a lot of different “brands” of these things, and they’re probably all pretty much the same, but this is the one I got:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BZOKLOO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I would like to get one of these for the sure ease of use. You can always get down and roll on a harder ball to get in there but it is a little more difficult at the same and takes more effort. I was planning on just going the Jig Saw route (Black & Decker jig saw + Jig Saw Percussion Bit) but the bits are still ridiculously expensive. I do see some coming to market with cheaper bits. This set by Mobility Bit seems more versatile but lacks the pointy-ended bit that I really enjoy when I demoed the Jig Saw.
i purchased a hypervolt hyperice last month. the thing is fantastic!!
it loosens up your muscles quite well. as far as feeling good… initially its like a deep tissue massage, not a pleasant feeling but once your muscle loosens up its quite nice.
i did some research and picked the hyperice because its very quiet compared to the other offerings out there. other devices can be stronger, but for me i see absolutely no need for something stronger than what this thing can do. also the battery life is much better.
I’ve got a homemade gun, but what i find works best is actually one of these: https://heskiers.com
Their tool is unreal in terms of actually being able to pinpoint sore spots and strip them properly. It’s small and portable so you can throw it in your pocket or bag and it isn’t loud as all hell like a jigsaw “gun”.
That said, if someone knows where you can get the jigsaw massage pieces that i can insert into my jigsaw for decent price i would be interested. i’ve been using a homemade solution that broke a few days ago and now that these are more common there has to be a better alternative available.
This works great for me. Use in between massages and easier/better for me than foam roller.
I use the one smaller/pointer adapter and the full power setting and it really helps break up knots and adhesions.
https://www.amazon.com/…_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I made these. they work GREAT! Done a few more for friends… I have a larger Ryobi jig saw but this Black and Decker is cheap and is lightweight so you can really find those tough to reach spots!
Been having a lot of trouble with my lower calf muscle, tried a lot of different massagers, stretches and rollers… anyone had any success with the Theragun or any of the “gun†style recovery tools? Or are they just an expensive gimmick. As always thanks for the help and advice in advance.
I’ll tell you what I tell my patients…
The likely theory on why rollers, balls, massage guns, etc feel good is neurological in nature…meaning the pressure from said roller, ball, etc is giving a “perception” of loosening things up. No, it doesn’t break up “scar tissue” or “release fascia”. No it doesn’t fix injuries and there really is no evidence to say it prevents injury either.
There are a lot of things that can be causing lower calf trouble in a runner (assuming you’re a runner), Pounding it with a massage gun is low on the list of helping it.
I just got the hypervolt by hyperice and it’s incredible. Definitely work the investment. It’s not loud like the thera gun or the homemade version of the jigsaw. You can get it for $350 online. I have been quite sore and it alleviated a lot of the soreness within minutes of using it.
Nice - The hyperice products are great. They are deep tissue so take the place of my regular physio visits @ $100 a pop
Pays for itself pretty quick. I just use the ball. Bought one for my son as an Xmas gift.
The stretcher at the gym uses the hyper volt.
Thanks CB - I purchased the Theragun on the specific recommendation of the PT and ART team I use when injured. Both use it in there practices and I feel it is of real value - most recently on working on my QL… I got a great discount code for my military service. Hope this helps
Hopefully you won’t have to use it much 
And the QL is a tough muscle to palpate let alone do self massage on it. Impressive 
Been having a lot of trouble with my lower calf muscle, tried a lot of different massagers, stretches and rollers… anyone had any success with the Theragun or any of the “gun†style recovery tools? Or are they just an expensive gimmick. As always thanks for the help and advice in advance.
I’ll tell you what I tell my patients…
The likely theory on why rollers, balls, massage guns, etc feel good is neurological in nature…meaning the pressure from said roller, ball, etc is giving a “perception” of loosening things up. No, it doesn’t break up “scar tissue” or “release fascia”. No it doesn’t fix injuries and there really is no evidence to say it prevents injury either.
There are a lot of things that can be causing lower calf trouble in a runner (assuming you’re a runner), Pounding it with a massage gun is low on the list of helping it.
What this guy said!
A lot like $2000 recovery boots. Placebo counts for something though.
I must admit I do laugh when I see all the adds you get on Facebook for them now and think who would buy these??? Maybe buy some Halo headphones while you’re at it…
i purchased a hypervolt hyperice last month. the thing is fantastic!!
it loosens up your muscles quite well. as far as feeling good… initially its like a deep tissue massage, not a pleasant feeling but once your muscle loosens up its quite nice.
i did some research and picked the hyperice because its very quiet compared to the other offerings out there. other devices can be stronger, but for me i see absolutely no need for something stronger than what this thing can do. also the battery life is much better.
I got one yesterday for Xmas from my wife. No idea how she found it - never seen one of these before. Holy cow it’s awesome
I made these. they work GREAT! Done a few more for friends… I have a larger Ryobi jig saw but this Black and Decker is cheap and is lightweight so you can really find those tough to reach spots!
What can go wrong???
This reminds me of the computrainer murder scene photos posted here a while back. This would be self-inflicted though
I made these. they work GREAT! Done a few more for friends… I have a larger Ryobi jig saw but this Black and Decker is cheap and is lightweight so you can really find those tough to reach spots!
What can go wrong???
I was/am researching about this as well. I’ve never tried it before and to drop USD350 on the hyperice is well - a little bit excessive not knowing if it will work.
Since then i’ve found some “cheaper” alternatives which looks similar.
I’m going to test it out next week if possible
Any new opinions on massage guns?
They’re getting pretty trendy and I’m hearing from fellow triathletes that they really were surprised by how good it feels and helps them getting rid of soreness.
I hate climbing around the foam roller but I think that lacrosse balls for example are probably better at massaging tripper points/knots which is my main focus currently in the shoulder and hip, any opinions on that as well?
I tested the actual HyPerrice and I felt that it didn’t live up to the marketing. (wasn’t strong enough) and the price was just too steep for my taste.
Fast forward a few months and I found that there are a lot of knockoffs at very good prices (~40 USD) and pulled the trigger on one.
It came w/ an assortment of heads and also a bag. (Although the only head I ever use is the one that looks like a bullet and the rounded one)
In terms of usability and comparison to foam rolling and lacrosse balls, I’m still using all 3 of them. Each has their own uses.
When I do have a knot that I need to get to, I turn to the lacrosse ball (Glutes and hamstring)
I use the gun predominantly on the calves and the outer calves as well as the tibia Area in front of the calve.