Using a massage gun for pain relief.

[Eddie49]

Does anyone have experience of or an opinion on using a massage gun, carefully, for shoulder and back pain relief when on an anti coagulant? I see a sports massage therapist who helps quite a bit but it's expensive to go regularly and the massage gun might help in between sessions.

[bantam12]

My Chiropractor won’t use any of her electrical gizmos on me.

[Eddie49 in reply to bantam12]

Thanks.

[BobD Volunteer]

I use one on low setting.

[Eddie49 in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob. I realise it is personal choice, so that's what I think I will do.

[mjames1]

Just be VERY careful around the neck/carotid artery, or it could potentially put you in afib. Also, if the artery is hardened, worse.

Jim

[Eddie49 in reply to mjames1]

Thanks. I will be very careful.

[marcyh]

In the past year I've had an awful time with tight muscles and pain. The knots seem to erupt in different places around my back, neck and shoulder. I have a massage "gun" (I haven't heard it called that before) that I use regularly to try and loosen them up. I guess my neck should be fine since the knots tend to be toward the back. A trigger for AFib? I've never heard that before.

I also find that wet heat helps. For the heat I use hand warmers and a wet cloth.

[Eddie49 in reply to marcyh]

Thanks.

[CDreamer]

I have no problems using a full massage bed every day, with a pacemaker. Only thing that gets my muscles working in the morning so I can do my stretches - which is really important if you have tightness. I wouldn’t use a gun though, mainly because I wouldn’t have the strength to hold it in position on my shoulder and I’d just be transferring the problems.

I cannot see how being on an anticoagulant would affect the use of massage gun? Am I being thick here?

[Eddie49 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks. I recently made an appointment with the Physio Dept. at my local hospital. The nurse who asked preliminary questions on the phone was very concerned that I was having deep tissue massage and warned me away from it. A Google search on the subject overwhelmingly warns against being on an anti coagulant and using a massage gun or having a deep tissue sports massage.

[ibuputih in reply to Eddie49]

Me again - I’ve already replied below. I saw a private physio during lockdown who was aware of my AF and had no issues with me using a Theragun.

[Eddie49 in reply to ibuputih]

Thanks.

[CDreamer in reply to Eddie49]

Having had deep tissue massage for years whilst on a/c’s I still would like to know exactly why? Danger of bruising or bleeding? I’ve never experienced either and I bruise really easily, however, I know there may be a danger if you have clots and/or take daily asprin or any other anti platelets for clot dispersal so I would say it is very individual risk:benefit assessment rather than blanket NO.

Some very general sensible advice to help make the decision here:- bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Having said all of that I am incredibly careful on the therapist I use and wouldn’t consider anyone with a qualification of less than level 4. I think using an electrical gadget in preference to personal expertise is a false economy.

The massage gun I wouldn’t use, especially without expert advice on the helpfulness for the underlying condition. I have pain in my shoulder and arm from nerve entrapment - no amount of massage is going to ease that so either I live with it or have surgery. For the moment I’m living with it.

The only other contraindication I know of for deep tissue massage is for anyone with cancer.

Obviously it’s an individual’s decision and the old adage - if in doubt do nowt - may apply to some but personally I find the occasional deep massage very helpful in addition to daily stretches and my neuro physio recommends that I continue.

[Eddie49 in reply to CDreamer]

I am afraid I don't know the reason why, that is why I was asking the question having read what I have read. I have had two spinal operations, one lumbar over thirty years ago and one cervical eight years ago. I have a titanium cage with a large screw around my cervical spine, C5/C6 level. My thoracic spine is kind of locked up/stiff so I regularly exercise and stretch. I have been having deep tissue massage with a very good masseuse for eighteen months or so but I can't afford to go more regularly than once a month. Just asking whether the massage gun would be particularly helpful for in between sessions.

[CDreamer in reply to Eddie49]

I wonder if it was more to do with your spinal issues and/or the fact you have metal in your body which could cause bleeds? Just speculating. I get how expensive it can get.

[DawnTX in reply to CDreamer]

Wouldn’t the bottom line here be to speak with your doctor? They will tell you what they consider safe and should also explain to you why you should not do certain things, anything electrical I would be cautious of if you have a pacemaker. Depending on the age, you may have a pacemaker you can do more things with. It’s just too serious an issue to wing it about. I love massage, etc. but just got a pacemaker so I will be asking many questions including about self massagers. I will be having a laminectomy, after I get the all clear with my pacemaker so again, I will talk to the doctor because at this point I want nothing to mess with my pacemaker etc. regardless of what I must give up

[CDreamer in reply to DawnTX]

Obviously caution is indicated and I think we are all able to make our own decisions. Modern pacemakers are not affected by electrical fields and the only caution was not to stand for hours over a halogen hob. I’ve been in an MRI scanner and if anything was going to affect a PM that would.

In your case I would certainly leave any massage by human or machine until your PM is well embedded and you have had the ablate part of the procedure and been signed off by your doctors. I think I left it something like 2 months before using my massage bed or going for a massage. The person I used to see was an expert in rehab and prevention of scar tissue build up so she did some very light massage and fascia release around the implant area, but only after the area had healed. There is a danger of frozen shoulder if you go too carefully after the healing period.

You have a lot of faith in doctors. For spinal soft tissue I have more faith in hands on healers who know my body and see me as a whole person but always check their training and qualifications. Doctors told me that I would need my neck/upper spine fixed as I would be riddled with arthritis within 5 years of a bad car accident. Spinal rehab and regular massage and specific exercises and 30 years on I have full movement without pain. Doctors are not the best people to see for spinal/neuro/muscular conditions.

[Fullofheart]

My chiro uses one on me for low back, hip and pelvic pain. She recommended doctor graham's brand. It's only ever helped, not caused me any issues....but we are all different.

[Eddie49 in reply to Fullofheart]

Thanks.

[ibuputih]

Hi - I experience SI joint pain and sciatica, and also have rotator cuff issues. I am on Edoxaban.

For the last couple of years I have used a Theragun for pain relief and to ease movement. It’s brilliant and has literally got me moving on several occasions. I even take it on holiday with me - just in case.

I don’t use it regularly, only when things get painful and I am cursing that I cannot take aspirin! I use it on the lowest setting and not for long periods. The user guide clearly states those areas where it must not be used eg neck, spine ( you massage either side) chest, head etc.

I have bruised easily my whole life, have sensitive skin and now take Edoxaban. I have not experienced any bruising or marking when using it.

[Eddie49 in reply to ibuputih]

Thanks. The instructions on the brand I have purchased shows the gun being used on the pec muscles, which is the chest. YouTube shows the same.

[Desanthony]

I have used one in the past but not used much now. Thankfully by continuing to keep fit and having to be more careful because not able to take NSAID's I seem to have made all the rest of those tiny little lifestyle changes that I should have made years ago to deal with my chronic neck and back pain. Though have to say that may be because my wife shouts at me to sit down or take it easy or leave that until she can help me with it. She has started to insist we sit down mid-morning for a coffee and sit down after lunch and watch the news. So I am not rushing around doing things all the time. Now only rarely use my full dosage of painkillers. A couple of weeks ago had to empty my shed as there was a leak - of course after frosts it was now raining so had to do it quickly and think I am still 30 so tried to do most of it myself without telling my other half - who once she saw what was happening helped but it was enough to bring the pain back so spent a couple of days on full dosage again. When will older men learn that they cannot do the things they used to? My wife saw a fb joke saying something along the lines that A&E is full of older men who thought they were still 30 and did things with the gusto they used to have only to find they couldn't

[Eddie49 in reply to Desanthony]

Thank you.

[CDreamer in reply to Desanthony]

I have a little poster in my kitchen which says:- If you want to change a man do it whilst they are still in nappies? The older my husband gets, the more I realise just how true that saying is 😀

[Desanthony in reply to CDreamer]

My wife is going to love that! Think she will print it out and put it on the fridge too.

[Vrouse]

Have you thought about trying pilates, its brilliant for joint and muscle pain. I have arthritis in my hip and get sciatica, it helps so much and also helps my AF.

[Eddie49 in reply to Vrouse]

Thank you. That is certainly worth considering.

[john-boy-92]

I've had two for muscular pain. The first one was like a hammer drill to look at and in action. I haven't found them that effective for stiffness after 5 - 10km on a rowing machine. They can't be used over joints, neck, and I think the spine. If more than the usual exercise stiffness, I use a TENS unit.

[Eddie49 in reply to john-boy-92]

Thanks.

[Jajarunner]

Sounds an excellent idea. I'm a sports massage therapist and use mine often xx

[Eddie49 in reply to Jajarunner]

Thank you.

[Eastwick]

tens machines are really good but can’t be used be anyone with a pacemaker

[Eddie49 in reply to Eastwick]

Thanks.