massage gun

[Tomred]

Hi all, im just thinking out loud here, not recommending anything and not looking anyone to recommend anything about this unless you have first hand experience, i have a friend into sports and uses a massage gun , often, for tight muscles or soreness , it made me think , hey , what if i used one of these on my heart area during afib , would it be possible it could induce nsr , IM ONLY THINKING OUT LOUD, anyone care to think out loud with me ......

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Tom

I've no idea about what you have asked as I don't have a massage machine, lets hope someone can enlighten us.

What I have thought about though is whether the slight jolt to our body as our feet rhythmically hit the ground, when we walk anywhere, could put us back into normal sinus rhythm?

I wonder if anyone has any more ideas on this subject. A nurse who used to live a few doors down the road from me, said that she would get palpitations and stopped them by bending down. An AF sufferer I used to know had a serious stroke when she dropped tea on her bedroom floor and bent down, while still in bed, to wipe it up. So the bending bit when in AF has never appealed to me.

It's an interesting subject and hope you get lots of replies.

Jean

[Tomred in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean, looking forward to replies.

[Rosemaryb1349 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I once went back into NSR while limping heavily down a staircase and landing with a thud on my good leg each time, I've also achieved NSR when bending down to stroke a cat for 30 seconds or so. Possibly coincidences, I can't comment about massage gun except to say people with pacemakers need to be wary.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Jean, I too feel odd sometimes when I do a complete bend-over. I find stooping doesn't have that effect. I do a lot of gardening so I use a foam kneeler for lots of chores instead of bending. As far as stopping an a-fib episode, a couple times early on in my a-fib journey, when taking a shower, I would direct hot water on my chest which would end the episode.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Snowgirl65]

A shower has put me back into normal rhythm too. I thought perhaps it was through bending down to wash my feet, who knows?

[mjames1]

Interesting. Doubt if it would work, but who knows with a fib I'm surprised they're hasn't been more investigation into conversion techniques other than cardioversion and medications.

Jim

[Tomred in reply to mjames1]

Thats what made me think ,if the heart can undergo a blast of cardioversion [under controlled conditions] maybe it could be a useful tool.

[Tomred in reply to mjames1]

Also Jim , before i had cardioversion the dr tried with massage of carotid artery, its really the massaging action im thinking may benefit

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Tomred]

Hi

Stroke with rapid and persistent AF, 4 days later had a carotid scan - quite a lot of deep massage involved but it didn't change.

With both carotid clear BUT in checking my thyroid - "oh you have a shadow on your right lobe!".

She got her boss and on the next working day I was rung to OK a biopsy of it.

Yes 19mm carcinoma on the edge of the right lobe.

4 mths with an Endocrinologist to wait 6 months, but the Surgeon and Anaesthetist won. Underwent total thyroidectomy and removal 12 right lymphs where 2 were infected. Coming up to my 4th neck scan. All previous clear.

One would think no more cancer and heart to revert to normal but now too much damage due to being left uncontrolled AF with rapid h/rate.

I wish a massage would fix it.

Perhaps Santa can oblige under "what do you want for Christmas!"

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[Finvola]

Not sure what sort of massage gun you refer to.

If it is one which simply vibrates, then maybe it would be safe but if it produces a low voltage current such as a TENS machine or an ultrasound then definitely a no-no near the heart.

[Tomred in reply to Finvola]

Yes a vibrating gun, a sports gun massager.

[Chinkoflight]

My wife has one recommended by physio for peripheral neuropathy and muscular issues I have used it.I would say No, don't try it. They are for soft tissue , muscle use. Yes your heart is a muscle but it's very specialised. The gun is quite intense, deceptively so, and even on buttocks , thighs etc the absolute limit of use is recommended at no more than 10 minutes total. It will bruise on sustained use and this will be un seen and internal. If you're on DOAC'S etc I think another reason to think twice. Finally I think just as you wouldn't dream of using one on your head for a headache, you don't use it on something that is already beating in a rhythm and being in or out of sync. NO.

[Rainfern]

The first cardioversion is said to have been carried out by a French physician, Abilgard in 1775. He applied an electrical shock to a chicken that died in the first instance but with a second shock came to life and ran into the forest. While this may be an apocryphal story, might I suggest that you first try your massage gun on a chicken, then at least if the poor bird dies you’ll be alive to tell the tale and being Christmas the bird will not be wasted.

[Tomred in reply to Rainfern]

hahahaha lol

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Rainfern]

Hi Rainfern

So humerous!

And it won't be a loss as you can have the chicken for Christmas DINNER.

cheri jOY

[wilsond in reply to Rainfern]

Lol

[carer999 in reply to Rainfern]

Wonderful. I laughed out loud. I needed cheering up as not feeling great today.

[Myya in reply to Rainfern]

Love that story, good advice, I would say!

[BobD Volunteer]

We have such a device at home here which is great for sorting our cramped muscles and such. It has a number of different shaped "anvils" . My wife uses it more than I do.

Regarding your idea I don't think it would work as you don't actually know where to put it. When I had Bowen treatment to calm the vagus nerve the manipulation was miles from the heart, nowhere near you would expect.

[Lenaropes in reply to BobD]

I am now intrigued on calming the vagus nerve. In all of this our cardiologist said theragun would not be contraindicated but not around heart or for AFib. I often wondered if a anti anxiety pill during AFib would help. Like Xanax sublingual for quick absorbtion. But now tell me about vagus nerve treatment.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Lenaropes]

google explains the vagus nerve and all it's tricks I'm sure. Think of it as a neural super-highway

[Tomred in reply to BobD]

thanks Bob

[Lenaropes in reply to BobD]

Thank you.

[Tarikor in reply to Lenaropes]

stay as far away from antidepressants as you possibly can.... if you want to read up on the shit that does to the human mind, nervous system and body in general, read the thousands of comments on this website: survivingantidepressants.org

[Lenaropes in reply to Tarikor]

Thank you

[waveylines]

Oh crikey..... I'm not volunteering!😂 Don't doctors use two paddles in heart surgery to restart hearts?😷 Your version sounds gruesome. 🤣 Bit like the polices Tazer gun! 😅I do find sudden deep coughing can jig things back into place.... Well stop Tachy.

Get the thinking though as the heart is a muscle after all......

[secondtry in reply to waveylines]

I was surprised some years ago to learn that a cough causes an electrical impulse. Maybe that's why doctors ask you to cough when using their stethoscope.

[waveylines in reply to secondtry]

I always thought when they asked you to cough they were checking for crackles in your lungs.... Never thought of heart.... interesting

[Windlepoons]

I have one for knots in my shoulders, but it's a fierce little machine. I would be a bit wary of using it in the heart area. Wouldn't the ribs get in the way anyway?

[ibuputih]

Eeeek! I have a Theragun and just the thought of what you say is scary. These percussive massage devices are super powerful.

You are not supposed to use on abdomen, groin, spine, chest, breast, ribs, head, front and sides of throat or bony protuberances. They are for soft tissue and muscles - if you hit a bone when using it is ****!!?? painful.

I read that used near the ear they can burst an eardrum and their power is such that they can dissect the carotid artery if used on the throat.

I only use mine for lower back and Achilles.

[Tomred in reply to ibuputih]

Are there low settings for gentle massage.

[ibuputih in reply to Tomred]

Nope - only one setting. I actually have the Theragun Mini and it’s very powerful and percussive. The only way to ‘limit’ the force (as far as I can see) is to get a ‘soft head’. These appear to be foam covered rather than hard.

Having developed arthritis around my carpal joint recently, I have asked Santa to put the soft attachment in my stocking. I have used the gun there (thumb and wrist - not stocking !!) but it’s not a very pleasant experience as it’s such a bony area without much flesh. I’ll let you know if the foam head is gentler.

Despite everything it is a really good bit of kit. I have been known to take it on holiday. Due to its gun shape it sometimes holds up proceedings when having baggage x rayed pre flight. However as my knee replacement never fails to set off all the security bells and whistles - I hold everything up anyway 🤣

[Geoffa1]

I tried sticking my finger in a 240V power socket.To no avail as the safety kept tripping!

[Rainfern in reply to Geoffa1]

🤔

[Tomred in reply to Geoffa1]

Hahahaha lol, and you lived to tell the tale.

[Lenaropes in reply to Geoffa1]

Electric dog collar doesn't work either. 😀😀

[Tomred in reply to Lenaropes]

lol

[2learn]

Hi, if you have a pacemaker all massage equipment anywhere near the heart is a risk.

[LadyZ13]

Ha! I have a massage gun, love it on the legs, shoulders etc. Have been fairly gentle around the pecs since the OHS but getting stronger. I'm sure your musings are a joke but just in case anyone's getting ideas.... Nope!

[Tomred in reply to LadyZ13]

Hi ladyz, my musings arent a joke at all, im not talking about a super powerful thumping machine, gentle massage.