If you spend the majority of your day hunched over a desk, staring at a computer screen, or slinging drinks behind a bar, your neck probably isn’t feeling too great. Fortunately, you don’t need to book an appointment with an expensive chiropractor to ease the strain on your neck.
A massage gun is affordable and portable enough that you can treat yourself whenever you need it. To use a massage gun effectively, you must learn how to use one correctly. And while this tutorial focuses on using a massage gun on the neck, these techniques also work on other tense muscles such as your upper back or shoulders. You can even use this device on your own feet if they’re feeling sore after a long day of standing and walking!
So, read on to find out how to use a massage gun on the neck for a soothing massage.
Getting Started
The two most straightforward and obvious neck muscles are the sternocleidomastoid and the trapezius. The sternocleidomastoid muscle rotates the head. The trapezius muscle, on the other hand, works with adjacent muscles in raising the head and shoulders. An overworked muscles become inflamed, leading to a dull, tight, and painful ache. These muscles, in some instances, can even cause headaches arising from the base of the skull.
When using a massage gun to ease pain on the neck, be careful before applying the device directly onto the neck. Not all massage guns can be used right on the neck. Improper use can result in a tear in the arteries and impede blood flow to the brain. If the one you have suggests not to use it on the neck, simply use it on your shoulders and the trapezius muscles.
4 Steps to Massage Your Neck with a Massage Gun
Step 1: Prep Your Massage Gun
If you don’t clean your massage gun properly, you’re likely to introduce bacteria into your skin and increase the likelihood of developing an infection. Cleaning your massage gun after each use will help prevent this from happening.
First, wipe down the head of the massage gun with a clean towel to remove any excess lotion. Next, drop the massage gun head-down into a bowl of rubbing alcohol. Let it sit there for a few minutes to fully disinfect it. After that, wipe it down with a clean towel to remove any excess alcohol.
If you use your massage gun frequently, consider cleaning it every few weeks. Use it only occasionally? Then clean it every few months is sufficient. In addition to cleaning the massage head, you should also clean the massage gun body after each use to prevent the build-up of dirt and grime. Use a damp, soapy cloth to clean the body of the massage gun.
Step 2: Dampen Your Skin and Hair
Before you start using the massage gun, dampen the skin below your neck and the hair around your face with water. Doing so will create more friction between your skin and the massage gun. This will help prevent your skin from becoming irritated. Although massage oils help create more friction, they also trap your skin below the massage gun and make it more difficult to move the device. Avoid this by dampening your skin instead of applying a massage oil. If you have long hair, tie it back before using a massage gun on your neck. Otherwise, the hair will catch on the massage head and make it more difficult to move the device around your neck.
Step 3: Use Shorter Strokes on Tense Areas
If you have particularly tense muscles, such as your shoulders or neck, use shorter strokes. These shorter strokes will, in turn, cause more friction and increase the amount of pressure you’re putting on those areas. This will help release the tension in those muscles and ease your pain. There are two ways you can do this. The first is to use shorter strokes while moving the massage gun in the same direction as your muscles.
Let’s say, you’re focusing on your neck, that means using shorter strokes while moving your massage gun up and down your spine. The second way is to switch directions after a few shorter strokes. Switching directions after a few strokes will result in shorter strokes and will cause more friction on your muscles.
Step 4: Use Longer Strokes on Relaxed Areas
If you’re focusing on an area of your body that is already relaxed, such as your legs or arms, use longer strokes. This will result in less friction and less pressure. Longer strokes will also make you less likely to apply too much pressure and cause discomfort in areas of your body that aren’t tense.
There are two ways to do this. The first is to use longer strokes while moving the massage gun in the same direction as the muscle. For example, if you’re focusing on your forearm, use longer strokes while moving the massage gun down your forearm. The other way is to switch directions after a few longer strokes. For example, if you’re focusing on your forearm, start by moving your massage gun down your forearm. After a few strokes, switch directions and move your massage gun back up your forearm. Switching directions after a few strokes will result in longer strokes and will make the massage less intense.
Conclusion
There’s no better feeling than that of your muscles releasing the moment when you’ve put in the hard work to achieve them. If you follow these instructions, you’ll no doubt achieve that feeling soon enough.
Remember to breathe throughout the entire process, and you’ll be relaxing in no time. And if you want to go the extra mile, you can even add some soothing music or candles to enhance the experience even further. Now all that’s left is to put these techniques into practice.
Looking for a massage gun? Don’t hesitate to try the Massforce Massgun. You’ll be surprised to learn how it can greatly improve your life!
