When Was the First Massage Gun Invented and was it worth it?

Massage guns have become very popular in the last decade or so. At first, you saw them in various rehabilitation clinics. Then, they gained popularity with athletes. Now, they have become a popular household item. If you don't own one yourself, it's likely that you know at least one person who does. So, how did all this start? When was the first massage gun invented?

Invention of the massage gun

The first massage gun was invented in 2007 by Dr. Jason Werseland, a chiropractor who suffered a herniated disc in a motorcycle accident. He had tried different therapies to help with the pain, but nothing seemed to work. That's when he took matters into his own hands and became the inventor of the handheld percussion massager. After all, necessity is the mother of invention.

Although massage guns are relatively new, the technology behind them actually dates back to the 1950s. Robert Fulford came up with the concept of what was called the percussion vibrator. It was a small, hammer-like device that created vibrations. Fulford was an osteopathic physician who used this percussion vibrator to treat pain. He believed it helped alter energy, which ultimately led to healing. Nevertheless, the original idea was meant to be something used by physicians and therapists. It wasn't until the 2010s that it became a tool the average person could use.

The need for massage gun research

Although the original idea had to do with pain relief, there are now many uses for massage guns. Some of these uses have been shown by research to improve range of motion and aid in recovery. While others seem to be just claims. The idea that a massage gun can help with athletic performance is somewhat questionable. There hasn't been enough research to confirm such a claim. The few published studies seem to suggest it has no effect. However, there is also evidence to show that it can help improve range of motion.

Massage guns can reduce injuries

Why would anyone want better range of motion? Well, it's not necessarily going to improve performance. However, it does have a great impact on injury prevention. Many injuries take place when a joint reaches the limit of its range of motion. An increase in range of motion can extend that limit, making it less likely to get injured.

So, was it worth it?  The invention of the massage gun that is. We certainly believe so!