Readers Digest UK - December 2021

What are they?

Originally beloved by athletes,

massage guns are gaining popularity

as a stress or pain-relieving tool. A

quick and convenient alternative to

a traditional deep-tissue massage,

many offer detachable heads to target

calves, ankles or the tops of shoulders,

available in a range of sizes and speeds.

What are the supposed benefits?

If you often find yourself aching

after the gym or a long day of work,

a massage gun may well be your

new best friend. Sending pulses at

a steady frequency that is difficult

to achieve manually, they allow you to

target a specific area of tightness,

loosening lactic acid buildup muscle

and allowing for greater mobility and

muscle flexibility. Even if you’re not so

physically active, a couple of minutes

of regular massaging can do wonders

for your complexion.

Through vibration frequency, the

movement of a massage gun will

encourage blood and lymphatic

circulation, giving a new vibrancy and

comfort to skin as toxins drain out and

oxygen flows through. If you’ve been

feeling sluggish or struggling to

Jenessa Williams investigates

the beauty and wellbeing benefits

of handheld massage guns

Much Kneaded

FASHION & BEAUTY

112 • DECEMBER 2021

unwind, massage guns are

also thought to be a useful

tool in the rehabilitation of depression,

anxiety, digestive disorders and stress-

related insomnia.

Do they actually work?

Once you get used to the quiet

humming noise, the swift, targeted

relief a gun can offer more than

justifies the initial spend. Leading the

market is the Lola, a lightweight

handheld gun in a sleek matte finish

with four speeds that tucks easily into

the pocket of an overnight bag. The

key is to operate within your own

comfort—be sure to fit the adjustable

heads firmly and work through the

speed functions slowly, building up to

higher pressures only if necessary.

While concerns about suitability for

specific conditions or injuries should

always be discussed with a doctor, the

massage gun is certainly proof that

both internal and external beauty can

be achieved by listening that little bit

closer to our bodies. Q