Suitable products and services for massage devices
For healthy adults, massage devices are safe when used as intended. Documented incidents exist, but they are very rare, and almost all follow the same pattern: the device was used on the front of the neck, directly on the spine, or in the same spot for hours. This article explains what is actually described in the scientific literature, the resulting guidelines, and when you should consult a doctor beforehand.
The one rule
Massage devices belong on muscles, not on blood vessels, nerves, bones or joints. This sounds trivial, yet it covers almost every documented case. Wherever you can clearly feel the muscle under the skin when you tense it, a device can be used. The front of the neck, the carotid artery, the spine itself, the shin, knee, and elbow are off-limits.
What is described in the specialist literature
Three points, all published as individual case reports. An individual case report means: it happened and was documented; it says nothing about the frequency.
- Massage gun on the neck. A 27-year-old woman experienced a vertebral artery dissection, i.e., a tear in the vessel wall, after repeated use of a massage gun on her neck. Symptoms included headache, neck pain, and dizziness.
- Neck massager with electrical impulses. A stroke caused by a thrombus in the carotid artery was described after one month of using an electric neck massager. The authors attributed it to irritation of the inner vessel wall at the point where the device was positioned.
- Self-massage by hand. Even without the device, a dissection of the internal carotid artery following vigorous self-massage of the neck with the fingers has been described. This proves that the problem lies not with the device, but with the location of the injury.
All three affect the same area: the neck, where the large blood vessels run close to the surface of the skin. None of them affect the thighs, calves, buttocks, or lower back.
What this means for the individual devices
- Massage gun. The most powerful machine in the group, and therefore the one with the clearest limitations. Place it on large muscle groups, sit lightly, and keep moving. Avoid the front of the neck, the spine, and bones. Find out here if it's right for you: Is a massage gun useful?You can find the models at the Massage guns.
- Neck massager and Shiatsu cushion. They work much more gently than a pistol. Positioning is important: The device should be applied to the muscles on the sides and back of the neck, not in front. Use it for short periods instead of running it for an hour.
- Foot massage devices with EMS. EMS works with electrical impulses. Manufacturers prohibit its use with pacemakers and other implanted electronic devices, as well as during pregnancy. This is stated in every instruction manual and is not just a precautionary statement.
- Massage chair. The rollers run along a track on the back and, due to their design, do not reach the front of the neck. The usual contraindications include recent injuries, osteoporosis, thrombosis, and pregnancy.
When you should get medical help beforehand
Not because a device is dangerous, but because the body reacts differently in these cases:
- Pacemakers, defibrillators or other implants, especially when using EMS devices
- Pregnancy
- Thrombosis or suspected thrombosis, including past thrombosis
- Osteoporosis and other bone density disorders
- Blood-thinning medications
- recent surgeries, open wounds, acute inflammation
- Varicose veins and diabetic nerve damage in the treated area
Important safety notice: Not suitable for use by people with pacemakers.
Suitable products and services for massage devices
We have a separate article about pacemakers: Massage and massage chairs with pacemaker.
Which is not a warning sign
Mild muscle soreness the day after is normal, especially after the first use. Fatigue immediately afterward is also common. However, anything new and one-sided is a warning sign: sudden severe headache or neck pain, dizziness, visual disturbances, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg. In such cases, consult a doctor immediately and mention the device.
Briefly summarized
- When used as intended, massage devices are safe for healthy adults.
- The documented incidents almost exclusively involve the front of the neck.
- Muscles yes, blood vessels and bones no. This rule covers almost everything.
- EMS devices are contraindicated for people with pacemakers.
- New, one-sided symptoms after use should be investigated by a doctor.
Sources
- Chandra R. et al.: Vertebral Artery Dissection After Use of Handheld Massage Gun. Case report, PubMed Central PMC9197740.
- Intracranial large artery embolism due to carotid thrombosis caused by a neck massager. World Journal of Clinical Cases 2023, Volume 11, Issue 11.
- Extracranial Internal Carotid Arterial Dissection With Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy Caused by Cervical Self-Massage. Case report, PubMed Central PMC10585418.
This article is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have any complaints or pre-existing conditions, please consult your doctor.
Suitable products and services for massage devices
By the NAIPO editorial team Massage and product experts from Hamburg
Product experts, service technicians and massage enthusiasts from Alsterwell GmbH — specializing in massage technology for over a decade, with its own workshop and showrooms for test sitting.
Reviewed by David Eberst, co-founder of NAIPO
Leave a comment
This website is protected by hCaptcha and the Terms & Conditions and privacy policy. by hCaptcha.