First, identify the specific muscle area you want to target. Turn the Massage Gun on, and move it slowly and gently across the area in back-and-forth motions, applying more pressure as needed.

Davé says that anywhere between 6 to 10 minutes is usually enough. [In general, start low and go slow," he adds. [Listen to your body, and stop immediately if you feel any pain." Overstimulating the muscle can cause damage, bruising, and in severe cases, rhabdomyolysis (the acute breakdown of muscle tissue).

Always do your best to vibrate the massager only over muscles. Avoid joints and bones, especially if you have any type of arthritis. It`s never a good idea to use a Massage gun directly over any part of the spine, Fredericson adds, including the neck. If that area is sore, Gangstad recommends using the gun on the upper trapezius, the big chunk of muscle above the shoulders.

People with chronic pain also need to be extra careful with percussive massage. Fredericson says deep pressure could cause pain to flare, especially in those with fibromyalgia. And if a muscle is particularly sore, whether from a workout or stress-related tension, don`t overdo the pressure. [That muscle will only tense up more if it`s in a lot of pain," Gangstad says.

Certain medical conditions may also make

Muscle Massage Gun

unsafe to use in particular areas. For example, Sherry says people with low bone density should proceed with caution. Davé adds that it`s crucial to avoid using a massage gun near surgical wounds, in areas with deep-vein thrombosis (often indicated by swelling, pain, and warmth), or near a pacemaker or any other type of implanted hardware. Pregnant people should also avoid using massage guns, Davé advises. And they should never be used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, stress fractures, or acute inflammation.