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Pain Management

12 Best Massage Guns for Easing Back Pain at Home

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Are you one of the millions of people suffering from sore, knotted muscles that keep you from doing everything you want to do? Then one of the best massage guns for back pain could be exactly what you need. Why do massage therapy guns suddenly seem to be everywhere? One reason for their rise in popularity may be that during the pandemic, heading to the physical therapist’s office for a massage wasn’t an option for many people. During that time, they discovered that these at-home massage tools, which are a favorite of physical therapists, work just as well at home.

While the best massage guns for back pain do require an initial investment, ranging in price from just under $100 to well over $500, when you look at the cost of professional massages, they actually save you money over time. If the cost of physical therapy and professional massages are prohibitive for you, a massage therapy gun is one of the most affordable ways to relieve back pain — and you don’t even have to leave your house to get relief.

Deals on Best Massage Guns For Back Pain:

What are the best massage guns for back pain?

Is a massage gun worth it?

If you’re wondering, “Do massage guns help back pain?” the answer is yes, they definitely do! We spoke to Molly Palmer, a former ballet dancer who suffers from chronic back pain, and she said: “The first time I tried a massage gun, it was the best thing I ever felt in my life.” That might be why massage therapy guns are suddenly the hot “must-have” item flying off shelves (both virtual and in-store).

What exactly is a therapy massage gun? These tools, once used primarily by runners and other serious athletes, are designed to decrease muscle soreness and improve your overall range of motion.

Massage therapy guns use use vibration, also called “percussive therapy,” to simulate the moves a masseuse would make with their hands, targeting specific areas (such as your back) and providing quick bursts of pressure that penetrate deep into your muscle tissue. The best massage guns for back pain also increase blood flow to sore spots, helping to reduce inflammation and break up stubborn knots.

How do I choose a massage gun?

Do you have multiple aches and pains throughout your body that could benefit from a soothing massage? The best massage guns for neck and shoulder pain do the same thing as the best massage guns for back pain, and all of the products in this round-up also work well on all major muscle groups.

So, how do you know which one is right for you? We’ve rounded up 12 of the best massage guns for back pain, with choices for every budget — many of which cost less than just one professional massage.

Keep scrolling to shop our picks — or keep reading for answers to some of the most common questions about massage guns.

What is the best massage gun to buy?

There are many types of massage guns for back pain, and the best one for you will depend on what exactly you’re looking for, as well as how much you want to spend.

Some of the best massage guns for back pain are quiet (like the Therabody Theragun Elite), while some are louder (the TimTam Power Massager gets great reviews but is far from silent). If you’re sensitive to noise, that might be a factor for you. Travel frequently and need a portable massage gun that packs easily? The Ekrin B37 is a great choice — and Woman’s World readers get an exclusive 20 percent discount when they use the code use the code “womansworld20” at checkout!

If you’re on a tight budget, an affordable massage gun like the Medcursor Handheld Percussion Massage Gun might work for you, while the Therabody Theragun PRO is a splurge you won’t regret, if you have the cash. No matter your budget, there is a massage therapy gun that will work for you!

The best way to know whether a massage gun will be worth it for you is to read reviews — and check the return policy. Many companies offer money-back guarantees, so if you don’t love it, you have nothing to lose.

Are cheap massage guns any good?

Some of the best massage guns for back pain are perfectly priced for people watching their pennies. That said, if you want a massage therapy gun that will last for a long time and give you the most bang for your buck, you may want to consider investing in a more expensive model. One way to think about it is to consider how much you would spend on a professional massage, and how many times a year you would get one if you could. Do the math, then compare that with the cost the best massage therapy gun for back pain.

If you’re unsure whether to fork over the cost of a premium massage gun for back pain, you can start with a more affordable model. You can always upgrade later if you get hooked!

What is the best massage gun on Amazon?

If you’ve been investigating massage therapy gun options at all, you’ve probably seen the brand names Hypervolt, Theragun (now called Therabody), TimTam, and Vybe. However, there are plenty of massage guns available on Amazon with five-star reviews and happy customers, including the Mebak Massage Gun.

No matter which massage therapy gun you choose, relief from back pain will soon be on the way! Keep scrolling to shop our picks for the best massage guns for back pain.

What is the best massage gun for back pain in 2021?

Ekrin B37 Percussion Massager

Best overall massage gun for back pain
best massage gun for back pain
Ekrin Athletics
20% off with code!

Buy from Ekrin Athletics, $229.99

Use code “womansworld20” for an exclusive 20 percent discount!

Why we like it:

  • Quiet
  • Long battery life
  • Easy to use

This is the only massage gun on this list that I can speak about from experience, as it’s the one I actually have at home. However, I can say that I love it! I was a little worried I wouldn’t know how to use a massage therapy gun (also known as a percussion massager), but the Ekrin B37 is super easy to set up and intuitive to use. It truly is ultra quiet, like they say, and the ergonomic design makes it easy to hold and operate. With five different attachments and speeds, you can massage your back, hips, thighs, calves, shoulders, and anything else that’s hurting. The relief is immediate — it really does feel amazing. It comes with a zippered travel case so it’s easy to take with you anywhere you need it, and the sleek design is even pretty cute! Plus, a 30-day money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty help assure that you’ll be satisfied with your purchase.

Happy customer: “Love this massage gun! This is my first time using percussion therapy, and I’m a huge fan. I use it during Zoom meetings, while watching TV, and in the truck before/after hikes and bike rides, and it’s worked fantastically. I am chronically tight, but this has definitely help alleviate tension surrounding my activities and also when just relaxing at the end of the day. Huge fan!”

Vybe Pro Muscle Massager

Best lightweight massage gun for back pain
Best Massage Guns For Back Pain
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, $69.95

Why we like it:

  • Great price!
  • 9 speeds
  • Compact

If you train, and then go directly to work, you’ll love this massager. The Vybe Pro Muscle Massager is small enough to carry in your gym bag or tote. More importantly, it does serious heavy lifting in working sore muscles. It can apply up to 33 pounds of pressure to knots and kinks, and offers nine different levels of intensity. Eight interchanging heads can be swapped out depending on what body part you’re targeting, and the run time is four hours. I don’t know a single masseuse that can compete with that!

Medcursor Handheld Percussion Massage Gun

Best affordable massage therapy gun
Amazon
60% off!

Buy from Amazon, $79.99 – 30% off using promo code BLDYQNSO

Why we like it:

  • Comes in a convenient carrying case
  • Long battery life
  • Affordable

Give yourself a deep tissue massage from the comfort of your own home. This cordless rechargeable gun aims to provide you with a massage just as good as one you would receive from a masseuse or chiropractor. With up to 12 hours of battery life (depending on the speed and vibration intensity you use), you’ll get plenty of relief without having to plug in — and at a price that’s a fraction of some top-of-the-line massage therapy guns.

Happy customer: “I have been impressed with this massage gun since I opened it up. The entire package comes in a nice little carry case, with attachments well organized. It is charged and ready to go. The first time I turned it on I was surprised with how much power and force it actually produces! It has a number of attachments to fine tune to your liking and work on problem areas. The massage gun is easy to hold and I was able to reach problem areas on my left shoulder and neck without much trouble at all. You can definitely feel the deep muscle relief after only a few minutes of use. My family was also thoroughly impressed with how it worked and were waiting to take turns trying it out on Christmas day. Great purchase!”

Youdgee Muscle Massage Gun

Best massage gun for under $100
Amazon

Buy from Amazon, $39.99

Why we like it:

  • Six different speeds
  • Comes with massage heads for lower back, joints, thighs, and more
  • Lightweight and portable

Treat your back to a deep tissue massage whenever you need one with this portable massage therapy gun. Aches and pains are no match for six different speeds that you can adjust depending on where your target zones are. You can even change the head of the massager to work on different parts of the body, including the lower back, joints, palms, thighs, and more.

Happy customer: “This is a great massager, I love the simplicity of it. Just pick up and use when necessary, and it fits neatly back in the packaging for storage. It has six levels of intensity to choose from, and the battery level isn’t hard to decipher because it tells you what percent charge it’s currently at, at all times. This massager takes all the guesswork out of the equation. The price isn’t over-inflated like some, it’s a worthwhile purchase. It even comes with a pamphlet that gives direction and instructions on the different muscle groups and what tip and intensity to use to massage them properly and effectively, a nice addition!”

Flyby Deep Tissue Massage Gun

Best massage therapy gun for under $200
Amazon
46% off!

Buy from Amazon, $74.97 (was $139.97)

Why we like it:

  • Lightweight
  • Quiet
  • Easy to use

If you deal with chronic back pain, your body may thank you after using this massager! Weighing in at less than two pounds, the Flyby massage gun was made to be portable and light. It was also created with minimal noise, so you can clear your mind as your stress melts away.

Happy customer: “This massage gun was worth every penny! It’s extremely easy to use, customizable with different inserts, and very powerful for being a cordless unit. If you’re looking for an affordable, high-quality product to relieve muscle tension, aches and pains, this is a great one!”

The Manhattan Wellness Group Massage Gun

Best heated massage gun
Best Massage Guns For Shoulder and Neck Pain
Walmart

Buy from Walmart, $139.98

Why we like it:

  • Quiet
  • LED display
  • Adjustable heat

Applying heat to sore muscles is a great way to increase blood flow and speed up healing, so it makes sense to add heat to a massage therapy gun! This heat-infused pick from The Manhattan Wellness Group melts away soreness and with pressure and warmth, a comforting combination that makes your massage even better. The cordless design makes it easier to move from one muscle to the next, while its battery life can last up to 12 hours.

Happy customer: “This massage gun is terrific! the heat and cold feature is remarkable and really helps with sore muscles or strains. The different speeds and attachments are also great in getting you comfort with different areas of your muscles and body parts. There are a lot of massage guns on the market that one can choose from, and this one is certainly one I’d choose if I was an athlete, dancer, or someone who is very active and needs excellent recovery in a short period of time.”

Therabody Theragun Elite

Best quiet massage gun
theragun elite
Therabody

Buy from Therabody, $298 (was $399)

Why we like it:

  • Sound insulation technology keeps it quiet
  • Customizable speed options
  • More affordable option than the Theragun PRO

The Therabody Thergun Elite costs $200 less than the PRO — and while it’s easier on your wallet, it packs just as much pain-soothing power as the pricier model. Plus, this deep-muscle treatment was made with sound insulation technology, so you can enjoy a therapeutic massage without the loud noise of some therapy guns. The customizable speed options allow you to choose how intense you want your massage to be and results in hours of comfort.

Happy customer: “My chronic pain started with a shoulder injury. That pain is around 95 percent gone after the Theragun … [I tried] physical therapy, I tried the hot tub which got me by for years, I strengthened the muscles, tried acupuncture, massage therapy, then found yoga … the Theragun has changed everything. I would still have days where I would just lie on the floor in pain [because] standing and sitting aggravated my upper back. With the Theragun, I no longer have body tension and the very painful knots in the back are completely gone. Life-changing. So thankful for the creators of this product.”

LifePro Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun

Best massage gun for chronic pain
Amazon
44% off!

Buy from Amazon, $99.99 (was $179.99) – Save an additional $30 with coupon on Amazon!

Why we like it:

  • Comes with 5 different massage heads
  • Quiet and portable
  • Lifetime warranty

This whisper-quiet massage gun features five levels of vibration intensity. Simply adjust the settings to fit your needs, and place it on your targeted areas to feel your aches and pains drift away. If you deal with chronic back pain, this is also a great option to help provide some relief. Choose from one of the five different massage heads that it comes with, and wait as the knots in your muscles disappear. 

Happy customer: “I suffer from chronic back pain and have been searching for a massage gun that is strong enough to work my sore aching back muscles out. I think I have finally found just that. This gun is awesome and is powerful when you choose it to be. It has different levels so that you can decide how much pressure you want it to put out. Another great feature is that it comes with detachable heads allowing you to pinpoint exactly what you’re aiming to do whether it be massaging your spine, kneading a knot, deep tissue, or simply massaging your aching muscles. It comes with a cool case so it’s easy to store, and to keep everything together. It also comes with a detachable battery that you simply plug in to the wall. I am so happy I found this massage gun, however I cannot say the same for my husband because I make him use it on me daily now!”

Therabody Theragun PRO

Best professional-grade massage therapy gun
massage gun therapy
Theragun
$100 off!

Buy from Therabody, $399 (was $599)

Why we like it:

  • The one the pros use
  • Two-year warranty
  • Durable and powerful

The Therabody Theragun PRO is the one professional physical therapists most often turn to. It’s a top-of-the-line, go-to choice for back pain, or really any other type of ache, twinge, or muscle soreness you might have. If you have the budget and want to invest in a therapy gun that will ease your stress and tension as well as melt away back pain, you can’t do better than this.

Happy customer: “Absolutely love the Theragun. Recovering from back surgery this has been a game changer in getting my low back and glutes to release. As an athlete, I’m sure I will continue to use it for loosening up and stretching. As orthopedic surgeon, I will recommend to patients and have it in my own physical therapy clinics.”

Mebak Deep Tissue Percussion Muscle Massager

Top Amazon-rated massage therapy gun
best massage guns
Amazon
50% off!

Buy from Amazon, $99.99 (was $199.99)

Why we like it:

  • Has 7 different massage heads and 5 speeds
  • Comes with portable travel case
  • Over 8,000 5-star ratings on Amazon

For the days when your muscles are feeling tight, relieve the tension with this top-rated massage gun! Designed with an LCD display to adjust the speed and vibration levels, it also comes with a portable traveling case so you can take it with you anywhere you go.

Happy customer: “I love the LCD display on this massager. It’s really easy to read and understand. The cool slate gray color also adds appeal to the overall design. I like how there are different massage heads for different parts of the body. This product really helped with my muscle soreness after a long day’s work at the hospital. The battery life is superb, and I usually only charge it once every three times of usage. The travel case also comes in handy to take the massage gun and the massage heads wherever you go. I really enjoy using this product!”

Exerscribe Vybe Percussion Massage Gun

Best percussion massager gun
Amazon
15% off!

Buy from Amazon, $44.99 (was $52.98)

Why we like it:

  • Ergonomic design lets you reach difficult spots
  • Comes with 3 different heads and six speeds
  • Powerful (but not quiet!)

Don’t let sore muscles get in the way of enjoying your favorite activities. This cordless massager gun aims to smooth knots and provide you with 500 to 2400 strokes a minute, depending on the speed you use. The ergonomic design also makes it easier to get to those hard-to-reach spots.

Happy customer: “This massage gun does an incredible job. I use it when I’m sore a day or two after a workout, sometimes immediately after. After a few minutes of using it, all the soreness disappears. The noise isn’t as bad as other comments make it sound. Yes, compared to others it is louder, but not so loud that you can’t watch TV or hold a conversation while using it.”

Hyperice Hypervolt Bluetooth-Percussion Massage Device

Best bluetooth massage gun
hypervolt bluetooth massage gun
Hyperice

Buy from Hyperice, $199

Why we like it:

  • Bluetooth connectivity pairs with an app to adjust speed automatically
  • Four different head attachments and three speeds
  • “Quiet Glide” technology makes it one of the quietest guns on the market

Ease back pain and avoid straining your muscles further by providing them with a deep-tissue massage, courtesy of the Hypervolt massage gun. Whether you have aches and pains or tight muscles, this cordless massager will aim to work out any knots and tightness — and when you connect to to the HyperSmart app, it changes speeds automatically throughout your massage routine. The handheld design also helps you easily reach specific zones including your lower back, arms, feet, and thighs.

Happy customer: “My husband and I love this massage gun! We have used it several times to relieve sore muscles. It has a variety of different massage heads and different speeds, so we can change the type and intensity of massage. We can use it on each other, or for self-use — it’s effective either way. It’s very easy to use and comes in a convenient carrying case. It’s lightweight and holds a charge for a long time – in fact, I think we’ve only fully charged it once or twice since buying it, and we’ve used it several times. It’s quiet compared with other models, which was a factor I considered before my purchase.”

TimTam Power Massager

Best portable massage therapy gun
TimTam Power Massager
Amazon

Buy from Walmart, $499.99

Why we like it:

  • 90-degree articulating head gets to hard-to-reach spots
  • Comes with a carrying case and portable charger
  • Deep tissue massage relieves pain in as little as one minute

Wherever you are, you can quickly ease your back pain and go about your business. The TimTam Power Massager comes with a carrying case and portable charger, and claims to relieve soreness in just sixty seconds, thanks to its deep tissue massage settings. Trusted by professional athletes and physical therapists for years, the TimTam is right up there with the Theragun PRO in number of fans, but its lower price point makes it a little more budget-friendly. Fair warning: Reviewers say this is one of the louder massage guns out there.

Happy customer: “Love it! Yes, it is loud. I do not care. I have been in so much pain and unable to sleep because of it. I stretch, stretch, stretch all the time, but can never seem to totally get rid of the tension. This wonderful tool got rid of tension and knots and made my stretching productive. I had a wonderful night of sleep, too.”

More deals on the best massage guns for back pain >

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