This Multiuse Massage Gun Relieves Pain and Stress — and It's on Sale

While you've probably used a massage gun once or twice before (even if you don't own a personal device), Therabody has completely changed the wellness space with its Theragun Sense ($239, originally $299). What makes the Sense so unique is that it has an LCD screen that walks you though built-in guided massage routines and meditative breathwork sessions to relieve pain and minimize stress.

After I ran the NYC Marathon, I was left with lower back pain due to bulging discs. I knew I needed a remedy beyond physical therapy — something I could use while watching TV and hanging on the couch, that would help alleviate my aches. As soon as I downloaded the Theragun Sense's accompanying app and experienced the accessibility of the step-by-step routines — along with the ergonomic shape of the device that allowed me to easily reach all parts of my body — I knew I'd found a solution to help me move and sleep better.

Since running is basically my number one form of therapy, I suffer from increased anxiety and stress when I'm injured and can't get in my weekly fix. The Theragun Sense's breathing and relaxation program helped with my mental health as well as my physical wellbeing, thereby proving exactly what makes this product stand out when it comes to comparing the different electric massagers on the market: it offers more than just physical vibrations.

Ahead, read my in-depth review of the Theragun Sense percussion massage gun, and discover how to use it.

What makes the Therabody Theragun Sense different from all other massage guns on the market is the ability to practice breathwork through guided sessions on the app. The Sense uses vibration cues to guide you through the breathwork sessions, and will show your minimum heart rate post-session to show you how much you relaxed. The breathwork is particularly great for those of us who easily get distracted while meditating. It removes the stress of having to close your eyes and block out the rest of the world, which, personally, put me more at ease.

Of course, the fact that you can navigate through different massage routines on the smart app and filter by body part, benefit, and time is also a huge benefit, as this capability forces you to listen to your body in order to determine what mode of recovery you really need on any given day. There are massages catered to people who weightlift, run, do yoga, or practice water sports, and you can even get personalized routine recommendations if you connect your other activity monitors to the app.

The most important note to remember when using the Therabody Theragun Sense is that you should not be applying pressure. Simply roll the tip of the gun over the area you wish to target and feel free to hold it in place if you find a spot of discomfort that needs relief. (It may also be worth reviewing some standard massage gun safety tips that apply to a range of devices.)

I found using the Theragun Sense to be relatively straightforward. All it takes is a long hold on the center button to turn on and light up the LCD screen. You can then quick start or navigate through the menu to select one of the five preset treatment routines directly on the device. When you turn the device on, it will also connect to the accompanying app via bluetooth, and if you prefer you can select a routine from your smartphone instead.

The biometric sensor is located at the inner-neck of the device, and there are certain routines that invite you to utilize the tool by covering it completely with your pointer finger throughout your chosen session. No matter what activity you're trying, you can toggle between the five different speeds by pressing the up and down buttons on the center pad to increase or decrease the intensity.

The attachments should only be swapped when the device is powered off, which you can do by holding down the same center button for a few seconds. Simply hold the triangle grip with one hand and firmly pull off the attachment with your other hand (don't worry, you won't break it!). To affix a new attachment, align it with the tip of the arm and push in just as firmly.

The Therabody Theragun Sense will not completely relieve you of pain and/or stress. You should consult your doctor to decide what additional practices may be right for you, including physical therapy if you're experiencing an injury or psychiatric treatments for mental health. Note that if you purchase your Theragun directly from Therabody, a one-year warranty is included just in case of malfunction. There are other Theragun devices — including the Theragun Relief, Theragun Elite, Theragun Prime, Theragun Mini, and Theragun Pro Plus — that offer different levels of intensity and cater to alternative purposes, so be sure to read about them to decide which one is right for you. Finally, it's important to note that some customers did have trouble with the battery life on the device, either claiming that it took too long to charge or the run time deteriorated with use. For this reason, some shoppers question the value of the purchase and wish there was a way to charge and use the device at the same time.

The Therabody Theragun Sense is available at Therabody, Amazon, Target, Revolve, Backcountry, Neiman Marcus, Goop, Bloomingdale's, Dermstore, and Best Buy.

Rating:
★★★★★

Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of commerce at POPSUGAR. With plenty of experience in the shopping market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at POPSUGAR, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.