Where should I not use a massage gun?
Keep it on muscle. Avoid bony areas such as the spine itself, shoulder blades, knees, elbows, shins, hips and ankles, because bone takes percussion badly. Avoid the front and sides of the neck entirely, since the carotid arteries run there and percussion over them is a genuine hazard rather than a comfort issue. Work the back of the neck and the shoulders instead, gently and briefly.
Who should speak to a doctor before using one?
Anyone who is pregnant, has a pacemaker or another implanted device, has a clotting disorder or is taking blood thinners, has deep vein thrombosis or osteoporosis, or is managing nerve damage from diabetes. Ask before starting rather than after. It should also not be used over a fresh injury, a bruise, a recent strain, an open wound, a skin infection, varicose veins or any area that is swollen or inflamed, because increasing blood flow into a fresh injury is the opposite of what it needs.
How long should each session be?
Short. A brief, unhurried pass over each muscle group is the normal guidance, and longer is not better. Glide the head slowly over the muscle rather than pressing hard and holding it in one spot, which mostly bruises. For a stubborn ache, several short sessions over a few days do more than one long one.
Will the battery really last six hours?
Six hours is a best case at low speed, which is why TOLOCO qualifies it as depending on the speed selected. Sustained use at the highest setting will not come close, and that is the likely source of the mixed verdicts on battery life. Because sessions are short, a charge still goes a long way, and the LED screen shows how much is left. Over the long term the battery is the part most likely to fade, so expect it to need charging more often after extended use.
Which of the ten heads will I actually use?
Probably a handful. The large round head handles general work on big muscle groups, the flat head gives broad even pressure, and the forked head straddles either side of the spine or the Achilles without striking bone. The pointed head concentrates pressure on knots and is the one to use most cautiously and briefly. The firmer heads can reach deeper than the soft ones, which gives you another way to adjust intensity.
Can I use it at the gym or by a pool?
At the gym yes, by a pool no. TOLOCO rates it as not water resistant, so wipe it down after a sweaty session rather than rinsing anything, and keep it away from poolside splashes. Charging is over the included USB cable, but the plug is not supplied, so you will need an existing USB adapter.
