I’ve spent my life at the gym. Even when I was working in retail, I always made time for the gym. If I went hard with my workout, muscle soreness could make the next day difficult.
What’s the solution? I hate ice baths (brr!), and who has the money for a professional massage.
I was lucky that a colleague recommended the best deep tissue massager and it wasn’t expensive either! In fact, for the price of one rub down at the spa, I was able to give myself the relief I deserved at home – that may have come out wrong.
Before the internet revolutionized shopping, I had to visit lots of stores to find my perfect massager. Today, it’s easy to show you my favorites!
Our in-depth guide to self massage tools goes into more detail about massage and the options available.
This article includes affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any of the products we have discussed in this article, we may receive a small commission.
The best deep tissue massager by quite a stretch is the Sonic FX Percussion Massage Gun but quality and features come at a price and that is around 5 or more times the cost of the cheaper deep tissue massagers at the time of… so the best of the rest are
- TYMO Percussion Massage
- RENPHO Hand Held Deep Tissue Massager
- VIKTOR JURGEN Handheld Back Massager
- Wahl Deep Tissue Massager
and reviews are further below.
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need a Deep Tissue Massager?
After we workout, most people experience DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). This is because the fibers in the muscles are disturbed and become inflamed. Once the fiber is broken down due to physical activity, it begins to repair itself. The muscles become stronger and more resilient than before!
For those of us who have reached a ‘certain age,’ this is good news. There’s research that suggests that a solid regime of resistance or strength training can help prevent muscle loss and tissue breakdown. Caring for your body is important, and keeping the connective tissue healthy is one of the best ways to avoid injury.
When your body starts repairing the muscles you used in your workout, you might feel that Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. A good deep tissue massager can help relieve the tension and strain on those muscles.
What Is Deep Tissue Massage?
When your muscles are super sore, the pain goes deep. That’s why you want to focus on the ‘deep’ in deep tissue massage!
It focuses on the deepest layers of your muscles, the fascia and tendons that support your skeletal system. Deep tissue massage can be slightly challenging, since you’re pushing against muscles, instead of with the muscle fibers. If you’re using a handheld massager, it can be uncomfortable, but it should NEVER be painful! That slight ache now will help your body relax and recover faster.
What Can Deep Tissue Massage Do for You?
In addition to relaxing your muscles and healing your body, there are many other benefits of a deep tissue massager:
- Increasing joint mobility.
- Lowering high blood pressure.
- Helping arthritis and chronic pain.
- Breaking down scar tissue.
- Helping mitigate the appearance of cellulite.
Aging doesn’t have to mean daily pain or sagging skin. By creating a good workout plan and caring for yourself afterward, it’s possible to keep your body strong and healthy. Stretching and strengthening your muscles, and finding the best massager for cellulite, you can continue living your life the way you want to!
As a caution, you should never use your handheld massager on broken skin or bones, varicose veins and it should be used with caution on thinning skin.
You should consult your doctor if you have a history of blood clots, diabetes, stroke, or high blood pressure. While deep tissue massage has been proven to lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, you should always check with your doctor to make sure it’s right for you.
The Best Deep Tissue Massager Reviews
Having a handheld deep tissue massager saved my workout routine! I often had to stop for a week to recover when I was younger, just to keep my muscles from screaming! Now that I’m in my 50s, I don’t have the time to take breaks. I’m moving every day and my deep tissue massager has been such a boon for me.
Here are the best deep tissue massagers reviewed for you.
Sonic FX Percussion Massage Gun ->Best deep tissue massager but pricey.
This incredible massage gun has some extra features not available with other models. It boasts a heat option, varying percussion styles, and five speeds.
The Sonic FX massager a powerful motor that’s one of the quietest in operation. It has adjustable temperature and intensity settings.
The 5 different heads all have a purpose depending on the muscle area you’re attacking. The only possible downside to this awesome massager is that it’s a gun style, so the right-angle makes it hard to easily get at awkward areas of the back for instance.
However, this unit makes up for it with its features. Get someone to help you with those hard-to-reach places, and you’ll feel relief even for those stubborn knotted regions.
Pros:
- Heat massage head option.
- Very powerful.
- Quiet operation.
- Long lasting battery.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Sleek carrying case for on-the-go relief.
Cons:
- Static gun style.
TYMO Percussion Back Massager
Discover your bliss with the Tymo percussive massager. This model has a multitude of heads, including a brush-like unit, to help to reduce your cellulite by increasing skin elasticity.
The heads are silicone for a more comfortable massage and it features a unique sextuple head.
The long handle makes it easy to hold and reach those awkward places. It comes with a lifetime warranty and a money-back guarantee.
Pros:
- Brush-like head to treat and reduce cellulite.
- Five adjustable intensities.
- Warming heat function.
- Battery lasts 2 hours.
Cons:
- Medium intensity.
- Heavy pressure causes machine to slow.
RENPHO Hand Held Deep Tissue Massager
Sleek and ergonomic, the Renpho massager has some amazing features over other handheld massagers. It’s battery-operated, with a gorgeous charging station to keep your unit ready for action.
The charge can last for over 2 hours, so you have time for a full-body massage if you need it. This model also has a unique curved head, just one of the many attachments, which is perfect for arms and legs.
Pros:
- 20-minute timer to prevent unit from overheating.
- FDA and FCC certified.
- Endorsed by osteopaths and fitness professionals.
- Powerful motor up to 3600 pulses per minute.
Cons:
- Cannot be used while charging.
- Heavier than other models.