Can You Use a Massage Gun While Pregnant?

Pregnancy can be uncomfortable—to say the least. While a tiny human develops and grows in the belly, many women experience pain, cramping, stiffness, or swelling in their backs, legs, and hips.¹

Delivering percussive therapy with vibrations and rapid up-and-down pressure, massage guns can help alleviate these types of physical discomforts.² But can you use a massage gun while pregnant?

We'll answer this question below, discussing what experts and healthcare professionals say, how to stay safe when using this type of device, and what to avoid if you're currently pregnant.

Are Massage Guns Safe to Use During Pregnancy?

Generally speaking, massage guns can be safe to use during pregnancy.³ Of course, each pregnancy is different—some are high-risk due to preexisting conditions or other health factors. So always ask your healthcare provider before using a massage gun or even getting a professional massage during pregnancy.

What Experts & Professionals Say

Research has shown massage to be a generally safe, low-risk method for reducing pain, stiffness, and achiness during pregnancy.⁴ It can also help with overall discomfort (a common complaint among pregnant people), helping you relax, sleep better, and potentially even improve your mood or make you feel less anxious.^5,6

While some pharmaceutical remedies are off the table during pregnancy due to a risk of complications, massage can be not only effective but also without side effects.³

It ultimately depends on the patient's unique needs and how far along they are in their pregnancy. Having said that, a prenatal care team might recommend massage therapy along with exercise, heat therapy, and over-the-counter pregnancy-approved pain relievers like acetaminophen to manage pain and achy muscles.³

Areas to Avoid When Using a Massage Gun

Massage gun benefits can include alleviating leg pain, easing back discomfort, and reducing  edema (fluid retention) in pregnancy.^6,7 Still, you'll want to avoid certain areas—like the stomach and anywhere with blood clots (such as the legs)—especially if you have a history of deep vein thrombosis.⁸

Though there's some concern that massaging specific pressure points could trigger pre-term labor or increase the risk of miscarriage, research doesn't support these claims. In fact, massage during labor might actually help reduce pain and result in a more positive childbirth experience.⁹

When Massage Guns May Not Be Recommended

As mentioned, people with high-risk pregnancies or blood clot concerns may want to avoid using massage guns.²

Ask your healthcare provider if percussive massage therapy is safe before using a massager. They might suggest limiting the use of a massage gun before or after reaching a certain point in your pregnancy or recommend a different form of massage.

How to Use a Massage Gun Safely During Pregnancy

Safety is always the top priority with pregnancy. When using a massage gun for prenatal discomforts, we recommend:

• Following best practices for safe use
• Targeting safe zones
• Speaking to your healthcare provider

You can learn more about how to use a massage gun effectively in our blog, but let's discuss these tips in more detail below.

Follow Best Practices for Safe Use

A massage gun might seem like an intense form of massage, and while it can be used at home for deep-tissue massage, it can also be used gently.

During pregnancy, consider setting your massage gun to the lowest speed setting and doing shorter sessions to avoid becoming sore afterward.² You might also want to use it under professional supervision, like with a physical therapist specializing in prenatal care or a midwife trained in massage techniques.

Target Safe Zones

When using a massage gun during pregnancy, target safe zones, such as the arches of the feet, calves (unless you have blood clots in your legs), shoulders, and upper back.

The lower back is sometimes avoided during pregnancy, often because lying on your stomach can be not only uncomfortable but also unsafe. But if your partner or a provider can access your lower back while lying on your side, massage can be helpful for relieving muscle pain and discomfort.¹⁰

Speak to Your Healthcare Provider

Again, although massage is generally safe during pregnancy, every pregnant person should get a stamp of approval from their healthcare provider before using a massage gun for back pain, shoulder tension or other discomfort.

Alternatives to Massage Guns for Pregnancy Relief

Here are a few alternatives to massage guns to consider for pregnancy relief:

• Prenatal massage therapy – Think about scheduling a professional massage, such as a Swedish massage, relaxation massage, or prenatal massage. Some providers have pregnancy massage tables with cutouts for the belly and breasts, allowing you to lay comfortably face-down.
• Gentle stretching and low-impact movement – A simple stretching routine or low-impact exercise (think walking or prenatal yoga) can help alleviate strain and back pain during pregnancy.¹⁰
• Heat therapy and proper rest – A heating pad or hot water bottle can help with muscle soreness or tenderness. This should go without saying, but getting plenty of rest (whether it's naps, sleeping at night, or sitting down for a break) can make a big difference in how you feel during this time.

Lifepro Prioritizes Safety and Wellness for All Users

Lifepro is committed to offering safe, user-friendly tools at reasonable prices for recovery and pain relief. Our massage guns have adjustable intensity levels and interchangeable attachment heads to deliver a personalized experience for each user.

Remember to listen to your body, stop if anything hurts, and check in with your medical team along the way.

Sources:

1. Cleveland Clinic. Pregnancy Discomforts. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/pregnancy-pains
2. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (JFMK). The Effects of Massage Guns on Performance and Recovery: A Systematic Review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10532323/
3. IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science. Effect of Therapeutic Massage on Relieving Pregnancy Discomforts. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330534170_Effect_of_Therapeutic_Massage_on_Relieving_Pregnancy_Discomforts
4. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (IJTMB). Applying Scientific Rationale to the Current Perceptions and Explanations of Massage and Miscarriage in the First Trimester. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9949615/
5. Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira. The effect of classical foot massage on insomnia and anxiety in preeclamptic pregnant women: a randomized controlled study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38422316/
6. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. Massage therapy reduces pain in pregnant women, alleviates prenatal depression in both parents and improves their relationships. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1360859207000824
7. Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG). Efficacy of Percussion Massage Therapy Applied to the Lower Extremity on Pain, Edema, and Quality of Life in Pregnant Women: Randomized Controlled Trial. https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/51/10/10.31083/j.ceog5110215
8. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. Leg massage during pregnancy with unrecognized deep vein thrombosis could be life threatening: a case report. https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-020-02924-w
9. European Journal of Midwifery. Comparison of the effect of mechanical massage and warm mechanical massage application on perceived labor pain and childbirth experience: A randomized clinical trial. https://www.europeanjournalofmidwifery.eu/Comparison-of-the-effect-of-mechanical-massage-and-warm-mechanical-massage-application,132883,0,2.html
10. Mayo Clinic. Back pain during pregnancy: 7 tips for relief. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20046080
11. Journal of Clinical Medicine. Effects, Side Effects and Contraindications of Relaxation Massage during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/16/3485
12. American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). Massage and Pregnancy: A Powerful Combination. https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/massage-and-pregnancy-a-powerful-combination/
13. Midwifery. The effectiveness of massage for reducing pregnant women's anxiety and depression; systematic review and meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32827841/
14. International Journal of Health and Pharmaceutical (IJHP). The Effect Of Pregnancy Massage On The Movement Of The Fetus In The Womb In The Second And Third Trimesters Of Pregnancy At TPMB Novi Salim Rajeg In 2022. https://ijhp.net/index.php/IJHP/article/view/234