Could Using a Massage Gun on Your Neck Pose Safety Concerns? Warning Goes Viral, Linking It to Stroke Symptoms

Massage guns offer a straightforward answer to stopping aches and pains. But is it safe to use them on your neck? 

A TikTok user, Sophie Dolce, gained attention when she posted a public service announcement warning against using massage guns for neck pain.

According to Dolce, she used a massage gun on her neck, shoulders, back, and underneath her skull every half an hour after waking up with a crick in her neck.

The following morning, she felt more pain and even discovered a new lump on the side of her neck after using the massage gun.

“After visiting my doctor’s office, I was sternly warned to never use a massage gun on my neck,” Dolce said. “They said it could potentially block the blood supply to the brain if used on the neck.”

Dolce shared that her doctor mentioned another patient who had suffered from strokes due to using a massage gun on their neck.

So, does using a massage gun on your neck pose a real threat? Although such issues are rare, experts acknowledge that they could occur.

Justin Neira, MD, a neurological spine surgeon at Och Spine at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester, advises against using it directly at the skull base. He suggested that massage guns are better suited for the back and base of the neck where the shoulders are located, and not the front, sides, or the skull base. 

Experts have shared their opinions on using these devices on the neck, where it is safer to use a massage gun, and how to alleviate neck pain safely. 

Neck pain, a common musculoskeletal problem caused by factors such as tech neck or poor posture, can often be treated with readily available and easy-to-use massage guns.

“The optimal use for massage guns is on your muscles, where it serves to relax muscle tension,” Neira said.

Studies have shown that massage guns can somewhat improve flexibility, alleviate stiffness, and enhance short-term range of motion.

Ryan Krzyzanowicz, DAT, ATC, a clinical associate professor and program director of the Master of Science in Athletic Training program at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions, explained it is safer to use on muscular areas, especially at the back of the neck.

Though generally safe, using massage guns outside of muscular areas or overuse can lead to problems.

Neira explained that frequent use of a massage gun due to persistent neck pain can result in possible bruising, inflammation, or general “soft tissue trauma”.

“Extended pressure against our skin can result in local tissue damage,” he added.

However, experts agree there is also a risk for more severe injuries.

“It's not wise to use percussive therapy (like a massage gun) over an artery. In the neck, you risk impacting blood flow to the brain, which could create symptoms similar to a stroke,” Krzyzanowicz said.

Neira further explained that using a massage gun on sensitive areas such as the carotid arteries and jugular veins located on the sides of the throat can be risky. Using it on these areas can inflict potential injuries or issues.

As one ages, plaque which is associated with high blood pressure and cholesterol, may accumulate in the arteries. Neira emphasized that agitating the carotid arteries could potentially unseat a plaque which could then cause strokes.

Similar problems could be caused by blood clots. Long-term pressure on the carotid artery could interfere with blood flow and create blood clots. If a person already has clotting in their carotid artery, a massage gun could potentially drive these clots to the brain.

In a study published in April, scientists in China reported a case where a patient developed symptoms of a stroke after a handheld massager caused blood clots to form in her carotid arteries.

Another rare but potentially severe injury is vertebral artery dissection, or tear. A 2022 case report linked this type of injury, which led to stroke-like symptoms including headache, neck pain, and dizziness, with the use of a handheld massage gun. 

It’s unlikely that a massage gun alone could cause enough force or trauma to actually tear the vertebral artery, Neira added. However, if the person using it had some spinal issue or was moving their neck around in a specific manner, it’s not outside the realm of possibility, he said. 

But it’s important to mention these events are extremely rare, Krzyzanowicz added.

“There are no statistics I’ve seen in the literature on this,” he said. “However, I would presume that injuries caused by improper use of massage guns are rare and relatively low.”

In this way, stroke-like injuries from massage guns can be likened to other sorts of rare accidents—via different mechanisms, cases have been reported of people experiencing a break in blood flow to their brains during weight lifting or even while getting their hair done (termed “beauty parlor stroke”), Krzyzanowicz explained. Again, these are extremely rare.

If people have been using a massage gun on the non-muscle parts of their neck, they should stop doing so. Seeking medical attention is a good idea if they notice any unusual symptoms or if their neck pain continues, experts said.

And to use massage guns safely, people should avoid the following areas on their body, Krzyzanowicz said: 

Even when used correctly, relying on the devices for severe or chronic neck pain may not always be a good idea.

“Treating yourself for severe neck pain without consulting a medical professional can be a little bit complicated,” said Neira.

If neck pain isn’t caused by soreness and is instead attributable to something more serious, such as a disc herniation, massage guns won’t help, he added.

Whether it’s heating pads, different kinds of massagers, or something else entirely, people can experiment to find what works best for them, Neira said. However, if the pain persists or people are reaching for these home remedies very frequently, that’s a sign that they may need medical help, he explained. 

“Casual use of a neck massager is probably not super dangerous,” he said. “But using a neck massager to treat a severe neck problem is missing the whole crux of what’s going on.”