Pros and cons of using a fascia blaster and when it has benefits for fitness-related scenarios or dangers for cosmetic use such as reduction in the appearance of cellulite.
In a perfection-obsessed culture of photoshopped models and smartphone apps that banish physical flaws with clever lighting and angles, a wellness product called the fascia blaster fits right in.
Promising to banish jiggly, dimpled cellulite among a host of other claims, these devices represent the modern version of the vibrating exercise belt from the Leave it to Beaver era.
However, while helpful for certain fitness applications, the use of the fascia blaster for cosmetic purposes is another story entirely.
The problem is that no one seems to be telling fans about the potential for unsightly side effects. In fact, using such a device regularly can trigger far worse skin-related issues than cellulite.
What is the Fascia?
In a nutshell, the “fascia” is the spiderweb of tissue that holds your body together. It is very densely woven, covering every muscle, bone, nerve, artery, and vein. The connection with the veins is especially important if you suffer from varicose or spider veins. I explain more about this below.
The internal organs are well protected by the fascia including the heart, lungs, brain, and spinal cord. Most interestingly, there are no breaks in the fascial spiderweb. It is one continuous structure from head to toe without a single interruption. (1)
I like to think of the fascia as a sort of biological yarn, knitted together much like a sweater as a living fabric for the entire body.
How Does a Fascia Blaster Work?
A fascia blaster is a self-utilized device that is specifically designed to work on this aspect of the musculoskeletal system. The manufacturer suggests that regular use can:
- Reduce cellulite
- Lessen pain
- Improve flexibility
- Promote circulation
- Increase joint function
- Enhance physical performance and nerve activity
Did someone say C-E-L-L-U-L-I-T-E?
With marketing claims like this, no wonder these types of devices are selling like crazy. But, like the rapid fat redistribution from lower to upper body that can occur from liposuction, be wary of claims of any cosmetic benefits.
Before examining the harm these devices can cause, however, let’s look at scenarios where a fascia blaster can be helpful.
Fascia Blaster Benefits
I first became familiar with the fascia blaster when I saw a college athlete using one on his injured thigh before an athletic event, probably on the advice of a trainer.
The fascia blaster was vigorously rubbed back and forth across the area apparently to help improve circulation. The hard plastic prongs attached to a sturdy stick about two feet long dig into the tissue, breaking up any fascia adhesions, reducing pain, and assisting with warm-up before competition.
Post-workout or athletic event, some trainers suggest using these types of devices to help heal the area much like a self-administered deep tissue massage or “scraping” used by some physical therapists. The process helps break up lactic acid, release toxins, and bring in blood and oxygen to the area for more rapid healing.
I personally use one to help warm up my hamstrings, quads, and IT band before weightlifting to reduce the chance of injury.
A less intense and mildly stimulating alternative to scraping is dry skin brushing.
But what if there is no injury and a person is not young and fit?
3 Reasons to Skip the Fascia Blaster
I was having a conversation with a practitioner friend recently about what she thought about the fascia blaster. One of her middle-aged clients was using one for cosmetic purposes.
In order to provide an educated opinion, she purchased one to examine it for herself.
She warns about 3 problems from using these devices which most people, unfortunately, find out after damage already occurs.
Cosmetic Improvements Minimal
While a fascia blaster does seem to be helpful for athletes who are fit as described above, for someone who is using it for purely cosmetic reasons, the results are doubtful.
Worse, you can actually harm yourself in the process. According to my practitioner, here are 3 things to watch out for.
Danger of Excessive Bruising
Warning: If you are prone to bruising, the fascia blaster can make you look like the victim of a beating. As a shocking example, I recently saw a woman at the store with extensive bruising all over both arms.
Very concerned, I asked her if she was alright. She rolled her eyes and responded that the bruising was from using a fascia blaster to try and reduce the jiggle!
While easy bruising (and fatigue) can indicate a B12 deficiency, there’s no doubt that some people are more sensitive than others even with an excellent diet.
So watch out! If you bruise easily, the fascia blaster is probably best avoided!
Got Spider Veins? Fascia Blasting is NOT for You
Many develop red, purple or bluish spider veins as they get older. These tiny clusters of blood vessels near the surface of the skin usually appear on the face and/or legs.
The dramatically increased blood flow and weight gain from childbirth, in particular, can cause them to develop on the upper thighs.
Since cellulite most commonly develops in this area as well, women using the fascia blaster may discover that it makes spider veins far worse!
A good massage therapist knows to take great care with areas of the skin containing spider veins. The pressure if too firm can cause the blood vessel clusters to spread. A fascia blaster can do the same thing.
Consider yourself warned!
Making Varicose Veins Worse
While spider veins are an unsightly nuisance and don’t cause pain, varicose veins are another matter!
Varicose veins are blood vessels that have become painfully twisted and enlarged. Blood flow is sluggish in these veins as well. Pregnancy is the typical reason women develop them, but anyone with circulatory issues can be susceptible.
They are not just unsightly. They can be a blood clot risk as well!
My grandmother almost died from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from a varicose vein. Following her recovery, she used witch hazel extract as an astringent to keep the swelling in check.
Using a fascia blaster in areas where varicose veins are present to improve circulation or reduce their appearance can do much more harm than good. Like spider veins, my practitioner warns that such a product can worsen the severity of the condition!
In summary, if you’ve been thinking of getting a fascia blaster, it is best to consult with your practitioner first. Be sure to rule out any skin or health conditions that might be aggravated by its use.
While beneficial for some physical therapy scenarios, cosmetic benefits are not as certain. In some cases as described above, unsightly or dangerous side effects are possible.
I think that the bruising is coming from toxins that are being released from the lymph system. Ayurvedic medicine does something called Gua Sha Therapy, where one covers the skin with oil and then scrapes the skin with the edge of a flat wooden piece of wood. This will release toxins that have been stuck in the lymph system, and causes bruising. I have started this practice on my thighs because I have increasingly sever cellulite that can not be healthy. I have always thought something was wrong. When I started to do the Gua Sha scraping, I got a lot of crazy bruising, but the bruising follows the lines of the liver lymph line and the gallbladder lymph line down my thighs. And … my cellulite is going away! This makes me think that facia blaster may actually work, because it’s kinda going along the same theory. Although the Gua Sha scraping is probably easier and more comfortable to do.
I’m pretty disappointed that the warnings against using a FasciaBlaster over varicose veins don’t indicate that the Blaster itself actually comes with the same advice: Go around varicose veins, never over. This information is not breaking news or a “gotcha!” moment – if anything, the fact that your warnings line up with theirs should indicate their commitment to the education and health of their users.
This is a self-use tool over which the user has total control. Having a healthy fascia system can only bring benefit for your body as a whole. Referring to information dismissively as “hype” and leaving out that the manufacturer is giving just the advice that you are is perhaps a little hype-y on your end. Something to consider.
Not a single person I know who has used one of these devices has ANY IDEA about avoiding veins!!! It certainly isn’t mentioned in all the glossy, overhyped marketing videos. AND, if what you say is true (I haven’t seen the warnings myself so am trusting that you are being truthful here), there is NO warning about spider veins and the danger of excessive bruising. Given that the bulk of the market for this device is women who have had children, many of whom have vein issues, this is very disturbing to me.
I have been using the Fascia Blaster for 18 months and only have positive things to say about it. I have relieved chronic tightness and pain in my body and become way more flexible. I’m not perfection obsessed and I don’t think the FasciaBlaster is exploiting that aspect of its benefits but the fact is that as a result of regular blasting I have gone from having a lot of cellulite, even though I’m not overweight, to being perfectly smooth with muscle definition, my stretchmarks have faded and the few spider veins I had appearing are completely gone. I honestly can’t recommend it highly enough. For anyone who is considering using the FB but isn’t sure about it I suggested joining the group on Facebook with over 300,000 real women talking honestly about their journey’s back to health and fitness, then decide for yourself.
Glad it’s working for you (however, I’m pretty sure you are a corporate troll). Suggesting that a fascia blaster eliminated your spider veins is pure fantasy. Putting pressure on those areas will not get rid of them .. it will most likely make them worse. If you are lucky, they would stay the same.
By the way, there are a number of FB groups where many people are complaining of being severely damaged by these devices. Anyone thinking of using a fascia blaster should be sure to visit those FB groups too and read through the horror stories.
Oh my word, she thinks everyone is a corporate troll!! LOL. Blasting 6 years, real person, an RN, mother of 7 kids!. THE FASCIABLASTER WORKS!!
Hahahaha sure, Jan. The blaster is dangerous. There are HUNDREDS of support groups for women who have done irreparable damage to their bodies with it. Gtfo
My spider veins have gotten much lighter from blasting lightly around them. No problems here.
How could they get lighter if you blaster “lightly around them”. Sorry, but once again, highly suspect you are paid corporate troll and not a real customer. Especially that your IP address is exactly the same as several others with different names posting troll-like testimonials.
Do you have any recommendations for reducing vericose/spider veins? I’d love to hear your wisdom on the different procedures that are available… thank you!!
Nettle is the best herb for improving vein elasticity and overall health and thus preventing varicose/spider veins, but once they have already formed, I don’t think dietary or herbal remedies would produce satisfactory results unfortunately. Laser treatment works quite well for spider veins I’m told. As for varicose veins, a vein specialist would need to be consulted as this is a more tricky situation to resolve. Nutritionally, Vitamin K2 has shown promise for improving varicose veins. Best sources are grassfed butter, natto, goose liver pate, emu oil, butter oil, pastured egg yolks.
I purchased the fascia blaster in July of 2017 and have gotten positive results in many ways. I have two spinal curves and the fascia blaster has also relieved a lot of physical stress and tension in my back and shoulders. I’m sorry but I must disagree with your article that it’s all bad….is anything I found binding fascia to be debilitating!! I’m into fitness and also eat healthy…perhaps these three together are a consideration.
Ummm, the article doesn’t say that it is all bad 🙂 Please re-read!
How’s your skin lookin these days Terri? Does it sag off your bones? You got crepe skin? If you’ve been blasting since you posted this I’m betting 50 bucks the answer is yes.
Hi! I have a cesarean scar from my two babies that is pretty puckered and drawn inward. I was thinking of using one of these tools to release or break up scar tissue? What are your thoughts or maybe a better option? Thank you so much!
I used my fasciablaster on my cesarean scar and it’s barely noticeable now! I know this is old but I had to tell it. It’s flat and I no longer have the pulling feeling.
DONT DO IT! Unless you want to have to have plastic surgery to correct the absolute damage you are going to be doing. Do you want heavy periods or no periods? Then blast away. You want to potentially have a prolapsed uterus? Then blast away. It is not a medically approved device.
Better to use shock wave therapy. While at a meeting put on by Arthritis.ca 2 orthopedic surgeons were in the Q & A section, and I asked about acupuncture for pain pre- and post- joint replacement, and was told the only therapy they support is shock wave. I was waiting to do my hip replacement, but when I got to the Chiropracter who does the shock wave I said let’s use it on my foot ( Mortons Neuroma, hammer toe, bunion, plantar fasciitis, tarsal tunnel) and it WORKED !! 10 treatments removed all pain. Now several times a week I hang my feet in the jets at the Rec Center pool like a booster for the actual therapy I did, and I have a happy, pain free foot, my hammer toe is loosening up, and there is NO pain any more, Happy foot. And with the water exercise and yoga I am no longer needing hip replacement either. YAY !!!
Sarah – I’m so disappointed with you on your warnings against the fascia blaster. Clearly you have not done your research. Nor did your physician friend. Fascia is probably the most under studied system in the body and for the average person, unhealthy fascia is the cause of much pain and medical ailments. When our fascia is healthy then our bodies are healthy. I can only encourage you to read the book, The Cellulite Myth, It Not Fat, It’s Fascia. Contact the creator of the Fascia Blaster as well and ask for their science based research. Take more effort to learn about how valuable this tool really is especially beyond the so called cosmetic feature. Until you do that then you are a discredit to your readers and even yourself. This makes me sad because I have followed you for years and love your articles and knowledge. Not today. I am a loyal fascia blaster and healthier for it.
The contraindications for a fascia blaster as outlined in this article are legitimate and science based hence the warnings of my practitioner. In addition, any person trained in massage therapy knows the risks of too much pressure on already damaged blood vessels. Don’t be so sucked in by marketing hype that you are unable to see the gray areas!
I have a black eye from
My mini fascia blaster and I barely applied pressure and steered clear of the sockets. I am a RN. I can send you pictures if you like. She is telling the truth.
OMG. I got a fascia blaster for Christmas! I have bad spider veins too. Ugh. Thanks for the warning.
This is not true. I’ve been blasting for 6 years! Best thing I have ever done for my body!
Don’t do it. Seriously. Check out support groups for ex blasters – the negative effects MASSIVELY outweigh any “potential” positive.