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.
Do not use it. Period. The science made sense to me, but it was a fallacy and not really science, and I realized I made myself believe it because I was blinded by the huge desire of thinking something so easy could cure my fat legs and I wouldn’t have to diet or exercise. Ashley seems to have just connected arbitrary dots that make sense in a farytale land like way. We were HOPEFUL that this idea works, and were willing to agree to call it “Science” and bruise the hell out of our legs. I joined her group when there were 5k people in it and the product was in it’s second production. All of the people that ordered around the time I did and before had to deal with BROKEN blasters. That didn’t stop us, we still wanted to believe that she’s legit etc. I got my new blaster and started beating myself up. A blood vessel popped, I heard it and the pain was unbearable. It left a huge bruise and I was told this was PERFECT and WORKING it’s magic. WTF?
Anyway, I set it aside after that because no form of abuse is worth the dream of smooth legs. I am SO grateful I stopped. Oddly enough now she tells people not press hard. Well her “science” told us early on guinea pigs that hard and fast was the ONLY way. So now her fake science isn’t even matching her new protocol.
She is a mess too. If you have not been around to watch all of her drama (even a death of a g. pig) and lies become revealed then you might be inclined to buy one. DO NOT!!!
I am a real woman and my results are real. Although I started blasting for pain reasons, I have had some great aesthetic results as well (as many have). I’ve been blasting for over 2 years, have had my blood work done, and am still in great physical health.
I have blasted over spider veins, and while some have had both good and some have had bad results with this, I have not noticed any change in mine. I believe the manufacturer warns against blasting over varicose veins in the first place.
I thank the good Lord for the FasciaBlaster in my life as I am not in pain anymore. While I know and feel bad for anyone that feels it was not good for them, that does not negate the people like myself with good results.
“340+,000 members talking about and showing similar results” is a bold assumption. First, it is very likely that the size of the Facebook group was artificially inflated. It went from 75 K in the summer of 2016 to 345 K one year later. Nothing really special happened to explain a surge in membership except for the publication of Ms. Black’s book. The book itself was an Amazon best-seller for a few weeks but that was it. As for the results posted “real women” that constitute the main attraction of Ms. Black’s Facebook group, they are few and far between. Many of them are Photoshopped pictures ,pictures that use different lightings, or pictures from moderators/motivators/paid moles. Many women in adverse groups reported that they had good results but then things went really bad after 6-8 months or maybe 1-2 years depending on the individual.
There’s a growing body of scientific literature on fascia but The Cellulite Myth is not part of it. One look at the handful of secondary online resources listed by the authors is enough to judge the credibility of that book. Besides, neither of the 2 coauthors is a scientist although Ashley Black claims to be one right from the start. Ms. Black’s masterpiece is passed off as the ultimate source of information about fascia and cellulite but it is part a glorified user’s manual, part a biography of Ms. Black, and part a manifesto of her personal ideology. New users of the tools will probably want to look for tutorials on her website because the instructions and protocols listed in the book are obsolete now. They were replaced following hundred of women’s complaints about adverse effects.
When I was researching the FasciaBlaster I was lucky to find out about all the side effects and the dissastrous health and cosmetic consequences the FB had on thousands of women. Because of me belonging also to the “Adverse Effects” facebook group, I was blocked from the Fasciablasters’ group. This entire business has a dark side in every single aspect. It’s disgusting how they are playing with the ignorance of people.
“From someone who hasn’t tried it?? “Why do you think she hasn’t ? Because she is a smart woman and it’s not worth the risk!
2 huge groups on Facebook would not have been made just for the fun of it. This are REAL WOMEN who followed her Protocols and still got hormone disruptions, weight gain, miscarriages, inflammation, sciatica, bigger spider veins, anxiety , etc etc this tool has not been tested accurately and long enough to be deemed safe for the public. If you are using it on clients and they sue you AB will not back you up and defend you. She claims she is the only certified person to use her tool and everyone else has to use at their own risk as a class 1 medical device so I would not be using it on any clients.
Worked for AB through Kim K.
Sarah, I have followed your blog off and on for many years. Your blog helped me as a new mom make good decisions for my son who is now 8 and has never been on antibiotics. I also co-wrote the book about the Fasciablaster, “The Cellulite Myth-Irs Not Fat it’s Fascia'” and I invite you to read it for better understanding about fascia and how the product works. Thanks!
Co-writer of the book,
Hello Sarah!
As a LMT for 12 glorious years in NYC and I could not agree better. People that have no idea of hyman anatomy hust gobble up products that in time or on the spot might hurt them.
Yes the skin is smoother after rubbing it with those prongs. It is basically a massage that brings up the blood and HYDRATES and PLUMPS. EH !!!! you are CORECT of all you trued to explain. Massage changes the way the tissue looks BECAUSE THE collagen that is in the FASCIA warms up and like so dies not PUUL… hence CELLULITE REDUCTION, that lasts at least for a day. Bidy builders avoid massages because they LOSE the muscle definition. They relay on the scarr and adhesions thst form after work out. Etc etc. Anyways! Good article, in formed. There is always someone to say the opposite. Keep ip the good work !
Sarah, I know you didn’t intend to sound harsh, but I find your reply rude. I’ve seen 340+,000 members talking about and showing similar results, and I’ve personally had similar results. Smoother skin, a more defined jaw, smaller fat pockets, more muscle definition … oh and my chronic pain is gone.
This article is incredibly bias!
I guess you haven’t read through this thread of comments! There are so many people who have been harmed by this type of product! There are also LARGE facebook pages dedicated to the subject.
Interesting read! I’ve seen a lot of commentary about the FasciaBlaster! I personally got really good results, I use it for shoulder pain and for cellulite on thighs and butt. I was very careful when I first started using it and always used it gently on my skin. I didn’t have any problems with veins getting worse, and I did feel a difference in my skin and felt like I had a nicer skin tone and glow after blasting for the first couple months. I think everyone is a little bit different, but I personally refer the FasciaBlaster to my friends and family and so far everyone who I know personally who has used it has really loved it!
Sure you did Esther, nice paycheck From Kim and AB
Ya I just started using it and I had an amazing trauma/emotions release. Im recovering from a serious illness and my fascia healed in knots on my legs so far I’m feeling better and the bruises are healing and my legs are looking better. We will see. If there is one thing I know about healing and bodies , everyone is different and one personas medicine is another persons poison! We have to listen to our intuition.