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.
Three reasons to skip using the FasciaBlaster? There’s probably more like 20 reasons not to use this plastic, BPA tainted , useless gadget, I bought into this nonsense in 2015 and stopped using it at the end of 2016.
I had health problems due to chronic inflammation that spiked my estrogen to extremely high levels, had horrible menstural cramps, weight gain and left with land slide looking skin on my quads. The cellulite is far worse then I’ve ever had. Those that claim to see results either are temporarily inflamed or extremely lucky they are not damaged…..yet.
The “protocols” on how to use this crazy gadget changes all the time and anytime anyone complains of issues, the cult jumps down your throat and the canned response is user error. The reason why there isn’t a set manual or instructions is because it doesn’t allow the company to keep changing how to is it (because it’s trial and error and the customers are the guinea pigs) or it would prevent from sell a new tool, knowing full well none of this works,
Worse mistake I’ve ever made. My doctor and personal trainer both are shocked of the damage it has caused me and both said it is a horrible thing to do to a body. Buyer beware.
Next time you are trying to be convincing, please check your grammar and spelling.
Frankly, I’m astonished this product is still on the market and that the company is still in business. Do your due diligence before putting this tool on your body. There are hundreds of FDA complaints and those are just the few people that took the time to figure out how to make an FDA complaint. This company likes to tout anecdotal evidence but disallows any commentary about adverse reactions. I’ve personally seen posts deleted where the end user had a blood clot after blasting and the owner of the company (Ashley Black) advised her to hold off on blasting that area until the swelling subsided. Black frequently dispenses medical “advice” although she’s not a doctor, nor does she hold any type of credentials or licensure as far as I’m aware. I would definitely look to other strategies if you are looking for pain relief or cosmetic improvement to ANY part of your body.
I absolutely believe in it. I am a mother of 2 and I wanted a mommy makeover without the knife so I got a gym membership, a juicer and a fascia blaster. With my training and self massage tool, my body is looking better than ever. Before my last pregnancy when I was going to the gym, I easily bruised and I looked like a domestic abuse victim. After a few sessions of blasting, I literally went the entire summer without any mysterious bruises on my body. I stopped bruising so easily. After summer I have started blasting once again, I’m bruising from the sessions, but hey it’s winter and I can cover ip with clothes. It seriously helps me. And my husband stopped going to the massage therapist and chiropractor and I use it on him. He loves it and it’s so easy to use. I’m planning on getting one for my dad this xmas he has terrible back pain. He’s getting massages 2 times a month and it’s expensive. I reccomend this tool to everyone I meet.
I work as a News Anchor, and always active with social media and researching various topics through google etc. With continuous social media feeds surfacing, advertising the “Fascia Blaster,” I contacted the company last week. The VP of marketing gifted me a package including the Fascia Blaster / Face Blaster along with the Blaster oil / lotion. I received the package, read instructions, and googled videos covering usage of the product. I spent 3 minutes on each leg using the product that evening. The next morning I woke to multiple large black and blue bruises all over the backs of my legs. Some areas deeply bruised. I immediately reached out to the company, called the number listed on letter I received. The number is not in service. Emailed and have yet to hear back form the VP of a marketing. This product is NOT FDA approved so one must question the various results that individual users experience. Happy to share photos directly if anyone has questions. Extremely horrific experience after the first day of usage.
I’d be shocked if you didn’t bruise the first time you use it. It hurts and bruises for about a month and now, I never bruise from anything, including hitting my leg on the corner of a table. This is the best thing I have ever done for my body. It stops pain and when you do it right, it is a great workout. You WILL bruise at first but keep doing it and the bruising stops. I have been blasting 5 years. I do not work for the company. My sister’s fibro myalgia is GONE. I am a Registered Nurse and who cares if the FDA hasn’t approved it? Why, because they don’t stand to make a profit. It works, it works it works!
What kind of news anchor are you? you had not done any thorough research and you judged this after one use. It is known that bruises occur during first few times. I am looking for legit reviews.
I had a friend recently recommend this for the fat below my chin. Now I’m reading what it does to the circulation on the legs. However, does anyone have warning messages in regards to the neck?
I used the FasciaBlaster for nine months. I instantly got vertigo, which I had no idea was from the tool. I battled vertigo on an off for the entire time I was using it. I went to InstaCare multiple times and the doctors kept finding fluid in my ears. My theory: the FasciaBlaster was causing inflammation with was making my ears not drain properly. I was referred to an ENT, who wanted to put tubes in my ears, but I was too scared to do the procedure. I also had symptoms of TMJ and my immune system went crazy. I was sick constantly, and normally, I rarely get sick. I was not blasting hard, just enough to break up adhesions in my legs in hopes that I would get more flexible. Later on I ordered her book and read that fascia was all connected, so I began full body blasting. I became even sicker. I was told that I need to use heat, so I began blasting in the sauna. The first time I did that, I felt extremely sick, to the point where I was bedridden all weekend. I instantly started my period, which was so heavy I had blood clots half the size of my fist. Two weeks later, I had another period, plus spotting in between. I got scared and sought help from the company who would NOT approve my question on the main page. I felt something was fishy. In fact, they wouldn’t approve any of my following questions about hormonal disruption either. I knew for a fact that blasting in the sauna is what caused my horrible periods. I believe that the heat was releasing BPA from the stick and into my skin. I messaged the company about my theory and they said the BPA would only released if I was blasting on the surface of the sun! BPA can be released at room temperature, and I knew that! During this same time period, I discovered thousands of women were suffering from the FasciaBlaster and I joined their negative effects group. I stopped blasting and returned the products to the company. The next month, I skipped my period. Women who supported the blaster said I was going through an early menopause, but I knew this wasn’t true. The next month, I had a horrible period with the worst bleeding I had ever experienced. I started becoming anemic from the blood loss. I was also estrogen dominant, which can cause cancer. It took four months for my hormones to regulate. My cycle is back to normal now. I am okay now, minus the spider veins and claw marks the device left on my legs. I wouldn’t recommend this product to my worst enemy.
THANK YOU for drawing attention to this “tool”. I fell hard for this Fascia Blaster trap back in late 2015. Unfortunately, any negative reviews were and still are eliminated from the forum group and there wasn’t much other info out there back then. After using, per suggested protocols from the creator of this dumb BPA plastic stick, of a pain level to a 7, vigoursly raking body parts in a 155° infrared sauna approx 3-4 days a week, my hormones went hay wire- Estrogen dominate, which can cause cancers.
It also affect badly my IBS, I had weight gain, inflammation and the cellulite (which is why I bought it to begin with) was WAY worse, I have done Pilates reformer 2-3 days a week, weight lifting 3 days a week and Barre Class 2 days a week prior and during. I weighed 114 before and went to 128..the heaviest in my entire life. All eating was the same- organic, GMO foods.
It took a long time to get my hormones back in control, my weight down but the cellulite remains no matter what I do. It is horrible and I’m so upset I ever did this to myself. Even the muscle tone appearance in my legs (where I focused the most with the devil tool) is totally different. As if my skin isn’t holding the muscle any longer, lost the muscle shape and just sags. I wish articles like this were out back when I started and i wish the co-author of the book doesn’t act like she has a science degree because like the inventor, they both have ZERO scientific backgrounds and have no clue as to what they are even talking about.
To Joanna who says she co-wrote this book.
What medical back ground do you or miss black gold?
How do you feel about the two class actions agains the fasciablaster and Ashley black??
How do you feel about all the. Misguided medical advice given by miss black on her Facebook page fasciablasters?
Do you know why Kathleen Stross is no longer apart of fasciablasting?
I would also like to know why everyone was lied to by Ashley black, when she said Kathleen Stross what. A neuroscientist!
And why did Ashley black lie about a engineering degree from auburn university?
I hope you know you book is not even considered around medical professionals. It is hard to read because it is so full of crap. Or how you say. Anecdotal evidence (not necessarily true or reliable)
I am so upset I was lied to so much in the fasciablaster page, so misleading. I also suffered nasty side effects from the stupid tool. Thanks a lot for being apart of this horrible tool and support ashley black who’s horrible and dangerous advice has left thousands injured. So disappointed. Oh and I almost barfed when I saw y’all speaking at a woman meeting at Lakewood Church. I’m sure the osteens don’t know what kind of business y’all are running but I’m sure once the class actions are out you won’t have much of a leg to stand on at that church. Well God willing. All things shalll come to light.
Do not use this product….
Weight gain, increased cellulite and AB removing negative comments and blocking those that do speak out against the product. That is not how a product should be marketed. Beware of the photoshopped pictures too. It’s taken a year of hard work to get rid of the cellulite it created. The weight hasn’t gone at all
Unfortunately for me, and many others, nearly 3 years ago when I purchased these products there were no honest reviews and feedback available (especially long term as it was a new product). Yes, I, like other new users believed that initial results were positive and encouraging. Little did we know the damage that was occurring under the surface. As far as the three years I have had of researching and observing, the initial results may be due to inflammation and nerve damage. The average time that a user discovers this tool is not quite working as advertised is about three to twelve months. Users are encouraged to “give it more time” and “trust the process” which is a very clever way to allay their fears and negative experiences.