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What Does The Theragun Do?

The Theragun (more specifically, the Prime model) claims to provide a multitude of benefits. According to Therabody, the Theragun Prime can:

• Relieve pain and soreness
• Reduce tightness and tension
• Accelerate recovery
• Improve circulation and flexibility

All great stuff, right? After seeing and reading lots of rave reviews about this beloved percussive therapy tool, I just had to put it to the test.

Can The Theragun Help With Back Pain?

More than anything, I was concerned with two major problems – back pain and muscle soreness – I hoped the Theragun would help with. I attribute a majority of my back pain to a slight bout of scoliosis along with an unfortunate compression fracture I experienced a couple of years ago. These two reasons are likely to have exacerbated my tech neck aches, too. I’m talkin’ stiffness around my entire neck and some chronically achy traps.

Piling on my passion for indoor bouldering only adds to the discomfort: sore forearms, lats, and calves and sharp knots along my shoulder blades. The sport requires that I put my body in all sorts of odd positions, use my muscles to sustain those unnatural stances, and brace for 6-foot falls (albeit safely, on well-padded floors). Needless to say, it all takes a physical toll.

After just a week of use and 5- to 10-minute-long sessions a day, the Theragun Prime has significantly lessened that burden and provided my back and upper body muscles with some super satisfying relief.

Here’s my full review, including what I loved and everything I didn’t.

Day 1

My trial began with lots of sharp pain between my shoulder blades, which I was worried about not being able to reach with the Theragun on my own without someone else to help me. My worries instantly melted away after giving it a go, though – the patented triangular handle design (which claims to help you reach “80% of your body with multiple hand positions”) helped me quickly locate the most painful points in between my shoulder blades. Not only was I able to accurately pinpoint my discomfort, even the lowest of the 5 available speed settings delivered immediate relaxation. I was shocked at just how powerful this tool was!

I felt like a crazy woman in my apartment, groaning alone out of relief, but it felt so good. I also noticed that my back felt warmed after use, which I observed as the improved circulation the Theragun claims to encourage.

Days 2-4

My shoulder blade pain carried on into day 2, along with some insane forearm soreness from bouldering. I took the Theragun to my arms at the lowest speed and found the same instant relief I did with my shoulder blades.

I repeated a routine of running the tool along my shoulder blades, entire back, and arms for days 3 and 4, too. By day 4, I could tell that the most painful points weren’t as sore as they were before I started my Theragun trial.

Day 5

Day 5 was quite the opposite, though. I had attended a concert the night prior, and I think standing hours on hard floors reawakened every stiffness, soreness, and sharp pain I had been experiencing before. I woke up feeling geriatric as ever (I’m freakin’ 25, for crying out loud!) and knew I’d have to try out the Theragun on my screaming lower back and sore calves.

My neck felt extremely tweaked, too, likely from sleeping on it in a less-than-ideal position (tummy sleepers, unite). I went at all of these areas with the Theragun’s wide-set dampener attachment as I had the 4 days before, but turned the tool up to a higher speed. Oh, it felt like heaven! Again, I was surprised by how powerful of a punch the tool provided. It felt like a luxe massage technique, all possible by my hands.

Targeting my body more globally felt really nice at the faster setting, up until I was hitting my neck. The tool had a very heavy vibration that viciously rattled my teeth, ears, and eyes, which honestly distracted me from the relief I was looking for in the neck and traps area.

Days. 6-7

I was met with sore legs from a long bike ride and even more bouldering-induced stiffness on days 6 and 7. I found similar relief to what I experienced the week prior and was able to relax really well after a long, activity-filled weekend. I also tested out the multiple attachments the Theragun Prime came with on my neck and traps, like the thumb and cone toppers, which are sharper-shaped to hit more specific trigger points. I found these more-targeted attachments way more effective than the rounder dampener and ball, which didn't do as great a job at getting into the deep-set knots I deal with.

Theragun Review: The Results!

While I can’t claim my back pain and sore muscles are entirely gone with the help of the Theragun Prime, I can say that they’re noticeably lessened after 7 days of consistent use. I think it’s a very effective way to relieve any pains and aches you may be dealing with, especially if you have tried all other avenues of pain reduction.

It was easy and intuitive to use myself, and I really enjoyed the range of relief I got from the tool, thanks to the customizable attachments and varying speed settings. The only quirk I didn’t quite like was the intensely distracting vibration that occurred in my head when I brought it up to my upper neck and traps.

Theragun Prime

At an original price point of $299 (it’s also HSA and FSA-friendly!), I certainly understand it can be a steep investment for some, but given that the average cost of a massage or chiropractic visit hits around $100 (sometimes more), I believe the Theragun offers comparable relief to those methods.

Plus, you can use it anytime you like, as opposed to having to wait weeks for an appointment. It definitely is not a dependable replacement for more serious structural or muscular issues (which experts can better address), but it’s certainly appropriate for tackling everyday tightness, soreness, knots, and more.

A recent study conducted by Harvard University and Mass General Brigham found that people who consumed more butter had a 15% higher risk of early death compared to those who used it in moderation. On the flip side, people who preferred plant oils had a 16% lower risk of mortality.

The results shed light on the ongoing question of whether butter or plant-based oils are the better choice for your health. Sadly for butter lovers, the findings suggest that replacing even two teaspoons of butter with the same amount of plant oil could lower the risk of early death by approximately 17%.

For the study, the research team examined dietary data from three major studies: the Nurses' Health Study, Nurses' Health Study II, and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. They tracked over 220,000 Americans' butter consumption, including for both cooking and spreading, as well as their intake of various plant oils, like olive, soybean, canola, corn, and safflower oils.

Over the course of 33 years, the researchers gathered this information via food surveys every four years. Then, they used the data to calculate averages and gain a clearer picture of eating habits.

A total of 50,932 deaths occurred throughout the study, with 12,241 from cancer and 11,240 from heart disease. The team adjusted for variables such as age, physical activity, weight, alcohol consumption, and smoking, which revealed a distinct trend.

Higher butter intake was associated with increased death rates; meanwhile, higher consumption of plant oils was tied to lower death rates. However, not all plant oils had the same effect, as corn and safflower oils showed no significant benefits.

Still, increasing plant oil intake by roughly two tablespoons a day was linked to an 11% reduction in cancer death risk and a 6% decrease in the risk of dying from heart disease.

"Replacing three small pats of butter (approximately 15 grams) with one tablespoon of plant-based oil (approximately 15 grams) in the daily diet could contribute to lowering the risk of premature mortality," the team wrote.

Now, this doesn't mean you need to cut out butter entirely. In fact, the study actually found that butter used for baking or frying wasn't strongly linked to mortality risk. This may be because it's used in smaller quantities or less often.

Butter being spread directly on foods, like bread, showed the strongest connection. So, the researchers suggest making small switches, like swapping out butter for olive oil or canola oil, to maintain taste and enhance your health.

"Even cutting back butter a little and incorporating more plant-based oils into your daily diet can have meaningful long-term health benefits," concluded Dr. Daniel Wang of Harvard's Department of Nutrition.

The Battle of the Darcy's: Matthew Macfadyen VS. Colin Firth

In this week's episode of Yap City, we're talking all things Pride & Prejudice, Mr. Darcy, and historical romance. The 2005 adaptation starring Keira Knightley as Lizzy Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy (which turns 20 on November 11) is returning to select theaters April 20.

"I've grown to love the 2005 version with Keira Knightley more just because it makes me feel so deeply and I just always feel so many butterflies in my stomach by the end," I say in the latest episode. "I feel like it's more a more emotional depiction of the story."

"I'm definitely team 2005," Kayla agrees. "I just think the cast of 2005 is better in my opinion, and it does a good job of being like ethereal and just fully immersing you into what I imagine Jane Austen's world was or what she wanted it to be when she was writing."

Both the 2005 and the 1995 Pride & Prejudice give us some seriously swoon-worthy moments from Mr. Darcy like Colin Firth diving into a lake or Matthew Macfadyen walking through the fog. "Every single time, no matter how many times I watch it, I always think the camera is going to pan or it's gonna cut to Elizabeth," I say. "Something about it just makes me feel at peace."

But there's nothing as immortal as Mr. Darcy's hand flex.

What does Mr. Darcy's hand flex mean?

One of the most enduring moments from the movie (if not in 21st century cinema) is when Mr. Darcy helps Elizabeth into a carriage, and then flexes his hand as he walks back into the house. But what does the hand flex mean?

"He was so affected by touching her hand, because men and women didn't really touch unless it was moments like you were helping them into the carriage or escorting them somewhere," Kayla points out. But that's not the only reason she loves Matthew's version of Mr. Darcy over Colin Firth's.

"I just think he fully captured [the] gentleness that he had towards her while also maintaining that straightforward bluntness that kind of has you wonder if he's rude or if that's just how he is," she continues.

"Matthew has really grown on me because I feel like he has a sweetness that some of the other adaptations didn't give me as a viewer or I didn't pick up on them in the same way," I agree. "When you reach the end of the 2005 Pride & Prejudice, and even when you rewatch, you can identify that he really is just uncomfortable and anxious instead of just straight mean."

Where can I watch Pride & Prejudice 2005?

Pride & Prejudice is re-releasing in theaters for a limited time starting April 20, 2025. You can also stream it on Netflix right now.

Who's in the Pride & Prejudice cast?

The Pride & Prejudice cast makes this one of the best movies of the 2000s. Here's who you'll see in the movie:

• Keira Knightley as Elizabeth "Lizzy" Bennet: an intelligent, headstrong woman determined to marry for love.
• Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy: the new wealthy bachelor in town who appears to have a chip on his shoulder.
• Rosamund Pike as Jane Bennet: Lizzy's romantic and gentle older sister who falls for Mr. Bingley.
• Simon Woods as Charles Bingley: Mr. Darcy's friendly and kind best friend who falls for Jane.
• Rupert Friend as George Wickham: a mysterious figure from Darcy's past who turns Lizzy's head.
• Brenda Blethyn as Mrs. Bennet: Lizzy's dramatic mother who wants to see all five of her daughters married.
• Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennet: Lizzy's quiet father who loves to sit and read in his study.
• Jena Malone as Lydia Bennet: Lizzy's youngest sister whose behavior borders on scandalous.
• Carey Mulligan as Catherine "Kitty" Bennet: Lizzy's second-youngest sister who feels overshadowed by Lydia.
• Talulah Riley as Mary Bennet: The studious middle Bennet sister who plays the piano.
• Tom Hollander as Mr. Collins: a Bennet cousin who's next in line to inherit their home.
• Judi Dench as Lady Catherine de Bourgh: Mr. Darcy's wealthy and esteemed aunt.
• Kelly Reilly as Caroline Bingley: Mr. Bingley's sister.
• Tamzin Merchant as Georgiana Darcy: Mr. Darcy's younger sister.
• Claudie Blakley as Charlotte Lucas: Lizzy's best friend.
• Cornelius Booth as Colonel Fitzwilliam: Mr. Darcy's cousin.
• Penelope Wilton as Mrs. Gardiner: Lizzy's aunt.
• Peter Wight as Mr. Gardiner: Lizzy's uncle.