ActiPatch® vs a Massage Gun like Theragun or Hypervolt
By Electrome Corporation · Published October 21, 2026
Massage guns such as Theragun and Hypervolt are held against a muscle for a few minutes at a time. ActiPatch® is silent and hands-free. It keeps delivering drug-free therapy for hours, including at your desk or overnight.
Hands-free versus hands-on
ActiPatch®
Silent and hands-free. No charging. Up to 720 therapy hours.
Massage gun
Held against a muscle for a few minutes. Needs charging.
What does a massage gun do?
A percussion massage gun taps rapidly on a muscle. Many people use one before or after exercise. You hold it while you use it, it makes noise, and the session ends when you put it down. Makers generally advise keeping them off bones and injured areas.
Brand names mentioned here are trademarks of their owners, who are not affiliated with ActiPatch® or Electrome.
Where does ActiPatch® come out ahead?
Hands-free and silent. You can wear ActiPatch® while you work, drive, or sleep. There is nothing to charge, because the battery is built in for up to 720 therapy hours.
It can be placed over joints such as the knee, and it is small enough to carry in a pocket.
Can you use both?
Yes. Use a massage gun as its maker directs, then wear ActiPatch® over the sore area afterward. Do not use a massage gun directly on the ActiPatch® device.
What does the research show?
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial in people with knee osteoarthritis (Bagnato and colleagues, Rheumatology, 2016), the study reported a difference in pain outcomes between active and sham devices. Individual results vary.
ActiPatch® is FDA-cleared (510(k) K192234) for over-the-counter adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. It has no drug ingredient, and you wear it for hours at a time right over the sore area.
Who should not use ActiPatch®?
Do not use if you have a cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or other active implanted metallic or electronic device.
Do not use if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
Not for use by or on children under 17.
Do not use for sudden or unexplained pain, or if the cause of the pain is unknown. Not for pain deep in the body such as the chest or stomach, and not for cancer-related pain.
The device is not sterile. Do not place it in direct contact with open wounds.
Check in with your doctor if the pain changes, gets worse, or isn't easing after a few weeks. If you are under a doctor's care, consult your doctor before use.
Read the supplied package insert before use.
Frequently asked questions
Is ActiPatch® better than a Theragun?
They are used differently. A Theragun is a short, hands-on massage session. ActiPatch® is a hands-free wearable that delivers drug-free therapy for hours.
Can I use ActiPatch® on a sore knee?
Yes. ActiPatch® can be placed over joints such as the knee for musculoskeletal pain. Follow the package insert for placement.
Does ActiPatch® need charging?
No. It has a built-in battery for up to 720 therapy hours and nothing to plug in.
Primary sources
Educational information only. ActiPatch® is FDA 510(k) cleared (K192234) for over-the-counter (OTC) adjunctive treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Read the package instructions and consult a clinician about persistent or worsening pain.