HSA/FSA
Relax, Recover, Reimburse: Is a Theragun HSA/FSA Eligible?
Enjoy the delights and cost-savings of an at-home massage thanks to your HSA or FSA.
March 10, 2025
Sam O'Keefe
Co-founder & CEO of Flex
Overview
Overview
Overview
HSA and FSA Eligiblity of Theragun:
Theragun is eligible for purchase with a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) if you have a Letter of Medical Necessity. You can use your HSA or FSA card to purchase or pay for it out-of-pocket and be reimbursed.
At-home massage devices can provide a welcome reprieve from aches — whether it’s sore muscles after a tough workout, built-up stress in the shoulders, or chronic back pain that just won't quit.
For those with a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account, the question is, can you use your HSA or FSA to pay for a Theragun and other feel-good gadgets?
Let’s get the pulse on massage guns and how you may be able to use your health savings dollars to pay for them.
What Is a Theragun Massage Gun?
At-home recovery devices, like massage guns, compression sleeves, and red light therapy, have become popular ways to treat yourself to some R&R — relaxation and recovery — without having to go to the gym or see a specialist.
These devices are designed to deliver the benefits of a massage — targeted relief for muscle tension and soreness — but in a portable and versatile package. From percussive massage guns to vibrating wands and shiatsu-style devices, these gadgets come in many shapes and sizes, but with a single goal: to address discomfort and help you relax.
What makes the Theragun unique
Theragun stands out in the world of massage guns for its advanced tech, unique, ergonomic design, and the way it utilizes mild heat to enhance the massage experience. Developed by Therabody, it’s engineered to provide deep muscle relief by combining rapid, repetitive pressure with vibration to penetrate layers of muscle tissue, alleviate tension, and improve recovery.
How does a Theragun work?
At its core, the Theragun operates through quick, rhythmic pulses that deliver what’s called percussive therapy. The Theragun uses bursts of pressure to target sore muscles, reduce stiffness, and enhance blood flow to an area. Its oscillating head vibrates at a high frequency to mimic the effects of a deep tissue massage.
What is percussive therapy?
Percussive therapy is a type of massage that uses concentrated pulses to manipulate soft tissues. Unlike traditional massage methods, percussive therapy uses quick, rhythmic vibrations that penetrate deeper into the muscles. This helps reduce lactic acid buildup, improves circulation, and enhances muscle recovery.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Getting a Massage At Home?
Investing in a device like the Theragun or other massage tools can bring the many benefits of massage therapy into your home.
Here are several reasons why at-home massage is more than just a luxury:
Relieve pain and reduce soreness: Dealing with muscle cramps after a tough Crossfit WOD or chronic tension from sitting at a desk all day? A massage gun can help loosen knots, alleviate discomfort, and relax tight muscles. For chronic pain sufferers, regular massage can offer significant relief by loosening tight muscles and reducing tension.
Recover faster: Using percussive therapy post-workout can speed up muscle recovery by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation. This means you can potentially get back to your fitness routine sooner.
Repair tissue to boost healing: A massage increases oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscles. This accelerates tissue repair, which is particularly beneficial if you’re recovering from an injury.
Improve circulation: Regular massage helps improve blood circulation, which nourishes muscles and joints and may help promote better mobility and flexibility.
Maximize your warm-up and reduce injury risk: Using a massage gun before exercising can prepare your muscles for activity. This can, in turn, reduce the likelihood of strains or injuries.
Reduce stress: Massage therapy is not just physical—it’s a mental thing as well. A relaxing massage can lower cortisol levels, which can help you manage stress and anxiety more effectively.
Lessen fibromyalgia symptoms: People with fibromyalgia often experience widespread pain and fatigue. Massage therapy can help reduce these symptoms and greatly improve their quality of life.
Helps with pain from cancer: For those undergoing cancer treatment, massage can help alleviate pain, improve mood, and provide much-needed relaxation.
Can You Use HSA or FSA for Theragun?
When it comes to whether a Theragun is eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement, the answer depends on how the device is used; more specifically, whether it’s deemed medically necessary.
You can use your HSA for massage therapy, but you will generally need a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN). If a medical professional determines that massage therapy is required for treating a chronic illness or aiding recovery from a significant injury, the costs could qualify as a reimbursable medical expense.
However, if the massage is solely for relaxation or general well-being, it is not considered a qualified medical expense, and HSA funds cannot be used.
What Are Some Specific Conditions That a Massage Can Help With?
HSAs and FSAs often cover massage therapy alongside standard treatments as part of an integrative medicine plan. Some of the specific conditions that massage can help with include:
Anxiety
Depression
Digestive disorders
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Insomnia
Nerve pain
Postoperative care
Scar tissue
Soft tissue strains and injuries
Sports injuries
Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders
Can You Use Your HSA For a Prenatal Massage?
Yes, prenatal massages may qualify for HSA/FSA coverage if a doctor provides a LOMN stating the massage is necessary for pregnancy-related health conditions. These could include back pain, sciatica, or swelling. However, massages for general relaxation during pregnancy are not HSA/FSA-eligible.
How Flex Can Help You Pay For Massage Therapy With Your HSA/FSA
Platforms like Flex can simplify how you use your HSA or FSA to cover eligible at-home massage guns. Here’s how it works::
Step 1: Add the HSA/FSA-eligible massage gun or device you want to your cart
Flex partners with brands to streamline the process of using your HSA/FSA to pay for a massage gun.
Step 2: Select “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" at checkout
You can buy these items directly from the company by selecting “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" as your payment option at checkout. You can then use either your HSA/FSA card or pay out-of-pocket with a regular credit or debit card (and receive the required documents to submit for reimbursement via email).
Step 3: Keep Documentation
Keep all documentation, including receipts and the Letter of Medical Necessity (should it be necessary), for tax purposes and to ensure compliance with IRS regulations.
Theragun isn’t covered by your HSA? Try alternatives like MedMassager!
If you're looking for an at-home massage device that is specifically designed for medical use and may have a higher likelihood of being covered by your HSA or FSA, consider exploring options like MedMassager.
Medmassager offers FDA-approved body and foot massagers, as well as a compact, but powerful massage gun, that are often HSA/FSA eligible without requiring additional documentation!
Work It Out With Massage: Try Theragun Thanks to Your HSA or FSA
At the end of the day, investing in your recovery and well-being is worth it. Treat your body well, and it will reward you!
HSA and FSA Eligiblity of Theragun:
Theragun is eligible for purchase with a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) if you have a Letter of Medical Necessity. You can use your HSA or FSA card to purchase or pay for it out-of-pocket and be reimbursed.
At-home massage devices can provide a welcome reprieve from aches — whether it’s sore muscles after a tough workout, built-up stress in the shoulders, or chronic back pain that just won't quit.
For those with a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account, the question is, can you use your HSA or FSA to pay for a Theragun and other feel-good gadgets?
Let’s get the pulse on massage guns and how you may be able to use your health savings dollars to pay for them.
What Is a Theragun Massage Gun?
At-home recovery devices, like massage guns, compression sleeves, and red light therapy, have become popular ways to treat yourself to some R&R — relaxation and recovery — without having to go to the gym or see a specialist.
These devices are designed to deliver the benefits of a massage — targeted relief for muscle tension and soreness — but in a portable and versatile package. From percussive massage guns to vibrating wands and shiatsu-style devices, these gadgets come in many shapes and sizes, but with a single goal: to address discomfort and help you relax.
What makes the Theragun unique
Theragun stands out in the world of massage guns for its advanced tech, unique, ergonomic design, and the way it utilizes mild heat to enhance the massage experience. Developed by Therabody, it’s engineered to provide deep muscle relief by combining rapid, repetitive pressure with vibration to penetrate layers of muscle tissue, alleviate tension, and improve recovery.
How does a Theragun work?
At its core, the Theragun operates through quick, rhythmic pulses that deliver what’s called percussive therapy. The Theragun uses bursts of pressure to target sore muscles, reduce stiffness, and enhance blood flow to an area. Its oscillating head vibrates at a high frequency to mimic the effects of a deep tissue massage.
What is percussive therapy?
Percussive therapy is a type of massage that uses concentrated pulses to manipulate soft tissues. Unlike traditional massage methods, percussive therapy uses quick, rhythmic vibrations that penetrate deeper into the muscles. This helps reduce lactic acid buildup, improves circulation, and enhances muscle recovery.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Getting a Massage At Home?
Investing in a device like the Theragun or other massage tools can bring the many benefits of massage therapy into your home.
Here are several reasons why at-home massage is more than just a luxury:
Relieve pain and reduce soreness: Dealing with muscle cramps after a tough Crossfit WOD or chronic tension from sitting at a desk all day? A massage gun can help loosen knots, alleviate discomfort, and relax tight muscles. For chronic pain sufferers, regular massage can offer significant relief by loosening tight muscles and reducing tension.
Recover faster: Using percussive therapy post-workout can speed up muscle recovery by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation. This means you can potentially get back to your fitness routine sooner.
Repair tissue to boost healing: A massage increases oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscles. This accelerates tissue repair, which is particularly beneficial if you’re recovering from an injury.
Improve circulation: Regular massage helps improve blood circulation, which nourishes muscles and joints and may help promote better mobility and flexibility.
Maximize your warm-up and reduce injury risk: Using a massage gun before exercising can prepare your muscles for activity. This can, in turn, reduce the likelihood of strains or injuries.
Reduce stress: Massage therapy is not just physical—it’s a mental thing as well. A relaxing massage can lower cortisol levels, which can help you manage stress and anxiety more effectively.
Lessen fibromyalgia symptoms: People with fibromyalgia often experience widespread pain and fatigue. Massage therapy can help reduce these symptoms and greatly improve their quality of life.
Helps with pain from cancer: For those undergoing cancer treatment, massage can help alleviate pain, improve mood, and provide much-needed relaxation.
Can You Use HSA or FSA for Theragun?
When it comes to whether a Theragun is eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement, the answer depends on how the device is used; more specifically, whether it’s deemed medically necessary.
You can use your HSA for massage therapy, but you will generally need a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN). If a medical professional determines that massage therapy is required for treating a chronic illness or aiding recovery from a significant injury, the costs could qualify as a reimbursable medical expense.
However, if the massage is solely for relaxation or general well-being, it is not considered a qualified medical expense, and HSA funds cannot be used.
What Are Some Specific Conditions That a Massage Can Help With?
HSAs and FSAs often cover massage therapy alongside standard treatments as part of an integrative medicine plan. Some of the specific conditions that massage can help with include:
Anxiety
Depression
Digestive disorders
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Insomnia
Nerve pain
Postoperative care
Scar tissue
Soft tissue strains and injuries
Sports injuries
Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders
Can You Use Your HSA For a Prenatal Massage?
Yes, prenatal massages may qualify for HSA/FSA coverage if a doctor provides a LOMN stating the massage is necessary for pregnancy-related health conditions. These could include back pain, sciatica, or swelling. However, massages for general relaxation during pregnancy are not HSA/FSA-eligible.
How Flex Can Help You Pay For Massage Therapy With Your HSA/FSA
Platforms like Flex can simplify how you use your HSA or FSA to cover eligible at-home massage guns. Here’s how it works::
Step 1: Add the HSA/FSA-eligible massage gun or device you want to your cart
Flex partners with brands to streamline the process of using your HSA/FSA to pay for a massage gun.
Step 2: Select “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" at checkout
You can buy these items directly from the company by selecting “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" as your payment option at checkout. You can then use either your HSA/FSA card or pay out-of-pocket with a regular credit or debit card (and receive the required documents to submit for reimbursement via email).
Step 3: Keep Documentation
Keep all documentation, including receipts and the Letter of Medical Necessity (should it be necessary), for tax purposes and to ensure compliance with IRS regulations.
Theragun isn’t covered by your HSA? Try alternatives like MedMassager!
If you're looking for an at-home massage device that is specifically designed for medical use and may have a higher likelihood of being covered by your HSA or FSA, consider exploring options like MedMassager.
Medmassager offers FDA-approved body and foot massagers, as well as a compact, but powerful massage gun, that are often HSA/FSA eligible without requiring additional documentation!
Work It Out With Massage: Try Theragun Thanks to Your HSA or FSA
At the end of the day, investing in your recovery and well-being is worth it. Treat your body well, and it will reward you!
Flex is the easiest way for direct to consumer brands and retailers to accept HSA/FSA for their products. From fitness and nutrition, to sleep and mental health, Flex takes a holistic view of healthcare and enables consumers to use their pre-tax money to do the same.