How Does Science Shape Therabody’s Products? Hear From The Experts
Since the beginning, Therabody’s® founders believed that technology has the ability to change the way people take care of their bodies. Over the last 10 years, the team has developed products like the Theragun® to help relieve aches and pains and improve recovery, SmartGoggles® to help reduce stress and improve sleep quality, and TheraFace Mask to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
These products weren’t just created based on what people thought would work. Every Therabody product is built on rigorous scientific research demonstrating clinical efficacy. Therabody partners with leading researchers, universities, and medical experts to validate technologies, ensuring you get real, measurable benefits you can trust.
So what does this look like in action? Therabody’s Tim Roberts, MSc, VP of Science & Innovation, and Rachelle Reed, PhD, MS, ACSM-EP, Head of Scientific Research and Communication, weigh in on the scientific process at Therabody.
Why is scientific research important?
“Fundamentally, the scientific method is a logical and methodical way to seek truth and learn,” says Roberts.
Science is the most reliable tool we have for understanding the world around us. And in the health and wellness space, it’s essential. There are so many products and claims competing for attention, and rigorous research helps separate what truly works from what’s just marketing fluff.
When companies (like Therabody) invest in scientific research, everyone benefits.
“Industry science is critical because it bridges the gap between academic discovery and real-world application, which ensures that evidence-based insights are used to improve products, services, and health outcomes,” says Reed.
It’s also important to work with scientists with diverse perspectives and experiences. That’s why Therabody established a Scientific Advisory Board of renowned experts spanning women’s health, longevity, dermatology, musculoskeletal health, performance, and recovery.
Credible scientific research is especially critical within the health and wellness space. Here’s why.
1. Science drives product innovation
Scientific research is what ensures products aren’t just sleek — they’re safe and effective.
Decades of clinical data on treatments like percussive therapy (as used in the Theragun), vibration therapy, pneumatic compression, and LED light therapy have shown these modalities deliver specific, measurable outcomes. Therabody’s scientists analyze this body of evidence to identify the optimal settings for delivering each therapy, then design products that bring those proven benefits into people’s homes.
“Scientific discovery through insights from adjacent fields is key to our innovation,” says Roberts. “What can we learn from local vibration research? From the application of massage? From how the body responds to heat? How can these findings inform an entirely new modality or device design?”
Product experts then uniquely combine multiple therapies in a single device, which oftentimes has never been done before. Therabody’s scientists then take it a step further, and invest in clinical research to then study and evaluate the outcomes of the device itself.
2. Science creates targeted health solutions
Truly innovative products solve real-world problems that people face.
In fact, “The very first Theragun was born out of an opportunity for this,” says Roberts. “Dr. Jason Wersland sought a solution to treat his pain. From there, he iteratively tested different components one at a time to see how they impacted patient outcomes. That process helped us understand how factors like frequency, amplitude, torque, and attachment design all influence results, and it was really the start of science at Therabody.”
Since then, every product Therabody has launched is designed to target certain health concerns. For example, the ThermBack LED strategically delivers heat, vibration, and LED light therapy to the parts of your lower back that need the most support.
3. Science helps us discover the benefits of devices
One of the most exciting parts of ongoing research is uncovering benefits that weren't initially expected.
For example, percussive therapy has been studied and used primarily to relieve pain, improve mobility, and support muscle recovery. After multiple customers reported that using the Theragun before bed helped them sleep, Therabody scientists were eager to test it out in a controlled setting.
The results showed that using a Theragun for 6 minutes before bed helped to improve sleep by helping the body relax, easing muscle tension, and supporting a calmer nervous system before bed.
Insights like these expand the ways people can use Therabody’s products, enabling the team to create more targeted protocols to deliver those newly discovered benefits.
4. The intersection of science and consumer research leads to effective products
Industry research serves as a crucial bridge between academic discoveries and practical applications that people can implement in their daily lives. Publishing studies in peer-reviewed journals is critical, and industry science takes these findings and develops them into accessible products, services, and technologies.
Without this translation phase, many breakthrough discoveries would never benefit the general public.
Products also have to marry scientific research with consumer research to be truly effective.
“Every innovation must start and end with the consumer,” says Roberts. “We always start with the problem we are solving, and how we can go beyond their current solution. From there, scientific research is needed to validate that it works for the customer, is safe, and that they enjoy using it.”
Here’s why that last part is particularly important.
“For any product to have a benefit, the consumer must use it and use it consistently,” says Roberts. “Even if you have incredible science to support it, if it’s uncomfortable or the user interface (UI) is complex, people may not use the product, and it won't solve their unique problems.”
5. Science ensures devices are safe and effective
At Therabody, rigorous scientific testing is fundamental to prove that products work as intended and to ensure they’re safe for everyday use.
“With science as a brand differentiator, one of our key research categories includes product validation and efficacy work for regulatory purposes. Our products are medical devices, which means we have to submit proof to the FDA confirming the product’s safety,” says Reed.
This research protects consumers from ineffective or potentially harmful devices and builds confidence in our brand and the wellness industry as a whole. It helps us fine-tune exactly how to use each device for maximum health benefits, from ideal treatment protocols to appropriate frequency and duration.
Therabody’s approach to scientific research
“Therabody is dedicated to creating products that are scientifically validated, so consumers can trust that they are both safe and effective,” says Roberts.
There are three main ways Therabody accomplishes this scientific validation: Therabody Labs, third-party research, and research grants.
Therabody Labs
To deliver on the mission to create scientifically-backed wellness technological solutions for every body, the scientists and engineers at Therabody created Therabody Labs.
Therabody Labs is a dedicated research and development (R&D) lab to test product efficacy and safety, formulate optimal product protocols that drive the greatest user benefits, and experiment with prototypes to drive cutting-edge innovation.
“Therabody Labs is both a facility and team that is central to Therabody’s R&D, and the work that is completed ultimately results in the consumer seeing final products that really work and have the scientific validation to support their use,” says Roberts.
Research from Therabody Labs helps to optimize the product development and education process. The scientific work completed internally sets the standards for global external scientific research collaborations.
Third-party research partners
Real-world effectiveness can look different across people, settings, and goals, which is why Therabody collaborates with leading third-party research institutions. Experts in women’s health, sports performance, recovery, and beauty conduct independent studies on Therabody’s devices, testing them with different populations, in various protocols, and against other modalities.
These collaborations help answer a critical question: what works, for whom, and in what setting? The results contribute to the broader body of scientific knowledge, extending far beyond Therabody alone.
By partnering with universities, hospitals, and private research facilities around the globe, Therabody helps ensure the research community as a whole gains unbiased insights into product benefits and safety.
Research grants
Therabody is dedicated to advancing wellness through science, not just within our labs but also by supporting external research. “Therabody’s inaugural Research Grant program funds innovative studies that explore new uses for the products, especially in populations often underrepresented in scientific research,” says Reed. “Through the Research Grant program, we also have the opportunity to partner with leading researchers in their respective fields.”
In 2024, grants were awarded to two projects investigating how Therabody devices can improve pain management, recovery, and physical activity in groups like older women and African American female athletes.
A study on how the PowerDot’s influence on menstrual cramps has already been completed, showing the devices’ effectiveness in managing period pain.
In funding this research, Therabody is helping to broaden the scientific understanding of recovery and wellness, ensuring products benefit more people, more effectively.
The scientific findings of Therabody’s research
Over the last six years, these research practices have led to numerous peer-reviewed publications, scientific presentations, and graduate-level research projects that deepen the understanding of how Therabody’s devices impact recovery, performance, and overall wellness.
Studies have shown that:
- The Theragun is an effective way to speed recovery and improve sleep.
- JetBoots help mitigate lower-body fatigue during intense training periods.
- SmartGoogles improve sleep quality.
- The TheraFace Mask smooths fine lines and wrinkles.
And that’s not all. Learn more about the scientific research behind Therabody's products here.
Key takeaways
- Therabody’s science-first approach ensures every product is not only backed by rigorous research, but is also safe and effective.
- Therabody combines clinical evidence and consumer insights to deliver targeted performance, wellness, and beauty solutions that are validated and effective.
- Science is a central part of Therabody’s mission, unlocking new ways technology can empower people to take charge of their health like never before.
