Meet the founder of Therabody
Meet Dr Jason Wersland, Therabody founder and Chief Wellness Officer. The world leaders in percussive therapy, Therabody has a commitment to using research and science to help educate and empower people to take control of their health.
What inspired you to launch your business and what is the end goal?
When I first created Theragun, it was completely selfish -- I invented it to treat myself in 2008. I was the first patient using this product to address my pain and then my rehab needs and eventually in my daily routine, from waking up to working out. I eventually took the Theragun to my clinic and started using it on my clients. I was able to see some drastic changes and the effect this new modality had on the everyday person. It grew inside my office and became a requested treatment by nearly every patient. In 2012, I started using Theragun on athletes and discovered its performance-enhancing effects and how much these professional athletes loved using Theragun. The demand for Theragun really started to take off in 2013.
Through the years this product has helped me connect with my patients and more importantly, as I shared the product with my patients, this facilitated a deeper connection my patients had with their own bodies -- that is my purpose. Our true desire is to relieve your pain and decrease the tension in your body. That is truly what we all come to work to do, every day and it’s what keeps us inspired to grow our portfolio of natural product solutions. Everyone can benefit from using a Theragun and the Therabody echo system.
How long have you been a chiropractor for? What made you choose this profession?
I actually just finished my last chiropractic exam right before I was in my motorcycle accident that eventually led me to invent Theragun. So, I have been practising officially since 2008. I have always been interested in the nervous system, physiology and mechanics of the body and how we move. I had several great experiences with chiropractors growing up and realized they could work on the entire body, not just one specific body part. And the ability to help people with my hands and education was very attractive to me.
How does percussive therapy work?
Basically, the up-and-down motion that the Theragun makes is called a percussive motion - that motion along with our specifically calibrated frequency and amplitude moves on and off the body having a positive effect on the body, nerves, and body tissue. Most body aches are caused by muscle tension, so we created the Theragun to help release that tension, which can help improve mobility and alleviate the aches we all feel from modern-day life.
Our percussive therapy has a variety of benefits from aiding in preventing body aches and pains, greatly reducing muscle tension in seconds, increasing mobility and range of motion, increasing blood flow to the area to reduce soreness, tightness and pain, and can assist with accelerating the repair and growth of tissues. Through research, we’ve identified how to combine amplitude, frequency and torque to effectively stimulate blood flow, which will ultimately help you feel better. The Therabody app is the perfect guide on how to best use your Theragun and optimize the benefits with the correct speed, grip, attachment, and time in different areas.
Any new product launches we should know about?
We’ve been working on something very exciting with (RED). Through a campaign called RECOVE(RED), we have created products that will raise funds for the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response and (RED)’s fight to end AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. The partnership highlights the importance of supporting health systems through a range of whole-body wellness offerings, each generating funds to support the fight against two pandemics: HIV/AIDS and COVID-19. We believe in making products that help people feel better naturally, and thanks to our partnership with (RED), consumer purchase of these products can help you feel good inside and out.
Is ‘giving back’ important to you?
Absolutely. As well as this partnership with (RED), we've had the opportunity during this pandemic to donate Theraguns to hospitals around the globe and see the impact Theragun has been having on our frontline workers. We know those long hour shifts take a toll on the body and our product is uniquely equipped to provide some relief for them during this time - it's our privilege to give back to the ones who are giving so much to us.
We've also focused on giving back to those in need, donating 250,000 meals to Feeding America as well as a similar initiative with FareShare, the UK’s largest charity fighting hunger and food waste.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as an entrepreneur?
My failures and challenges are actually my secret weapons. Failures teach me which direction NOT to take and challenges help me know I'm on the right path as long as I am focused on my goal.
With all the success stories around entrepreneurship and how innovative people have to be to take the leap… how do you think you’ve innovated your sector and why?
I don’t say this lightly, but I created this handheld percussive massage therapy space. The idea was born out of necessity -- for my own injuries -- but I’ve been able to see its impact on so many people, which has inspired me to keep going throughout the years and constantly innovate. It was my obligation to understand this new modality. My experience as a chiropractor also puts me in a unique position within the industry, where I am the only practitioner behind a product like this, and that adds a different lens to our innovations.
How do you set yourself apart from other businesses in your industry?
We are the only “massage gun” to have four generations in the span of four years. Theragun is also the only physician-calibrated percussive therapy device in the market. We prioritize education, science, and research - and have never sacrificed those things in our evolution. Our 4th generation percussive therapy devices are a manifestation of our continued evolution and now seamlessly integrate with the Therabody app experience, making them Smart Percussive Therapy devices. Our devices are a natural solution to muscle tension and an alternative to pain medication and their many harmful side effects.
How has COVID-19 impacted demand for your products?
Due to the current situation in the world, we are all dealing with new and changing activities of daily living. Our routines and habits are different. The places we sit, what we eat, our hydration, and the way we engage with our co-workers have all changed. Just like a new pair of shoes or a new workout routine, the different wear and tear on our bodies will be felt more dramatically. The tension that builds in our body on a normal day in our normal environment is not healthy for the body as it is, now compounding that with the situation we have been dealing with for the last several months, our bodies need some relief. Theragun helps relieve everyday tension and the changes in our activity level from working out more, or less, during COVID-19 -- and people are definitely recognizing the benefits it can offer.
Do you think that improving your physical well-being benefits your mental and emotional well-being?
There is little doubt that physical health affects our mental states and vice versa. Debilitating pain can lead to depression and can prevent us from partaking in many of the joys of life. Anxiety can lead to muscle tension and can drain our energy, even when we are not subconsciously aware. If we can take care of ourselves physically, we can perhaps ease many of the burdens that come with mental health issues. Exercise can help us ensure our bodies are producing the right levels of hormones that help regulate our mental states. I also think it is important that people understand how important recovery and sleep is for our mental and emotional well being, especially to balance out the physical challenges we put on our bodies.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of creating Therabody?
The most rewarding part for me is seeing people using our products for the first time and experiencing the life-changing effects it can have. It’s amazing to work with professional athletes and celebrities, but seeing how Therabody’s products can change someone’s life -- who thought there may never be a solution to their pain -- is the most rewarding.
The experience of treating someone with a serious life-altering injury or trauma and seeing and hearing their paradigm shift, right in front of me. It's a blessing every time and never gets old.
