The Benefits of a Percussion Massager.

If you suffer from chronic back or neck pain, you can appreciate how much a massage contributes to alleviating pain and preventing it from returning. But even if your muscle pain and tension is not chronic, there will still be plenty of times when you get a knot or other pain point that you’ll want to address with massage.

Our bodies and our lifestyles can seem at odds with each other sometimes—stress, hunching over a computer all day, physical activity or even just sleeping in an odd position can all cause pain to flare up and backs, necks and shoulders to tense up. That can leave us desperate for a way to ease the pain. While you might not have the time or energy to head to a massage therapist, there are plenty of home-based pain management solutions available. That’s where at-home percussive therapy, or percussion therapy, can be a major source of relief by using a percussion massage gun.

But wait—what is percussion therapy, and what is a percussion massager? That concept alone might sound intimidating, and you might wonder: are massage guns good for you?

How to get the most out of your percussion massager.

Fortunately, the science-backed evidence shows that they’re not only good for you, but can help you find relief and heal from muscle soreness and aid in workout recovery.See Disclosure ¹ The percussion massage technique targets deep tissues and break up knots with precision and efficiency. The device works by delivering a series of rapid tapping against the targeted area to release tension. The vibration and force of the head of the massage gun “shocks” the muscle fibers and stimulates blood flow, allowing the muscles to begin healing.

Massage gun benefits are felt through a series of different impacts:

Increasing circulation
Reducing inflammation
Releasing toxins from the muscles
Relaxing the muscles to release tension
Stimulating lymphatic flow and drainage
Loosening scar tissues

One of the most noticeable percussion massage gun benefits is preventing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DOMS is the soreness you feel a day or two after a workout, especially one where you used muscles that you don’t normally put to work.

Do yoga or stretches.

One key way to help your body recover and heal after using your massage gun for spot treatments is to stretch. You can go as in-depth with your stretching routine as you’d like—whether you do a simple series of stretches or bring out the yoga equipment to give yourself a more thorough recovery, you’ll help keep your muscles more relaxed and your circulation moving.

Apply heat.

Applying heat to the source and surrounding area of your muscle pain can help your muscles maintain their relaxed state and decrease any stiffness that comes back. Heat is another reliable way to stimulate blood flow and keep the tension at bay. A quality heating pad will deliver more precision heat and can even be tailored for use on specific parts of your body.

Work with a foam roller.

If you’re recovering from back pain, a foam roller is another tool you should have on hand. You can position your back on top of the roller and roll back and forth to loosen the muscles and work out knots. Smaller rollers will give a more intense level of pressure, while larger ones will more gently work more surface area across your entire back.

Stay on the move.

Your workout routine might contribute to an increase in soreness when you first start it, since you’re often using muscles you’re not accustomed to working. As mentioned above, a percussion massage gun can help you find relief from and even prevent DOMS. Another part of this equation, however, is keeping up with your routine on a regular basis—with appropriate rest and recovery days built in. Start with choosing exercise equipment that is best suited for your goals and current fitness level. If you exercise regularly, you’ll obviously begin to strengthen your muscles to prevent injury and soreness.

Include a massage gun in your health and fitness routines.

Of course, there will still be times when you’ll feel sore after your workout, especially as you add in new exercises and weight levels or try out new equipment. Having a percussion massager at the ready will help you keep your routine going since it makes it easier to treat and prevent pain.

Muscle soreness can come in many forms regardless of activity level, and tending to it as soon as possible is important. Whether you experience pain in your back from sitting all day, a stiff neck from stress or sore calves from running, including a percussion massager as a part of your recovery plan will help you stay pain-free as much as possible.

References.

1. Ferreira, Ricardo Maia, Rafael Silva, Pedro Vigário, Pedro Nunes Martins, Filipe Casanova, Ricardo Jorge Fernandes and António Rodrigues Sampaio. “The Effects of Massage Guns on Performance and Recovery: A Systematic Review.” Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. September 18, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10532323/.

Additional information:

These statements and any information contained herein are intended for educational purposes only and are not meant to substitute for medical care or to prescribe treatment for any specific health condition. Carefully review product labels for instructions and important safety information and consider consulting with a health care professional regarding your use of health and wellness products.