How Effective is Percussion Massage? What You Should Know

The percussion massager has been quite the revelation in performance technology. That’s because it does one thing with unparalleled efficiency: massaging your muscles with such depth and consistency.

The popular type of therapy it provides is aptly called Percussion Massage. And in this article, we’ll walk through how it can work wonders on many areas of your lifestyle.

What you’re getting

What a percussion massager delivers is effectively a deep tissue massage, without much of the pain. So expect to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Enhanced muscle performance

Percussion massage ought to make you feel stronger for whatever activity lies ahead. This is especially helpful for those who seek to maintain that edge in their workouts.

The powerful strokes increase your body heat and circulation, awakening your muscles. Along with this, your muscle fibers also begin to stretch out. As a result, your muscles get the flexibility and endurance to go the distance.

Quick muscle pain relief

Many of us have tried dealing with Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness (DOMS) after intense workouts. And much to your exasperation, you might find yourself laboring through the pain just to stay on track. That can be counterproductive when the soreness finally takes its toll.

The quick and intense movement of the percussion massager immediately blocks pain signals to your brain. That’s how it eliminates the discomfort associated with deep tissue massage. And it does all that while providing that deep and soothing relief.

Improved vital functions

The healing nutrients also flow into your tired muscles more as the percussion massager stimulates blood flow. And its ability to resolve painful muscle knots also clears up your lymphatic pathways, helping reduce inflammation.

Your lymphatic system also releases a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. On top of that, it plays a role in fat metabolism and obesity prevention. That’s why you tend to catch less diseases and lose more weight when your lymphatic system does its job efficiently.

Improved mental state

A percussion massager interacts with your muscles in ways that calm your nervous system. It also helps you sleep better, allowing you to make better decisions in your waking hours.

The deep and intense massage also helps significantly reduce your body’s cortisol, the stress hormone. This, along with the freedom from all sorts of nagging soreness, helps reduce stress and anxiety.

What you should watch out for

Remember, a percussion massager is hardly discreet – and that’s usually a good thing. But you could be doing more harm than good if you’re unaware of any vulnerable condition you might have. So don’t skip all the necessary precautions before you proceed.

Injuries and other sensitive areas

The percussion massager is by no means designed for direct use over bones and joints. Likewise, it won’t be safe for serious muscle injuries either. Applying this therapy in such occasions could result in serious issues.

At most, it’s only meant to handle minor injuries and support recovery. But its biggest role in injury management is helping prevent them altogether by conditioning your muscles.

Sensitive conditions

Furthermore, if you’re pregnant or suffering serious illnesses, it’s best to seek medical advice first. Always consult your doctor regarding therapy options suitable for your own current state.

Self-massage with a percussion massager

Aching to avoid the crippling muscle soreness after an intense workout? Or perhaps you just need a proper unwind after a long day? 

Once you know how percussion massage works, it’ll be easy to try on the go. Get your well-earned relief in no time using a percussion massager.

Get your head in the game

A selection of attachment heads for different purposes come with every good muscle massage gun. And it’s not uncommon to use several of them in a single session.

Ball, Fork, and Bullet type heads are designed for medium to small muscle groups. The latter two heads also work on muscle tightness by giving even more depth.

Flat heads, on the other hand, better suit the larger muscle groups. They’re also excellent at boosting your circulation and body heat.

Now, it’s not always easy to look up guides like this in the heat of battle. So here’s something easy to remember when loading your gun: the wider the tip, the wider its intended surface. Although narrower tips are also welcome on larger muscles where tightness persists.

How to operate your percussion massager

A percussion massager is a fairly straightforward device. You’d press no more than one button to turn it on and adjust the speed to your needs. But you can easily change a few things up to suit different occasions:

1. For Warm ups – pair this with your pre-workout stretches to wake up your muscles. “Float” the device around your target muscle group for no more than 30 seconds.
2. To prevent DOMS – use this right after your workout and in the days that follow. With an appropriate attachment, let your device hammer away for up to 2 minutes per muscle group. Combine it with stretches and light activity for best results.
3. To untangle muscle knots – you can lean into where you feel the tightness, with the help of a narrower tip. Use it for up to 30 seconds over the target area.
4. To relax and improve your sleep – incorporate it into your casual nighttime unwind. On a lower speed, gently run it over each muscle group for no more than 30 seconds.

The Bottomline

For all its intended purposes, the percussion massage is staggeringly effective. And you’ll be surprised by how simple it is to harness its power.

On top of all that, it allows you plenty of room to listen to your body. And it’s something you ought to practice a lot with a percussion massager. Because understanding your body is the key to getting its full benefits while running minimal risks.