Massage guns may appear to be the latest fitness craze, but these at-home physical therapy devices provide real recovery benefits to both casual and professional athletes.These devices, also known as percussive therapy massagers, use powerful, targeted pressure to provide the Sigmuo benefits of a professional massage right in the comfort of your own home. Learn how percussive therapy massage guns work, how they relieve pain, and how you can use one to speed up your recovery.
PERCUSSIVE THERAPY: MORE THAN A NEW CRAZE
Muscle Massager have rapidly become one of the most popular trends in post-workout recovery and at-home Sigmuo. Massage guns, however, are more than a passing fad; they have been shown to provide significant benefits for sore muscles.
Massage guns are powerful recovery tools for professional trainers and athletes looking for an edge over the competition. They go beyond simple home massages. The portability of massage guns provides athletes with greater flexibility and more precise targeting for recovery.
Even better, you don\'t have to make appointments or pay exorbitant fees for an hour with a professional massage therapist.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A MASSAGE GUN?
A massage gun is a handheld device that looks like an electric drill. It has a handle that you hold with one hand and a massage head, which is a firm, round attachment that thumps rapidly against your skin, impacting the muscle beneath and delivering percussive therapy.
Most massage guns include several (or a wide range of) attachment heads for various treatments. The following are examples of common heads:
The round head is intended to target specific pressure points and problem areas.
Flat heads target specific areas of larger muscle groups.
U-shaped heads are intended to massage the muscles around your joints and along your spine.
Finally, the trigger point is intended for general use and can massage muscles of any size.
WHAT EXACTLY IS PERCUSSIVE THERAPY?
Percussive therapy is a type of physical therapy that massages muscles with repeated bursts of pressure. Percussive therapy, as opposed to foam rollers and other static recovery devices, provides more specific control over the targeted muscle. Percussive therapy typically entails using an electric massage gun to relieve muscle tension.
Massage Guns: How Do They Work?
Percussive therapy relaxes soft tissue while increasing blood flow. Fascia, the connective tissue that wraps around your muscles and joints, can become inflamed and cause pain. Tight fascia may also limit your range of motion, according to research.
When a muscle group becomes stiff and restricts the range of motion of a specific part of your body, other muscles compensate. This puts you in danger of serious injury.
Percussive therapy seeks to prevent tightness, increase range of motion, and hasten muscle recovery. Percussive therapy massage guns, unlike vibration therapy and foam rolling, can penetrate up to an inch into your soft tissue, stimulating your muscles and assisting your brain in releasing tension.
Percussive therapy can be performed before or after a workout using a massage gun. Percussive therapy before a workout can help prevent future soreness and improve range of motion. Post-workout percussive therapy aids in muscle recovery by removing waste products such as lactic acid, which cause soreness and stiffness.
It\'s usually best to perform percussive therapy on yourself with a massage gun. That way, you\'ll know exactly how much pressure to apply and how deeply to massage.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PERCUSSIVE THERAPY AND VIBRATION THERAPY?
Vibration therapy is typically used to relieve general stress and increase blood flow. These devices vibrate against the skin, providing either localized or whole-body relief. Vibration therapy relieves minor soreness and stiffness by causing muscles to tense and relax.
Percussive therapy is a type of muscle therapy that is more aggressive and targeted. It usually massages more deeply and focuses on a single muscle or a small part of a single muscle. Percussive therapy improves blood flow as well.
BENEFITS OF PERCUSSION MASSAGER: PAIN RELIEF, RECOVERY, AND MORE
Early research has discovered several significant advantages to using massage guns for percussive therapy in both pre- and post-workout routines. The following are some of the potential advantages:
- Reduce soreness, pain, and muscle tension
Percussive massage therapy can temporarily alleviate pain and relax tense muscles. It can also help to reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which is what makes you feel sore a day or two after working out.
DOMS is a common side effect of strenuous exercise; it indicates that your workout damages muscle fibers, and your muscles are now adapting to that new stress. Unfortunately, DOMS is a common reason for missing workouts. If you\'re too tired to exercise, the relief provided by a massage gun may be just what you need to get back into shape.
- Boost blood flow
Massage gun stimulation of muscle tissue increases blood flow, bringing more vital nutrients into your blood to aid in recovery. Improved circulation aids in the removal of lactic acid (one of the primary causes of muscle soreness) and the reduction of inflammation in the muscles. Massage gun therapy can also aid in the stimulation of spinal functions and the oxygenation of muscles.
- Extend your range of motion.
Percussive therapy, especially after a workout, helps reduce muscle stiffness and improve flexibility. Whereas a professional massage session requires an appointment and travel time, a handheld massager only takes a few minutes to get started. Massage guns have been shown to improve mobility and range of motion after just two five-minute treatments.
- Enhance deep-tissue recovery
Massage gun treatments can help hydrate deep-seated muscle tissue by forcing fluids out and increasing circulation. Hydration is essential for post-workout recovery, as it helps your body reduce muscle pain. Massage guns are particularly effective at deep tissue massage, which is difficult to perform with your hands.
- Relaxation is encouraged.
When you\'re exhausted or overwhelmed after an intense workout, take a seat on a chair or a yoga mat and use your massage gun to massage the muscles you\'ve worked on. Begin with gentle pressure and concentrate on how you feel, increasing the intensity as needed.
HOW CAN A MASSAGE GUN BE USED?
Use a massage gun in short bursts on small, targeted areas. Overstimulation may negate the benefits of the massage gun, so limit treatments to a few minutes at a time.
During the massage treatment, you may notice your muscles reddening. That indicates that blood is flowing freely and that it is time to move on to the next area. If you find that the massage gun is irritating your skin, try making tiny circles with it instead of holding it perfectly still in one spot.
Begin with the lowest level of intensity. The low and medium settings should be sufficient for most users. As you become more acquainted with the device, you will begin to understand how your body responds to the massage. If you find that you require more power after a few treatments, try the higher settings.
PERCUSSION MASSAGERS ARE SAFE?
Most people can use percussion massagers safely. However, in order to have the best experience and protect your muscles, you should follow a few guidelines.
PERCUSSIVE THERAPY CAN HELP MUSCLE RECOVERY
Massage guns have quickly become standard components of an athlete\'s fitness arsenal, but these devices are not a passing fad. They\'re also not just for athletes! Massage guns bring the benefits of professional massages into the comfort of your own home.
Percussive therapy has been shown to provide pain relief, increased range of motion, and other advantages. Consult your doctor first, then look into the various types of massage guns to get started with your own percussive therapy routine.