Percussion therapy tools have grown increasingly popular among athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike, offering benefits similar to traditional massage sessions without incurring additional expenses or scheduling an appointment with a therapist. These portable percussion massage tools offer portable relief without having to book appointments beforehand – perfect for athletes!
Percussion massage devices use quick bursts of pressure to stimulate blood flow in muscle tissue, reduce pain, and reduce DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) associated with post-workout exercise.
Theragun
Since their introduction in 2016, massage guns — commonly referred to as percussive therapy devices — have quickly become an essential tool for athletes and weekend warriors alike. Used to soothe sore muscles, increase flexibility and enhance overall recovery, massage guns have become ubiquitous across Instagram and YouTube accounts of both professional runners, weightlifters and fitness buffs – from professional runners and weightlifters to at-home fitness buffs alike. One such leader in the field is Theragun, offering at-home recovery tools since 2016. We spoke to one physiotherapist on whether these powerful handheld gadgets work and what benefits can expect when using one compared with using regular massage sessions or tools alone.
Theragun’s G3 and Pro models are specifically designed to target muscle knots that cause aches and pains. Utilizing vibrations, pressure and heat stimulation of muscle tissue to release knots. According to their manufacturer’s claims, Theragun also promotes cellular regeneration, helps prevent Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) as well as increases flexibility.
To use the Theragun, hold it at a 90-degree angle with your hand on its handle and move its tip across muscle areas in small circular motions in quick and small bursts. This device then stimulates nerve receptors in your skin and muscles to increase blood flow and break up scar tissue.
During a session, Theragun’s tip touches and retracts 40 times a second to provide a “deep-tissue percussive massage” of 16 millimeters deep into muscle, according to its company. This action breaks up knots and releases tight cross-bridges that form in muscle during exercise – these are typically the muscles which feel sore after an intensive run, workout or HIIT class.
Small research studies suggest percussive therapy may be able to reduce muscle soreness and increase range of motion after exercising, however more studies must be completed and devices starting at $300 for basic models are costly compared with more effective forms of therapy such as Theraguns. If considering purchasing one it is advisable to consult your physician to make sure the therapy will be safe.
Flexibility
Flexibility refers to the range of motion in muscles and connective tissues at joints. As it’s unique to each joint in the body, flexibility differs significantly from more general fitness components like aerobic capacity or muscular endurance. Flexibility also varies greatly among individuals so linking it to health outcomes may be more complicated.
Possessing good flexibility is vital to overall health at any age or physical activity level, from children and senior citizens through athletes of all kinds. Flexibility helps improve posture, balance, joint function and stress relief on muscles tendons ligaments – as well as helping prevent injuries by loosening tightness in muscle fibers and increasing joint alignment. Percussion massage therapy has proven particularly useful for increasing muscle mobility, decreasing tightness and eliminating lactic acid build-up associated with fatigue and injury.
Soft tissue injuries, especially muscle strains, can be extremely challenging to recover from. After an athlete is injured, recovery typically involves strengthening and stretching exercises to decrease stiffness and increase flexibility to return performance levels pre-injury. When combined with comprehensive stretching routines and percussion massage therapies, these can further accelerate healing timeframes, leading back to peak performance levels.
Percussion massage has quickly gained in popularity as an innovative method of improving fitness, healing soft tissue injuries and optimizing athletic performance. Anyone from office workers to competitive recreational athletes can utilize this tool pre-workouts in order to increase blood flow, flexibility and activate muscles while decreasing injury risks.
Utilizing a percussive massage device such as Theragun can be extremely helpful in breaking up and eliminating trigger points in muscles, which may contribute to tennis elbow and hamstring conditions. Furthermore, its vibrations help break down scar tissue while increasing circulation for improved range of motion and reduced pain levels.
Pain Relief
Have you seen people sharing videos on Instagram of themselves using an unusual handheld massage gun that resembles a power drill? Known as Theragun, such devices have gained widespread use among athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to speed up muscle recovery after workouts while preventing soreness post workout. Although claims about these products claiming greater efficacy than foam rolling or vibration therapy may exist, do these claims hold water?
What makes theragun singapore and other percussive therapy devices effective at loosening tight muscles is their ability to penetrate soft tissues up to an inch deep, stimulating muscle fibers, sending signals back to the brain for release of tension, breaking up pain signals sent from body parts back to brain, and in some cases relieving nerve damage.
The Theragun and similar devices use flat heads that massage small areas of muscle, while U-shaped heads can target larger muscle groups or the spine. Some even come equipped with trigger point attachments for hard-to-reach muscles. Percussion therapy works to loosen fascia – the thin fibrous tissue covering muscles and bones – when it thickens, restricting mobility and leading to discomfort. Repeated pressure from massage guns thins fluids out, making fascia more flexible, improving flexibility while decreasing pain levels.
Athleticians and other exercisers rely on Theragun-like tools to reduce stiffness and increase range of motion before exercise sessions, as well as reduce injury risks during them by warming up muscles and taking strain off joints, increasing blood flow, lymphatic circulation and decreasing swelling and stiffness after workouts. Not only is Theragun useful to athletes; sedentary workers can use it too to improve posture and alleviate back stiffness caused by long days at work.
Percussive therapy offers other advantages as well, including improved sleep and stress relief. According to studies, percussive therapy can help relieve tension by decreasing levels of cortisol (a hormone linked with stress). Furthermore, percussive therapy has also been proven to increase quality sleep while decreasing interruptions to your sleeping pattern.
Stress Relief
Stress is one of the primary contributors to many health problems, especially sleep issues. Luckily, there are numerous effective solutions to combat it – percussion therapy is just one such strategy and works by increasing blood flow to the area being massaged, helping with muscle recovery after physical exertion or trauma, relieving stress levels and increasing muscle spindles recruited which are necessary for peak muscle performance.
There are various percussion massage guns on the market, from low-end handheld models available at sports stores to professional models designed specifically for use. Their sizes, battery power and prices all vary; some offer longer working times than others – however all offer similar results: multifaceted responses impacting nervous, circulatory, musculoskeletal systems to relieve pain and soreness; improve sleep and recovery; decrease myofascial restriction, inflammation reduction and reduce perceptions of stress.
Massage guns differ from foam rollers in that they can be used on every part of the body, from head to toe. It’s often recommended that users utilize one before and/or after exercise sessions in order to warm up muscles and reduce risk of injury as well as improve range of motion and speed recovery time. Some even find them helpful for sleep as tension and anxiety reduction help them sleep quicker at night.
Research into percussive massage therapy remains underway, yet its benefits for active people with an active lifestyle are abundant. Alongside healthy diet, regular exercise, and plenty of restful sleep, percussive massage therapy may make a considerable impact when it comes to managing stress and improving overall health.
If you are searching for ways to ease soreness, accelerate recovery or simply feel more relaxed and balanced, consider adding percussive massage devices such as Theragun to your arsenal of recovery tools. Just be sure to first consult your physician prior to making any significant adjustments in your routine, and always purchase high-quality products which have been tested for safety.