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Percussion massagers are designed specifically to be used by health professionals, but in recent yeas have gained popularity for use at home or gym use by those who are looking for a fairly aggressive massage by mean of vibrating or ocilitating heads, as opposed to rotating massage nodes found on more common types of electric massagers that press into and squeeze the treated area.

Percussive massage is a recently developed technology for the treatment for soft tissue pain and soreness through the use of a tool that provides rapid, short duration pulses deep into the soft tissues of the body. It emulates the rhythmic percussion, most frequently administered with the edge of the hands, in this case by means of a tool, also known as a tapotement massage. It can also provide a gentle stretch to the muscles and connective tissues improving responsiveness and performance, and flexibility.

Questions About Percussion Massagers (FAQs)

Is it safe to use a percussion massager?

In most situations it is safe to use percussion massage therapy. It is always wise to follow all of the instructions given when you purchase these machines. If you are concerned with any preexisting conditions that could be negatively affected, it is recommened to consult your physician or a profeesional in this feild before using.

Does it hurt to use a percussion massager gun?

The answer will greatly depend on your level of pain tolerance. But in most cases the tips of these masagers are made to press against the skin and muscles without normally leaving bruising or injury. Many of these machines come with adjustable settings and tips in order to personalize your treatment.

What are they used to treat?

The most common areas that percussion massagers are effective on include sports training, rehabilitation, and common injuries and conditions clean the muscles and tendons. You can generally use these devices on almost any area of the body as many come with specific attachments that are designed to accomodate larger and smaller muscle groups.

How much do they cost?

There is a range of these kinds of massagers dependends on many factors including the brand name, the size, the number of massage heads, and the power of the motors, and other factors. All considered you can expect to pay between $40 to $400. 

5 Benefits To Using A Percussion Massager

1. Unique massage technique. Percussive therapy can greatly differ from traditional methods that apply pressure on sore areas. Percussion massagers work to desensitize the surrounding area of a sore muscle with a wave of gentle pressure, shocking the muscle fiber gradually as the target area is penetrated. In other words, the pain of the treatment seems less grinding and more tingling as due to the fact that it is so rapid.

2. Relaxing muscle spasms. Percussion is an effective treatment of stiff joints and muscle spasms, this type of massage actually elongates the muscle fibers thus helping to prevent further occurrence of muscle spasms. After 'beating the muscles into submission', there is a huge release of tension and a feeling of ease sets in, following a session.
3. Improve recovery rate. Especially with soft tissue injuries percussive massage can growth of tissues and repair them as it increases blood flow to the treatment area. Also help with the movement of lymph and removal of waste and toxins in the blood. Vibration therapy shows clinically early reduction of pain and is effective in decreasing the level of LDH in 48 hours post exercise periods.
4. Convenience. These portable machines are small and easy enough to use just about anywhere. And in many cases come with rechargeable batteries. Take it to the gym, to work, on vacation, orwell sitting in the comfort of your living room. Many are small enough to fit into the palm of your hand and are able to hit just about every muscle in the body from your feet to your face.

5. Improves flexibility, strength and performance. Particularily important to training athletes is how vibration therapy can improve muscular strength, power development and kinesthetic awareness according to one study. These can also help to reduce the tension on the muscle tendon unit that affects the visco-eleastic component of the tissue leading to an increase in competence of the muscle and improvement of muscular flexibility.

Common Uses Of A Percussion

Massager

Relaxation: The most common use for these types of personal massager machines is to soften and loosen up sore and tight muscles from day to day activities, whether performed by a therapist or personally. The experience of thumping and vibration itself can have a very therapeutic and calming effect.

Athletes: Regardless of the sport, working out is very demanding physically so it is extremely important to take the time for rest and recovery which should always follow every workout. By adding percussion therapy to your recuperation stratyegy. You can often times catch a glimpse of a professional athletes on the sidelines using such a device between playing times.

Minor injuries: relaxes muscles and fascia, thus preventing future spasms from occurring. Additionally, percussive massages can help with muscle stiffness. Stiffness can occur when muscles do not receive enough blood flow. With a percussive massage, blood flow can be increased, relaxing stiff muscles.

Rehabilitation: helps to speed up the restorative and recuperation process thru the breakdown of toxic chemicals that are trapped in the muscles caused by injury. This can lower inflamation and accelerate the growth and repair of tissues by providing concentrated agitation and penetration that works to improve blood flow and the transport of nutrients to affected areas.