Recovery is an essential part of a successful exercise regime. It gives the body time to repair, rebuild and strengthen between workouts. Proper sleep and nutrition can help, but stretch and massage therapy are the most effective ways to reduce muscle soreness and fatigue. Percussive therapy is a popular type of massage, using rapid and repetitive pressure combined with vibrations. There are many benefits of percussive therapy; here are a few!
- Helps muscles recover faster while reducing muscle pain, lactic acid buildup, and muscle fatigue.
- Allows you to focus on a specific muscle group or muscle knots for immediate pain relief.
- Improve range of motion and flexibility, encourage blood flow, and help with muscle stiffness.
Massage guns are the most popular type of percussive therapy. They exploded in popularity in the past couple of years because of their convenience and ease of doing on your own at home. Massage guns apply pressure directly to your soft tissue and muscles as the massage head moves quickly, while the vibration engages the outer layer of skin. When using a massage gun, aim to keep it on muscles only, avoiding joints and bones. Below are three ways to consider when using a massage gun.
- Before Exercise – Massage the muscles you plan to use during your workout; this will warm them up and decrease the chance of injury.
- After Exercise – Percussive therapy post-exercise decreases your chance of muscle soreness and reduces the time it takes your muscles to repair.
- Muscle Tension or Strain – A quick massage session in the morning can improve your range of motion and muscle movement.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/theragun-review#bottom-line
