What is Percussive Therapy & what are the benefits?

What is 
Percussive Therapy 
and what are the benefits?

Percussive Therapy is...

a form of instrument assisted soft tissue manipulation (IASTM) that involves the use of a handheld device that delivers rapid, repetitive applications to the muscles and other soft connective tissues. The device typically uses a percussive or vibrational mechanism stimulating tissues to experience pressure and vibration. Each application combines amplitude (depth), frequency and torque. This technique and device has roots in sports medicine, rehabilitation science and manual therapies but has gained popularity in recent years especially within general and active lifestyle population as a way to improve recovery from physical activity and alleviate pain and stiffness.
Per Therabody University, recent studies have shown that percussive therapy, when applied effectively, has a positive impact on both physiological and neurological responses which can reduce chronic LBP, muscle soreness, improve recovery after exercise, increase joint range of motion, soft tissue extensibility and reducing tension in over-active muscles.
For us, one of the most unique benefits of percussive therapy is its ability to manipulate connective tissues from a thick, adhesive and viscous gel like state and decrease it to a more supple, pliable, fluid state. You can immediately feel the difference pre and post treatment(s). This is a physiological change known as Thixotropy. Now, this is a temporary change, but as long as there are corrective measures in place, i.e., corrective/therapeutic exercises post treatment, your chances of making lasting changes greatly increase.

Percussive Therapy is...

a form of instrument assisted soft tissue manipulation (IASTM) that involves the use of a handheld device that delivers rapid, repetitive applications to the muscles and other soft connective tissues. The device typically uses a percussive or vibrational mechanism stimulating tissues to experience pressure and vibration. Each application combines amplitude (depth), frequency and torque. This technique and device has roots in sports medicine, rehabilitation science and manual therapies but has gained popularity in recent years especially within general and active lifestyle population as a way to improve recovery from physical activity and alleviate pain and stiffness.
Per Therabody University, recent studies have shown that percussive therapy, when applied effectively, has a positive impact on both physiological and neurological responses which can reduce chronic LBP, muscle soreness, improve recovery after exercise, increase joint range of motion, soft tissue extensibility and reducing tension in over-active muscles.
For us, one of the most unique benefits of percussive therapy is its ability to manipulate connective tissues from a thick, adhesive and viscous gel like state and decrease it to a more supple, pliable, fluid state. You can immediately feel the difference pre and post treatment(s). This is a physiological change known as Thixotropy. Now, this is a temporary change, but as long as there are corrective measures in place, i.e., corrective/therapeutic exercises post treatment, your chances of making lasting changes greatly increase.

Benefits of Percussive Therapy

  • Pain Relief: Percussive therapy can help reduce pain and discomfort by releasing tension and trigger points in the muscles and connective tissues.
  • Improved Range of Motion: By addressing muscle imbalances and tension, percussive therapy can help improve range of motion and flexibility.
  • Improved Circulation: Percussive therapy can improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the muscles, which can help promote healing and reduce inflammation.
  • ​Improved Athletic Performance: Percussive therapy can improve athletic performance by increasing range of motion, reducing the risk of injury, and improving overall physical conditioning.
  • ​Improved Recovery: Percussive therapy can aid in recovery from injury or intense physical activity by increasing blood flow and tissue oxygenation to the muscles, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing.
  • ​Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Percussive therapy can promote relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety by releasing tension in the muscles and promoting a sense of calm and well-being.
  • ​Reduced Muscle Soreness: Percussive therapy can help reduce muscle soreness and stiffness by increasing blood flow to the muscles and promoting the removal of metabolic waste products.

Benefits of Percussive Therapy

  • Pain Relief: Percussive therapy can help reduce pain and discomfort by releasing tension and trigger points in the muscles and connective tissues.
  • Improved Range of Motion: By addressing muscle imbalances and tension, percussive therapy can help improve range of motion and flexibility.
  • Improved Circulation: Percussive therapy can improve circulation by increasing blood flow to the muscles, which can help promote healing and reduce inflammation.
  • ​Improved Athletic Performance: Percussive therapy can improve athletic performance by increasing range of motion, reducing the risk of injury, and improving overall physical conditioning.
  • ​Improved Recovery: Percussive therapy can aid in recovery from injury or intense physical activity by increasing blood flow and tissue oxygenation to the muscles, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing.
  • ​Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Percussive therapy can promote relaxation and reduce stress and anxiety by releasing tension in the muscles and promoting a sense of calm and well-being.
  • ​Reduced Muscle Soreness: Percussive therapy can help reduce muscle soreness and stiffness by increasing blood flow to the muscles and promoting the removal of metabolic waste products.

References:

Chang WD, et al. The Effects of Percussive Massage on Muscle Pain and Stiffness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2020;2020:1462579.

Grabowski P, et al. Percussive Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021;10(9):1959.

Jaén-Candón E, et al. Effects of Percussive Vibration Massager on Muscle Pain, Flexibility and Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2020;19(1):26-33.

Kim J, et al. Effects of a Percussive Massager on Shoulder Range of Motion and Function. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2020;43(3):224-229.

Turocy PS, et al. The Effect of Percussive Therapy on Muscle Tension and Flexibility: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2021;16(4):707-715.

Chang WD, et al. Acute effects of localized vibratory therapy on the sympathetic nervous system. Int J Sports Med. 2010;31(9):671-677.

Lakie, M., & Campbell, K. S. (2019). Muscle thixotropy—where are we now?. Journal of Applied Physiology, 126(6), 1790-1799.

Heather M, et al. The efficacy of manual and mechanical percussion massage techniques in treating plantar heel pain: a randomized controlled trial. J Man Manip Ther. 2019;27(3):150-159.

Lee JH, et al. Effects of percussive massage with a massage gun on muscle stiffness and proprioception. J Exercise Rehabilitation. 2019;15(4):538-543.

Pabst J, et al. Comparison of a deep tissue massage and a targeted percussion massage using a handheld device on hamstrings flexibility and muscle soreness in the general population: a randomized controlled trial. J Bodywork Movement Ther. 2021;26:264-271.

References:

Chang WD, et al. The Effects of Percussive Massage on Muscle Pain and Stiffness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2020;2020:1462579.

Grabowski P, et al. Percussive Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021;10(9):1959.

Jaén-Candón E, et al. Effects of Percussive Vibration Massager on Muscle Pain, Flexibility and Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2020;19(1):26-33.

Kim J, et al. Effects of a Percussive Massager on Shoulder Range of Motion and Function. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2020;43(3):224-229.

Turocy PS, et al. The Effect of Percussive Therapy on Muscle Tension and Flexibility: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 2021;16(4):707-715.

Chang WD, et al. Acute effects of localized vibratory therapy on the sympathetic nervous system. Int J Sports Med. 2010;31(9):671-677.

Lakie, M., & Campbell, K. S. (2019). Muscle thixotropy—where are we now?. Journal of Applied Physiology, 126(6), 1790-1799.

Heather M, et al. The efficacy of manual and mechanical percussion massage techniques in treating plantar heel pain: a randomized controlled trial. J Man Manip Ther. 2019;27(3):150-159.

Lee JH, et al. Effects of percussive massage with a massage gun on muscle stiffness and proprioception. J Exercise Rehabilitation. 2019;15(4):538-543.

Pabst J, et al. Comparison of a deep tissue massage and a targeted percussion massage using a handheld device on hamstrings flexibility and muscle soreness in the general population: a randomized controlled trial. J Bodywork Movement Ther. 2021;26:264-271.

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