Massage Guns and Sports Recovery
Massage guns, also known as percussion guns, are a type of vibration therapy. These electric handheld tools resemble power drills and are used to deliver light-to-intense percussion techniques to muscle (s).
Benefits include:
Fast muscle recovery after intensive workouts
Increased blood circulation and nutrient flow to the muscles
Reduced delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) from exercise
Minimized muscle knots and tension
Prevents buildup of scar tissue and adhesions
On average, consumers can purchase the device for around $100. With their purchase comes different attachments that are used to treat different areas of the body. For instance, the ball attachment is designed for larger muscle groups (i.e. quadriceps, hamstrings, etc) and would not be as effective sensitive muscles (i.e. sternocleidomastoid).
While massage guns substituted for massage therapist during lockdowns and social distancing measures, they are not a replacement for a licensed massage therapist (LMT). An LMT considers factors such as the characteristics of the muscle (s) being treated, the client’s training schedule, and medical conditions.
Precautions:
Consult with your doctor prior to use; especially if diagnosed with serious medical condition.
Avoid using if using taking blood thinners (i.e., heparin and warfarin).
Do not hold gun in a static position.
Avoid joints, veins, tendons, neck, and recent wounds.
Relax involved muscles.
Should you be afraid to use your massage gun? No. We actually encourage our clients to use theirs between treatments to reduce muscle tension. Instead, we want our clients to use their percussion guns more effectively and avoid injury.
