When I’m first talking to a client, I start with basic questions. What is their name? How did they find out about my business? What are their goals for the massage?
As we get further into the conversation, I let them know what discounts they can receive as a new client. All new clients get a free enhancement.
Sometimes the question comes up what an enhancement is. An enhancement can also be referred to as an upgrade. This is something that is added to the massage to increase the benefits received during that session.
One such enhancement that I provide is percussive therapy. This is the enhancement that I get asked about the most.
It is not the most popular enhancement I have as it is not suitable for everybody. In the following article, I will be telling you all about percussive therapy. What it is and how it may benefit you.
Read through this article to get a better understanding of percussive therapy so you can make an informed decision about whether or not it is an enhancement you want to include with your next massage.
What is Percussive Therapy?
Two very different forms of therapy use the term percussive therapy. One form uses percussive instruments such as drums, maracas, and other rhythmic instruments to create sound vibrations to help with pain and relaxation. That is not the type of therapy we are talking about today.
Today we are discussing the second form of percussive therapy. This form of percussive treatment is a massage technique used to treat pain in soft tissues. Percussive treatment can be done manually with the hands, or a massage therapist can use a massage gun to deliver intense pulses and vibrations into the soft tissues. These massage guns are also often referred to as percussion tools.
How Does Percussion Therapy Work?
The pulses created by the massage gun help to soften up the tissue that surrounds the muscle, referred to as fascia. It can also help stimulate blood flow, leading to the skin becoming red in the places where the massage gun has been applied. This redness quickly fades within seconds after application.
This constant beating on the muscle quickly can also break up stagnation and adhesions in the tissue. This can help alleviate pain and stiffness while promoting relaxation and healing.
All of this makes it much easier for your massage therapist to work deep into your muscles. This is because it warms up the tissues at a much faster rate than manual massage can.
Percussion Therapy Benefits & The Pain Relief It Provides
Physical therapists often suggest or use Percussive therapy to rehabilitate those with neuromuscular conditions, tight stubborn muscles, or trouble walking, standing, or performing other movements. Percussive treatment is also often recommended by chiropractors. Clients can find massage guns in chiropractic offices in even at some gyms. Many athletes use them to break up the tension in the muscles to improve their performance. By using a percussive device, you can target specific areas that need strengthening or loosening up. Percussive guns are also often used as part of a warm-up before a workout to facilitate more significant movement in the muscles.
By breaking up adhesions and scar tissue, increasing blood flow, softening up the tissues around the muscle, Percussive therapy can help to reduce overall long-term pain. A massage alone can have pain-relieving benefits that last 3 to 4 days after the massage. Adding on percussive therapy with massage can increase that length of time to a matter of weeks.
The individual can also buy massage guns and other percussive tools to provide the same therapy benefits between massage sessions. Applied regularly, this type of treatment can provide you with help for an indefinite amount of time.
Different Types of Percussion Instruments
You can find percussive devices in almost any therapeutic setting. While getting physical therapy, you may have noticed your therapist, doctor, or chiropractor using any number of devices to tap or strike a muscle.
Some people may use a rubber mallet or alligator curlers, both of which have a lighter touch.
The most popular percussive device is the massage gun, such as a Theragun, which we use here at Zen Is In The Name Mobile Massage.
There are several varieties of this device, starting with the cheapest options, which only have an on-and-off setting up, to the most expensive options, which have interchangeable heads, Bluetooth settings, and several speeds.
Individuals can buy these devices at stores specializing in physical therapy devices, athletic devices, are medical devices. Percussive guns can also be purchased online at websites for massage therapists, physical therapists, or athletes. Individuals can even find some of these devices on Amazon.
After trying percussive therapy in a professional therapeutic environment, discuss with your chiropractor massage therapist or physical therapist what types of devices would be best for you to use at home.
Who should not get percussive therapy
While percussive therapy can help with many different conditions, it should not be used by specific individuals. Some people who should not use percussive treatment are those who:
- Have fragile skin
- Are unable to tolerate vigors tapping on their body for a prolonged time
- Have a heart condition or any device to regulate a heart condition
- Have epilepsy
- Have seizures
- Have had surgery in the last three months
- Broken bones or fractures
- Osteoporosis
- Are undergoing any treatment for cancer
- Have intravenous thrombosis, also known as blood clots
- Have an active infection
- Have any open wound
- Percussive therapy should not be used over any surgically implanted medical devices
- While this type of treatment can be used on children and people under 18, it is best approached with caution.
- Proceed with caution if you are pregnant, especially when using percussive therapy around the abdomen, lower back, and hips.If you are unsure whether an old injury or medical condition could be negatively impacted by percussive therapy, discuss this with your massage therapist, physical therapist, chiropractor, or doctor.
The Importance of Percussion Therapy to Promote Overall Healthful Living
Percussive therapy is a significant enhancement to add to your massage as it softens up your tissues and allows your massage therapist to work deeper.
While this type of treatment is not suitable for everyone, we here at Zen Is In The Name Mobile Massage Therapy hope that after reading this article, you have a better understanding of percussive therapy and whether or not it’s right for you.
If you wish to try percussive therapy during your next session, you can request it when booking your massage or during the session itself.
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If you have any further questions about percussive therapy, you can leave them in the comments below or ask your massage therapist as you book a massage or during your session.
We look forward to hearing from you and helping you with your aches and pains.