Percussion Therapy

 What exactly is percussion therapy?

Percussion Machines are hand-held instruments that are a total game-changer to your sore muscles!

It is a new piece of equipment used in the fitness industry; it produces fast, soft, repetitive blows to stimulate muscle fibers. These rapid taps help muscles release tension and encourage blood and lymph flow in the area. This releases the muscles and allows them to heal. 

These deep vibrations affect the body’s soft tissues, which touch nearly every part of your internal system.

The benefits from Percussion Therapy

• Reduces inflammation

• Pushes fluids out of the muscles and into the circulatory system

• Relax the muscles

• Break up scar tissue and other adhesions

• Minimizes soreness and muscle tension

• Helps prevent DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)

How exactly does Percussion Therapy help? 

The best way to recover from muscle injury is to decrease inflammation and bring blood flow to the muscles. This makes it the perfect therapy to add to my routine! Blood is the key to healing any part of the body.

With 600 muscles, 360 joints, and 206 bones in the human body it can be daunting to use one of these high-powered machines on yourself in a safe and effective manner.  

What is actually happening?

The nervous system is stimulated and heat is generated in the soft tissue. Percussion therapy goes deep into the body, hitting the chromatin [a cell nucleus]. Stimulation of the chromatin results in three things:

• Hormones are released to provide pain relief.

• It increases blood flow, which carries more nutrients and oxygen to the sore muscles.

• Golgi tendons and sensory receptors on the end of all the muscles are activated. This increases the range of motion and releases tension.

Can Percussion Therapy replace more traditional physio or sports massage?

There is something special about having someone work on you when the body is in pain.. Percussion therapy is an additional resource for therapists. If muscles ache and there is pain, percussion therapy can help but there are some areas of the body where traditional sports massage therapy is necessary. Therapists will utilise different modalities that can speed the healing process. 

Percussion therapy offers quick relief to muscle soreness.

A study published in 2011 (Herrero A J) compared the effect of vibration therapy and massage in preventing Delayed Onset Muscle (DOMS) suggested that “The difference in time taken for the execution of the treatment can play a pivotal role. In situations where time is of the essence, vibration can be beneficial 

Can percussion therapy help with sciatic nerve pain?

Percussion therapy can help with sciatica pain, by releasing tension and increasing blood and lymph flow to name a few. The percussive motion actually releases tension in the muscles surrounding the sciatic nerve and helps relieve the pressure on the nerve. 

Science-Backed Reasons For the use of Percussive Therapy. 

DOMS happens through engaging in a physical activity that stresses your muscles beyond their usual limit. It is annoying, dreadful, and could last for 24 to 72 hours after your workout. Good thing, percussive therapy could give fast relief.

Improves flexibility.

Percussion encourages synchronisation of the muscle spindles which results in a better range of motion. When muscles become flexible, they are less prone to injuries and pains than they were before. Your flexibility will also improve posture and balance. 

Increases blood circulation.

Studies published in 2011 (Herrero A J) and 2014 (Johnson P.K) pointed out that percussion therapy increases blood circulation, therefore, minimizing muscle tension and inflammation.

Percussion gives way to a better lymphatic flow.

Overtraining causes severe muscle pain because of lactic acid buildup in the muscles whenever there is an intense workout.

Fewer muscle knots and muscle tightness means better drainage in the lymphatic system. When the lymph moves freely, the body can excrete toxins and waste effectively. A better lymphatic system means a healthier immune system and improved metabolism. A positive chain reaction. 

Health Benefits of Percussion Therapy 

Delays the onset of muscle pain that is felt a day or two after a particularly strenuous physical activity. Research has shown percussive therapy can be as effective as a massage. 

Percussion Therapy can help you be more flexible.

Research conducted at the Institute of Human Movement Science in Austria examined the effect that just five minutes of Percussion Therapy treatment could have on the calf muscles. A five-minute treatment increased the range of motion in the calf, leading them to recommend it as an approach for optimizing flexibility.

Helps To Manage Pain

Percussion therapy offers hope to those living with chronic pain. The therapy can create high-frequency stimulations that can block or mask the pain.

The vibration and amplitude produced by the percussion sends signals to the brain faster than pain signals can travel. The effectively overrides the pain signals and therefore decreases the pain experienced.

Helps To Break Down Scar Tissue

The reason for this is that it works deeper into the muscles, breaking down the collagen fibres that can cause restricted movement. When used on scar tissue clients have seen improved flexibility and speed up recovery.

Aids recovery from injury

When you are recovering from an injury, you want it to be swift and, eventually, painless!

This is because it creates contractions that can strengthen muscles, even when you are not able to participate in the exercise.

It works effectively on the muscles, helping to prevent muscle atrophy, and getting you back on your feet quicker than you would without it.

Helps to prevent injuries

As well as speeding up recovery from an injury, percussion therapy can stop you from getting an injury in the first place. That is because you are able to build greater muscle strength in your workouts. Also, through effective recovery, there is a lower risk of re-injury.

Percussion Therapy can reduce tension and increase functionality. It is suitable for use in all ages and all walks of life, from the injured athlete to the software developer” who is at a computer all the time.

Though it may take a leap of faith to shift from the conventional to the unfamiliar, receiving Percussion Therapy could be one of the best things that you can do for yourself. After all, it could be that next-level therapy that you have been waiting for.

Is Percussive Therapy Right for You?

After reading all the benefits and science-backed reasons, is percussive therapy right for you?

Percussive therapy is for anyone who has an active lifestyle, from professional athletes to sedentary desk workers who want to recover from physical injury fast. Specifically, percussion therapy is great when you are experiencing the following common injuries:

• Muscle Soreness

• Sciatica

• Shin Splints

• Muscle cramps and spasms

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Like other massage treatments, it is wise to consult your doctor first before using percussion therapy, especially if you have existing medical conditions.

People who fall under these categories are always encouraged to seek medical advice before considering percussive therapy:

• inflammation-related injuries

• prescribed blood thinners such as warfarin and heparin

• sufferers of varicose veins, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, peripheral artery disease, thrombosis, etc.,

Percussive therapy can be received by anyone, for example, if you are suffering from sciaticure, percussive therapy can be used to treat it and other areas of the body that may have sore aching, and painful muscles.

References

2011 Herrero A J,  Menéndez H,  Gil L,  Martín J,  Martín T,  García-López D,  Gil-Agudo A., Marín P J. Effects of whole-body vibration on blood flow and neuromuscular activity in spinal cord injury

2014 Johnson P.K., Feland J.B., Johnson A.W., Mack G.W., Mitchell U.H. Effect of whole body vibration on skin blood flow and nitric oxide production. J. Diabetes Sci. Technol. 2014; 8:889–894. doi: 10.1177/1932296814536289.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21042329/

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