🎁 BLACK FRIDAY: Get up to $130 OFF on all Gravity Devices. Limited time. 🎁 BLACK FRIDAY: Get up to $130 OFF and FREE SHIPPING on all Gravity Devices. Limited time.
Home / News / How Percussive Therapy Helps Athletes Recover From a Run

How Percussive Therapy Helps Athletes Recover From a Run

athlete running

When you are an athlete, you probably have your go-to methods for recovering after an intense workout or game. Some people find ice baths relaxing, while others prefer massages. If you are a runner, one of your frequent problems might be muscle stiffness in the legs. One thing that could benefit you is percussive therapy.

What will percussive therapy add to my recovery routine?

Percussive therapy can be a valuable part of your warm-up. If you apply a muscle massager to your legs before stretching, you can increase your range of motion from 50 to 80 percent. As such, your stretching will be more effective since it will happen deeper in the tissues.

What happens when I use percussive therapy?

This type of massager stimulates your nervous system and generates heat at a deeper level than other vibrating tools. The energy it produces hits the chromatin, which has multiple benefits.

First, it sends messages to the brain about the state of the area where you're applying energy, and it provides pain relief. Next, it switches on the sensory receptors on the ends of your muscles, which releases tension. Finally, it increases blood flow, which improves oxygen and nutrient flow to sore muscles. 

How is percussive therapy different from other types?

Vibrations from percussive therapy are not like punches or blows; there is no ramping up or down on force or area. As such, the body gets used to it, and the nervous system numbs in the area. 

Percussive therapy has a frequency of 22 to 40 hertz, which means it will pound at a rate of 22 to 40 times per second. Another thing to consider would be amplitude or the depth of the punch. Typically, devices are tuned to have a frequency of 14mm, which does not cause discomfort and allows the body to acclimatize to the sensation. 

Can I use a muscle massager as a replacement for physio?

Treat a massage gun as a complement to formal physical therapy. It can provide some relief at times, but going to a therapist will be better for your healing in the long run. An excellent way to go about things would be to have regularly scheduled physical therapy sessions while using massage guns in between.

Does a massage gun help sciatic nerve pain?

The piriformis, a muscle located in the buttock, is prone to spasms brought by fatigue or overuse. Your piriformis works overtime when you run because it ensures your hips and pelvis stay upright and supported, absorbing the impact of every landing.

Percussive therapy relieves muscle pain and eases pressure on this area of the body. You can continuously train a massage gun on the lower back, glutes, hamstrings, and calves, but do not push on the piriformis for longer than three seconds. If you do, your sciatic nerve will tense up for hours. Just let the relief from the other areas radiate to this one.

Conclusion

Getting more gains from recovery periods is appealing to all athletes, runners included. Percussive therapy promises that; it offers a way to bridge recovery for runners between trips to the physio. Getting a muscle massager can help you integrate percussive therapy into your routine and lets you heal and energize yourself properly for your next race.

Stay in top shape and fight fatigue with a Gravity massage gun. Our muscle massagers decrease soreness, increase blood flow, hydrates tissue, and so much more. Read about our product's benefits or email us today for inquiries!