How to Choose between Muscle Scraping and Percussive Therapy
To maximize the benefits of your workout routine, you should never forget the value of muscle recovery. Muscle recovery is crucial to maintaining maximum performance, so finding tools to ensure this happens is important.
Muscle scraping and percussive therapy are two of the most common ways to ensure muscle recovery. In this article, learn more about the two and identify which one you should consider.
What Is Muscle Scraping?
Muscle scraping is defined as the rubbing or massaging of muscles with a tool or a body part to provide relief and remove built-up lactic acid from the muscle.
Muscle scraping is also used to treat muscle problems such as fibromyalgia, chronic muscle pain, and frozen shoulder. Its effects on the body are known to increase blood circulation, remove lactic acid, normalize the metabolism of the muscles, and tighten the skin.
Muscle scraping applies pressure to the soft tissue and fascia surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
What Is Percussive Therapy?
Percussive therapy is the use of mechanical vibration to stimulate soft tissue and muscles. It can be done through the use of a percussive tool like a muscle massager gun or percussive massages.
How to Differentiate Muscle Scraping and Percussive Therapy
1. Increased Blood Flow
Muscle scraping causes increased blood flow in the area being massaged. This is what gives the skin a rosy glow. Muscle scraping also maximizes oxygenation of the muscles and removes lactic acid.
On the other hand, Percussive therapy helps increase blood flow and oxygenation by tapping into acupuncture points. Percussive therapy also helps reduce muscle spasms, which allows for better blood flow. This is done through the tapping of acupressure points.
2. Lasting Range-of-Motion Effects
Muscle scraping is not only about removing lactic acid but is also about achieving lasting range-of-motion effects. Through the application of appropriate muscle scraping techniques, the body is able to achieve this. The massage relieves pain and stiffness. Furthermore, it keeps joints moving.
Percussive therapy has lasting range-of-motion effects as well. This is because the tapping of acupuncture points encourages the movement of blood, fluids, and muscle. By doing so, the body is able to achieve a better range of motion.
Which Is Better: Muscle Scraping or Percussive Therapy?
The ultimate choice of which therapy to use depends on your personal needs. If you do not want to spend much time on your muscle recovery and want something that gets the job done quickly, percussive therapy is your best bet.
If you, on the other hand, do not mind spending more time on your muscle recovery and you are the type to value effectiveness, muscle scraping is for you.
Both therapies are beneficial in achieving muscle relief. The best way to maximize the benefits of muscle scraping is by practicing good muscle recovery habits and being consistent with your workouts. Muscles are a vital part of the body, which is why combined muscle recovery and workouts are necessary.
Final Thoughts
By now, you already know the best techniques for achieving your body sculpting goals and ensuring muscle recovery. These include muscle scraping and percussive therapy. However, the best technique for you is still dependent on your goals and your tolerance for painful sensations.
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