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.

If you want to experience the best percussion massager, check out Gravity’s amazing products. We offer industry-leading percussive therapy message guns, and we also have an accompanying Gravity Center platform with guided video tutorials. Shop today and see the Gravity difference.

Despite the increasing popularity of massage therapy, many misconceptions exist about its benefits. By busting the myths and educating people about the facts, therapists and their clients can benefit greatly.

Here are ten myths about massage therapy, debunked with scientific facts.

1. Massage Has Temporary Effects

A massage therapist can help reduce pain and stress on a body by "retraining" muscles to remember how to function correctly. Therefore, regular massage can greatly improve overall health and significantly help those suffering from chronic muscle tightness and pain.

2. All Massages Are the Same

Although they may seem similar, massages can actually be quite different from one another. Spa massages are typically geared toward relaxation and easing general muscle pain. 

On the other hand, sports massages are designed to help keep athletes' muscles and joints healthy and in top condition. 

And finally, massages used for physical therapy focus on helping people recover from specific injuries and maintaining mobility. 

3. Feeling All Levels of Pain during a Massage Is Acceptable

This isn't true! It's important to remember that pain is an indication that something isn't right, not "weakness leaving the body." If you feel anything other than a "good hurt" during a massage, your massage therapist should know immediately. They won't be embarrassed or angry; they'll be grateful and would gladly adjust the massage pressure for you. 

4. Feeling Sore after a Massage Is a Proof That It Works

You may feel sore the day after a massage, especially for deep tissue massage manipulation, because your muscles are stretched and getting a workout. But not feeling sore the next day is not a sign of failed massage. It is perfectly normal.

5. You Need to Drink Water after the Massage

You don't need to drink extra water after a massage to help rid your body of toxins unless you're thirsty.

6. Massage Releases Toxins and Cleanses the Body

No scientific evidence supports this, but a massage will help improve blood circulation to all body parts, and thus, promote healing.

7. Massage Only Moves Muscles Around

Contrary to popular belief, trained massage therapists can help relieve swelling in joints by gently moving stagnant synovial fluid. They can also stretch out tight areas of the fascia, the connective tissue between bones, joints and muscles.

8. Massage Can Spread Cancer Cells throughout the Body

According to oncologists, it is improbable that a massage would cause a cancerous tumour to shed any metastatic material. Most oncologists agree that people undergoing cancer treatment can significantly benefit from the healing touch of a massage therapist.

9. Massage Can Cause Miscarriage in Pregnant Women

Because of the hormones released during a massage, it was once believed that it could cause early labour. However, this is now known not to be true. A prenatal massage can actually help mothers-to-be by making them feel relaxed and pampered. A massage can help by reducing their aches and pains and lowering the stress hormones present.

10. Massage Can Get Rid of Cellulite

Cellulite is a normal part of the human body and is not a medical issue. It's subcutaneous fat cells and is more connected to heredity than anything else. 

Massage has no direct impact on cellulite. However, relieving post-workout stiffness and pain through a massage can help you stick to a fitness routine. As a result, it may reduce the appearance of cellulite over time.

Conclusion

It was commonly believed that massage was nothing more than a form of pampering. However, more doctors are referring their patients to massage therapists to help with recovery or improvement of overall well being.

Body pains are never a good indicator of good health. This is why a percussive device, often known as a massage gun, is a fantastic item to have in your self-care toolkit. 

Inflammation, poor posture, muscular tightness and imbalances, overall pain, high cortisol, and even physical injury can result from stress if they are not managed.

Many people turn to chiropractors or massage therapists for help. Even if those are wonderful and crucial components of a comprehensive wellness plan, having a reliable method you can regularly apply at home can help you achieve even better outcomes.

Devices for percussion therapy can be useful in this situation. Find out more about these gadgets and how to utilize them to your advantage to get relief and possibly improve performance.

What Percussive Therapy Does

By releasing muscle knots and focusing on stiffness and weariness, percussion devices are specially made to massage away stress and tension. Using this device for just five to ten minutes a day can have a good impact.

It may lessen discomfort while promoting a range of motion and flexibility through activities. Each gadget offers a variety of percussive speeds to tailor each session to your demands on that particular day.

Below are the most common benefits of utilizing a percussion device.

It Alleviates Muscular Dysfunction

Increased stress, a lack of exercise or movement, bad posture, or improper desk ergonomics can all lead to muscular dysfunction. This may eventually result in overcompensation and damage. 

Trigger points may form in your muscular tissue when malfunction takes place. These have a bumpy or knotted feeling, and certain trigger points are very sensitive when pressed. 

However, a lot of trigger points send pain to other parts of the body rather than really causing pain in the targeted area. The wonderful news is that you may use resources to locate them because these recommended locations usually appear in predictable positions from person to person.

It Aids in Warmup and Restoration

Percussive therapy can lower the likelihood of delayed onset muscle soreness after exercise when utilized prior to the activity. Additionally, they can boost your body’s warmth, blood flow, and active and passive range of motion in the places where you use them.

Similar to pre-workout, the device can enhance blood flow when used post-workout for recovery. This is advantageous because if you can circulate blood more quickly, it helps provide your muscle tissue with the needed nutrients to recover more quickly. 

It Encourages Recuperation and Sleep

Percussive devices can be a great tool for greater relaxation and sleep. An improved mental and physical recovery rate can also be attributed to the positive effects on the parasympathetic nervous system.

Experts suggest a ten-minute routine an hour or so before bed. Consider utilizing lower speeds and gentler pressure along your neck and back and any other regions that may need support. This is because you don’t want a high degree of stimulation before going to bed.

Conclusion

Utilizing technology that can lower stress, increase sleep, and improve muscle function is an easy and practical way to improve your wellbeing. You may find that you will become hooked on these devices and want to try them out on most of your body to see how sore and stiff you really are. 

If you’re looking for an effective massage gun in Canada, Gravity is the name you should remember! We provide industry-leading percussive therapy massage guns designed to bring the best results. Visit our store and get your Gravity massage gun today!