When To Use Percussion Therapy Guns

Do you own a percussion gun?

Some people call this a “massage gun”. Many different manufacturers and models are out on the market. From my point of view, as well as other manual therapy professionals, many do not know how or when to utilize these devices which can result in injury. With the brand Theragun, they included a single card describing how to first float the gun over the area then add pressure as your body adjusts to the feel of it, but it doesn’t tell you when is best to use it. Many commercially available products will tell you the “how” but not the where and why.

I have a client who owns a gun and has used it after fitness training. She would feel good for a while then her aches would resume. I explained that it’s not a device for recovery as much as it is for preparation. The percussive action is stimulating to the muscles therefore it is best to use before physical activities.

Erik Dalton demonstrates a technique called “muscle stimulation” in which the therapist uses their soft, closed fist and fast pumping action to activate the muscle cells in under-active muscles. This is the same principle for the percussion gun.

Q: What’s best for post-workout recovery?

A: Static pressure devices such as foam rollers and massage spheres (can use tennis, golf, lacrosse balls, etc).

Release is slow work. Good areas to work on releasing include quads and lateral hip rotators, occipital ridge (base of skull), and pec major/minor. Places that could use more stimulation include the glutes since a lot of us are just sitting on them and not using them as often. I will say there is one attachment that I think is okay for post workout recovery and that is the soft foam attachment (not included for some models) for lymphatic work though again there is no manual included that describes how to use the soft attachment. People have hurt themselves with these and other manual therapy devices due to lack of information. It’s best to do more research, start slow, or reach out to someone that may have a good understanding of the usage of these devices.

Oh, and I don’t call it a “massage” gun because when have you ever had a massage that feels like that?