Massage & Bodywork

MAY | JUNE 2023

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WHY CHOOSE PERCUSSION THERAPY? These tools come in many sizes, shapes, weights, and settings. Choosing the best one for you is an individual and personal choice. There isn't a one-size-fits-all tool. Some massagers have bonus features like extended arms for better reach, heating and/or cooling options, and various adapter heads designed to access different parts of the body. This article isn't advocating for a specific brand or type of massager. Rather, we are inviting you to open to wonder—perhaps this self-care tool might provide the replenishment you need to offset all the giving you provide. A multitude of researched and anecdotal benefits have been gleaned from percussion tool use: • Improved performance • Improved sleep • Increased range of motion, circulation, and blood flow • Increased relaxation • Reduced adhesions • Reduced muscle pain, stiffness, and soreness • Reduced muscle recovery time • Reduced muscle spasms 1 PAIN DISRUPTER One of our favorite bonus features of giving or receiving percussion therapy is its ability to interrupt pain signals. It works like this: Receptors found in the fascia (specifically Pacinian and Meissner corpuscles or mechanoreceptors) are overwhelmed with the increased stimulation provided by the fast percussion. As a result, the pain receptors are temporarily interrupted from sending their incessant and habituated pain signals. Now a new neurological sensation and feedback loop is created by the increased vibratory stimulus. This new sensory loop provides an opportunity for the nervous system to override previously painful patterns and begin to associate new sensations and awareness around the percussed area. This new sensational awareness contributes to a new-felt experience and possibly a more pleasurable memory associated with the area of focus. 2 86 m a s s a g e & b o d y wo r k m ay/ j u n e 2 0 2 3 essential skills | SAVVY SELF-CARE Performance Recovery with Percussion Therapy By Heath and Nicole Reed We've all seen firsthand the myriad benefits of massage as a powerful remedy for reducing stress, pain, and tension in our clients. But how often do you get to receive those benefits? If it's been a minute, consider harnessing those benefits with a handheld percussion device. When time is limited, you need quick relief, or you just want to remember why we do what we do. If you don't already have a handheld massager, perhaps it's time to invest in one for when your time is limited, you need quick relief, or you just want to remember why we do what we do.

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