Laurie's Blogs.
Dec 2024
Percussion Massage Before Exercise
It is known that static stretching prior to exercise can inhibit athletic performance. (Check out my article in FourLeg Member’s section on Stretching and Injury Prevention). Have you wondered about percussion massage and how that affects performance? Of course you have! Well this blog highlights a research paper that answer that question.
Menek and Menek (2024) devised a study to evaluate the effects of percussion massage therapy, as well as dynamic stretching and static stretching, on balance and physical performance. They used groups of young adults with no orthopedic issues, and divided them into groups dedicated to each of the 3 different interventions. They then did pretesting and post-intervention testing of a horizontal jumping test, a T-drill test, and balance measurements with eyes open and eyes closed.
Firstly, what is Percussive Massage Therapy?
Percussion massage is type of massage therapy that involves using rapid, repetitive pulses of pressure to stimulate muscles and tissues.
Secondly, what is mean by Dynamic Stretching & Static Stretching?
Dynamic stretching involves controlled movements that gradually increase range of motion and prepare the body for physical activity. It differs from static stretching, where a position is held for an extended period.
AND, what did they find out?
Well, significant improvements were observed in all values in the percussion massage therapy group. The dynamic stretching group also demonstrated significant improvements in all tests except for the balance with eyes closed test.
Subsequently, the authors concluded that percussive massage therapy would be an alternative that can be used to increase the performance and balance of individuals before exercise.
Great!
So, I will presume that this study could cross over to our four-legged counterparts as well, and as such, you could offer or prescribe percussive massage pre-competition / pre-exercise to your canine athlete patients.
What else?
Physical Therapy can be a bit of ‘trial and error’ to find the right combination of therapies for an individual patient. Might we be able to use this information and percussion massage techniques to help warm up or prime a neurologic patient before exercise? Could it also benefit a post-op patient to enhance body awareness prior to engaging in therapeutic exercise? What about geriatric patients?
Now, the study did not look at patients with pathologies, so my thoughts above are speculative only… but I love implementing new strategies based on evidence informed thinking.
Give it a try and tell me what you think!
Cheers,
Laurie
Reference:
Menek MY, Menek B. Effects of percussion massage therapy, dynamic stretching, and static stretching on physical performance and balance. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2024;37(1):183-193.