Ah, the pleasure of a massage! Often associated with relaxation, massage can also be used for therapeutic purposes. Whatever the reason, it is always synonymous with well-being. There are many types of massage, but what about percussion massage? Here we look at the main massage techniques, the movements specific to percussion, how it is used and the precautions to bear in mind. You’ll also find out where to enjoy one: with a professional, or at home with a massage gun.
Different massage techniques
First of all, it is worth noting that there are various massage techniques, each requiring a specific touch and a different level of pressure, depending on the goal of the massage.
The most common massage techniques are:
- Effleurage: often used at the start of a massage session, it involves gentle, circular movements designed to help you relax.
- Gliding: typically used as both an introduction and a conclusion to a massage session. It can be performed superficially or more deeply.
- Friction: performed using the fingertips, this technique involves pressing, with varying intensity, through the different layers of the skin.
- Palper-rouler: a well-known technique! The palper-rouler (pinch-and-roll) is used in both therapeutic and aesthetic massage routines.
- Kneading: usually performed after friction, it involves working the tissues.
- Tapping or percussion: applied in the context of sports, therapeutic, wellness and aesthetic massage.
What does percussion massage involve?
Traditionally, percussion massage is a manual technique. As the name suggests, it consists of a series of rhythmic, rapid and consistent movements:
- Hacking: alternating pressure using the fingers and the hollow of the hands.
- Cupping: performed with cupped palms.
- Pinching: performed alternately with both hands, between the thumb and the fingertips.
- Pounding: performed with closed fists, tapping with the side of each hand.
The movements will be more or less intense depending on the targeted areas and the desired effects. Tapping is generally applied to the fleshier areas of the body to avoid any discomfort. Percussion massage is not recommended for:
- Pregnant women
- People with skin conditions or cardiovascular disease
- Following surgery
Benefits of percussion massage
Percussion massage is used in a variety of contexts:
- Sports massage: percussion can be used as part of a sports massage.
- Therapeutic massage: it can only be applied as part of a treatment approach supervised by a medical professional. For any medical question, ask your doctor. Percussion is also sometimes mentioned in connection with water retention cellulite.
- Wellness massage: it helps relax the body and offers a moment of well-being.
- Aesthetic massage: percussion massage can be part of a body care routine, particularly on areas with fat deposits.
Where can you enjoy a percussion massage?
1- With a professional
A healthcare professional (physiotherapist) can certainly provide you with a percussion massage, as the technique is one of the standard manual massage movements. However, if you would rather enjoy it as part of a beauty routine, it may be wiser to visit a beauty salon, making sure beforehand that this type of massage is offered. Bear in mind that the cost of sessions can add up significantly over time.
-26%The cordless massager: 2 900 rotations per minute to stimulate your skin
- A deep mechanical massage: rotations and vibrations, up to 2 900 turns per minute, knead the skin on your thighs, stomach, arms and bottom
- 2 complementary heads: the ball head kneads deep down, then the wave head smooths and tones the surface
- 5 intensity levels on a touchscreen, a blue light, cordless and quiet
2- At home
Self-massage is the best option for performing your own percussion massage. If you want to do it properly, you can use a device designed specifically for this purpose: a massage gun, also known as a percussion massager.
At Cellublue, that’s exactly what our massage gun is for, making your percussion massage easier on whichever areas you choose. A brief massage (1 to 3 minutes maximum per area), using one of the device’s 5 massage heads (which replicate the movements of a manual percussion massage), lets you:
✅ Massage the areas you choose, whether targeting your buttocks, thighs, hips and stomach, your legs or your arms ✅ Easily fit self-massage into your body care routine
You can also use our percussion massage device after a workout, for a moment of relaxation. This gun is truly a must-have for beauty and well-being!
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