DO MASSAGE GUNS HAVE AN IMPACT ON MUSCLE GROWTH?

Are you trying to find new strategies to increase your muscular gains? If so, you've probably tried every traditional workout recovery strategy, including supplements, increasing protein intake, and maintaining a calorie surplus. However, these aren't the only elements that can aid in muscle healing. 

How about percussion massagers, then? Are massage guns worth including in your regimen, and can they impact muscle growth?

THE BASICS OF MUSCLE GROWTH

Suppose you've been weightlifting for some time. In that case, you're undoubtedly familiar with the fundamentals of hypertrophy (also known as muscular growth), but because we're talking about how massagers can affect this procedure, here are some essential things to remember:

Exercise wears out muscles mechanically and causes tiny tears in the tissue.

Your body repairs all the damaged muscles during recovery, which gradually increases in size and strength. 

Finding approaches to enhance this procedure can help your results, whether you enhance your food, concentrate on active recovery, or even massage.

Is Muscle Growth Affected by Massage Guns? 

Percussion massagers are quickly becoming popular in the fitness industry. Furthermore, although many athletes adore using them, science is still catching up to what they can (and cannot) achieve.

Early research on the advantages of massage for muscles includes these two studies from recent years:

• A 2018 study discovered that massage therapy using cyclic compressive loading (CCL) encouraged muscle regeneration following atrophy. 
• The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University conducted a study in 2021 that yielded some encouraging findings. In the investigation, scientists examined the effects of mechanical massage on mice, particularly how it altered the muscle tissue of the mice. According to the findings, massage improves "the process of muscle fibre regeneration."

Even though they feel great, all of this makes massage guns seem pretty alluring, but we still need to understand how they affect human muscle growth fully.

Despite this, there is still proof that massagers can aid in recovery after exercise and a healthy lifestyle. 

Delayed onset muscular soreness (DOMS) may be relieved with massagers. For example, using a massage gun to promote healthy recovery after a rigorous lifting exercise could help you manage aches and pains. 

When you go to the gym afterwards, you may feel more rested, resulting in better workouts and future muscular growth.

After your workouts, a massage gun can help you relax and get a good night's sleep because sleep is crucial for muscle growth and repair. It's when your body produces the hormones that help build muscle and heals all the microtears during your workout.

Before going to sleep, gently massage your major muscle groups with a massage gun on a low setting for a few minutes.

The Takeaway 

There has been little research, especially on massage guns and muscle building, save from a few small trials. But that doesn't imply that these gadgets can't support your active lifestyle and help you get more out of your workouts. 

Massagers may aid in relaxation, recovery, and DOMS. When utilized consistently, you might notice an improvement in your exercise routine and perhaps even your gains.