If you love feeling your best, you might be tempted to get a massage gun for yourself. No longer reserved for physical therapists, these tools can deliver care right where you need it. With at-home percussion massage, you can address tight or sore muscles. 

At least, that’s how it seems on the surface. But is percussion massage just a placebo? A number of researchers have been exploring this exact question in recent years. And their studies show that there are some tangible benefits to using a massage gun.

If you’re considering percussion massage for yourself, here are four big benefits you should know about. 

#1: Reduced soreness

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as committing to a workout routine, then waking up to find your muscles screaming with soreness when you had planned to hit the gym. Fortunately, you don’t have to just push through that pain.

Researchers have found that percussion massage can reduce what’s called delayed-onset muscle soreness, or DOMS. Hitting areas you’ve worked with a massage gun post-exercise can reduce lactic acid and support muscle recovery, limiting the soreness that could otherwise stand in your way. 

#2: Better athletic performance

Percussion massage isn’t just a way to fend off soreness. It can also be a useful tool before you work out. Studies found that using a massage gun on muscles can reduce the signs and symptoms of muscle fatigue. This can help you push further and faster. 

Beyond that, it can help to increase mobility, letting you get deeper into positions. If you’ve been looking for a way to boost what you can do during your next sweat session, try percussion massage before you lace up your sneakers. 

#3: Less muscle tension

You probably know that massage can help to reduce muscle tension. That can mean visiting a massage therapist for any number of massage types to help knead out tight areas and release knots. And getting a massage costs money and requires at least an hour of your time.

A massage gun is a one-time purchase that can deliver similar tension release. Even better, it takes just a few minutes to properly treat a tense area. So whether you’re looking to save time, money, or both, percussion massage could be a better way to soothe tension in your body. 

#4: Improved circulation

Your blood delivers oxygen and nutrients throughout your body, which is why it’s so important to support healthy circulation. Percussion massage can help. 

When you use a massage gun, it stimulates the nerve receptors in the area. This causes your blood vessels to dilate, improving circulation, also called vascularization. So if you’re looking for a way to nourish your body, consider working a percussion massager into your at-home care routine.

Ultimately, percussion massage can do a lot to help you feel better, from releasing the tension that builds up in daily life to help you feel stronger and less sore before, during, and after your workouts. If you want to get a massage gun to try it out for yourself, start here.