Percussion Therapy Paves Inroads to Massage Robotics
Percussion Therapy Paves Inroads to Massage Robotics
October 2022
Christian Mackin, co-founder & CEO, Massage Robotics
The growing popularity of percussion tools is only the beginning of a much larger robotic revolution in the world of therapeutic massage.
Key takeaways:
Percussion therapy is becoming a core part of massage, chiropractic, and physiotherapy.
Percussive myofascial stimulation tools make massage more accessible and inviting.
Practitioners can struggle to adapt percussive tools to each client’s needs and tolerances.
The popularity of at-home percussion tools is normalizing the concept of massage robots.
Massage is a diverse practice that utilizes a variety of techniques and tools to achieve a universal outcome: improved wellness. From the soothing relief of a hot stone massage to the increased mobility that follows deep tissue stimulation, the practitioner determines the best modality for their patient or client. More and more, percussion tools are becoming part of that approach—beyond the traditional hand massage techniques with which most people are familiar.
The growing popularity of percussion therapy—both as a service and through personal-use devices—is exposing more people to the benefits of myofascial stimulation. Percussion therapy is laying the foundation for a future of sophisticated massage robotics enhanced by Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Modern Percussion Therapy
A closer look at modern percussion therapy
Percussive massage isn’t a novel concept. Originating in the 1800s, it’s been studied and refined as a therapeutic practice over the course of more than 200 years. The first mechanical percussive massager was developed and patented in 1974 by Dr. Edward Noble and reinvented in 2008 for widespread commercial application.
Over the years, Dr. Noble’s vision for percussion massage has continued to evolve with the practice. Today, he sits on the Board of Advisors for Massage Robotics–a company committed to developing the next generation of robotic massage therapy solutions. Yet, while the technology continues to evolve, Dr. Noble’s thesis remains the same: mechanical massage devices provide therapeutic benefits for patients and reduce stress on practitioners.
“Massage by hand is exhausting, manual work, and many graduates from massage schools have shortened careers due to the demanding physical toll on their bodies. Massage tools to assist have become popular. I myself discovered this when practicing as a chiropractor, performing muscle release along with my spinal alignment therapy. I sought out tools to make massage easier to perform and examined all available products at the time,”
Today, most people are familiar with the modern “massage guns” used for myofascial release–a type of massage associated with tension and pain relief in soft tissues and joints. These pulsating massagers are affordable tools certified practitioners use and are increasingly marketed for at-home use. And while they’ve certainly democratized peoples’ ability to explore the benefits of massage, this accessibility has quickly surpassed education. Most at-home users have no real understanding of how to use them effectively with proper placement, pressure, motion, and duration. Moreover, many professional practitioners rely on patient or client feedback when applying percussion tools, which can result in hit-or-miss results.
The modern landscape of percussion therapy is growing rapidly and bringing massage into the lives of more and more people who can benefit from it. Now, the focus needs to be on ensuring that people get the most out of this time-tested modality.
The growing popularity of massage guns
Just how popular is percussion therapy? According to recent analyst surveys of the global massage equipment market, the potential worth of this market could reach $11.4 billion in the next five years, following an impressive 8.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2022-2028. Massage guns hold a significant share of this booming market, accounting for as much as 5%-8% of the global massage equipment market.
On track to reach a market valuation of more than $1 billion by 2032, massage guns and the percussive benefits they provide are quickly finding a place in at-home gyms–among other fitness equipment staples that include yoga mats, pilates balls, and resistance bands. These items saw renewed popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic when at-home fitness became a priority for many during lockdown and quarantine periods. Unlike traditional fitness equipment such as dumbbells and treadmills, more individuals turned to therapeutic products to help them be well.
According to a national survey of 2,000 American consumers conducted by Massage Envy, 51% of respondents said the pandemic negatively affected how they feel about their bodies. Within this same study, respondents indicated that massage was the second most-preferred method of self-care (taking a vacation was first).
“You’ve only got one body, right? So, you need to take the best care of it that you can, and committing to taking care of your body on a regular basis is so important.”
Even post-pandemic, the popularity of massage guns and percussion therapy continue to grow through core tenets of preference and accessibility. Consumers have become accustomed to contactless services and online shopping. Purchasing a massage gun online and utilizing percussion therapy at home satisfies both of these tenets and has contributed strongly to surging sales of massage guns and other personal massage equipment.
Pandemic aside, several macro trends contribute to the widespread rise of percussion therapy. These include an aging population, the rising costs associated with healthcare, and the availability of massage professionals in densely populated urban centers. According to one report on disruptive MedTech that includes massage guns, “approximately 60% of the global population is expected to dwell in urban areas by 2030, and out of every six citizens, two will be 60+ years.”
The benefits and shortfalls of percussion tools
The appeal of percussion therapy devices is undeniable—and their efficacy makes them even more appealing.
The three benefits of percussion therapy are
improved range of motion (ROM),
relief from muscle tension and stiffness, and
reduction in delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
These core benefits of percussion therapy stem from its ability to stimulate myofascial release through hypervibration. Research into the efficacy of modern massage guns specifically denotes that
“vibration therapy leads to mechanical oscillatory motions, thus enhancing reflex activity by stimulating the muscle spindle to initiate a tonic vibratory reflex.”
Research also shows that just five minutes of percussion therapy can produce significant benefits—particularly for ROM. In one study of post-exercise calf muscle stimulation, results showed a ROM increase of 5.4° (18.4%) after percussion therapy, as opposed to an improvement of 1.6° (5.3%) from the control group. Other relevant studies have produced similar results.
Proven results notwithstanding, percussion therapy is still an evolving practice.
Modern massage guns aren’t effective unless they’re used properly.
The learning curve associated with proper administration can be steep.
At-home massage guns don’t come with formalized training for how to use them.
Massage professionals often lose their tactile awareness through these tools when it comes to positioning and pressure.
Put simply, percussion therapy is incredibly effective when approached with precision; unfortunately, that precision is subject to the user. As a result, I believe that effective percussive tools can be ineffective in inexperienced hands. This compelling problem is paving inroads to a new generation of massage robotics designed to deliver the same incredible benefits while removing the potential for human error.
How percussion tools normalize massage robotics
The widespread popularity of modern percussion tools owes itself to their accessibility and the relief people feel when using them. These two benefits will springboard the percussive therapy trend into the next phase, which is robotics in massage.
“Percussion therapy feels good when self-administered, and it feels even better at the hands of an experienced practitioner. Yet, it’s uncanny how good a robot can make you feel—especially one programmed to deliver a specific experience to each unique individual.”
Massage robots represent the next step forward in percussion therapy. Robots have the same practical benefits as massage guns; however, the onus of application shifts from a person to a machine. Robotics guarantees repeatability. When enabled by AI and Machine Learning (ML) technologies, robots can deliver the best possible outcome from a percussion therapy session. Variables like placement, pressure, motion, and duration can all be programmed (or learned over time) for a therapeutic massage session that is optimal for each individual person and their physiology.
While it might seem like a leap from a massage gun to a massage robot, consider that the only difference is who or what is pushing the tool. Since the technique stays the same, innovation comes from the way a robot bio-mimics a human motion to push a tool.
Robotics will take percussion therapy further
Percussion therapy has exploded in popularity over the past decade, benefitting both the user and the massage industry as a whole. Massage therapists, chiropractors, and physiotherapists seek to provide relief to clients and patients. They sometimes utilize percussion tools that are familiar and welcoming to clients with proven capabilities.
“People are also increasingly accepting of (and reliant on) data to validate their wellness. It’s sometimes not enough to feel better these days—people seek to quantify their well-being through data-collecting apps and wearables.”
Christian Mackin, co-founder & CEO, Massage Robotics
I believe the next step forward in percussion technology is Robotics. A massage robot can collect an incredible amount of data during a percussion massage. A robot enabled by Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence will train on the data it collects. It will never forget. In a "Borg-like” collective, thousands of robots will be able to compile their learnings with exactness. They will learn what humans like. They will evolve to be able to perform a massage that, while different than a human, will be satisfying to many (not all). Robotics will take percussion therapy further.