Do Massage Guns Actually Improve Recovery? New Research Reveals What Happens Inside Your Muscles

Written by Dr Julian Simpson — Chiropractor with 15+ years of experience, Board Member of the Chiropractic Australia Research Foundation, and author/reviewer of 800+ health articles.

Do Massage Guns Actually Improve Recovery? New Research Reveals What Happens Inside Your Muscles

Massage Gun Therapy in Melbourne: The Science Behind Percussive Therapy

Massage guns have exploded in popularity over recent years.

From elite athletes and AFL players to gym-goers and weekend warriors, handheld percussive therapy devices such as the Theragun have become a common part of recovery routines.

But do they actually work?

A new study published in 2025 provides some of the strongest evidence yet that percussive therapy may improve muscle blood flow and oxygen delivery at a deeper level than previously understood.

At Health Wise Chiropractic, we're always interested in the latest evidence-based approaches to recovery and performance. Here's what the research found—and what it means for active Australians.

What Is Percussive Therapy?

Percussive therapy involves a handheld device delivering rapid, repetitive pulses into muscles.

These devices create thousands of controlled impacts per minute, producing a combination of:

• Mechanical stimulation

• Vibration

• Tissue mobilisation

• Neurological input

Popular benefits often claimed include:

• Faster recovery

• Reduced muscle tightness

• Improved flexibility

• Less soreness

• Enhanced athletic performance

Until recently, however, scientists weren't entirely sure how these benefits occurred.

The Study

Researchers investigated the effects of a single massage gun treatment on healthy adults.

The Study Included:

• 22 healthy participants

• Average age of 24 years

• Percussive therapy applied to the thigh muscles

• Treatment durations of either 2 or 4 minutes

• Monitoring continued for 40 minutes after treatment

Researchers measured:

• Muscle microcirculation

• Muscle oxygen saturation

• Participants' perceived sensations

Unlike previous studies that only looked at blood flow near the skin, this research examined circulation deeper within the muscle itself.

The Results Were Impressive

Muscle Microcirculation Increased by Up to 456%

One of the most significant findings was the increase in muscle microcirculation.

Researchers found:

• Blood flow within the muscle increased significantly within 5 minutes

• Improvements remained elevated for up to 15 minutes

• Peak increases reached an astonishing 456% above baseline levels

This suggests massage guns may temporarily enhance circulation directly inside muscle tissue.

Muscle Oxygen Levels Increased for More Than 40 Minutes

Perhaps the most interesting finding was the effect on muscle oxygenation.

Muscle oxygen saturation increased immediately after treatment and remained elevated for the entire 40-minute observation period.

Researchers observed:

• Oxygen saturation increased by approximately 5–10%

• Improvements remained present 40 minutes later

• Large physiological effects were recorded throughout the study

This matters because oxygen plays a crucial role in:

• Muscle repair

• Recovery processes

• Cellular function

• Tissue health

• Athletic performance

Why Is Muscle Oxygen Important?

Your muscles rely on oxygen to produce energy and recover after activity.

Poor circulation and oxygen delivery can contribute to:

• Fatigue

• Delayed recovery

• Reduced performance

• Slower tissue healing

The researchers noted that adequate muscle perfusion is essential for:

• Delivering nutrients

• Removing metabolic waste

• Supporting tissue repair

• Maintaining muscle health

When muscles receive better oxygen delivery, recovery processes may become more efficient.

How Long Do the Benefits Last?

The study found two different responses.

Blood Flow Response

Enhanced muscle blood flow peaked within the first 5–15 minutes before gradually returning towards normal.

Oxygenation Response

Elevated oxygen levels remained present throughout the entire 40-minute observation period.

This suggests that even after circulation returns closer to baseline, muscles may continue benefiting from improved oxygen availability.

Could Massage Guns Help Athletes?

Potentially.

While this study did not directly measure sporting performance, the findings help explain why many athletes report positive recovery experiences.

Improved oxygen delivery may support:

• Training recovery

• Reduced feelings of fatigue

• Improved tissue health

• Recovery between sessions

Previous research has already shown percussive therapy can improve:

• Flexibility

• Range of motion

• Muscle compliance

• Perceived recovery

Should You Use a Massage Gun Before Exercise?

The research suggests there may be benefits.

Because increased oxygenation occurred immediately after treatment, percussive therapy may help prepare muscles before activity by:

• Increasing local circulation

• Improving tissue readiness

• Enhancing movement quality

• Reducing stiffness

Many athletes now use massage guns as part of their warm-up routine before training and competition.

Massage Gun vs Foam Rolling

Both techniques can be useful, but research suggests percussive therapy may offer some advantages.

Studies comparing the two methods have found massage guns may provide:

• Greater improvements in muscle compliance

• Better reductions in muscle stiffness

• Easier self-application

• Improved treatment comfort

Unlike foam rolling, massage guns can target specific muscle groups without requiring body weight or awkward positioning.

Practical Tips for Using a Massage Gun

Based on current evidence:

Before Exercise

Use for:

• 30–60 seconds per muscle group

• Warm-up preparation

• Mobility enhancement

After Exercise

Use for:

• Recovery support

• Muscle relaxation

• Reducing post-exercise tightness

Common Areas

Many people benefit from treating:

• Quadriceps

• Hamstrings

• Calves

• Gluteal muscles

• Upper back muscles

Avoid applying excessive pressure. The study used only the weight of the device itself, suggesting more pressure is not necessarily better.

When Massage Guns Aren't Enough

While percussive therapy can be a valuable recovery tool, it isn't a substitute for addressing underlying dysfunction.

Persistent symptoms such as:

• Ongoing muscle tightness

• Recurrent injuries

• Reduced mobility

• Joint stiffness

• Chronic pain

may require a more comprehensive assessment.

That's where chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy and rehabilitation can play an important role.

How Health Wise Chiropractic Can Help

At Health Wise Chiropractic, we use evidence-based approaches to help patients move better, recover faster and stay active.

Depending on your needs, treatment may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments

• Soft tissue therapy

• Sports massage

• Rehabilitation exercises

• Mobility training

• Recovery advice

• Sports injury management

Our goal is not just symptom relief but helping you achieve long-term movement and performance outcomes.

Key Takeaways

The latest research suggests massage guns do more than simply "feel good."

Researchers found:

✔ Muscle blood flow increased by up to 456%

✔ Muscle oxygen levels increased by 5–10%

✔ Oxygenation remained elevated for at least 40 minutes

✔ Percussive therapy may improve local muscle perfusion

✔ These effects may help support recovery and tissue health

While more research is needed, these findings provide exciting insight into why percussive therapy has become such a popular recovery tool among athletes and active Australians.

Looking for Sports Recovery and Chiropractic Care in Melbourne?

Whether you're training for your next event, recovering from injury, or simply wanting to move better and feel your best, Health Wise Chiropractic can help.

Our team combines chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, rehabilitation and evidence-based recovery strategies to help you stay active, healthy and performing at your peak.

Book an appointment today and discover how personalised care can support your recovery and performance goals.

How Chiropractic Care May Help

At Health Wise Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive approach to posture-related care.

Treatment may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments

• Postural assessment

• Soft tissue therapy

• Corrective exercises

• Ergonomic advice

• Laser therapy

• Shockwave therapy

• Spinal decompression therapy

We focus on addressing both the symptoms and the underlying biomechanical stress contributing to neck dysfunction.

About the Author

Dr Julian Simpson is an Australian chiropractor with over 15 years of experience in musculoskeletal healthcare and rehabilitation.

He is a Board Member of the Chiropractic Australia Research Foundation and has reviewed and written more than 800 evidence-based health articles focused on spinal health, rehabilitation, sports injuries and conservative care approaches.

His treatment focus includes:

• Chiropractic adjustments

• Sports chiropractic

• Massage therapy

• Shockwave therapy

• Laser therapy

• Non-surgical spinal decompression

Dr Simpson provides patient care through Healthwise Chiropractic, serving communities including Sunbury, Melton, Diggers Rest and surrounding regions.

reference

Wellauer V, Benrath J, Baeyens R, Hohenauer E, Clijsen R. Acute Effects of Percussive Therapy on Thigh Muscle Microcirculation and Oxygenation. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2026 Apr 14;11(2):154. doi: 10.3390/jfmk11020154. PMID: 42029522; PMCID: PMC13108165.