Why is Tapping or Percussion Massage Technique So Good?

What Is the Tapping or Percussion Massage Technique?

Tapping massage, also known as percussion massage or tapotement, is a rhythmic massage technique used to relieve soft tissue pain, reduce tension, and stimulate overall wellness. This method involves short, rapid tapping or pulsing movements that reach deep into the soft tissues of the body, promoting circulation, detoxification, and relaxation.

The Benefits of Tapping / Percussion Massage

Tapping massage is a powerful therapeutic tool with benefits that go beyond simple muscle relief. Here’s what it can do:

✅ Muscle Stimulation & Tension Release

The repetitive percussive action helps invigorate muscle and nerve tissue, improving flexibility and releasing chronic tightness.

✅ Boosted Circulation

Tapping enhances blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues while removing metabolic waste—essential for healing and recovery.

✅ Lymphatic Activation

This technique can help stimulate the lymphatic system, assisting your body in flushing out toxins and supporting immune function.

✅ Nervous System Wake-Up

Rhythmic tapping can activate your nervous system, promoting energy, alertness, and overall well-being.

✅ Pain Relief & Muscle Recovery

Percussion massage can relieve soreness, reduce inflammation, and speed up recovery—making it ideal after workouts or injuries.

✅ Emotional & Mental Balance

Used as a mindfulness or energy-balancing technique, tapping can help manage stress, release emotional tension, and clear energetic blockages.

✅ Improved Range of Motion

By relaxing tight muscles and releasing adhesions, tapping enhances joint mobility and functional movement.

✅ Scar Tissue Breakdown

Regular percussion can help break down scar tissue and muscle adhesions that develop from injury, surgery, or overuse.

Manual vs. Mechanical Percussion Massage

Manual Percussion Massage

Delivered by: A massage therapist or with non-electric tools like Bongers.

Key Features

• Tapotement techniques: hacking, cupping, pounding, and tapping
• Intuitive and responsive to the client’s tension or pain
• Easily integrated into broader massage treatments

Pros

• Personalized and adaptive
• Enhances therapeutic connection
• Portable tools like Bongers are lightweight and travel-friendly

Cons

• Therapist fatigue may limit duration or intensity
• Requires access to a trained practitioner (unless using Bongers for self-care)

Mechanical Percussion Massage

Delivered by: Devices such as Thumper Massager, Hypervolt, or other massage guns.

Key Features

• Delivers high-speed pulses (measured in percussions per minute or PPM)
• Adjustable speed, amplitude, and intensity
• Can be used at home or in clinical settings

Pros

• Powerful, consistent deep tissue stimulation
• Great for muscle warm-up and recovery
• Convenient for daily self-care

Cons

• Less nuanced than human touch
• May be too intense for sensitive users
• Some devices are expensive (though the Thumper Massager, made in Canada, offers high quality at a fair price)

What Is Magono-Te? The Ancient Roots of Tapping Massage

The concept of Magono-Te, which translates from Japanese as “grandchild’s hands,” is deeply tied to the origins of tapping massage.

In ancient Japan, rice field workers would return home exhausted from long days of bending and harvesting. Too tired to massage themselves, they’d ask their grandchildren for help. Since the children’s hands were too small to knead muscles effectively, they used cupped hands and fists to tap, chop, and percussively stimulate the muscles—a technique that laid the foundation for modern-day tapping and inspired tools like Bongers.

The Bongers Advantage: Accessible Self-Care for Everyone

For those looking to incorporate tapping massage into a home / self-care routine, Bongers are a fantastic solution. These springy, hand-held tapping tools let you easily reach areas like your:

• Upper and mid-back
• Shoulders
• Thighs
• Calves
• Arms
• Chest

Use them solo or ask a partner to help. Bongers deliver effective percussion without strain on your hands, wrists or arms, making them great for daily stress relief, warm-ups, or recovery.

💡 Fun Fact: Bongers have been endorsed by Richard Simmons and named one of Chip Gaines’ favorite things from Fixer Upper and Magnolia Market. See Bongers here.

Tapping in Respiratory Health: Chest Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis

Tapping massage is also used in medical settings, such as chest physical therapy (CPT) for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). CPT helps clear mucus from the lungs, preventing infections and improving breathing.

Techniques in CPT Include:

• Percussion (Clapping): Cupped-hand tapping on the chest to loosen mucus.
• Vibration: Rhythmic chest compressions during exhalation.
• Postural Drainage: Strategic body positioning to drain lung segments.
• Mechanical Devices: Used when manual percussion isn't feasible.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Meridian Tapping

A modern evolution of tapping massage, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) use tapping on specific acupressure (meridian) points on the body to promote emotional and mental wellness.

🌿 Emotional & Physical Benefits of EFT Tapping:

• Stress & Anxiety Relief: Tapping on meridian points may lower cortisol and stress hormone levels.
• Emotional Regulation: Affects the amygdala and hypothalamus, helping manage fight-or-flight responses.
• Improved Sleep: Many EFT users report deeper, more restful sleep.
• Lymphatic Support: Like traditional tapping, EFT stimulates circulation and detoxification.
• Brain Rewiring: EFT is believed to reprogram negative emotional patterns, increasing emotional resilience.

Final Thoughts: Tap Into Better Health

From ancient traditions to modern innovations, tapping massage has earned its place as a trusted technique for muscle recovery, stress relief, and full-body wellness. Whether performed manually or with tools like Bongers or massage guns, tapping is an empowering, natural way to care for your body—no appointment required.

Ready to get your Bong on? Start tapping your way to better health today.