PMT100 User Techniques
Always check the tool’s parts and tips before use.
If you are concerned about any parts, contact PMT customer care.
Using the Machine at Different Speeds
Low speed:
A muscle needs to be relaxed and slightly flexed rather than stretched to use the tool at lower speeds. It is also best on a larger particularly fleshy muscle. A muscle with enough tissue to be called strong and a muscle without spasm or excess tension.
That way this particular muscle should not cause the tool to bounce hard against the tissue, causing a reverb effect.
This technique will allow the whole muscle from end to end on a shorter muscle or from mid muscle to one end on a longer muscle to gently rock and vibrate. For example, the sternocliedomastoid, or bicep would gently rock and vibrate into a relaxed muscle with relaxed fascia.
The same affect will help the large muscles such as in the hamstrings, adductors or calf muscle groups. These muscles may not move as a whole depending on their density, tension and size. But at least half of this muscle should move. You will then work the other half of that muscle in order to treat the whole muscle and to achieve full muscle relaxation.
High speed:
When working on a muscle which has much more tension, spasm or is by nature more tendinous, you will use a higher speed, and possibly use a softer tip if the machine still bounces hard off the tissue. The same applies for thinner or less dense muscles.
When working this type of muscle, or a muscle at its tendon end use a higher speed and possibly a softer tip here as well. The harder the surface the higher the speed, as to not hurt the tissue or bruise it.
You will still encourage blood flow, detoxification of lactic acid, encourage lymphatic drainage, and releasing tight fascia. This type of muscle or tendon may not have the elasticity as a looser muscle regardless of the size of that muscle. It will ultimately depend on muscle tension and density.
Percussion Massaging a Muscle While Flexed or Stretched
It is a beneficial technique to flex and gently stretch the muscle you are massaging. This technique allows the fascia, which is the casing surrounding your muscle, to glide against its own muscle fibers or its neighboring muscle. This can increase oxygenated blood into areas that are restricted by tension, giving nutrients to the tissues.
Hold the tool still for approximately 10-15 seconds on an area of a muscle and then flex the muscle and then relax the muscle gently and repetitively. Then move to a new spot in the same muscle until you have completed the whole muscle. One muscle depending on size and density should take between 60-90 seconds.
Therapy takes time if you want beneficial change
When you loosen a chronically tight muscle you are asking your brain to change its habit or reason for creating a tight muscle. Whether it is from a compensating issue, an injury, overuse or underuse, you should expect the muscle you percussion massaged, to be sore. You may even find that it feels worse. Think in terms of change taking time. Don’t expect great results on a problem area to happen fast.
If this is a muscle that does not cause you pain, decreased range of motion or discomfort then more then likely the response will be nice and relaxing. This is what we would consider as maintenance.
If this is what you’d call a problem muscle then I recommend taking your time with it. Although the percussion massage you’re doing may feel good and like you’re accomplishing something, still take it slow and do not over work an area. 60 - 90 seconds on any one muscle is usually enough in one day.
If, in the next day or two you return to a muscle you massage previously, is still sore then skip it until the third day or more and consider whether an ice regimen would help. If you caused bruising, stick to using a softer and larger tip next time and without pressing the tool into your muscle.
See video tutorial page