A percussive massage device includes an enclosure having a cylindrical bore that extends along a longitudinal axis. A motor has a rotatable shaft that rotates about a central axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A crank coupled to the shaft includes a pivot, which is offset from the central axis of the shaft. A transfer bracket has a first end portion coupled to the pivot of the crank. A flexible transfer linkage has a first end coupled to a second end portion of the transfer bracket. A piston has a first end coupled to a second end of the transfer linkage. The piston is constrained to move within a cylinder along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical bore. An applicator head has a first end coupled to a second end of the piston and has a second end exposed outside the cylindrical bore for application to a person receiving treatment.