Amazing release after sports massage

[JayCS]

YouTube idea. I'm going to check that out.

You can start putting in the body part or symptom you want to treat and getting a few ideas to try that way,
then add one of all the treatment types you think might fit to that and your body, like
stretches, exercises, (self) massage, trigger points, acupressure, myofascial release, lymph drainage, yoga (e.g. hatha yoga, yin yoga), soft tissue, qi gong, tai chi, Feldenkrais, reflexology, shiatsu (when necessary, like in this case plus "self"), gua sha, -
there's only a few techniques which we can't do by ourselves (like Kinesio tape, osteopathy, chiropractic, Rolfing, Scar and Bonework)....
or can't find for some body part (I just tested the shoulder blades @cookiebaker mentioned,
also you can add "tennis ball", "foam roller", "massage gun" or any other gadget to see more ideas how else you can use them for that body part....

 

[JamieMarc]

Mine is very similar to your first photo but it is s-shaped.

 

[cookiebaker]

Since my massage 'gun' vibrates on its own I just need to hold it a little,

yeah, and those "guns" cost a fair bit, too.. not knocking it, but cost is a factor.. just like cost is a factor to see a massage therapist..
and right now, neither one is really something i can afford.. my bills have to come first once the disability payments actually kick in.

that little cane cost me less than $25 USD - and yes, the balls are meant to work the muscles on either side of the spine, but I have not really figured out how to do so effectively and in reasonable comfort yet. the spacing is a bit too wide for me & my back.. need them to be about 1/2 to 3/4 inch closer together.
i use the other end quite a bit, and yes, it does help.. but not really something i should be using on my neck, and that is the one area that i could use some relief in.

 

[JayCS]

less than $25 USD

Well eBay has a new massager by Breo on special offer at 28,50$ right now (thrice that on the Big A.) (good reviews)

not really something i should be using on my neck

Massagers are for the neck too.... - very effective when I combine it with stretches, something that wouldn't work with the stick...

 

[Badger]

I'll have to try one of these massage tools in case it helps. Looked at some self-release videos on Youtube, but they required pressure to be kept on for a short while which is painful for my wrist flexors. Surprised they can't predict the weather with being so touchy.

 

[JayCS]

Looked at some self-release videos on Youtube, but they required pressure to be kept on for a short while which is painful for my wrist flexors.

Yeah, I so know that too!
I decrease it with tricks.
By using my body weight against a floor, bed or wall etc. to apply the pressure.
Or I hold the point with fingers of the one hand, but apply the pressure by pressing the other arm against it, in levering position.
"Applied physics", often developed with the help of various stretches and other tricks of movement and posture.
Afterwards I may have to treat my wrists for a short time too.
Same can happen with the massager if I don't find a 'cheat' position. But shorter, well worth it.
If it weren't shorter, I('d) first work on my wrists till they can take it better.
Or maybe they just need some stretching / exercising / massaging before, as well as after.

 

[Badger]

That's a good idea, using tricks / body weight to help apply pressure. I sometimes do this, or use kitchen tools, but will still need to think about other ways in future. Hopefully if I can learn more on the applied physics it will help self-treatment along with a massager.

 

[kap]

Over all my meds massage is my best treatment for pain hands down!

 

[cookiebaker]

I'll have to try one of these massage tools in case it helps. Looked at some self-release videos on Youtube, but they required pressure to be kept on for a short while which is painful for my wrist flexors. Surprised they can't predict the weather with being so touchy.

depending on where you need to apply the pressure, a tennis ball against the wall, or on the floor is a viable option.. I used to use the tennis ball method on my mid back, close to the shoulder blades - that is where I would develop some nasty knots... I found that the tennis ball on a panel door, where it is kind of trapped, worked really well for me.
the small cane I have is just easier because i can use it sitting down. lol I hold the balls on the other end - one in each hand - to apply the pressure and adjust in small increments as needed

 

[sunkacola]

a tennis ball against the wall, or on the floor is a viable option

Definitely can help, helps a lot of people with many conditions, and you can use pool noodles as well, giving you more ways to do it.
The idea is to lie on or against it and then completely relax your body around it. If you stay tense it won't do you any good. So you have to find a placement and object upon which your body can relax.

 

[Badger]

I may try that with my lower back, a private sports massage physio once told me that my lower back is a write off. Tried rubbing my back against a wall mounted kitchen handle.

 

[sunkacola]

Never let anyone tell you that some part of your body is a "write off". What a thing to say! You can always, no matter what, make things better for yourself. Maybe you can't make the condition any better, and maybe it is even going to get worse, but you can manage it so that it is not as bad for you, and you can get better and better at managing it physically and mentally if you just keep at it. You are doing your best at this, Badger, so POOF to that doctor.

 

[Badger]

Thank you for the support sunkacola, I gave it three sessions and did not go back as it would get too expensive. I wonder how much a chiropractor or osteopath might help. It is surprising how many pops and cracks that they can get of out of people. The semi supine position has helped a lot over the years along with heat pads. I get the odd painful twinge but have not had a spasm leaving me crooked for many years. That reminds me of one time I saw a nurse at a local clinic after a back spasm. He phoned the surgery and shook his head when the GP refused to give any medication. The GP said if his back is that bad, tell him to come to the surgery in the morning. On my way out of the clinic I collapsed in the corridor from the strain on my legs and was totally ignored. Fortunately, someone I knew who worked there as a porter came by and offered a lift home. I forced my way to the car somehow and at least got home. I confronted the GP the next morning who only prescribed Ibuprofen. It took two weeks for me to recover but the supine position definitely made a difference.

 

[cookiebaker]

On my way out of the clinic I collapsed in the corridor from the strain on my legs and was totally ignored.

OMG, that is just awful!! I am so sorry you were ignored like that.

as for a chiropractor, finding a good one of those can be just as difficult as finding a good medical doctor. A good one will do a small bit of massage as they feel for areas that need work the most.. a bad one will just start trying to pop things whether it is needed or not often doing more harm than good.
I would ask around - friends, neighbors, etc, and see what you can find out.

 

[JayCS]

I wonder how much a chiropractor or osteopath might help.

Osteopaths are generally very gentle, reliably so. Acupressurists usually too, I think.
But both more reliably better than sports massage, general PT, chiropractic or Rolfing, which vary much more.