The 3 self massage tools everyone should have at home

So…it’s been a few weeks since your last massage and your body is aching. You have a bodywork session scheduled for next week but need relief now from your aching muscles.

There are many good products on the market that can help with muscular and myofascial pain- some good, some not-so-good.  Here are 3 products that everyone should have at home to keep the aches in check.

1) Foam Roller

This is the best thing to treat aches and pains in the big muscle groups. A foam roller doesn’t actually work muscles, but rather, it is loosening up the fascia – or connective tissue- which will then allow muscles to return to there proper positioning. foam rollers come in different sizes and widths so as to accommodate different areas of the body. You can probably get away with just one size. I like the medium size since it is portable and can do just about anything that the large can do. I also like to take it along on road trips so that I can “roll out” after long periods of time riding in a car.

2) Lacrosse Ball

Physical Therapists have long used the lacrosse ball as a tool to help relieve trigger points.A lacrosse ball is about the same size as a tennis ball, but it is a solid hard rubber material and so it is able to put pressure on trigger points to help them release.

3) Theracane

The Theracane takes the lacrosse ball one step further. Because it has a smaller, harder surface it is able to get more specific trigger points in harder to reach areas. The cheapest place to buy it is at Amazon

These three simple, yet effective tools are sure to keep the aches and pains away while you wait for your next massage appointment!

Let me know what you think in the comments section below.