Trigger Point Massage tools

Trigger Point Ultimate 6 Kit & GRID Foam Roller - $154.99 & $39.99

Best for: Quads, hamstrings, and IT bands using the quadballer. The footballer was best for triceps, and the massage ball for the chest.

Trigger Point Therapy started as a research project by a man named Cassidy Phillips who suffered from fibromyalgia and was looking for a cure. He searched through many different sources of therapy but was unable to find a cure to for tight muscles and constant pain. Eventually he found information on trigger points and started his own research. Cassidy developed products that would mimic the human hand and allow effective self-care. The products are high quality and feel very sturdy.

In addition to the manual, Trigger Point has a great resource online that provides the user with information. They go above and beyond to provide scientific data, and truly explain the process. It’s a well-balanced approach and the kit is the most versatile of any of the products.Trigger Point Therapy is the most expensive kit especially if you include the roller, however it gives you the greatest ability to start with self-care.

Best for: Neck, traps, and trigger points around the shoulder blades.

The Theracane is a great product that gives you superior control to pick out specific areas and apply a great amount of pressure. The Theracane comes with an instructional manual and a DVD showing how to use the product. Rather than struggling with balls or rollers for small areas the Theracane’s unique construction allows you to reach those hard to hit areas. It has six different massaging points allowing you a wide variety of options to tackle your neck, back, arms, and legs. You can use the hook to address your neck, back, and hips. The other points are great for hip flexors and triceps.

Your neck and traps are by far the most difficult areas to address by yourself, and Theracane is the perfect answers for these spots. This is highly recommended if you do a lot of upper body work, specifically overhead presses. The Theracane is tougher to use to address the feet, calves, quads, and hamstrings. The shape allows you to pack the Theracane in your luggage or strap it on a backpack for easy travel.

Best for: Calves and tibia, providing better relief here than any other product. Also good for quads, hamstrings, and neck.

The Stick is one of the oldest products on the market and still very successful. The first Stick product was originally marketed to runners, but they have since expanded into a full line of differentiated products that can address everyone’s needs. I am 6’1” and weight 190lbs, so I was sent the Power Stick. This version of the product is a bit longer than the original Stick and also stiffer. It allows you to use greater pressure and access deeper areas. This product is backed by years of research showing its safety and efficacy. It is directly linked with improved recovery and therefore superior performance.

The Stick can be used for the legs, back, traps, and neck. It is tougher for those with limited shoulder mobility to address the upper body. The Stick does allow smooth rolling for the lower body and neck. This allows you more fluid movement and to quickly work out muscles with an active motion, versus the static acupressure that other products provide. This is great for after a run or a workout, allowing your legs to feel fresh like you’ve received a professional massage.