Hey guys! As I've mentioned on the blog before, I am no stranger to injuries. I talked at length about my sartorius muscle when I lived in Australia. I also experience frequent lower back pain and occasional knee and foot discomfort. As somebody who exercises most days and is now training for a marathon, stretching and massaging my muscles is non-negotiable. Here are my favorite therapeutic gadgets that keep me walking (and running!).
This product is not new to me. I bought it years ago when I hurt my leg in Australia. I talked about it here. It has a hard, hollow center that makes it firmer than other traditional foam rollers. The grooved surface makes it feel more like the hands of a massage therapist. The roller that I use is 13 inches, but Trigger Point also makes a 26-inch roller. The 13-inch is more portable if you want to take it traveling with you. I use it on my upper back, lower back, inner and outer thighs, glutes, and quads. Another advantage? It comes in a bunch of fun colors!
I bought The Orb from Road Runner Sports last month. As much as I like the Grid, its shape restricts it from getting into the little sore spots on my lower back. The Orb can get into those spots (on the sides of my spine, of course, since you never want to roll directly on your spine). If I lie down directly on top of The Orb and put my weight on the ball, I can usually find my sore spot. If it's the right spot, it's very painful! I keep pressing until the pain subsides, or my muscle relaxes. The Orb is also good for massaging around the knees and the glutes.
This thing kind of looks like a rainbow and feels fantastic on the feet. I don't get foot cramps nearly as much as I used to (I credit this to custom orthotics), but I'll use it when my feet get sore. It's small enough to tote back and forth with me to work, too, which I've done a bit over the past year. I also use a lacrosse ball for my feet, but I think that the Foot Log feels even better! Plus, it's so colorful.
This device is life-changing. It feels like a deep-tissue massage every time that I use it, and I don't have to lie down on the floor like I do with the foam rollers. My lower back, which usually throbs when I stand for long periods of time, doesn't hurt me anymore. My right knee, which feels weird (not painful, but just feels like it's not attached properly...I don't know how else to phrase it) after running about six miles doesn't bother me. I've done two nine-mile runs since using it around my knees, and I haven't been in discomfort at the end of my runs. The metal balls dig deep into the tissue and work magic. I brought it to work last week for my sore back, and most of my coworkers tried it. One already bought one for her sister. It's the best!
The Bed Buddy is the most cuddly item on the list. It can go in the microwave for heat therapy or can be frozen. It's filled with grains, herbs, and flowers, which makes it non-toxic. It's long and flexible and easily wraps around the body for comfort. I'll heat it and take it to bed with me when I'm feeling achy. I've never put it in the freezer, but I'll have to give that a try.
That's all for today!
That's all for today!
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