Unfortunately, I am an expert in overcoming back pain.
I am hopeful that some of my experiences can benefit you, especially if you are suffering from chronic aches and pains. Or maybe you’ll find that using some of these tools may increase your athletic performance.
As usual, I am not a doctor. See your doctor for all of your medical needs. This is an article about what I experience with foam rollers and other health maintenance tools.
go to link viagra zonder voorschrift belgie https://tui.net/cause/fiscal-planning-term-papers/69/ go site https://familytreecounseling.com/pill/cialis-20mg-schweiz/13/ watch what happens to viagra when it expires follow url see wann setzt viagra ein english essays structure history essay grading rubric https://reflectionsbodysolutions.com/doctor/cialis-en-puebla/82/ follow url maximum daily dose for cialis expose dissertation wirtschaftswissenschaften enter site graduate admission sample essay here source link online viagra best price sildenafil sarms forums on it thesis source free essay on quality of life accountability essay work can you call and ask doctor for viagra prescription christian early essay jewish mysticism now paradise series symposium follow site against capital punishment essay titles about jesus search rhine pharmacy My Story Of My Back Pains
I’ve been seeing a chiropractor, on and off, for about 25 years. Many years ago, I had a serious biking accident. I fell over the handlebars, landing on my head. I ripped part of my sternocleidomastoid away from my skull. X-rays were negative for fractures. For a few days the only way I could be comfortable was on my knees in front of my recliner, with the foot rest on my belly and my face in the seat of the chair. I did go to a chiropractor who seemed spooked to adjust me. I saw him a couple of times and I was slowly getting better. A few months later, I ended up having these weird headaches that started at the base of my skull and moved up over the top of my head to my forehead. I finally went to a different chiropractor, and after one adjustment, I was significantly better. I continued seeing this new chiropractor for wellness care. And although I still have a hard little lump of scar tissue, I have full range of motion and consider myself 100% recovered from that injury.
Now, skip ahead a number of years, and I was T-boned by some moron driver doing a 360 out of a parking lot. Stupid driver and stupid maneuver. This was not a serious accident. However, I got the typically massive soreness in my neck within about 12 hours, typical of whiplash. Filed an insurance claim – saw the newer chiropractor – saw a massage therapist, too. In total, I had about 6 weeks of treatments.
Even though I was in pain for a good number of weeks after that car accident, I can say that after all those treatments, I came away the healthiest and strongest (my back and neck) I had felt in years.
Perform Basic Maintenance On Yourself With A Foam Roller
Again, I am going to mention Becoming A Supple Leopard by Dr. Kelly Starrett. The premise of his book is that all human beings should be able to perform basic maintenance on themselves. I believe that. And to help maintain my back’s health, I have employed a number of devices.
Basic foam roller from Trigger Point Performance
The Trigger Point Performance foam roller was my first foam roller. I bought the 13-inch version and immediately fell in love with it. I love the way my back feels after rolling on this for a few minutes. I would opine that 100 out of 100 times of rolling on this roller, I feel a relief. Most of the time, I feel a physical relief. However, there are times where the relief this gives me is mental. I’ll get a pop or a crack and my body and my mind just melts into the floor.
Don’t buy the off-brand or the cheapest rollers in this category. I’ve used one (ProSource) where the foam is too soft and when I roll with it, it gives an uneven, bumpy ride. It feels like it doesn’t roll right. And that off-feeling diminishes the reason to even own it. Stick with the Trigger Point Brand.
In general, the cheap rollers could be equivalent to a novice massage therapist. The higher quality or higher priced roller could be equivalent to a veteran massage therapist. You pay a little more for the better quality; but you also get more.
Skip The ProSource Foam Roller
This ProSource brand is wibbly wobbly. Just skip this one. It is not worth it. It just doesn’t feel right. It feels frustrating to roll on this one. It is more like getting a massage from a drunk massage therapist. And not the fun kind of drunk. The ProSource roller is like getting a massage from a passing out / coming to / passing out kind of drunk. Not good, so skip the ProSource brand of foam roller.
Full Size Rumble Roller
Yes, yes, yes! I spend more time on my rumble roller than with any other device now. Not only does it get my back, traps, lats, pecs; I’ve learned how to massage all of my leg (quad, ham, IT band, calves, shin area, glutes, hips). I have the full size and extra firm foam (you can order one with softer foam), and I never felt any sort of discomfort. I think that owning the Trigger Point roller for about a year before buying the Rumble helped my body get used to that feeling.
If you are looking at the small version of the Rumble roller, it is tiny. It will work for you if you think that is the one that will meet your needs. However, if you think you want the smaller one just to save money, go ahead and opt for the bigger one. You’ll be glad with the versatility of it.
Bonus Notes For Additional Tools To Help Back Pain
Theracane
Massage your own trigger points and tight spots. The Theracane never gets tired. This thing is built like a tank. It will never break or wear out. Currently under $30 on Amazon, it is the #1 seller in the Manual Back Massager category.
The versatility of the Theracane makes it my favorite massager for when I have some general aches and pains. When I am feeling some tightness in my shoulders and traps after a long day at the computer, I reach for my Theracane. The Theracane, by far, can reach more places on your body in a focused manner than any other device that I write about in this article. The only downside is that your arms will fatigue; whereas the foam rollers and balls are between your body and the ground. Gravity never fatigues.
Lastly, the Theracane goes in my car on all of my climbing trips. It travels well and everyone can use it while seated. The driver can use it during stops. The Theracane is the best back massager for travel, car camping, and climbing trips.
The Orb
Get ready for some super focused massage therapy. I bought the Orb after trying one at a Cross-Fit gym. I still experience some hip tightness, so I was encouraged to learn how to massage my psaos with the Orb. The Orb is intense. It will take some time to build up your tolerance for the amount of pressure this can exert on your soft tissues.
Lacrosse Ball
Not for the faint of heart. If you enjoy deep tissue massage, then get a lacrosse ball. This thing feels like the Orb but with multiple degrees of added intensity. What is interesting to me is that when I use it on the soles of my feet, I feel different tightness in different areas on my right foot vs. left foot.
I still have aches and pains from time to time for which I’ll go see my chiropractor. But for every day maintenance, I use my tools to keep my back healthy and strong.
Photo Credit
Purchasing items featured in this article through the Amazon links provided below helps to support the Hike Climb Relax: Beta blog. Thank you.
[…] My Back Is Killing Me: Which Foam Roller is Right For My Back Pain […]