This is a review of Trigger Point massage, and a particular self-help book about applying the technique: The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies. I've been trying self-applied Trigger Point massage for a while now, using this book as my guide. I've found it to be a useful technique, and I recommend trying it. I've used it for back pain and hip pain, but the book contains sections for almost all areas of the body. The theory behind trigger point therapy is that muscles get knotted up in very...
Cheap theracane alternatives
I've recently been trying trigger point massage for my lower back pain. I'll post more once I have had more experience. Trigger point therapy requires a fairly deep massage, which is rather hard to do with your hands, let alone if the points are behind your back.The Theracane is basically a cane with some hand-holds, which is meant to make it easier to massage areas like your back. Experimenting in the store, I did not feel it was really...
Take it easy after a flareup
For many people chronic back pain varies significantly over time. You'll have good days, good weeks, and good months, just like you'll have bad days, weeks, and months. Usually the bad periods are caused by some sort of unfortunate event (for me, air-travel is the most dependable cause of a flareup). When you have a flareup there is a perverse desire to start doing exercises and stretches right away - the very exercises and stretches you should have been doing before you injured yourself to reduce the chance of a flareup.I've...
Lumbar support
The McKenzie book stresses the importance of good posture and good lumbar support. They sell a polyurethane lumbar role, which you place just above the beltline when you sit. This can make sitting more comfortable. There are other more low tech (and high tech) lumbar supports however, with various advantages. Here's a complete list: Mckenzie Lumbar Roll Pro: strap makes it easy to carry. Made of foam that is soft and small enough that you can use it for extended periods of time without strain. Con: sometimes ...
