Myofascial Pain Syndrome Support Group
Myofascial Pain Syndrome (or MPS) is a term used to describe one of the conditions characterized by chronic pain. It is associated with and caused by "trigger points" (TrPs), sensitive and painful areas between the muscle and fascia. The symptoms can range from referred pain through myofascial trigger points to specific pains in other areas of the body. It may be related...
I know this isnt true for everyone here but I happen to really like it when my muscles are massaged and also really like vibration. My massage therapist uses vibration on my muscles and it has really helped loosen the muscles up and I really like the way it feels. A couple weeks ago, my husband splurged a little and got a vibration massager from Brookstone
http://www.brookstone.com/active-sport-handheld-massager_10629889_2?bkiid=World_Landing_Page_Personal_Massagers|WorldLandingWidget|672469p&page=featuredproduct&catId=L2_PersonalMassage|L1_Massage
I love it!! It really provides a lot of vibration and although you can choose to put it on a lighter setting, it realllly does go up pretty high. I am able to use it on myself (mostly on my traps, jaw, psoas, and pecs) and it makes it very easy for someone else to massage my back so I dont feel so bad when my husband/mom want to pamper me a bit :)
Just wanted to share this with you all. I would for sure recommend this because for me, I know it wont turn out to be one of those purchases that I use for a little then ends up in a closet somewhere..
http://www.brookstone.com/active-sport-handheld-massager_10629889_2?bkiid=World_Landing_Page_Personal_Massagers|WorldLandingWidget|672469p&page=featuredproduct&catId=L2_PersonalMassage|L1_Massage
I love it!! It really provides a lot of vibration and although you can choose to put it on a lighter setting, it realllly does go up pretty high. I am able to use it on myself (mostly on my traps, jaw, psoas, and pecs) and it makes it very easy for someone else to massage my back so I dont feel so bad when my husband/mom want to pamper me a bit :)
Just wanted to share this with you all. I would for sure recommend this because for me, I know it wont turn out to be one of those purchases that I use for a little then ends up in a closet somewhere..
Do you use it 'direct' onto skin or over clothes? I started out over clothes but went in a bit too hard too soon and had to stop. Then I discovered my 'magic' oil (weleda massage balm mixed with comfrey oil) and started using a small wooden roller and very gently start working on the muscles direct onto the skin. After a week or so I'm now using the massager again (starting low! I've learnt my lesson) and it's beginning to make a difference.
I was just going to post a query on this but may as well do it here...now I'm beginning to work on these very tight muscles I'm beginning to get lots of itching in the areas I'm working on. And I'm reaching the stage where I can differentiate a few trigger points as the total contraction begins to ease.
In my mind it's because there is increased blood flow in areas where it's been restricted by tight fascia. It's a theory I can understand, but the itching is driving me a little bit mad! I'm hoping it's the same as when a bad cut begins to scab over and heal and you get that 'itching' as it gets better. This is the point children usually start picking their scab and adults slap their hands (not really) and say 'don't do that, or it'll scar'! So it's good itching, and nothing nasty.
Does that make any sense? You've had way more direct treatment on the trigger points, so may not have experienced this itching. I've only just been able to tolerate more direct therapy, and won't be stopping, but this itching is an interesting development and I'm taking it as a good sign.
http://www.amazon.com/Jobri-JMAS1000-Dolphin-Massager/dp/B000PRKT8Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1324532620&sr=1-1
The Theracane seemed like such a great gadget when I first got it. But to make it really work you have to apply a great deal of leverage and it makes my arms and shoulders sore. I also have little plastic handheld gidgets:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00120ZMF0/ref=oh_o06_s01_i00_details
But it is the same with them--you have to apply a lot of pressure to get to the sore spots. This electric percussion massager has a heavy head and I can just rest it on the sore spot and it sinks in. I always have some fabric between my skin and it, several layers in the case of muscles on the surface, like on my ribs or my shins, or near or on my neck.
Even with the dolphin my arms get sore. You should not hang it down behind your back like they show in the photos, I think, just because it is so heavy. In the product reviews one woman complained about getting tennis elbow from using it! I try to lay the whole thing on top of my body to take the weight and just guide it with my hand. Or you can put it on the bed and lean your back onto it.
I too get itching in some areas I use it on, Pumpkin. But I give it a good scratch, which feels really good, and then it goes away. I too think the itching has something to do with blood flow in new places or whatever.