Audri the Alchemist

Myofascial release is a major component of a program for every client. With regular myofascial release, I am able to coach clients through problematic past injuries and straighten hunched backs. This important practice can also save athletes from high performance injuries. What type of tools and how the tool are used varies from client to client. One tool doesn’t work for everyone. Some are simpler and more versatile, while others are specific. I have compiled a list of useful trigger point, and myofascial released tools. These are just standard suggestions and tools I commonly use. After I teach you technique, you can use any tool and benefit from less pain and performance enhancements in your daily life.

*Clicking on the name of the tool will direct you to my Amazon affiliate link of that product. You can purchase exactly what I recommend and personally use.

Trigger Point Foam Roller- As a new momma, I have been relying heavily on my orange gridded roller. They come in different lengths. The grid texture help release deep tissue. I would consider Trigger Point brand as the industry standard. I’ve taken my foam roller outdoors on overnight backpacking adventures to quickly recover at camp. The hollow center makes it easy to strap onto a backpack. When you travel it can go in a suitcase and protect toiletries or other items inside the hollow center.

Trigger Point Massage Ball– I find that it’s nice to sometimes have a ball with some give. The ball is swirled with varying foam densities so that as you roll over your muscles and trigger points, it massages deep fibers.

Lacrosse Ball– My tried and true go-to most versatile trigger point tool. It’s small enough to be left in your car (so you can roll your back while in traffic), a gym bag, and even on the trail backpacking. It’s made of dense rubber and can be a tad intense if used on the hard ground. Some athletes who have dense muscle might need the focal intensity in trouble areas vs a senior with soft tissue who might bruise. Regardless, this is an inexpensive great tool to use.

Soft Large Foam Roller– This is a great beginner foam roller. It is large and not as dense as the trigger point roller. This roller is great for those with softer tissue, beginners, and someone who is just to sore from a workout. There is no texture to it and is long enough to move around on easily.

Dense Large Foam Roller- These are the standard rollers in gyms and in physical therapy. It is lightweight and long enough to be able to move around on . This is meant for someone who needs more pressure than a soft roller and if a gridded trigger point roller is too intense.

Tiger Tails– These are wands with textures or beads to help target large muscles with more focal intensity. These are great for the hamstrings, calves, and quads. Not always a necessity, but if rolling the hamstrings with a large roller isn’t working tiger tails are a great option. If you have help, this can be useful for the hard to reach area where your neck meets your shoulders, the trapezius.

Trigger Point Hamstring Rollers– Clients who are rehabilitating hamstring tears or those who need to gain flexibility will find this tool useful. Can be used for quads and calves as well.

Vibrating Foam Rollers- These once hard to find rollers are starting to be noticed. I would reserve to invest in one like this if you are a athlete or bodybuilder with dense muscles. The vibration really helps the blood flow directing nutrients into the muscles that are sore from recovery.

Rumble Rollers- These rollers look like they came from the medieval times. They are not meant to be for a beginner. Theses are reserved for those who like the pain. Bodybuilders and crossfit folk like to use these to target deep muscle tissue. I just find it annoying to be poked randomly hoping to get a release.

An important fact is that there is a window of opportunity to strength train underactive muscles after releasing overactive muscles. Most of the time I prescribe band resistant training to help correct postural issues or functional movement. Closed bands are used for the lower body while ribbon bands are used for upper body.