Self massage
 

I have a really stiff neck and shoulders, but I suck at self massage. Does anyone have any good ways to do this? My hubby has had an injured hand for a while so he can't massage me
thanks

Bubblebath? You could also try drinking =P Sorry that's all I got for you.

Have you considered buying one of those mats you can lay out on a chair that massages you? or even a massaging chair if you're super rish. Otherwise, there are massage things at stores like the Body Shop that you can slide around your body [your hubby can prolly do it even with an injured hand] that are super cheap and feels pretty good...otherwise by hand...there's not much you can do but pinch it a bit and whine...:p

Hey, thanks for the tips I really appreciate it. I only knew about the little wooden "animals" with wheels, didn't know that there was a long hand held wheely thingy that I could use, sweeeet.

Shyla

This works wonders for me. I swear by this and don't go spending $10-$20 on those wooden toys.

I use a golf-ball. It's the greatest massager. You can massage your foot by rolling your foot over it. And the rest of your body by rolling it wherever.

I used to use a smooth rock, until I opened my closet and found dozens of golf balls (I don't golf... they just were there)

I agree with axolotls on this one. My father used either a tennis ball or golf ball depending on the effect he wanted.

It's important to ask, why are your neck and shoulders getting stiff? Do you stretch or go for walks regularly? I find that walking around the block once in the morning and once in the evening is enough to keep my neck loose all day long, as long as I walk regularly.

Well, I got stabbed right between my shoulder blades in 86 with a butcher knife, and it went down at a 45 degree angle almost to my heart;a lot of nerves and stuff were cut, so I kind of get stiff in the neck and shoulders from that.
I do lots of stretching and am starting to do "wall pushups", along with crunches and situps. I've noticed some lessening of the pain between the shoulderblades, but nothing that makes my shoulders "droop" in relief the way a massage will.

theracane
 

[IMG]www.theracane.com/images/TCHome4.jpg[/IMG]

Try this: I am a trainer and a lot of clients have gotten these on the advise of trainers. It allows you with practice to put a lot of pressure on one spot.
www.theracane.comhttp://www.theracane.com/images/TCHome4.jpg

Thanks, pocon, that theracrane thing looks really neet, as soon as I have $50 I 'll get it. Whew, my neck is aching for it :P

I also nominate the Theracane. That is more of an all-purpose thingy for every part of the body. I've used one before but still like my golf ball since I can roll it around.

The theracane is great for the back and neck areas since it allows you to reach those areas with ease. If you didn't need it for the back or neck then i wouldn't recommend it

Well, It can be used all over. The points are the right size to work on the rest of the body. Try working it down the IT band (iliotibial) on the side of the leg. You will be in pain, but your movement will feel so much better.

I'll try that, too, I have some numbness in the left arm and leg.
thanks and huggs
shyla

I like hugs, they are like a soft massage that is good for your well-being. The numbness can be coming from your spine. Nerves do radiate out from the spine and travel down in well-defined bundles that are traceable by a good therapist. If you have a nerve bundle with scar tissue sitting on it, it causes pain. Breaking up that tissue, sometimes painfully, can help alleviate that.

I recommend a book called "Trigger Point Therapy".

It shows how to "break up all the tissue" as pocon1 mentioned with your hands, tennis ball, and curiously enough a large section on the Theracane.

Buy it. I actually worked out (over months) many many old and new injuries that limited my ROM.