5 Must have Muscle Recovery Tools
Sharing 5 of my favorite tools for self muscle recovery! Great for volleyball players or any athletes dealign with muscle soreness/tightness.
That end of season grind is approaching and your players bodies are almost definitely feeling the countless late night practices and weekend long tournaments. Mix in early mornings and long travel days, and I’m sure you could benefit from a spa day right about now. When that is not an option, here are my top 5 travel friendly recovery tools to keep your body in top performance shape! (Click photo for link)
Hot/Cold Massage ball or
Lacrosse Ball
Awesome way to combine heat/ice therapy & deep tissue massage work. This ball can be used hot or cold to get ice/heat right to the area needing to be released.
Lacrosse ball is another great option that is small, easier to travel with and provides deep and focal pressure to work out trigger points, knots, or general tightness to places like bottom of foot, calf, glutes, and between shoulders. Use sandwiched between body and wall to provide some self deep tissue work.
Theracane
Another great way to provide self deep tissue work. I like this one best for the bigger muscles around the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Apply some moderate pressure and then try to stretch while maintaining that pressure for a loosening effect. Made of plastic so can work in shower as well for added benefits of moist heat on muscles.
Stick Roller
Small and easy to travel with, this one has retractable handles. These come in many forms, shapes, and sizes. I prefer the ones with a solid piece (vs. beads) that have a ribbed like texture. This makes it easy to get good grip and apply sufficient pressure through the roller without possibly pinching the skin. Best for large muscles in the legs including quads, hamstrings, IT band, and calves. Can do to bare skin or over pants as well.
Yoga/stretch strap
Great way to self stretch with added overpressure. Best for large muscle groups of legs/hips and shoulders including hamstring, IT band, quads, and inner thigh.
I use this one with loops for better and easier grip, comes with a handy how-to booklet!
Compression Socks
Some recent research has suggested that wearing compression socks after a prolonged athletic event with minimal rest breaks and short recovery periods can decrease post activity muscle soreness. May be a good option for when you have to stand during dreaded reffing at the very end of a long tournament and that leg fatigue or soreness starts to kick in :)
Last but not least, don’t forget the importance of a health and balanced diet and plenty of sleep for optimal muscle recovery!
-Chelsea Saville PT, DPT
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Recovery Hack: Travel Foam Roll Holder
Sharing a super simple way to travel with your foam roll with greater ease.
Love the benefits of foam rolling but hate the awkwardness that comes with bringing one along while traveling? The hard to hold roundness and long length make it impossible to carry along with your numerous packed sports bags? I have a solution for you!
I love to use my yoga mat strap to carry my long foam roll (36 inch). Foam rollers happen to be about the same diameter and length as a rolled up yoga or pilates mat so this hack works great to be able to throw the foam roll over your shoulder and carry it hands free! Most yoga mat straps are adjustable so they should fit your foam roll just right. If looking online, search for “yoga mat strap” or “yoga mat sling” and make sure the one you chose has adjustable openings. (I have linked one below as a reference)
BONUS! You can also use your yoga mat strap as a stretching strap if needed while on the go.
Try it out and let me know what you think!
-Chelsea Saville PT, DPT
As an amazon affiliate I may earn from qualifying purchases
Recovery Hack: K Tape & Topical Pain Relief
Learn the simple secret to combining your two favorite recovery tools for decreased pain and improved performance. I share some of my go to brands and tips/tricks for application.
Love the feel and support fo K tape while playing but miss the ability to apply a topical analgesic like IcyHot or Biofreeze? Not to worry, did you know you can actually apply your topical pain relief of choice right over your applied K tape in 2 (…well maybe 3) simple steps.
1) Apply tape in preferred location
2) Apply liberal amounts of topical ointment, cream, gel, or spray right over tape.
3) Get back to playing and having fun ASAP!
Because K tape is a light fabric type material, the product should absorb through the tape and you should feel the effects on your skin quickly. It is best to either shower or remove the saturated tape later in the day as you would typically wash the topical product off your skin. Some tape brands have released their own versions made specifically to interact with their tapes so I will leave examples of those below. Great way to combine the use of recovery tools!
KT brand recovery gel, provides both hot/cold pain relief.
Rock Tape Brand offers two different versions of a topical treatment, one provides cooling sensation while the other is heat. Designed to go over any rock tape application.
Biofreeze comes in gel, cream, spray, and roll on versions to provide cooling sensations for pain relief.
Give it a try and let me know what you think! :)
*As an amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases
Exercise Spotlight: Sit to stand squats
Looking to test out your lower body strength? This is by far the most functional exercise I recommend everyone work on in order to maintain lower body strength and independence as we age! This will improve ability to get in and out of low chairs, couches, and restaurant booths with greater ease.
All you need is a chair and yourself! Try these sit to stand squats. Easier than a typical squat because you get a little rest in between reps and the chair guides you to perform squats with proper form taking pressure off knees which can sometimes be painful with a typical squat.
Cant' quite get up without using your arms to help push? Super common! Try repeating these for 2-3 sets of 10 repetitions every day to gain strength, use your arms to help as needed at first.
*Research shows if you are over 65 and can do 5 reps in less than 12 seconds, you are likely at a lesser risk of falling. High Five!
How to Perform:
1) Grab a chair
the lower or softer the surface, the more difficult
2) Scoot to the front edge of the chair with feet planted about hip width distance apart
Make sure feet are securely beneath you
3) Bring nose over toes and try to stand without using arms to push off of chair
4) Once standing, slowly lower back to seated positon
5) Repeat 10-20x
Stay tuned for progressions on how to make this one more difficult as you get stronger!
Try it out and let me know what you think!
-Dr. Chelsea Saville PT, DPT
*As always, consult with medical professional prior to starting any new exercise routine.Images courtesy of Canva.com
Have this? Try that- Physioball Edition
Welcome to the series of forgotten and long lost exercise equipment. I often ask my patients what random exercise equipment they have lying around so we can incorporate what they already own into their new exercise routines. The most common answer - You just might have one lying around collecting dust too. The infamous “BIG EXERCISE BALL” you probably bought one thinking it’d be a good exercise staple but progressively started getting annoyed of it constantly rolling from room to room , eventually deflated it, and ultimately banished it to the garage? Sound familiar? You are not alone, but I am here to give you some ideas to bring that bad boy out of retirement and let it see some action once again.
Although big and somewhat cumbersome, some awesome exercises can be performed using that exercise ball. The exercise ball also known as a stability ball, swiss ball or a physio ball is a great tool for all levels to work on stretching, strengthening, posture, and core stabilization.
I have broken down some of my go to physioball exercises below. Try them out and let me know what you think!
first off, Does size matter?
Yes and no. You can definitely make it work with whatever size you already have but some sizes are more universal. Typically stability balls come in three sizes (S, M, & L)
Small-55 cm
This size is best for exercises where you are laying down or holding the ball in the air
Medium-65cm
I think this one is the most versatile size!
Can be used to sit on as well as lying down and lifting exercises
Ideal height/size for most people
Large-75cm
I rarely use this size in the clinic because it’s pretty hefty but good to use if you are very tall
*Keep in mind that when you get and inflate a new ball, it is not unusual to need to re-inflate it a few days later as the material stretches and it may seem deflated, totally normal. After 1-2 re-inflates it should hold it’s firmness better.
Exercises:
easy level of difficulty
1) LUMBAR ROTATIONS
Good for lower back and hip mobility
Start lying on back with feet and knees supported by ball
Gently rock legs and ball side to side in a comfortable range only, aim for 10 to 2 o’ clock positioning back and forth
Slow speed
Repeat 10x each side
2) KNEE CURLS
Good for knee and hip range of motion
Start lying on back with heels on ball and knees straight
Slowly bend knees bringing them towards chest while maintaining heels on ball
Ball comes closer to buttocks
Reverse by straightening knees and pushing ball away from you
Repeat 2 sets of 10 reps
3) LOWER BACK STRETCH (Modified Child’s pose)
Start seated in a sturdy chair
Place hands on ball
Roll ball forward letting chest and arms extend outward
Should feel a gentle stretch in lower back/hips
Try reaching out more to the left/right in order to stretch sides of body as well.
Can also perform kneeling on ground if comfortable
Hold 20-30 seconds and repeat 2-3x
medium level of difficulty
1) DEADBUG WITH BALL
Total body strengthening
Begin lying on back with arms straight in air and knees/hips at 90 degree angle holding ball between arms and legs
With gentle pressure into the ball from upper extremity and lower extremity, gently extend opposite arm/opposite leg while maintaining pressure into ball with static limbs
Should feel a nice ab contraction
Make sure to avoid over arching in lower back
Return to starting position and switch sides
Slow and controlled is key
Repeat 10x each side
2) WALL SQUAT
Strengthens legs
A great option to do squats and decrease pressure in front of knees
Place ball between upper back and sturdy wall
Leaning back into ball, walk feet forward just slightly
Slowly bend knees to a depth that feels comfy for your knees, do not have to go super low if having pain
Push up to straighten legs and return to starting position
Repeat for 2 sets of 10 reps
hard level of difficulty
Ball Bridge
Strengthens glutes and back side of legs
Begin lying flat with ball beneath calves
Keep legs straight
Squeeze glutes together and lift hips from table only to a straight position of body, do not over extend here
Lower back to starting position in a slow and controlled fashion-no plopping!
Repeat 2 sets of 10 reps
Forearm plank on ball
Total body strengthening
This is a difficult one so start by mastering a classic forearm plank on the firm ground first, if easy try challenging yourself with this one but be careful because the ball can be unsteady
Maintain good alignment and straight body via activation of core and glutes, form is critical in this one!
Progress holds from 15 seconds to 1 min
Rest and repeat 2-3x
Bonus tips:
Seated Upper extremity exercise
Start seated on ball next to firm surface to use for balance as needed (near kitchen counter, in corner of room)
Challenge your core by performing your usual upper extremity strengthening routine while seated on the ball
This may include
Bicep curls
Tricep extension
Flys
Med ball Chops/lifts
Resistance band rows
See how it feels doing only one side at a time-more core challenge!
Working from home? Posture suffering?
Try sitting on well inflated ball for increased core activation while working
Helps avoid slouching therefore improving posture
Make sure ball is adequate height to ensure proper ergonomic set up
Tried the seated ball thing at your desk but fed up with it always rolling away?
Check out the link below for a stand to hold chair in place while away from your desk :)
Give these a try and let me know what you think!
Contact me for all your individualized fall prevention training and physical therapy needs.
* please consult with trained specialist or medical provider prior to starting any new exercise routine for maximum safety.
shop here
Base for ball to use as office chair (comes with ball)
Exercise ball (S/M/L)
-As an amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases
-Image sources-canva.com, Linked on photo- HEP2go.com, focusfitness.net
Facts about falls
Scared of taking a tumble?
Fear of falling is the real deal, no one likes having a sense of lost independency and being fearful while performing day to day tasks in their home or in the community.
Often times, this can even cause people withdraw from activities that once brought them joy due to fear.
COVID isn’t helping either, with more people staying at home and being less active, things like losses in strength and stamina can contribute to an increased risk of falling.
1 in 4 older adults will fall each year in the USA.
According to the CDC, every second of every day, an older adult (>65 years old) suffers a fall in the U.S.-making falls the leading cause of injury and injury related death in this age group
Each year falls lead to:
32, 000 deaths
300, 000 hospitalizations
Anatomy of unsteadiness
While a decrease in balance seems like a normal part of the aging process, it doesn’t have to be! Balance is an intricate process of three major systems in your body, these include your vestibular system (inner ear), vision system, and something called proprioception. Big word but basically proprioception is your body’s ability to know where it is in space. This is the system we can focus on re training for improved sense of balance and strength. Although each of these systems decline with aging processes, (may be time to re-visit that optometrist too) working with a trained physical therapist can help decrease the decline and get you feeling more confident, strong, and steady on your feet!
Notable improvements in strength, mobility, and balance can be achieved by performing an appropriate, consistent, and safe exercise regimen.
Low impact progressive strengthening, gentle yoga, and Tai Chi are all great options to get started
Check your home for easy modifications to make in order to decrease fall risk:
CDC Fall Fact Sheet/Statistics:
Do I need equipment?
Definitely not! There are a ton of balance based exercises that you can perform without any equipment whatsoever.
But just for fun, this is one of my favorite additions to any balance routine. It’s a foam pad that makes even simple exercises a lot more difficult!
*Please consult with trained specialist prior to attempting balance training for maximum safety.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t be. contact me to set up an in home balance evaluation and fall risk assessment.
-Chelsea Saville PT, DPT
-As an amazon affiliate I earn form qualifying purchases