If you suffer from Scoliosis you are most likely no stranger to muscle tension and back pain. Deep tissue massages can be great to relieve those symptoms but they can be expensive and time consuming. What if you had a handy little tool at home though that can do the job for you?
When my friends at Bob & Brad reached out to see if I wanted to review their Mini Massage Gun I said yes immediately because I love those guys and I also love a good massage!!
If you've ever browsed on YouTube for anything related to injuries or muscular skeletal conditions you will probably have come across two charming gentlemen introducing their videos with a (very funny) little intro tune "Bob & Brad... the most famous... physiotherapists.... on the internet..."
Honestly those guys are hilarious. Their conversations with eachother are funny, lots of Dad jokes but they also absolutely know their stuff!
So why should we be using their massage gun?
In our Yoga and Pilates practice we target mainly muscles and soft tissues to create change. Remember even with structural scoliosis there is always a purely postural element meaning that the muscles adapt to your curve and with age and gravity will pull you further into your scoliosis pattern.
We can't change our bones but we can create a change in the muscles around them which is where are movement practice comes in. Sometimes we just need a little extra though and either getting a good deep tissue massage or using a device like a massage gun can be very beneficial (if done correctly).
Benefits of using a massage gun pre or post yoga or Pilates:
- improves circulation
- can help with pain
- helps with recovery after workout
- can help the healing process after an injury (always get advice from your physio first)
- stimulates the nervous system
- prepares the muscles for activity if used before your workout
How to use the mini massage gun
I had never used one of these before but it was super easy to get started! It comes with lots of attachments so if you feel overwhelmed I would just recommend using the ball head when you first try it out.
It needs to be charged for 3 hours to begin with but then you're ready to go!
There are 5 massage levels and the first one is plenty to get started with. After trying it myself I took turns with my 10 year old son who loved both getting massaged but also kindly helping me out with the hard to reach spots on my back.
I was able to easily work around the tops of my shoulders myself on both sides but then needed a bit of help for the upper back. For pretty much any other area of the body you don't really need anyone else!
The device comes with a little booklet with suggestions on which body part to use it on for how long. 2-3 minutes is usually plenty I have found and I found it really beneficial to use before Yoga or Pilates and then after I've done anything more strenuous like a weights class at the gym, run or hike.
Typical areas to massage with Scoliosis
- shoulders
- upper back (around the shoulder blades)
- glutes, piriformis
- calves, hamstrings
- arms (i.e. for tennis elbow)
Generally you want to use it on muscles and soft tissue so NOT directly on the bones and NEVER on the spine (there is an attachment to use when you want to target the muscles on either side of the spine)
As yoga and Pilates teacher I have a lots of props like blocks, bolsters, dumbells etc. and I generally don't like things that take up a lot of space unless it is for a good reason of course! The Mini Massage Gun comes in a handy little box which can be stored easily and doesn't take up a lot of space!
Currently sold at £59.97 in the UK and $69.99 on Amazon.com it's in the mid-price range but definitely worth the investment if you use it on a regular basis like me!
Get a 10% discount by using BobBrad401 on Amazon
In conclusion, if you're dealing with the challenges of scoliosis, managing muscle tension and back pain becomes a priority. While deep tissue massages offer relief, they can be both pricey and time-consuming.
That's where the Bob & Brad Mini Massage Gun steps in as a convenient and effective at-home solution.
Disclaimer: I've been given this product free of charge in return for my honest review.
Thx Christine for weighing in on this product. I trust your recommendations since I have been involved with your classes for the past year. You are definitely one of the most knowledgable professionals I know who addresses living with scoliosis (i.e. people like me). I have just purchased this mini massager and am thrilled to hear your input about how and when to use it. Thanks for sharing.
You’re very welcome Donna! I’m sure you’ll find it beneficial!