Category Archives: massage tools

And again! More muscle knot squishing science, different experiment, same results

By Paul Ingraham | Published: July 14, 2010
Odd! Just a couple days after posting about a not-yet-published study of trigger point squishing — quite a rare subject for research — I came across (via @massagetherapy) an almost identical study that is published. They also reported news that makes massage therapists smile: …using ischemic compression on shoulder trigger points may reduce the symptoms of [...]
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(Newer than new) evidence that squishing trigger points works

By Paul Ingraham | Published: July 8, 2010
An upcoming issue of Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies will include a new study of trigger point squishing. I was lucky to get a look at a final draft, thanks to connections at The Pressure Positive Company, the massage tool manufacturer that supplied the tools. This experiment has the simple elegance of a good science-fair [...]
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New article: The Trigger Point Symptom Checker

By Paul Ingraham | Published: May 27, 2010
I interviewed creator Jeff Lutz about The Trigger Point Products Symptom Checker, a unique online reference tool to help both patients and professionals visually identify the “muscle knots” that may be causing pain, stiffness and other symptoms, and appropriate massage tools to assist in self-treatment. Read the interview. Visit The Trigger Point Symptom Checker.
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New directory of trigger point therapy and muscle pain resources

By Paul Ingraham | Published: April 16, 2010
I have finally published a list of resources relevant to trigger point therapy and muscle pain. I avoided this for many years, because I am generally not impressed by what’s available (to both patients and professionals), especially online resources. I remember a slightly testy conversation with someone from an American organization a couple years ago [...]
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The Graston Technique®: Magic steel massage tools that supposedly scrape the pain away, and “resonate” in the therapist’s hands

By Paul Ingraham | Published: January 14, 2010
Dr. Harriet Hall, the SkepDoc, recently criticized The Graston Technique® in some detail. At the same time, I was responding to a reader request for more information about Graston for plantar fasciitis (“tendinitis” of the arch of the foot), a common treatment offering for that condition. It’s also commonly prescribed for iliotibial band syndrome (runner’s [...]
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A preliminary review of The Pressure Positive Company

By Paul Ingraham | Published: December 22, 2009
I’m delighted to offer an uncharacteristically cheerful preliminary review of a massage tool manufacturer I really like: The Pressure Positive Company. In January, I’ll be publishing a full review of this unusual company and their products. For now, I’d just like to do a brief introduction: Readers, meet The Pressure Positive Company. The Pressure Positive Company, [...]
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