Each new patient (athlete and non athlete alike) gets The Stick after the first visit. Why? When used daily it removes pockets of inflammation, mild adhesions, and toxins often resulting in a rapid decrease in pain. Inflammation distorts the cell by crowding its way and decreasing the room for proper cell function. And proper cell function is EVERYTHING with regards to the body. Cells that are not functioning correctly cause stress on the body, leading to a less than optimized state for (athletic) performance and recovery. Mild adhesions also distort cells by tensioning the myofascia. In effect the adhesion is pinning down the myofascia not allowing it to move thus distorting cell and altering cell function. Removal of toxins that have accumulated in the myofascia allow the bodies electrical signals to move more efficiently resulting in better performance and recovery. As The Stick rolls over the muscles an electric charge is created breaking the bonds between the toxins and myofascia. The toxins will move into the lymphatic system and go out of the body as waste.
Using The Stick correctly is key and very simple. The Stick is to be used lightly (i.e. light pressure…not bending The Stick) on relaxed muscle that are not contracted. Do every evening and after workouts on the muscles below the waste at a minimum. Do 20 sweeps each on the lateral (IT band side), anterior (quads), medial (adductor side), and posterior (hamstrings) thigh, and the posterior (calf muscles) and anterior lower leg. After doing both legs stand up and do the gluteus muscles (buttocks). Feel free to do upper body as well.
For athletic training I recommend 2-3 times per day: morning, evening and after training. The recovery advantages are huge. Good luck and feel free to ask me any questions.
Oct 22, 2010 at 7:34 PM
my sister's doc in MI gave her one to borrow, she went back the next time and bought one... she swears by that thing! :)
Oct 22, 2010 at 10:23 PM
How does the stick differ to a foam roller in terms of the benefits you list here?
Nov 09, 2010 at 2:12 PM
The stick is for superficial use whereas a foam roller is typically used for deeper. Each can remove adhesions but The Stick will only do that between the myofascia and the skin. The foam roller is able to get to the deeper adhesions more effectively. The Stick is more portable than a foam roller...I travel with mine. For those with an acute injury when a foam roller may not be usable The Stick can help that inflammation move along. That said, the benefits are quite similar. Each move out toxins, inflammation and adhesions.