Below is a list of all the tools in which I personally use on a day to day basis to help me rest and recovery properly. Being able to workout the way I do while also working as a massage therapist can make me very sore at times. Rest and recovery is just as important as water intake and nutrition–if not more! Sleep is included is rest and recovery; but that is an entire different topic. For now, let’s see what is in my Recovery “Toy Box” as I like to call it. Each tool can be purchased online and can be used at home, some are extremely beneficial to have when traveling too! These are tools I would suggest for my clients to invest in for themselves to use in between our training sessions and/or massage treatments.
It is hard to just pick ONE as a favorite because each tool has its own purpose and comes to good use. Depending on what muscle/ body part I’m trying to target will depend what tool I will use. Yes, I use every single one, maybe not daily but on a monthly basis. However, I do at least use one or two tools a day, making sure to put my recovery at the top of the list of priorities. AND YOU SHOULD TOO!
Continue to read below to see what tools are best for you to use at home as Self-Massage/ Recovery Tools. I also share with you what I like best with each tool and how/when I use each tool.
These are great for those of you just starting off with self-massage techniques at home. 
But, then good part is they will never get old, and will come into use for several parts of the body. Best part about them, they are small and easy to travel with; i.e backpack, gym bags, leave them in your car. They will come in handy more often then not.
If this one isn’t a steal deal! Comes in a two pack and a mesh bag for travels and organization. The red ball is a bit smaller so it is easier to get in areas like the glutes and even forearms, where as the black one is slightly bigger; used for bigger muscle groups like the upper back/ rhomboid region. MASSAGE “SPIKY” BALLS are my go to! I have one in my backpack, one in my car, umm where else? Perfect for travels! I place it on my lower back as I’m driving and have brought them on airplane flights as well. Compression on the back can go a longggg way for comfort.
This tool here was introduced to me back when I was in Massage School. It is a funny looking tool and a pretty big one in size, but it does snap in half so much easier to store/ travel with. It is a good tool to specifically target upper traps and the “Levator Scapulae” which is certainly a hard part to pin point on our own. Levator scapulae is the upper, inferior border of the scapulae between the spine and scapulae.
Foam rollers are THE THING. I’m sure you’ve heard of Foam Rolling before and chances are you may even have one already! If you do not, this is where you want to start for a basic Foam Roller. HERE is a good video to learn some basic “myofascial release” stretching on a foam roller.
Once you’ve been consistent with your foam rolling you may find the basic Foam roller above just isn’t doing it, especially for specific parts of the body. After about 3 years of consistent usage of the beginner Foam Roller, I was ready to move up to the “Trigger Point” Foam Roller, shown here. I felt I needed more pressure on the glutes and upper back. There are days I’m sore and tender where I can’t use this Trigger Point Roller, so that is when I go back to the beginner Roller. Having both allows be to fulfill my needs depending on the day!
Hyperice Hypervolt Percussion Massager
This here is my newest addition to my Self-Massage Recovery Tool Box; Ha. Not only is this piece of equipment so awesome but there is research behind it too–Vibration Therapy! I have one for personal use and got a second one to have for the business when working on-site with clients individually. YESS!! So excited for this NEW product. 
I wouldn’t highly suggest doing this on your own esp. if
you aren’t in the professional industry for Massage/Chiropractic/bodyworks. But then again, if you are a professional in this industry this is a great “at-home” Kit to have on hand to use. Cupping can be done every 72 hours or so; shouldn’t be done any more than that. Read Full Blog Post on “What to know about Cupping Therapy” and perhaps schedule with a professional; myself for your first cupping treatment!
I hardly suggest any “massager” because I’m a MASSAGE THERAPIST–so nothing can compare to my hands and arms. BUT; this machine can come into clutch when craving that massage touch every now and then. Works great on back, can be a little TOO much on the neck if you ask me, and allow bruising easily. The machine doesn’t know from muscle to bone–so it just moves in place. If you still want an at home massager to use in between massage sessions then I would suggest this one. I have it too and do use it on occasion!
This may or may not be a “Fad” tool. But–hey it does work. IF and WHEN your consistent with it. And I’m talking every single day–before or after shower use is a good way to get consistent with the tool itself. I’m going to be honest, I have the tool and I’m not too consistent with it. Its a bit more pricey in my opinion but you would still find it in my “tool box” of Self-Massage/ Recovery Tools. This one shown is the “Mini 2” They have larger ones that I’ve found are a bit too big in order to accommodate on some body parts. I strictly use this tool for quick strokes/movements on the back of my legs going into buttocks.
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