Starting from releasing pressure and soreness from the muscles after a workout to enhancing the rehabilitation process, massage roller sticks have proven to be of great importance. You can easily get rid of muscle pain, strained muscle fibers, inflammation, and multiple other problems using it. But to have an exceptional feeling of professional deep tissue massage, you must choose the best product from all options you have in hand. As the task is cumbersome and immensely difficult, we have provided here an entire buying guide, while explaining how different factors can impact your choice.
Which Type Of Massage Roller Stick To Choose— Contoured or Flat?
There are two types of massage roller sticks that you can get for yourself— contoured or flat sticks. Flat sticks are usually made from foam and have a smooth surface with no textural differences. Thus, you can use them to target larger areas and reduce superficial aches and sore spots. But for targeting specific areas or deep tissue massage, it’s better to go for a contoured product. Here, the rolling units have depressions or raised areas to introduce a difference in their surface texture.
What Key Factors to Check Before Buying a Massage Roller Stick?
Number of roller units
Most massage roller sticks have the entire contoured region divided into multiple segments, each acting as an independent roller. For example, in some sticks, you can find only three independent rollers while others can come with seven to nine units. If you want to use the stick for targeting specific muscular areas or have a remarkable deep-tissue massage experience, go for a product that comes with a higher number of independent roller units. On the contrary, if you choose a product with three or four units, it will be slightly difficult to release knots from specific target muscles.
Size
Massage roller sticks come in various size options which is why you have to ensure that the chosen product is big enough to meet your requirements. For example, if you want to target your thigh muscles, shoulders, spine, and other widespread areas go for a product having a longer rolling surface for better coverage. But for reducing pain and massaging tissues in small areas like your arm, calf muscles, elbow, neck, and more, it’s better to choose a small product.
Contour design
Contoured massage roller sticks have different designs to ensure that they can reduce soreness from your muscles, mitigate chronic pain, and offer the best deep tissue massage experience. If your muscles are strained too much or you are facing difficulties in moving your limbs after a rigorous exercise routine, go for a product with sharp, spike-shaped contours. These will apply the right amount of pressure needed to release tension from the muscle fibers, thereby providing you relief from the intense aches. But if you simply want to improve blood circulation or prevent the muscles from aching due to posture issues or light exercises, you can choose any type of massage roller stick.
Ergonomic handles
While surfing through different massage roller sticks, make sure to check their handle design. Most products are reinforced with dual handles having an ergonomic structure so that you can easily target muscle areas that are hard to reach. For example, some sticks have slim dual handles with a convex structure in the middle to offer you a better grip. No matter how long you will use it or how hard your grip is, there won’t be any fatigue in your hands.
Balance and control
When you use the massage roller stick on areas like the hamstring, calf, or shoulder, you won’t lose control over it easily. This is because these body parts are easily accessible, and you can roll the stick effortlessly. But when it comes to targeting muscles and bones that are hard to reach, it’s crucial to have optimal control over the stick. Failure to do so will impact your balance and won’t yield the expected results. That’s why you must look for a product having an anti-slip grip handle so that you won’t lose control over it, regardless of how you want to use the stick for deep tissue massage.
Material
In most massage roller sticks, the central core is made from steel to ensure that it won’t get damaged structurally. Steel is quite robust and sturdy which is why the product will retain its shape and structure throughout its usage. Contoured massage sticks usually have roller units made from ABS plastic which is extremely strong and won’t suffer damage from unexpected bending, twisting, and other such issues. A few products have foam spikes integrated with the ABS rolling units to ensure that the pointed surface won’t cause any harm to your skin or delicate muscles.
Portability
If you want to carry the massage roller stick to different places like gyms, yoga classes, offices, and more, make sure to choose a product having small stature and light construction. It will be much easier to fit the stick inside your bag if its size is compact. Similarly, if your chosen product is heavy, you will face difficulties in carrying it with you to different places.
How Much Will a Massage Roller Stick on Average?
As there are different types and designs of massage roller sticks, and they have varying price ranges, starting from $8.99 to $29.99. Foam-based rollers are costlier than the products made from ABS plastic. Similarly, if you choose a contoured massage stick with less number of rolling units but well-defined spikes, the price will be more.
How to Use a Massage Roller Stick?
Using a massage roller stick is quite easy. Simply align them properly over the targeted body part, balance its position by grabbing both its arms tightly and start rolling it either on the horizontal or vertical axis. Make sure not to use the massage roller stick in a circular motion as that won’t target the deep tissues of your muscles.
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