Tag: Self directed soft tissue release

Biokinetics App review: Muscle Trigger Point Anatomy

by Neil Hopkins Biokineticist, posted in Uncategorized

APP review: Muscle trigger point anatomy

“Discover the source of your pain” – Muscle trigger point anatomy by Real Bodywork (LINK)


Muscle trigger point anatomy:

The Muscle trigger point anatomy App is an anatomy reference for the most common trigger points and referral patterns for over 70 muscles. Muscle trigger point anatomy is a great App for Biokineticists, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Therapeutic massage therapists, Physical therapists, students, or patients wanting to discover trigger points, locate the source of muscular pain, and learn about muscle function.

Content: 
The App features 100+ trigger points with their corresponding referral patterns. Each muscle includes the visual referral pattern and point location, plus a written muscle action, referral and comments for each muscle. You can choose to view each muscle individually, or use the zones view to see all the muscles that refer into a specific area, a great help in discovering the source of pain.

Recommendations:
As a stand alone tool this App is limited. But if it is used as a guide in conjunction with the advice from your Biokineticist / Physiotherapist / Osteopath, it can be very useful. Please ask your therapist for their recommendations.  Your Biokineticist / Physiotherapist / Osteopath can illustrate which trigger points are most relevant to your condition and prescribe the correct self directed soft tissue release (SDSTR).

Download:
This is a paid for App that can be downloaded from either Google Play Store or Apple iTunes.

Download the APP:
Muscle trigger point anatomy (APPLE)
Muscle trigger point anatomy (ANDROID)

Review:

Biokinetics Product Review: Rogz Asteroidz

by Neil Hopkins Biokineticist, posted in Uncategorized

Rogz Asteroidz for Self Directed Soft Tissue Release (SDSTR)

The Rogz Asteroidz is a pet toy that can be purchased at most pet stores. It is popular with pets… but also with Biokineticists, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, and Physical therapists. Either as a tool to be used in the patient-practitioner session, or for homework use. Using the Rogz Asteroidz for self directed soft tissue release (SDSTR) is a way to empower patients in the treatment process. Patients can use the ball to treat themselves when they are unable to see their practitioner due to time, travel, or financial constraints. The Asteroidz balls are superior to most other SDSTR balls available on the market because they are light weight, have a medium density, and are able to “adhere” to vertical and horizontal surfaces due to the asteroid pock marks.

Rogz Asteroidz Ball (LINK)

“Soft enough not to hurt your dog’s teeth, but firm enough to bounce. The lightest, bounciest ball in the cosmic universe.”

Rogz Asteroidz sizes:

Ball size matters, just as much as placement.  Be prepared to buy more than one ball to target different areas.

AS01 Small 49mm
Small ball application:

  • Very tight muscles.
  • Very intricate angle of application.
  • Scapula / shoulder.
  • Mid thoracic erector spinae
  • Forearm.
  • Lateral lower limb.

AS02 Medium 64mm
Medium ball application:

  • Very tight muscles.
  • Less intricate angle of application.
  • Scapula / shoulder.
  • Tricep.
  • Bicep.
  • Forearm.
  • Lateral lower limb.
  • Calf.
  • Quads.
  • TFL.
  • Glutes.
  • Piriformis.

AS04 Large 78mm
Large ball application:

  • Deeper muscles.
  • Muscles that have “graduated’ from the two smaller Asteroidz balls. “Softer” muscles.
  • Easy angle of application.
  • Tricep.
  • Bicep.
  • Lateral lower limb.
  • Medial lower limb
  • Calf.
  • Quads.
  • Glutes.
  • Piriformis.
  • Hamstrings.


Choice of ball:
The question that us often asked: “surely a harder ball is better?” – The answer is no.

Durometer is one of several measures of the hardness of a material. Hardness may be defined as a material’s resistance to permanent indentation.

The higher the Durometer the more resistant to change. The more resistant to change, the more likely it will result in bruising and negative net-effect.

The Rogz Asteroidz is NOT to be mistaken with Rogz Gumz (LINK)

Rogz version of Durometer: 
Rogz uses a Durometer called a Bitometer. It is the strength and durability of the ball. Rogz use different Durometer rubbers/plastics for different pet applications. For bighting, bouncing, floating, or a combination.

Rogz Asteroidz “Bitometer”:  Medium
Rogz Gumz “Bitometer”:  Hard

Application:
Ask your Biokineticist / Physiotherapist / Osteopath to advise you on:

  1. If you are a suitable candidate for self directed soft tissue release (SDSTR).
  2. Which areas would benefit from SDSTR. See post on Muscle Trigger Point Anatomy (LINK)
  3. What techniques you should apply with SDSTR.
  4. Which tools you can use to assist with SDSTR.
  5. How frequently you should use SDSTR.
  6. What contraindications you should watch out for.