Studies have shown that most people have a lot of pressure points as shown in the figure. The TheraCane is our solution for you. It is an amazingly simple, yet, effective self-massager that makes it easy to apply pain-relieving deep compression directly to hard, knotted trigger points anywhere they occur. Its unique design allows you to apply deep pressure to hard to reach muscles between your shoulder blades to help break up muscle tension and to help increase circulation.
Not only is the TheraCane recommended by thousands of health care professionals in a wide variety of clinical settings, but these professionals are making this popular object an integral part of treatment for their patients who suffer from muscular pain and discomfort.
Before using the TheraCane, it is highly recommended that you:
1. Stretch your muscles to help locate the areas required massaging.
2. Soak in a hot bath to allow deeper pressure without residual soreness when using TheraCane.
When using TheraCane, try to stretch the muscle that you are applying pressure to. This will help you define the specific area of tenderness in the muscle.
One you are ready, follow the steps below to help you achieve the best results:
1. Position your hands and cane as shown in Figure 1. The ball should be placed on top of your shoulder.
2. Push both your hands straight down while at the same time pushing outward with your right hand 1 to 2 inches. Your left arm is held in close to your side and remains motionless. Once sufficient pressure is attained, move your left arm back and forth so the applicator ball, along with your skin, slides across the muscle.
3. As shown in Figure 2, rest your forearm on your upper handle. This will allow you to relax your left arm muscles and achieve the same pressure. Proper leverage reduces excessive hand and arm movement which makes the TheraCane easier to use.
During the massage, there are several things that you should keep in mind:
- Keep the ball in contact with your body in order to maintain control of the TheraCane and to prevent it from slipping off the muscle. You will have control when your skin is depressed enough from the pressure to follow the movement of the ball across the muscle.
The TheraCane can be used for the neck, back, legs, shoulders, arms, hips and ribs, and buttocks. For more information, please refer to the Owner's Manual.
For these exercises, each ball is assigned a number as shown in the figure to the left.
Neck:
1. Lean neck into ball, hands and cane remain still.
2. Move neck side to side and up and down for pressure.
3. Also try these in the supine position. Elevate head with pillows.
4. Use your fingers for the front and side of neck muscles.
5. Push right hand forward for pressure.
* For best results, limit hand and arm movement.
Shoulders:
1. Push down in the direction of the arrows for pressure.
2. Move upper arms back and forth 1-2 inches for cross friction massage.
3. Keep arms in close to side.
*For maximum strength and stability, follow these illustrations.
Back:
1. Loop over left shoulder to work on figure should blade.
2. Push left hand downward then push right hand forward 1-2 inches for pressure.
3. Alternate hand position. (Figure 1-1B)
4. Rotate right shoulder blade forward for hard-to-get points. (Figure 2-2A)
Best Back Position for Big Bodies:
* Focus your attention on the muscle that you're working on.
1. Keep back and buttocks 2-3 inches from the back of the chair.
2. Cane held off to the side.
3. Move side to side for cross friction massage.
Upper & Mid-Back (Figure 3)
1. Tilt cane upward for best leverage.
2. Push left hand downward 1-2 inches for pressure.
3. Right arm remains still.
Lower Back (Figure 4)
1. Lean back in chair directly against ball.
2. Push right hand outward 1-2 inches for pressure.
3. Move upper body side to side for cross friction massage.
Upper & Mid-Back (Figures 5-5A)
(1 image)
1. Push right arm forward for pressure.
2. Hook is up under armpit.
Mid-Back (Figures 6-7)
1. Lean back in chair directly against ball. Keep right arm locked in place.
2. Stabilize against chair and lean into ball. Move side to side for cross friction massage.
Back (Figures 8-8B)
1. Elevate your head with some pillows.
2. Vary hand grip - open palm is easy. (Figure 8B)
3. The supine position is the most versatile. Experiment on your own!
* Lean into or against the ball for pressure.
Legs:
Outside of legs (Figure 1)
1. Cane fits over legs - push legs outward for pressure.
2. Slide right hand back and forth to locate points, and then up and down for cross friction massage.
Top of legs (Figure 2)
1. Sit sideways in chair.
2. Loop the TheraCane around left leg.
3. Push right hands downward for pressure.
4. Position left leg slightly forward to stabilize.
For all leg positions: (Figures 3-3A)
1. Position cane kitty cover on seat of chair.
Back of legs (Figure 4)
1. Move leg side to side for cross friction massage.
Lower legs (Figures 5-7)
1. Pull left arm back to apply pressure.
2. Tilt cane upward for leverage. (Figure 5)
3. Loop cane around right leg. (Figure 6)
4. Position leg leg slightly forward to stabilize. (Figure 7)
Lower legs (Figures 8-9)
1. Lower calf onto ball, then move leg side to side. (Figure 8)
2. Position #2 ball inside calf to stabilize.
3. Lean back against a wall or a couch.
4. Place #2 ball shaft under armpit, then lean into leg. (Figure 9)
Feet (Figure 10)
1. Press foot into ball for pressure.
2. Also try while supine.
Arms:
1. Stabilize cane securely on legs.
2. Lean into or against the ball for pressure.
3. Shift body weight into ball for added pressure.
Other:
Chest & Abdomen: (Figures 1-2)
Hips & Ribs: (Figures 3-4)
For hips:
1. Stabilize firmly against back of chair.
2. Lean into ball for pressure. (Figure 3)
* Sit sideways in chair.
For ribs:
1. Left arm in wrapped around hook. (Figure 4)
2. Push left arm inward and back and forth to apply pressure.
Buttocks : (Figures 5-5A)
1. Cane is tilted up for leverage.
2. To adjust position, raise or lower right arm.
3. Vary hand grip. (Figure 5A)
4. Lean left buttock back and into the ball.
5. Hold right hand and arm against right leg at all times.
Thousands of health care professional in a wide variety of clinical settings are making the TheraCane an integral part of treatment for their patients who suffer from muscular pain and discomfort. Read what some have to say:
"The Thera Cane is a great product and I will continue to promote its use with my patients."
- B. Hudson, P.T.
"The Thera Cane is one of the best self-management tools I have been able to offer my patients."
- B. Headley, P.T.
"Enclosed is a purchase order for more Thera Canes. The first one I purchased has been working out well."
- M. Brown, M.D.
Some patients also agree that this product has helped relieve muscle tension. Read what some have to say:
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thera Canes are wonderful!"
- D. Koblitz
"Your Thera Cane is making a difference between taking meds and dealing with my muscle pain drug-free."
- Susan
"My friends are raving about your canes!"
- S. Wyman
