Bodywork & Rehab Tools 

Tools for Instrument-Assisted Release (IAR) are designed to take stress off your hands while increasing the therapeutic effect.

There are 3 forms of IAR tools, and each mimics what we do with our hands.

1. Gliding Tools
   Gua Sha, Graston, and other flat stainless steel tools are examples of Gliding Tools. In my clinic, I only use stainless steel tools because they are easy to clean and do not harbor bacteria. Gliding Tools specialize in releasing scar tissue, and can rapidly deliver of blood flow in an area to aid healing. The larger tools will help you cover big muscles quickly, and the smaller tools will help you get into the nooks and crannies (like between the digits).
2. Trigger Point Tools
   Trigger Point Tools use static compression to release trigger points while reducing mileage on your thumbs. The two most popular styles are the T-Bar and the Mushroom (or Knobble). The T-Bar is more specific due to the smaller tip, yet the Knobble allows you to apply more pressure using your palm. Both are helpful. The MyoFree is an intra-oral Trigger Point Tool clients can use at home -- same concept, but shaped like a wand to get inside the mouth. 
3. Percussion Tools
   Motorized massage guns replicate hard tapotement/percussion. They are best suited for reducing tissue stiffness and softening hypertonic muscles, and do a pretty good job on trigger points as well. They are very helpful for treating large areas quickly especially on stronger or bulkier clients with dense connective tissue.

My recommendations: I recommend you have one set of tools from each category: A set of Gliding Tools, at least one Trigger Point Tool, and if budget allows, a Percussion Tool.

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MyoFascial Cupping is a powerful modality for releasing soft tissue restrictions, increasing blood flow, and more. Cupping also takes the stress off your hands without sacrificing power or intensity. To learn all the cupping techniques I use in my clinic check out my online course called the MyoFascial Cupping E-Course which is approved for 3 CEs. 

There are 3 types of cups: Rubber, Plastic (Pump Style), and Glass (Bulb Style).  

1. Rubber Cups
   Rubber Cups are soft and pliable, so to remove the air and create suction all you do is squeeze the cup and put them on. Rubber Cups can also be applied with one hand, leaving your other hand free to move or position your client. Whereas Plastic and Glass Cups often pop off when you slide them, Rubber Cups conform to the contour of your clients body and stay connected. This makes them ideal for Dynamic Cupping applications where you either move the cups, or you hold the cups steady and move your client to stretch the tissue underneath. Also, having the option to slide your cups is useful if you want to avoid bruising. I use Rubber Cups far more often than any other type due their diverse application and ease of use. 
2. Plastic Cups (Pump Style)
   Plastic cups are powerful tools for increasing blood flow and aiding the healing process. They are inflexible by nature, so a pump is used to remove the air and create a suction. These types of cups have the ability to produce the highest intensity of suction. As a result, they are ideally suited for the Blood Flow technique that I teach inside my course. Also, you can apply multiple Plastic Cups at once to expand your treatment area. Plastic Cups are harder to slide around than Rubber Cups, and because they are inflexible, they do tend to pop off more easily. 
3. Glass Cups (Bulb Style)
   Glass cups are the gentlest of the three types of cups. Glass Cups are inflexible like Plastic Cups, but because a bulb is used to displace the air in the cup, you have the ability to fine tune the amount of suction. For this reason, Glass Cups are best suited for sensitive areas like the face and lateral neck where bruising would be undesirable. Glass Cups can be slid around like Rubber Cups, and because they do not require a separate pump, if they do pop off they are easy to reapply.    

My recommendations: I highly recommend you own a Rubber Cup set. Plastic Cups are also very useful for many techniques that the Rubber Cups are not suited for. Glass Cups are only really necessary if you plan on cupping over sensitive areas like the lateral neck and face.

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Belts & Straps increase your grip and leverage when helping your client walk, transfer, stretch, of perform movement-based bodywork. There are three main types: Mobilization Belts, Gait Belts, and Stretch Straps.

1. Mobilization Belts
   In order to perform OsteoFascial Stretching of an extremity, a Mobilization Belt is often used. By applying it close to the joint, traction can be added to a rotational stretch. This in turn helps increase joint space, and optimizes the degree of stretch felt in the joint capsule. Many of these techniques can also be performed without a belt, but a belt increases your power, thereby decreasing the amount of effort required to produce the stretch.  
2. Gait Belts
   Many therapists struggle to help their low-functioning clients get on and off the treatment table, or to roll from side to side. Besides having good handling skills, a Gait Belt can be very helpful. As the name implies, Gait Belts help you to guard a client with poor balance while they are walking. Gait belts can also be used to help a client rise from a chair, or roll from side to side while on a treatment table. They act as sort of a handle, enabling you to apply force to the client's center of gravity, rather than at their periphery. 
3. Stretch Straps
   Sometimes it's hard for clients to reach their foot or hand while stretching. A Stretch Strap extends your client's reach, making it easier for them to perform certain stretches. Stretch Straps are also very helpful when performing MyoFascial Release -- by having your client use a stretch strap to hold the tissue on stretch, both of your hands become free to perform your release work. 

My recommendations: Once you learn how to perform OsteoFascial Stretching, then a Mobilization Belt is a must have. Gait Belts are necessary only if you tend to treat clients who are low functioning and need assistance with their mobility. Stretch Staps are handy, but if you prefer, you can also use your Mobilization Belt or a rope as a stretch strap.

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Activation & Integration is all about turning muscles "on" and improving their ability to produce power. Not every Bodyworker has a desire to enter this domain, but for those who do, the right equipment essential. 

There are 3 resistance types when it comes to Activation & Integration work: Resistance Tubing/Bands, Free Weights (like dumbbells and barbells), and Body Weight.  

1. Resistance Tubing/Bands
   Resistance Tubing is made from break-resistance rubber tubes, and is typically sold as a set from light to heavy resistance. Most sets also come with a door anchor and handles. Resistance Bands are flat, and are often sold in rolls which can be cut to any length and provided to your client for home use. Tubing and Bands accomplish the same thing, a non-linear resistance that increases as you stretch them.   
2. Free Weights
   Free Weight are a classic form of resistance training which includes dumb bells, bar bells, kettle bells, sandbags, etc. Free weights mimic objects in real life that are under the influence of gravity -- this means that unlike Tubing and Bands that can generate resistance in any direction, Free Weights always generate resistance downwardly in the direction of gravity. Free Weights are great, but they take up a lot of space, and you need a rack to store them. In my clinic, I currently use PowerBlocks, which are nesting dumb bells that take up very little space and work just as well. 
3. Body Weight
   As the name suggests, Body Weight tools are designed to enable your client to work against all, or a portion of their body weight. The TRX is probably the most well known tool in this category. It is very well made, and offers the ability to perform graded upper body and lower body resistance movements. In addition, the TRX makes an excellent companion for stretching.

My recommendations: I highly recommend you get a set of Resistance Tubing, or a Band roll with medium resistance. PowerBlocks are great, but a bit pricey. A TRX is also very good to have, but not essential if you are just starting out. A good exercise mat is also useful to have. The best mats roll up and are easy to clean and store. I recommend a double-wide mat like the one listed below because it allows you to kneel next to your client and have your knees rest on the mat instead of the floor.  

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Kinesio & Posture Tape are an excellent way to help your client reduce pain and swelling, and to retrain posture and movement mechanics. There is a big difference between the two forms of tape: 

1. Kinesio Tape
   Kinesio Tape (or K-Tape) is porous, very flexible, and comes in a variety of fun colors. K-Tape works in one of two ways depending on how it's applied. First, it can be used to "gate" pain. In this application, the K-Tape provides an interference pattern -- in other words, the clients feels the tape rather than their pain, hence providing relief between sessions. Second, it can be cut into a 'spider' formation and applied over areas of bruising or swelling. This application can be used to help resolve the bruise left by cupping, or reduce the edema associated with inflammation. Despite its popularity among athletes, K-Tape does NOT help with stability, posture, or muscle activation. It is simply way too flexible. For this application, we turn to Posture Tape.   
2. Posture Tape
   Posture Tape is porous like K-Tape, but it is not flexible. As a result, this tape will literally block unwanted movement, or can be used to 'hold' your client in correct alignment. I use Posture Tape to help my clients keep their shoulders back while standing, avoid neck flexion while texting, and reduce bending at the lower back when picking up objects from the ground (3 things that are hard to get clients to do without tape). The tape brand I use most often for this application is called Cover Roll. Cover Roll is typically used as an under-tape for another kind of rigid tape. But as it turns out, Cover Roll makes the best kind of posture tape when used by itself.

Note: The scissors you use to cut your tape with either make your life easy, or frustrate you to no end. Unlike the scissors in your junk drawer, tape scissors are serrated. This prevents the adhesive from sticking to the scissor blades (which is a pain to remove).

My recommendations: I highly recommend you get feel for both kinds of taping methods as they each have their own unique applications. Taping is not difficult, but there are a few nuances that are worth learning as you dive in. And don't forget to get a pair of tape scissors.

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Orthotics & Supports are designed to help your client "de-load" a body region or tissue. There are three main types in this category: Orthotics, Lifts, and Braces.

1. Orthotics
   I have made custom orthotics for clients and patients for over a decade. But as it turns out, a well-made over-the-counter orthotic does 90+% of what an expensive custom orthotic can do. These days, I only recommend one brand and model, the PowerStep Protech Control. It lasts for years, has a well built arch support, a heel cushion to reduce heel pain, and a 2° angled post which corrects the rear-foot alignment. I have this very orthotic in all of my shoes.
2. Heel Lift
   A leg length discrepancy (or LLD) can be the source of chronic lower back and hip pain. Small LLDs are usually no problem. But an LLD larger than 1/4" can lead to issues. Heel lifts typically come in layers which can be peeled off to adjust their height. In most cases, the entire correction is not necessary, or even tolerated. If a client has a 1/4" LLD, you may only need an 1/8" correction to help with their symptoms. The most you can correct using a heel lift is 1/2". Any more than that and your client will need a full-length external sole lift which is typically made by a cobbler or orthotist. 
3. Braces
   All braces serve one purpose, stability. They de-load tissue to allow for healing to occur. The brace I recommend more than any other is a Wrist brace. A wrist brace is key to addressing carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and golfers elbow. It is easy to wear, works very well, and won't limit your clients ability to move around. Contrary to popular belief, braces do not cause the muscles to become weak. 

My recommendations: I recommend you keep Heel Lifts in your clinic at all times. For Orthotics and Braces, I recommend you send your clients an Amazon link since these products come in sizes (and if they're not comfortable, you don't want to have to deal with returns). 

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Pain & Inflammation modalities are designed to reduce swelling, increase blood flow, and help your client manage pain. This is best accomplished using either thermal or electrical energy. In other words: Heating Pads, Cold Packs, and Electrical Stimulation.

1. Heating Pad
   Heat causes vasodilation and brings blood into a tight or restricted area to reduce muscle spasm and pain. Table warmers are great, but they only heat the surface of your client's body in contact with your table. For this reason, Heating Pads make a nice addition to your thermal input. The heat they generate lasts far longer than hot towels, and without the extra laundry. The only real downside to heating pads is the extra wire you need to manage when the pad is applied. 
2. Cold Pack
   Cold causes vasoconstriction which helps to reduce swelling, and it decreases nerve conduction which helps manage pain. Cold Packs are very useful after performing Deep Tissue work, or any other modality that might make your client sore. They can also be applied pre-treatment to 'numb' a painful body region to make the manual therapy treatment more tolerable.
3. Electrical Stimulation
   Electrical Stimulation, or E-STIM for short, has been used to treat pain since the 1960s. There are two kinds of E-STIM, Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation, or TENS, which produces a steady electrical current to reduce pain, and Neuro-Muscular Electrical Stimulation, or NMES (sometimes referred to as EMS), which cycles current on and off in order to generate an intermittent muscle contraction. Some units, like the one I recommend, are able to output both TENS and NMES (technically the electrical current is the same, the difference is in the timing of delivery). E-STIM can be used independently, or in conjunction with heat or cold.

My recommendations: Heat and cold therapy both work to reduce pain, and a lot of it comes down to client preference. For swelling, cold seems to work better, and for spasm, heat seems to do the trick. Keep in mind that in order to keep a Cold Pack cold, you need a freezer. Heating Pads are just plug and play. Electrical Stimulation does not require a doctor's prescription, and these units are readily available on Amazon. However, depending on your license, utilization of E-STIM may or may not be within your scope (so check with your board before considering E-STIM).

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Your Table & Accessories are the hub of your operation. Here are the five core components of a complete set-up: Table, Bolster, Stool, Sheets, Table Pad, and Blanket.

1. Massage Table
   Your table is your single most important purchase. There are two kinds of tables, Portable and Hydraulic (also called Hi-Lo). Portable tables range from $150 to 800-ish, and Hydraulic range from $1,000 to 2,000-ish. In my New Jersey clinic we exclusively used Hydraulic tables. They were awesome, but broke down periodically requiring part replacement. At the Bodywork Dojo in North Carolina, I use a portable table by Earthlite and love it. No wires, no moving parts -- it just works. A few tips on portable tables:
   ✔︎ Make sure you buy a table with two screw knobs rather than one. If you only have one and it falls off or breaks, your table leg will collapse (I've seen it happen)
   ✔︎ Purchase a table with an open end-plate on both sides (sometimes called a Reiki end-plate). This will allow you to tuck your knees under the table whether you are treating from the head or the foot.
   ✔︎ Buy a table has rounded corners, not square corners. There is nothing worse that trying to walk around your table and bumping your leg into the table corner disturbing your client.
   ✔︎ Tables have two weight ratings, the Static Weight rating, and the Working Weight rating. Many tables advertise the Static Weight rating. Ignore this number. You only care about the Working Weight rating, and it needs to be greater than 500 lbs. Tables with less than 500 lbs Working Weight rating are suspect. Also, note your tables Working Rate rating, and if you get a client that weighs more than the Working Weight of your table, treat them on a mat on the ground.
   ✔︎ The best headrests come with a dual pivot, meaning you can adjust them up and down, as well as adjust the tilt separately. My Earthlite is a single pivot, but it is well made and still very comfortable. If you don't like the headrest that your table comes with, replace it. Most headrests are universal. When in doubt, order a more advanced headrest from the same manufacturer that makes your table just to be sure. 
2. Bolster
   Bolsters come in 1/2 round, 3/4 round, and full round variations. I find the full round bolsters are typically too high for most clients, in turn flexing their knees too much, which in turn arches the lower back. The 1/2 round bolsters aren't high enough, and clients with long feet can find their toes pressed into the table. The 3/4 round is my preference. I use the Earthlite bolster to match my Earthlite table and it works great.
3. Stool
   Many techniques, such as neck work and foot work, are sometimes easier to perform in sitting rather than standing. Standard chairs are too low, and do not allow you to shift side to side to properly use your body weight. A hydraulic rolling stool is the way to go. I highly recommend you get a treatment stool that has a flat seat rather than a saddle shape. The saddle shape places abnormal pressure on your perineum and could lead to pudendal nerve irritation. If you also plan to sit on your stool to do your SOAP notes (as I do), then I recommend you get one with a back rest. 
4. Sheets
   Sheets are very much a function of preference. I tend to enjoy the flannel sheets because they are soft, thick, and keep your client warm. They can be a bit bulky to store, so if you are short on shelf space, consider standard cotton sheets. And try to avoid darker colors like black or navy because they tend to show stains more easily. 
5. Table Pad
   Table Pads add softness to your table. The one I recommend comes with an integrated heating element which is awesome. Try to avoid pads that do not fit all the way around your table, and instead use straps -- the client will be able to feel the transition between the pad and the table. If you have a good table then additional padding is not essential, but it does add a more plush feel to the experience.
6. Blanket
   Some clients just get cold. Unfortunately, most massage blankets are either too small, unappealing, or not thick enough. The 60 by 80" blanket I recommend is cozy, warm, attractive, and machine washable.  

My recommendations: Get a good table, bolster, and stool right from the start. They will last along time, and you will enjoy working on them day in and day out. I recommend the Earthlite E2 table (sold under the Earthlite sub-brand Inner Strength). It has all the features I mention above, and has not let me down. Also, stick with one kind of sheets and avoid mixing and matching. This will make it much easier for you to fold and match while doing laundry. 

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Lotion & Emollient come in many forms, including oil, cream, lotion, emollient and gel.

1. Oil
   Oil is good for relaxing work using long strokes. But it is way to slippery for deep work, and once applied it is very difficult to remove should you desire to tape or perform mobilization after doing release work. Oil can leave clients feeling "greasy," and it is very difficult to remove from your massage tools. I never use oil to do bodywork.
2. Lotion & Cream
   Massage lotion and massage cream are similar, and the terms are often used interchangeably. Cream is usually thicker, which means it will slow your glide. Unfortunately, many creams are too thick to be pumped, so they are sold in containers which are unsanitary if you double dip. Thicker lotions are my favorite pick. They are dispensed from a pump, but have the resistance to enable you to slow down. BodyMed is my brand of choice, but BioTone also makes an excellent lotion.
3. Emollient
   Emollient is typically made from synthetic or real shae butter or coconut oil, and is primarily used with Instrument-Assisted Gliding Tools. Emollient provides a frictionless surface for the tool to slide on, reducing the tendency for skin irritation. And unlike lotion or cream, emollient will not absorb into the skin while you glide the tool back and forth, allowing you to work longer without having to reapply. 
4. Gel
   Some massage companies make a gel, but in this case I am referring to Ultrasound gel, not massage gel. Most therapists don't even consider Ultrasound Gel when choosing a lubricant, but here's the big advantage -- Ultrasound Gel is water-based, not oil-based. This means it is tolerated by all skin types, and it leaves absolutely no residue. Ultrasound Gel can therefore be removed using a dry towel, and has no slippery after-effect. This means you can tape or perform mobilization immediately after release work. 

My recommendations: If you plan on using Instrument-Assisted tools in your clinic, consider having emollient on hand. I typically use Ultrasound Gel for all of my Instrument-Assisted and Cupping work, primarily because I need a non-slippery surface after releasing to perform mobilization. But, if I was going to a desert island and could only take one type of lubricant with me, it would be a high-quality thick massage lotion like the one by BodyMed. 

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When it comes to Personal Protection & Cleaning the two products we will look at are Gloves, and Cleaning Solution. 

1. Gloves
   It is not uncommon for your client to have a rash, open wound, acne, athlete's foot, or some other skin condition that you have no desire to touch. Or, you may have an open wound on your hand that needs protecting. For this reason, gloves are a must have in your clinic. Make sure to purchase nitrile gloves which are latex free. I prefer black gloves since blue gloves typically remind clients of a hospital. You want your gloves to be snug. Any looseness around the fingertips will make it very hard to perform fine work. Lastly, don't buy cheap gloves -- they break.
2. Cleaning Solution
   Cleaning and disinfecting are not the same. Cleaning gets rid of dirt and residue, kills some germs, and should be performed between every client using a mild leather-friendly cleanser. Many therapist use Thieves to do this, but like many other cleansers, Theives is acidic, and over time will dry out and crack your leather table. Disinfecting, on the other hand, eliminates all germs and only needs to be done periodically using a diluted bleach solution. When disinfecting, never soak your table. Place the solution on a towel, ring it out, and wipe. 

My recommendations: Keep gloves on hand. You never know when a client will have a skin condition that is unadvisable for you to touch. If you prefer not to use a cleaning solution to clean your table, a mixture of soap and water will do fine. That said, a dedicated leather-supportive solution will help keep your table soft and crack free for years.

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There are thousands of Self-Development Books books on bodywork and rehab. These books can roughly be divided into 3 categories: Anatomy & Physiology Books, Assessment Books, and Treatment Books. 

1. Anatomy & Physiology Books
   Many consider Andrew Biel's Trail Guides to be the most well thought out and practical book on anatomy and physiology. This book has been around for a long time, and it is the book I use when I teach at massage school. Some anatomy books can get you far deeper into the weeds than you really need to go. So keep it simple. By far the most amazing resource for learning anatomy is Acland's Video Atlas which is a series of cadaver videos. You can check it out here.
2. Assessment Books
   Good books on assessment are few and far between. Most act as sort of a reference book rather than a clinical reasoning template. The best book on this subject, and the one that changed the way I think about bodywork and rehab, is Florence Kendall's Muscles Testing and Function. This book is an absolute gem. You could build an entire career just using the information inside this book. Warning, this is a technical read. But if you are into clinical detail, then this book is for you.
3. Treatment Books
   Beware of what you consume in the treatment department. Some texts are disjointed and misinforming, while others are vague and unhelpful. One book I am particularly fond of is Art Riggs' Deep Tissue book. It is packed with good body mechanics and helpful tips on positioning and application. 

My recommendations: I used to have an enormous library of books on my shelf. Then I moved into a tiny home and gave most of them away. In truth, it is better to master the content of a few good books rather than barely digest the content of many books. We all have books on our shelf that we plan to read one day, and that day never comes. So try to hold off on buying a book just because someone says its good, and wait until a topic peaks your interest, or until you are trying to solve a specific problem and you need a deeper insight.

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