A Massage Therapist's Self-Care Toolbox: What I Actually Use
Self-care isn't bubble baths and good chocolate, though those absolutely have their place. Real self-care is what you do to keep your body and mind moving and functioning day to day. And as someone who spent 20+ years fixing other people's bodies, I have strong opinions about what actually works.
Here's what's in my personal self-care toolbox. The things I reach for regularly, recommend to clients, and genuinely swear by. None of it is complicated. None of it requires a gym membership or an hour of your day. Just a few good tools used consistently.
Here's what's in my personal self-care toolbox. The things I reach for regularly, recommend to clients, and genuinely swear by. None of it is complicated. None of it requires a gym membership or an hour of your day. Just a few good tools used consistently.
Therapy Balls: My #1 Recommendation for Everyone
If you've been to our office or taken one of our classes, you already know: I am completely obsessed with the therapy balls from Tune Up Fitness. They're used in every class we teach and are the first thing I recommend to clients for home care between sessions. Here's the breakdown:
If you've been to our office or taken one of our classes, you already know: I am completely obsessed with the therapy balls from Tune Up Fitness. They're used in every class we teach and are the first thing I recommend to clients for home care between sessions. Here's the breakdown:
- Alpha Ball. My go-to for larger muscle groups like the hips and glutes. Think of it as an elbow buried deep in the tissue. It's a lot.
- Plus Balls. If you can only pick one set, this is it. Big enough for hips and larger areas, small enough for feet, jaw, and everything in between. This is the most versatile tool in the lineup.
- Coregeous Ball. A soft, air-filled ball that's perfect for gentle abdominal rolling and low back pain relief and a fantastic tool for myofascial release and scar tissue. Bonus: it doubles as an airplane pillow. Also way more packable than a foam roller....just saying.
Stretching Strap: The One You Actually Need
My all-time favorite is the Stretch Out Strap from OPTP (that I've had since 2013). What sets it apart is the multiple loops. You can grab at any point along the strap to instantly adjust the length for shoulder work, hip flexor stretches, hamstrings, and more. It's flexible enough to use for almost anything and simple enough that you'll actually use it.
Resistance Bands: Gym Optional
I love the idea of getting to the gym five days a week. I am also a realist. And in my late 40s. I'm tired. Some days the last thing I want to do is leave my house and pick up a barbell. Enter resistance bands, specifically the Tribe Fitness Bands. They're versatile, portable, and cover a huge range of exercises. They also travel well, which matters when you're already hauling therapy balls and straps in your suitcase. (I may have a packing problem. We don't need to talk about it.)
The Bottom Line
That's genuinely it. No elaborate system, no hour-long routine, no expensive equipment. A few quality tools, used consistently for 10 minutes a day, will do more for your body than sporadic hour-long sessions of anything. Move, roll, stretch, strengthen. Repeat.
If you want to learn how to use any of these tools properly for your specific issues, not just general rolling around, come to one of our mobility classes or check out our online self-care program. Your body will thank you.
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and believe in.
My all-time favorite is the Stretch Out Strap from OPTP (that I've had since 2013). What sets it apart is the multiple loops. You can grab at any point along the strap to instantly adjust the length for shoulder work, hip flexor stretches, hamstrings, and more. It's flexible enough to use for almost anything and simple enough that you'll actually use it.
Resistance Bands: Gym Optional
I love the idea of getting to the gym five days a week. I am also a realist. And in my late 40s. I'm tired. Some days the last thing I want to do is leave my house and pick up a barbell. Enter resistance bands, specifically the Tribe Fitness Bands. They're versatile, portable, and cover a huge range of exercises. They also travel well, which matters when you're already hauling therapy balls and straps in your suitcase. (I may have a packing problem. We don't need to talk about it.)
The Bottom Line
That's genuinely it. No elaborate system, no hour-long routine, no expensive equipment. A few quality tools, used consistently for 10 minutes a day, will do more for your body than sporadic hour-long sessions of anything. Move, roll, stretch, strengthen. Repeat.
If you want to learn how to use any of these tools properly for your specific issues, not just general rolling around, come to one of our mobility classes or check out our online self-care program. Your body will thank you.
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and believe in.
