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26 of 27 found the following review helpful:
 The Holy Grail for Self-Empowered Myofascial Treatment Feb 11, 2010
By D. Kim
"DeyBwah"
So I had some time this weekend to use my Hip + Lower Back kit and GRID Roller and here's my review.
A little bit of history on myself:
I've been an athlete my whole life -- basketball, football, wrestling, skateboarding, snowboarding, skimboarding, dancing, running and swimming.
I've also been a practitioner of yoga for over 10 years and actively practicing trigger point therapy and other massage techniques for almost 10 years now.
In Winter of 2003, I had a major snowboarding injury to my right hip that stretched up my entire spine from the whiplash. The immediate consequence was loss of function on my right leg for almost 2 months. The long-term residual consequence was the loss of function in my arms. This surfaced while I was attending Musician's Institute, playing my guitar for up to 10 hours-a-day. The doctors addressed the symptoms, not the cause... looking solely at my wrists and labeling it Tendonitis when in reality, the symptoms came from aggravated nerves in my neck from the whiplash.
I had a similar experience as Cassidy, finding short-term relief in all forms of specialists and treatments but nothing that lasted long-term and more importantly, nothing that empowered me to take control of my recovery in the big picture. Doctors were nudging me towards surgery and meds while also advising me to reduce arm usage. Like hell I'm going to listen to some stranger that thinks they know more about my own body than me, even if they are doctors! No offense to doctors, but I wasn't going to be a textbook case. No thanks!
So using my past experience in athletics and manual therapy, I continued to build towards a working knowledge of how the body functions in all aspects, using myself as the test subject. One of the greatest discoveries from those years of research and experiments is Trigger Point therapy. With the myriad of different angles I approached, I can confidently say that I have regained complete control and function to both my arms with more strength than I ever remember and continue to make progress in other areas of my body -- most notably, my hips and legs. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of taking care of one's muscles for a better quality of life. It is a serious endeavor, aiming to rid one's body of all muscular tension and trigger points. Even with the right tools, it can be the challenge of a life-time which is why I'm delighted to add Cassidy's products to my tool box!
Moving on to the tools:
TP Ball - The TP ball is wrapped in a soft cloth cover that allows just the right about of "give" in relation to its solid core. The end result is a very effective balance of yield and pressure. This is the perfect setting between unduly soft air-filled balls like tennis balls and exceedingly hard solid balls like lacrosse balls.
I keep these with me where ever I go. They work great in the palm of your hand against areas like the pectorals, abdomen, quads. If you have a wall nearby, they work great on the deltoids, back, glutes, etc... If you have a chair nearby, they work awesome on the hamstrings, glutes and piriformis muscles. If you want maximum pressure though, the floor works best, treating back, glutes, abs, psoas and feet muscles.
TP Footballer - The TP Footballer is also wrapped in a soft cloth cover and shares the same balance of yield and give as the TP Ball. The shape and size of the Footballer is perfect for your arches, soleus and even forearms.
I find that alternating between the TP Ball and TP Footballer works great in loosening up tight arches. Variety of movement and manipulations is key, just like in weight training. It appears that muscle-confusion works on recovery as much as growth.
TP Quadballer - The TP Quadballer is basically a larger version of the Footballer, allowing you to treat the hamstrings, glutes, quads, and neck muscles. You can also use the Quadballer to treat your arches, soleus and arms if you want less intensity than the Footballer.
The TP Quadballer replaced many tools I used prior to its discovery -- particularly the tools I used for treating my quads.
I use the TP Quadballer in combination with the GRID roller for variety. The TP Quadballer is lower to the ground, which can require more effort to get good leverage on certain muscles like the hamstrings, but it provides deeper pressure and the lower level makes it easier to treat other muscles like the quadriceps.
TP GRID Roller - The TP GRID Roller is a compact, heavy-duty roller with different patterns on the surface for a variety of manipulations and applications.
The first thing I noticed is the size -- it's much smaller than the foam roller I had before. This makes sense because you don't need that much surface to make contact when rolling. This focuses the pressure more, providing better traction and circulation. The second thing I noticed was the foam material -- once again, it's the perfect balance of pressure and yield.
It really helps that the foam wraps a hard cylinder because it will not give out under extreme loads. For example, I can get excellent traction, manipulating/adjusting my spine with a relatively easy bounce while rolling on the GRID. On my old foam roller, I had to bounce just about as hard as I could to get the same manipulation/spinal release I get on the GRID.
After using the products for a good "break in" period I have come to 2 conclusions:
1) I can tell the tools were developed by someone who "gets" it. Everything from the design, materials, heck even branding -- bottom line, if Cassidy didn't create these products.. I would have! Unless you're someone who has dealt with chronic on-going musculoskeletal or any other chronic pain for that matter, you might not understand my geeky excitement but the fact is, these tools are exactly what the patient ordered. (the doctor would have ordered pills and a scalpel)
2) I own and have used dozens of different manual therapy tools -- TPP tools have replaced a lot of my regular first choices. Which leads me to my conclusion, people need to know about these tools! I can't believe how long I've used lesser tools for the job.
Summary:
Rating: 10/10
For anyone who suffers from chronic muscle tension, is involved in performance athletics or is recovering from muscular injury, TPP products are a no-brainer. I would even be bold enough to say that these products and associated education NEED to be integrated into our public school's physical education programs. Imagine how productive and healthy our future generations could be if we taught our children how to take care of their own bodies -- if we gave them the tools AND knowledge to empower them to appreciate and respect their bodies. And lastly, what they can achieve for our future generations without being held back by unnecessary limits created by unhealthy bodies. I know my kids have a greater genuine interest in massage and their own bodies -- thanks to my influence and tools being at their disposal.
Bottom line, I recommend Trigger Point Performance to all my family and friends because I have first-hand experienced the effectiveness of their products.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
I love these Aug 07, 2011
By M. Ash
Ok, I have been working out with Core Performance professionals at work three times a week. I'm an ex-cyclist and years of working at a desk I have very tight hip abductors, hamstrings, calves and "shoulders/pecs." After working out for an hour I would be very sore throughout the day and next morning. Now I foam roll my back, legs and upper body. I then follow that with specific trigger point therapy (using this kit) to my calf , Iliotibial Band, hamstring and pec muscles. Works amazing.
Nice build quality and imagine it will last for years. I have added a Lacrosse ball to the kit and don't use the foam block often. I thought I needed both balls, but seriously one is enough and use a lacrosse ball for the other.
I honestly would just buy the Quadroller. I'm 5'10 160's and my calves are too large to use the smaller roller, so I'm not sure who is benefiting from it compared to just using the quadroller alone. I carry the kit in a small bag and the foam block just makes the whole set up too complex. Knowing what I know now, I would just get the quadroller, tennis ball and lacrosse ball. If you have access to a trainer you don't need the videos.
I deducted 1 star as the premium kit should include the runner guide and/or some upper body guides. FYI, I use the ball against the end of a door, do Y/T stretches and works great.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
The only thing that worked Jan 24, 2011
By Susan Henry
I suffered from debilitating plantar fasciitis for two years. I had multiple steroid shots, physical therapy for 21 sessions, I bought special shoes and lots of inserts. Overall I spent over 2 thousand dollars to be able to walk without pain again.
I was in a shoe store for runners while a friend was getting shoes when the owner asked me about shoes. I explained to him that I had given up exercising due to the plantar fasciitis. He showed me the trigger point system and said that he had overcome his plantar fasciitis using this system. This was my last option before surgery so I bought it.
It really, really works! I saw a decrease in pain within a few days and the plantar fasciitis was gone within a month. He explains why it works and it makes sense when you watch the DVD. This product is used by competitive athletes and triathletes. It really is not known outside of that community.
The other review said something about it being a ball with a sock on it. Well it looks like that covering of a hacky sac - it looks custom made. To me it looks like it is made by a small company which they are. The quality is very good. It has lasted through many of my friends that are converts now too
There is a DVD that shows you how to do the exercises and you can follow along with them so it's easy to use.
Be prepared to stick it out though. When I started using it is was a little painful as I massaged those over tight muscles, but boy was it worth it.
I was an amazon just now to buy this version for my back, and saw this review. I have been planning to write a review to let people know how good this product is for a long time. Buy it, use it, you will be happy you did.
It has been over three months since I bought it and if it flares up I use it and the flare up ends. I cannot say enough good about this product. It has enabled my to walk without pain and even begin running again and exercises.
17 of 23 found the following review helpful:
 No bang for your buck. Oct 13, 2010
By imchuft
This is way overpriced. It is a couple of roller blade wheels (that don't spin) with centers and balls that are covered with a cloth similar to a sock. I have used a 6'- 3" diameter extra firm high density foam roller (cut into varying lengths), tennis balls and lacrosse balls. Frankly, I can't tell enough difference in these less expensive products to warrant the ridiculous price of this item. Stick with the 3" high density foam and tennis balls and save yourself a chunk of change. I did a blindfold test using several balls with varying density. A tennis ball, baseball, softball and a lacrosse ball. My massage therapist recommended tennis balls. They are fine at first but over time they have too much give ... replacement cost is minimal. Baseballs are the right size but are too hard. The softball was too big and hard for my needs. The lacrosse ball was very close to this item. It has some give but is still firm and won't break down over time like the tennis ball does. It is a good size and with a sock over it for cushioning you would be hard pressed to tell a difference. You can make sure there are no bumps with a needle and thread. Do yourself a favor and don't get sucked into the hype and hope that this product is something more than what you have at your fingertips, without the cost.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Well worth the price Sep 26, 2011
By Svper
Sticker shock may be your initial reaction to this kit, but when properly used the benefits are priceless. I was introduced to TP therapy when I injured myself while training for triathlons. The physical therapy office I used had me use these kits to rehab. (these visits cost $300+ a pop)
I tried to create substitutes with tennis ball/etc. but does not have the same effect.
These TP exercises are great to condition my hip & back after training. Painful to do at first but amazing relief from tight/irritated muscles.
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