MELT Method for Pain Management

MamboMom · ‎03-17-2010

Has anyone used this for any length of time? Were you pleased with results? DVD or book?

TIA

Gail

Day1128 · ‎06-27-2010

I took a class recently on using a foam roller. It wasn't the MELT method, but using the roller has helped my back, shoulders and calves.

I did check out from the library the MELT method book. I did NOT like it. The author repeated information and I thought the book could have been more focused....she gave a lot of extraneous material, in my opinion. You can read some of the reviews on Amazon. Some are really good...other reviews talk about how the content is presented.

There are a lot of videos on YouTube about using the foam roller...some are better than others.

A book I like is called The Roll Model...shows how using tennis balls (or the equivalent, sold by the author's company) can help release tight muscles. I travel with the tennis balls now and use them on the flights after I have been sitting for a while.

In summary, I have found using the foam roller to be very helpful. I had no idea I would like it so much and that it would help.

violann · ‎03-10-2010

I'm willing to try anything with a reasonable price tag for my never predictable Fibro pain. Thank you both for posting.

MamboMom · ‎03-17-2010

Thank you, I'm going to look for that book.

Always so stiff after sitting for long periods and have several flights coming up next month.

Day1128 · ‎06-27-2010

@MamboMom wrote:
Thank you, I'm going to look for that book.
Always so stiff after sitting for long periods and have several flights coming up next month.

The Roll Model book is very good, but it is also pretty expensive. I'm glad I bought it, but two other books I found on Amazon (I have the Kindle version) are also very good and cost less. One is Tennis Ball Self Massage, author Lauren Bertolacci and the other is Fix Tight Hip Flexors by the same author.

I fly in and out of Alaska and my flights are always long, so I travel with the tennis ball. I also keep one of the tennis balls by my bed and some nights I need to put the ball under my hips to relax them. I have very tight hip flexors, and the ball works better than a sleeping pill for me!

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@MamboMom wrote:
Has anyone used this for any length of time? Were you pleased with results? DVD or book?

TIA
Gail

I am not familiar with particular program, but! If it has anything to do with muscle groups and connective tissues of the human body, this I can say. From what other posters here have said, it sounds like what I mentioned.

The roller system for muscles/tendons and ligements is not anything new. It has been around for decades and has been used by US Olympic Athletes for just as long. I am sure someone has thought up a way to NAME IT OR USE IT to make a ton of money touting it as the LATEST/GREATEST cure/prevention for human muscles?

I was using a roller back in the early 1980's. I used to take my "flexible roller" with me when I was the Ref in several consecutive games. Worked to help revive my primary skating muscles.

Have seen many different types of rollers for varying amounts of money. Don't remember what I paid for mine, but we are talking decades ago. Should I ever buy another one, it first would have to be flexible enough to wrap around small and large muscles, and still be stiff and have knobs that rotate enough to do the jobs I expect from it.

hckynut(john)

MamboMom · ‎03-17-2010

Thank you for all the good input, I am most appreciative.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

Is there anyone else her wondering what the heck MELT is? Am I the only one?

sidsmom · ‎11-25-2011

There are SO many different levels of mobility work.

Foam rolling is a nice beginning. Even the foam rollers themselves can be softer all the way to PVC pipe.

Next level could be tennis balls, then harder lacrosse balls.

Then there are elastic bands...and all different strengths.

Of course, there's also stretching/strength in the yoga/Pilates field, which could be very good at releasing the tension. But for trigger point release, foam rolling is a good start.

There are a zillion YouTube videos showing how to foam roll, free.

I personally love my new bible, 'The Supple Leopard' by Kelly Starrett.

He's got a bunch of YouTube videos, free.

The idea is to find a spot which needs attention...and just hang out there for awhile until the ache releases.

If self-manipulation isn't your thing, various degrees of massage could work. I love Rolfing, which is basically trigger point release on Steriods!!! Ouch, but feels good.

The key, no matter what route you go with, is consistency!

A little bit every day is worth the investment for long-term mobility.

ANewHue · ‎11-21-2011

@violann wrote:
I'm willing to try anything with a reasonable price tag for my never predictable Fibro pain. Thank you both for posting.

@violann Me too. I saw the MELT method on one of the morning shows awhile ago and was very interested. I need to investigate this more. I, wondering if a program is offered at one of the physical therapy groups near me. It looked promising for what we suffer with.