We hope you'll think of us here at Sage Spa when you want a great massage, but when massage isn't an option we hope you'll think about Ma Rollers! We love our Ma Rollers here at the spa, especially when the staff goes home, or when we are on the road away from home. You will too!
"The Ma Roller is a self massage tool that gently stretches the paraspinal muscles like a good deep tissue massage. It also stimulates the lines of energy associated with major acupressure points, opening your chi channels, allow your energy to flow freely." 1
“The MA Roller is a tool for healing and awareness, gleaned from the teachings of ancient China. It was invented in 1970 by a Chinese practitioner of acupuncture, who is also a student of yoga. The MA Roller gives a gentle stretch to the spine, and a deep massage to the antigravity muscles on the back, along lines of energy known to the science of acupuncture." 1
Do Less Not More & Remember to Breathe
Easy to Use: The Ma Roller is easy to use. We recommend starting your first session on a bed or couch, where there is some soft give under the Ma Roller, because lying on a soft surface means that the roller doesn’t press as hard into your back. If you work on a floor, the roller presses up with it’s full force into those knots. So start on the bed, later after you get the hang of it you can try it using the Ma Roller on the floor for those tough problem areas.
To Begin: Start at your upper back, and lie down with your spine centered over groove in the ma Roller, so that the roller presses into the flesh either side of the spine and NOT into your spine. The idea is to try to do less not more. Like back carefully, and feel the raised areas of the roller pressing into the flesh on either side of the spine. Does it hurt? Go easy, Lie still and breathe. Let your body melt into the roller. The idea is not to roll your body up and down over the roller, instead, work the roller slowly inch by inch down your spine toward your butt, working one spot at a time. Rest and breathe at each spot until the tension melts away. Allow about 30-45 minutes to work the entire length of your spine. As your tension fades, you will notice your body melting down around the roller. You’ll soon feel very relaxed.
The tenderness that you experience is a result of those tight muscles in your back responding to the pressure of the Ma Roller, much in the same way you might feel some tenderness when a massage therapist digs deeply into those stubborn knots. As long as the tenderness is not a result of injury, your muscles will let go, and you will soon feel better.
TIP: Are you a wreck, extremely tense and your back hurts like crazy when using the Ma Roller? Lying on a soft surface? That will help. If you still feel too much pain lying on the roller, gently ease yourself up off the roller a few inches with your hands under your back or with a pillow until you can continue. Now relax and breathe. As the tension slowly dissolves your body will begin to melt around the roller along with the pain and the tension. Feel Better!
A few things to keep in mind:
• The MA Roller should not be used when there is spinal injury, or even suspicion of it.
• The MA Roller should not be used during pregnancy.
• The MA Roller should not be used for longer than a few seconds on the head and neck by lying on it, because the head and neck are delicate structures.
• One should not fall asleep on the MA Roller. (which is easier to do than you may think, once you start relaxing)
Ma Rollers are available at Amazon.com.
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1 source on Ma Roller History: themaroller.com
