Clair Davies recommendations
for massage tools, charts, and selected books
This popular and most versatile massage tool will let you work on all the places your hands can’t reach. Made of fiberglass, the Thera Cane is virtually indestructible. Its many uses are shown in The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook.
The Backnobber isn’t quite as versatile as the Thera Cane but many people prefer it because the knobs are smoother and of different sizes. The smaller knob is especially effective for the back of the neck and the top of the shoulders. The Backnobber’s great advantage is that it comes apart in the middle to fit handily into a carry-on suitcase.
The Knobble for deep muscle massage is made of hardwood with a high-quality, durable finish. It fits the hand perfectly and is a lifesaver for overused fingers. It’s easy to control and goes right to the heart of the matter.
Lacrosse balls (package of 6) $9.88
A lacrosse ball used against a wall is a delightful massage tool for your back. Made of extremely dense rubber, it penetrates effortlessly, resulting in finer control of pressure than a tennis ball. With this package of six, you’ll have extras to give to friends and family.
18” Tiger Tail Muscle Massager $19.99
A massage tool popular with runners for self-applied massage of their leg muscles. This tool works best when used in conjunction with The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook, which shows you exactly how to find the trigger points that are causing your pain.
Myofascial Pain & Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual 2-volume set $194.95
Travell and Simons’s Trigger Point Manual is the mother lode of information about trigger points and referred pain. This was the primary technical resource in the writing of The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook. The magnificent illustrations were a constant inspiration. Volume one (The Upper Body) is shown here. Volume two (The Lower Body) is included in the set.
Travell & Simons’s Flip Charts $70.95
This oversized (15 x 12 inches), 11-page, standing flip chart illustrates the most essential trigger points and referred pain patterns from both volumes of Travell and Simons’s Trigger Point Manual. The illustrations are line drawings with the pain patterns colored in red. The drawings are grouped according to body region, making it unnecessary to search through the books to compare related muscles and related pain patterns.
Travell & Simons’s Wall Charts (set of 2) $70.95
These large-sized (38 x 32 inches) wall charts illustrate the most essential trigger points and referred pain patterns from both volumes of Travell and Simons’s Trigger Point Manual. The illustrations are line drawings with the pain patterns colored in red. The drawings are grouped according to body region, making it unnecessary to search through the books to compare related muscles and related pain patterns. Ideally suited for hanging on the wall in a massage studio for quick reference during treatment.
Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy, 4th edition $74.95
This is the newest edition of the bestselling book on human anatomy, consisting of hundreds of full-color illustrations of all parts of the body. It’s a standard reference for physicians and medical illustrators and a valuable resource for massage therapists as well. It can also be a great aid to the layperson in understanding the size, shape, and location of individual muscles and bones. The book is worth many times its price.
Acland’s Video Atlas of Human Anatomy,
six cassettes $159.95
These six videos are an extraordinarily enlightening way to view the structure of the various parts of the body. They were created by British physician and surgeon Robert Acland in the Fresh Tissue Dissection Laboratory at the University of Louisville. These videos are widely used in massage schools to give students a solid grounding in what lies beneath the skin.
Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary $33.55
This is the latest edition of the most highly respected medical dictionary on the market. The explanations and definitions are lucid and concise, while being as thorough as they need to be. The equally lucid illustrations are in full color and newly created by an unusually good medical artist.
Worst Pills, Best Pills $12.97
If you’re taking prescription drugs, get this book! It alerts you to all the adverse effects that your doctor forgets to tell you or just doesn't know about. Many people are overmedicated with drugs that put their health seriously at risk and often haven’t a clue to the danger they’re in. Think of all the drugs that were taken off the market only after they'd done great harm. This book could literally save your life.