So here at the China Open Zippy finds himself in the training and massage rooms working hard; or as they might say of the massage therapist using Zippy, is hardly working! Zippy is a tool that helps save the hands; it fits nicely in the palm as you work with either the roller ball or the flat side. Combining its use with other tools, like massage cups, provides excellent means of releasing tension in the soft tissue without working ones’ hands too hard.

Here you see Zippy working with some of its favorite ‘buds’, the negative ion cups, to release the erector group and deeper paraspinals, even QL.    

Here using the flat end of Zippy allows you to strip the QL and erectors and then using the tip get really specific into multifidi

.Using the roller ball helps to facilitate release through QL muscle belly and along the iliac crest while the cups are in place to help with further release of the tissues. Using the flat end (we often refer to it as the snowboard end) to strip the length of the erector group right through the QL is very effective to get the last bit of tissue release once the cups are removed.

Now Zippy has had a busy week so self-care and recovery are very important. One of the things we often tell our athletes is regarding the value of ice baths to help facilitate the recovery process. Well, Zippy figured if it was good enough for these elite athletes it was good enough for Zippy. So into the ice bath Zippy went! We learned some interesting things about Zippy and water!

The first is that Zippy does not know how to swim! Yes, that is Zippy at the bottom of the cool pool! Embarrassing for the little guy! So, we found that for recovery purposes, if Zippy had either a little plastic bag boat or was able to sit on the ice flow it was much better.

 Another great approach with Zippy is to actually sit in the ice freezer for a while.  It gets good and cold and makes for a nice ice treatment following play or on an area that might be initially quite tender to the touch. A little cold roller ball therapy can go a long way to decreasing tissue tenderness, you can then get into the area a bit easier. And in the freeze Zip doesn’t need to worry about swimming!

Another great approach with Zippy is to actually sit in the ice freezer for a while.  It gets good and cold and makes for a nice ice treatment following play or on an area that might be initially quite tender to the touch. A little cold roller ball therapy can go a long way to decreasing tissue tenderness, you can then get into the area a bit easier. And in the freeze Zip doesn’t need to worry about swimming!

Submitted by Lee Stang, LMT for WTA - Women’s Tennis Association.

Zippy is easy to use. The rotating dimpled ball smoothly rolls over your skin and most fabrics with minimal pressure needed. The ball gently relaxes and sooths surface and underlying muscle and soft tissue using a combination of static and dynamic movement and pressure. Varying the energy or pressure applied during static and dynamic movement is natural for us. We do it automatically, so Zippy responds instantly. The curvature of the ball both distributes forces evenly over the contact area with the body while precise positioning of the device insures pinpoint application of effort, be it gentle or more aggressive deep tissue/facia release pressure. 

The initial usage instructions are:  Roll it over the area needing treatment. Spend up to one or two minutes on a spot to start. Keep handle or top of Zippy upright and perpendicular to the treated area. Tilting the Zippy while rolling under pressure on thin or ample skin can result in catching of skin fold and leaving slight bruising. Keep Zippy upright under pressure to avoid lower shell near the ball from contacting skin.

Vary speed and pressure as needed to gently massage the body part. During this process you will move blood through muscle, lymph fluid through soft tissue, improving circulation leading to release of muscle tension, relax 'knots,' and bring comfort. Treats strain or injury with care and precision.

Zippy Tip #1!   Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Roll with Us!

We massage to relax and soothe.

Basic fingertip massage is one heritage of opposable thumbs.

Who hasn't grabbed an injured body part with one or both hands to apply pressure and relieve pain? The simple act of rubbing the area around an injury makes it feel better, improves circulation, and provides a release of endorphins which impart a sense of well being and a more relaxed state. 

Golf ball massage of a sort has been used for decades to treat plantar fasciitis, foot pain, and  improve circulation to the extremeties. We put a "handle" on the ball so it can be used with good effect anywhere, any time, as needed. 

General Suggestions

Buddy massage and chair massage can be incredible with the Zippy RBT. Take a few minutes to relax your friend, spouse, family member. Show them the love! 

Use a combination of rolling ball therapy to warm and soften tissue, followed by use of the contact points on the band of the shell, or handle if so equipped, to apply controlled static pressure with the top of the handle (to soothe the ache, or bruise, or strain); or use a handle end to gently pinpoint stress points and release tension (pressure point release). Gentle response to ache or injury can mean the right treatment at the right time, wherever you might be. Roll with us!

Sports

Zippy RBT devices are effective for warm-up prior to training or competition. Combined with joint mobility exercises and the "usual" warm-up processes, Zippy RBT devices can assist in releasing pressure points, move moisture (circulation) through muscles to flush out toxins and cellular debris, warm and loosen facia, IT Band, hamstrings, and sore muscles.

During competition Zippy RBT devices are effective in treating muscle cramp, sprain/strain, and providing muscle activation and range of motion assistance.

After strenuous exercise and competition, use your Zippy RBT for recovery and to treat yourself to relaxed muscles before you see the trainer, PT, or therapist, who may also be using a Zippy in their treatment modality.