Peolpe With Diabetes Can Benefit From The Stick.

A couple of weeks ago, I had a display booth at a Diabetic forum in Calgary, Alberta.  There were vendors from all over the place offering information and products to those who have diabetes or are interested in learning more about diabetes. 

I was there with The Stick and related specialty products.  You may be wondering why diabetics would be interested in massage products and devices?   As you may or may not know there are 2 types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2.  Basically type 1 diabetics rely on insulin therapy to control their blood sugar levels.  Type 1 is also known as Juvenile Diabetes.  Type 2 diabetes is mostly controlled by diet and exercise as well as insulin therapy.  I knew there would be more type 2 people than type 1 people because my wife (who has type 1) has been to many of these forums and she mentioned to me that the clientele at the forum would be primarily type 2 diabetics.  Typically, type 2 diabetics have challenges with circulation and nerve pain.  The Stick is the perfect device to increase circulation and help people live a more comfortable life.  As far as nerve pain goes, The Stick can help with that too by allowing the muscles that surround the nerves to become less restricting.  With more blood flow, comes more compliant muscles.  With more compliant muscles, people should feel better!  Nerve pain can also be alleviated by massage therapy.  Again, The Stick is great for massage therapy.

It turns out that the people at the forum loved the idea that they could massage their own muscles in the comfort of their own homes.  They also loved the fact that they did not have to go to the ground to use The Stick or plug it in.  Most people who purchased a Stick liked the Travel Stick or Marathon Stick.  They liked that those sticks offered some flexibility are were not overly rigid. 

Travel Stick

Marathon Stick

People with diabetes can have complications with circulation and nerve pain specifically in their feet.  As a result, people were thrilled to learn that FootWheel could possibly help them.  In fact, by the end of the day, people walked away with more FootWheels than Sticks.  That is right, people purchased more FootWheels than Sticks!!

FootWheel

I am thrilled to be offering products that have so many applications!!

Dancers and Figure Skaters Love The Stick!

I have had numerous people tell me that they were watching So You Think You Can Dance Canada they other night and saw Emanuel Sandhu using The Stick!  I of course was very excited to hear this because I am a fan of the show and The Stick.  You can become a fan of the The Stick too!

Thanks to one of our members at Zealous Vitality – Sharon (who just purchased a Marathon Stick), she found the video!!  Please see the video below.  The part about The Stick happens just after the 5:30 mark of the video.  Thank you so much Sharon!!!

 

Looks like he is using The Original Body Stick!

Original Body Stick

Help With Fibromyalgia

When I was working @ the Edmonton Marathon a couple of weeks a go, Patti came by my booth.  It turns out she was dealing with Fibromyalgia!  We spoke together for quite a while sharing information and resources that we have heard about.  Our conversation consisted of treatment options such as massage,exercise, stretching, and drug treatments for Fibromyalgia.

Patti was a wealth of knowledge and creditable because she was getting better!!  I have spoke to many people about Fibromyalgia and have learned many things.  One resource of information that she shared with me is a book that I never heard of:

I was so impressed with our conversation, that I asked Patti to send me some information about this great book.  I cannot claim that I have read this book, but I have read some pages that she sent me.

So far, I think it is amazing!  My philosophy of finding appropriate resources and information is to get second, third and even fourth opinions.  Talk to people and network.  There is nothing better than first hand knowledge about a condition from a person that deals with that condition every day of their lives. 

Patti, her husband and I spoke for quite some time and exchanged information and contacts.  

As a side note, Patti was really at my booth wondering about “The Stick”.  It turns out that she picked up a Flex Stick that offers her a longer, more flexible model to get at her shoulders and back.  People with Fibromyalgia usually gravitate to the Marathon Stick that offers excellent flexibility as well.

I thank Patti for sharing this information and hopefully some readers of this post will helpful.  If you have suggestions, please comment below!!

Here are some other posts I have done about Fibromyalgia:

• The Stick and Fibromyalgia
• Massage Therapy at Home
• Nutritional Biomechanics and The Stick

Popular Comments About The Marathon Stick.

Here is a blog entry I found from Massage Therapy Supplies about the Marathon Stick!

 

 

Product Description
The Stick Marathon Stick. The Stick is a non-motorized device that is composed of a semi-rigid core around which independent, 1 inch spindles freely spin. This instrument was engineered to assist health-care providers in the deep manipulation of soft tissues such as muscle. Measuring 20 with 10 spindles, this model was made popular by world-class distance runners. Most flexible of the small models, it is preferred for those with lean muscle mass.

Customer Reviews

If you run, it’s worth every penny! (2009-04-24)
I’ve already recommended it to all my friends who run. I can’t afford to get professional massages all the time, but this is 50% as good for way less cost Couldn’t be happier.

Practical and Effective (2009-03-28)
I cycle 4 times a week, for at least 2 hours each time. My leg muscles, particularly the hamstrings, get very tight and often sore. “The Stick” has been very effective at loosening up the tightness and reducing soreness. It’s a simple gadjet, easy to use, and easier than using my fingers for massage. I use it every day, often more than one session. I can feel the difference when I cycle, much less stiffness and pain.

Best Pain You’ll Ever Love! Get one! (2009-03-05)
I recently started training for my first marathon, and I learned immediately about “the stick.” Apparently, I was one of the few that DIDN’T know about this amazing product. Most people write “love” on one side and “hate” on the other side of the stick. The stick definitely gives you a chance to dig in a massage any muscle, bringing blood flow back to the muscle to heal it. It really is so nice to get a massage after running.

Just an FYI, the yellow handle stick is great for those beginning out in the sport. It’s a little more flexible and the length a tad bit longer than some of the professional lengths. I highly recommend it!

handy gadget! (2009-02-17)
i like this self-massager because it is portable and easy to use. It is perfect for those of us whose muscles are usually tender and need just light massage to benefit.

also great for swimmers (2009-01-09)
I am a college swimmer, and my coach has a few of these on deck that are available for use post-practice. The stick is great for working out leg cramps, but I also use it on my shoulders, neck, and back. I find that this particular model of the stick is the best match for massaging body parts other than my legs (esp. shoulders) due to its flexibility. This is a great buy for any athlete.

For more testimonials from people I have met go here.

 

 

Choosing The Right Massage Stick

This post is a follow- up from a post I created called “The Different Stick Models“.  In that post on Jan 31, 2008, I created a video that explained the different models according to length and flexibility.  A gentlemen by the name of Van wrote a comment saying “Could you make a video helping folks to choose “which” model to buy? This is a great video which shows all the different models, but I’m still confused by ‘which’ model I should buy. For example, provide comparisons on the sprinter model versus the marathon model, compare the body to the stiff stick, etc, to help people choose the right stick for them.”

I will create a video, but let’s first get the basics down first.  We need to keep in mind that body types, height, weight and muscle density vary from person to person.  That is why there are so many different models. 

When I speak of muscle density, I am referring to how heavily an individual is muscled.  For example, do they have the body of The Incredible Hulk or they built like a long and lean Marathon Runner?

Categorized by muscle density: (Note: Sticks are listed from shortest to longest)

• Heavy, dense muscle = Sprinter Stick, Stiff Stick, Big Stick
• Medium, average muscle = Travel Stick, Original Body Stick, Power Stick
• Light, lean muscle = Marathon Stick, Flex Stick

Let’s now explore the rigidity of The Stick.  Basically, every Stick has the same components; handles, spindles and a core.  The core is what makes The Stick stiff or flexible.  The term “standard” refers to a Stick that has a medium flex to it.  A stiffer Stick will give a deeper massage with little effort.  Think of a wooden spoon compared to a plastic spatula.  The wooden spoon offers very little flexibility, where as the spatula can contour to the substance (muscle) a little easier. 

Categorized by rigidity: (Note: Sticks are listed from shortest to longest)

• Stiff Models- Sprinter Stick, Stiff Stick, Big Stick
• Standard Models - Travel Stick, Original Body Stick, Power Stick
• Flexible Models- Marathon Stick, Flex Stick

Note:  Any Stick can be made more stiff my sliding one of your hands onto the spindles (choking up)!

Now we will categorize by the length of The Stick.  The longer models are made for taller individuals.  A longer model also allows for greater ease of movement for working on back muscles.  The longest models are meant for people over 6′2″.

Categorized by length: (Note: Sticks are listed from flexible to stiff)

• Long Models – Flex Stick, Power Stick, Big Stick
• Medium Models – Original Body Stick, Stiff Stick
• Short Models – Marathon Stick, Travel Stick, Sprinter Stick

Here is a comparison chart:

Short Models	Rigidity	Common Usage	Addition Info.
Marathon Stick	Flexible	Lean muscles	Adults,Children,Seniors
Travel Stick	Standard	Average muscles	Great for travelling
Sprinter Stick	Stiff	Heavy muscles	Short and stiff
Medium Models	Rigidity	Common Usage	Addition Info.
Original Body Stick	Standard	Average muscles, full body	Very versatile
Stiff Stick	Stiff	Heavy muscles, full body	Stiff and powerful
Long Models	Rigidity	Common Usage	Addition Info.
Flex Stick	Flexible	Lean muscles, full body	Tall people
Power Stick	Standard	Average muscles, full body	Tall people
Big Stick	Stiff	Heavy muscles, full body	Tall people

I hope this helps!!  To say the least, it is The Original Body Stick that can easily meet the needs of the average person.

Original Body Stick

Please feel free to contact me @ www.thestick.ca or leave a comment below.

The Different Stick Models

I am on a video kick now!!

I have just created a video explaining the different Stick models.

Where to keep The Stick?

 

To be totaly honest, I was skeptical when I first purchased a Marathon Stick two years ago.  Now my body craves The Stick!

Here are some helpful Stick tips.  In order to make the most of a good thing, we (my wife,kids and I) have Sticks on every level of our house!  We have a Trigger Wheel in the kitchen and a Body Stick on the main floor.  Upstairs, we have a Marathon Stick.  We also keep a Travel Stick in our developed basement.

What am I getting at?  It is easy to explain.  If you do not have your Stick handy, you probably will not use it as much as if it was at arms length.  Many of our good friends tell us that they keep their Sticks on their coffee tables!  They often joke with us when we visit them by showing that they do use their Stick by pointing out that it is not stashed away in a closet somewhere.

On another note, when I am working at a fitness fair or expo, I get countless people who slow down or stop by and tell me that they already have a Stick!  My response is always the same….. “Great!  Are you using it everyday?”  I get all sorts of answers.  Some people explain that they only use their Stick when their muscles hurt.  Others say that they use it everyday.  I also have some people who say that they need to use it more.  I love it when these “Stick Users” come by and share their stories with me.  The bottom line is you should be using your Stick everyday to maximize the full potential of The Stick!

I have come up with a plan to help ”Stick Users” stay up to date and motivated.  On my website: Zealous Vitality.ca, I have created a section where you can register with me and receive updates via email.  You can see the area on the left side menu titled “Please register to receive the latest updates!”  Your information will not be shared with anyone.  I already have many people on my mailing list who receive emails from Zealous Vitality who are already enjoying my updates.

Bye for now and keep on roll’n.