There are commercial massage products that have a J-hook shape for reaching the hard-to-reach back areas. But I use and prefer a field hockey stick. Track down a stick from the attic or basement; ask your sister, mother, daughter, or Indo-Pakistani cousin. The older models with a longer, more English-shaped head (see photo) make the best probe for muscles that are tight or in spasm. The more modern models with stubby or hooked heads at the end of the stick don’t have as long a reach or as pointed an end to reach the small muscles between the vertebra.
The field hockey stick can be used in a two-handed manner reaching the upper spinal muscle area over either shoulder or around to the mid and lower back reaching under either arm. Work gently and sensitively on the muscles, avoid painful contact and avoid work on any vertebral bones. You want to gently press on the soft tissue between bones or in muscle-mass. You can often locate a sore point or area with the tip of the stick, apply moderate (but not uncomfortable) pressure and gently twist the spinal area effecting a stretch or opening in the tight area. Probe further and repeat the pressure with the stick and the opening stretch. When you find affected painful areas, don’t work long or hard -- just give the feeling of relief, ease and openness to the area. Avoid over-working or bruising the soft tissue. In this self-treatment, you are in charge. You are aiming at pain relief not pain creation. You are responsible and you are the expert on how you feel.
