Many of us have those newish melt rollers that have some give to them (in contrast to the classic foam rollers which are hard as rock). You know, the ones that Ando recommends for laying on top of to push elevated ribs in.

While poking around Amazon, I saw that there is a new book on using them to relieve chronic pain:

"The MELT Method" by Sue Hitzmann
http://www.amazon.com/The-MELT-Metho...dp/0062065351/

The reviews are pretty good. I have ordered it just today. I still get rib pain all the time. My most frequent complaint now.

Anyway, if you try it, please post your experiences in this thread.

Hi,

I had heard about the MELT method just a few days ago. I was wondering how much an investment the roller etc are? My surgery is coming up June 18 with Dr. Donahue. I asked him when I would be starting PT and he said, (paraphrasing) I'm not really a fan of PT, I think he means after surgery as I know he has had people try it before. I don't expect I'd be using it right away of course, however I have friends who use those really hard rollers and her book and roller sounded a lot more pleasing.

I'm seeing ones on Amazon for $35 - $55. I searched for "soft roller".

I haven't had a chance to get into the book yet. Although I do the "Neck Decompress" that someone else posted about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1Fu-m-MxKE

My rib pain that I mentioned has diminished since doing the inversion table which I've posted about elsewhere.

I have never met a TOS surgeon who *is* a fan of physical therapy.

They don't even talk to each other.

When one doc thought I had cubital tunnel, he sent me to their physical therapist and she had no idea what she was supposed to do with me. She called the doctor and still had no idea.

Thanks for such a quick response.

No problem. I forgot to mention that the other thing I do with the roller is to roll my t-spine back and forth on it to crack my back.

OPTP makes the MELT roller. The OPTP soft pink roller is identical aside from color and can be found cheaper (I ordered from amazon).

http://www.optp.com/Pro-Roller-Soft_PSFR36.aspx

Me too. Just be sure to keep the roller parallel to the spine when rolling your back and perpendicular when mobilizing side and front of ribs.

Hmm, parallel to the spine? I put it perpendicular to the spine and roll on my back, up and down. As seen in most of these vids:

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...m+roller+spine

Cool, looks like both orientations are beneficial. Thanks.