Armaid is a therapeutic self-administered massage device for relaxing, releasing and stretching the tissues of the forearm and hand. Armaid can help to relieve the pain and discomfort of computer-related Repetitive Strain Injuries, muscle tension, carpal tunnel syndrome, golfer's elbow, tennis elbow, tendonitis, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, and lymphedema.
Armaid uses a patented lever design to mimic the techniques of professional mobility massage, and puts the user in control of the pressure and direction of the massage stroke. The device can be customized with four, interchangeable rollers of varying densities, allowing the user to deliver just the right amount of pressure— from focused, intense release of muscles and fascia, to gentle enhancement of circulation.
Armaid is sturdy, durable and lightweight. It is designed to be used in a seated position, with the device resting freely on the thigh, or strapped to the thigh for additional stability.
Note: Leg Strap accessory is included with the Armaid Package and the Armaid Complete only. Otherwise sold separately.
Helps to Improve Circulation - Armaid stretches and releases muscle tissue, helping to improve blood flow throughout the forearm, wrist and hand.
Helps to Release Trigger Points - Armaid applies targeted pressure, helping to release the painful, knotted muscle fibres known as trigger points.
Helps to Loosen Muscles - Can be used for targeted, pre-event loosening and warm-up of muscles in the arms.
Targeted Exercises
**Disclaimer: All usage guidelines are provided by the manufacturer. If you have any questions or need clarification on what therapy is appropriate for you, please contact Armaid.
Most times the problem in the wrist is from a general tendonitis which is an inflamed wrist area from the flexor muscles in the forearm constantly pulling on the tendons that pass through delicate sheaths in the wrist into the hand.
The Armaid circulatory massage technique can be used to find sore flexor muscles on the underside of the forearm. The elbow area in particular should be massaged all the way towards the wrist. If any sore spots are found, the trigger point therapy technique is advised to relieve the tightness.
As the wrist is reached, the foam roller may be used in this increasingly soft and exposed area. The firm roller should never be used directly if the area is tender and sore. As tender areas are found the hands should be flexed slowly as gentle pressure is applied. This allows a gentle flush of blood and nutrients into the tendon sheaths.
This therapy should be performed twice a day, one to two minutes at a time at first to see how the hand and wrist respond. If symptoms increase in severity, discontinue using Armaid and seek professional medical assistance from a healthcare provider with experience in repetitive strain problems.
When muscles are overworked they chronically pull on the tendon attachments causing irritation at those attachment points. This may cause inflammation, tenderness, pain, weakness and stiffness. If the tendon is inflamed, ice packs may be used several times a day to relieve the initial swelling and rest from activity. The circulatory massage technique is recommended by using a softer attachment in the muscle, not at the tendon, to relieve the muscle’s built up tension and to increase range of motion. Build up to the harder attachments as pain and swelling subside.
Armaid is designed to find the muscles that hold the constant tension that effects those tendon attachments.
Explore all the areas of the arm to find which muscles may be responsible for the pain and problems at the wrist, hand and elbow.
Sore forearms can come from any number of sports and occupational activities; virtually any movement done often enough can cause repetitive strain that is felt in the forearm muscles.
Holding the hands in a static position for long periods of time can also cause strain. Two common examples would be typing on a computer keyboard with your hands slightly angled in this position or someone who holds their hands for long periods of time in one position and perform micro-movements with instruments such as dentists and hygienists.
Most forearm pain can be found in the top portion of the arm, the extensor area.
The top portion of the arm should be massaged while using the circulatory and trigger point massage techniques.
These therapies allow oxygen and nutrients to flow into the muscle tissue while lactic acid and other metabolic waste products are flushed away. Muscles begin to regain their full range of motion and natural levels of strength will return.
De Quervain's Syndrome, which causes thumb pain, can stem from any number of repetitive tasks such as grasping and gripping objects, playing video games, typing on a keyboard and text messaging. The pain originates in thin muscles just below the wrist crease and into the base of the thumb.
Since the muscles below the wrist are so thin and next to bone, the soft rollers should be used for therapy in this area. The user should begin by finding soreness in this area using the circulatory massage technique. When soreness is found, trigger point therapy should be used to hold the sore spot while moving the hand at the wrist to create a sense of useful pain.
Next, move the center ball to the base of the thumb and find any sore spots. Again use the trigger point technique by pressing into the spot and move the thumb in circles. Explore different angles into the fleshy portion of the thumb and find the right movement to use while using the trigger point therapy. This technique should be done slowly at first in order to find where painful muscles are.
Golfer's Elbow is the result of the underside flexor muscles in the forearm retaining tension after a sports activity or a long day's work. These muscles pull on the inside portion of the elbow.
Use both the circulatory and trigger point massage therapies to explore the flexor muscles from the mid-forearm all the way up towards the inside into the elbow, looking for tight and sore muscles.
After the forearm muscles below the elbow have been massaged, move the Armaid so the center ball is on the elbow crease.
To effectively relieve the tendons in the elbow area, place the center ball on a sore spot at the elbow and move the entire forearm up and down as the sore spot is held.
Also check the triceps muscle by putting Armaid into the above position, looking for any soreness as these muscles attach into the elbow. Move the forearm up and down while holding the center ball on any tight spots in the triceps.
Continue to find any other sore areas in and around the elbow using this technique. Go slow and only massage for a few minutes at a time, two to three times a day at first.
Tennis Elbow is the result of extensor muscles that are not stretched or relieved of tension after a long period of work or sports activity. These muscles then pull on their tendons at the topside of the elbow.
Circulatory and trigger point massage therapies should be used to explore the muscles from mid-forearm all the way up towards the elbow, looking for tight and sore muscles.
After the forearm muscles below the elbow have been massaged, move the attachment, putting the center ball directly on the elbow crease.
To effectively relieve the tendons in this area, place the center ball on a sore spot at the elbow and move the entire forearm up and down while holding the sore spot with Armaid. Repeat this technique at each elbow joint sore spot.
The biceps muscle should also be checked by putting Armaid in the above position, looking for any soreness as these muscles attach into the elbow area. Move the forearm up and down while holding the center ball on any tight spots in the biceps.
This technique can be continued to find any other sore areas in and around the elbow. For new users, use Armaid for a few minutes at a time, two to three times a day.
There are several reasons why lymph fluid is retained in the hand and forearm. One of the most common is when a woman has had a mastectomy and has also had her lymph nodes removed from her armpit. This causes unrestricted flow of lymph into her arms and hands.
In order to move the lymph back up towards the chest, use the foam roller in a squeegee type motion starting in the hand and rolling up towards the elbow then up the upper arm.
Do not create any sense of pain and use Armaid gently. It will take several minutes to allow lymph to find its way up the arm. It might be possible to see the bones in the back of the hand and some muscle definition may return to the arm as fluid is removed.
Repeat these steps as often as necessary to relieve hands and arms of accumulated lymph fluid.
Sturdy, Flexible, Lightweight: Armaid weighs only one pound, yet is strong enough to be used by body builders and others with greater than average muscle mass
High Success Rate: An independent clinical study concluded that people using Armaid experienced an 85% decrease in symptoms associated with their condition, and 80% experienced an increase in strength, range of motion and their ability to perform work. Read the study.
Customized Relief:
Soft roller for the wrist and hand, for gentle improvement of circulation, and for use on sensitive or inflamed tissues
Medium and Firm rollers for the forearms, deep tissue massage and myofascial release
Extreme, or dense, roller for focused, intense release of the forearm muscles
Length of Flexible Attachment Rods: 4.875" (12.4 cm)
Length of Cushioned Roller: 5" (12.7 cm)
Diameter of Roller Balls: 1" (2.5 cm)
Weight of Each Roller: 1.5 oz (42.5 grams)
Material, Firm Roller Balls: Delrin, a durable, smooth plastic compound that is warm to the touch.
Material, Soft Roller Balls: Hypoallergenic artificial rubber compound used in the medical industry for its inert qualities.
Material, Body: Polypropylene with 30%
resin fibers for added
strength.
Material, Strap: Neoprene with both sides of the strap embedded with nylon cloth for smooth, flexible and comfortable fit around the leg.
Material, Rods: High-density nylon tubing with high tensile flexible steel wires inserted for consistent flex without deformation. Solid brass caps at the rod ends ensure a tough metal surface for the rods to keep their integrity during use. Some Armaid users have used their attachments for several years before needing to replace from wear.
