new (old) finger/forearm massage tool

I just started using a "bodo" on my forearm muscles. I like it because it makes it easy to dig in deep to get at the muscles that drive my fingertips for gripping holds (the Flexor Digitorum Profundus muscles/tendons are profound / deep)

Bodo is offered on this page -- scroll down to Self Help Equipment and click on Bodo.
Basically a wooden rod for applying focused pressure, attached to a wider wooden handle for easy control and force with the other hand and arm.

Comes in three sizes. The web page suggests that Small is appropriate for fingers and forearms, but I've been doing just fine with the Medium.

The Bodo was invented (a long time ago?) by a great climber (FA of ultra-classic Gunks 5.9) who was also famous.

My story on finger/forearm massage is that I started with a roller bar. Then tried the ArmAid and liked that at first -- until after I noticed that while it helped to learn where my usual finger-forearm pain "trigger points" were -- but it wasn't much good for intense massage into those deep FDP gripping muscles.

So then I found that using my own knuckles to dig in -- which worked well.
. (I also tried the clever suggestion of putting my forearm down on the floor and using my opposite elbow -- but somehow I often got a sudden leg cramp while doing that).

Recently Sharon and I got interested in the history of the famous Gunks climber, so looked at her website and decided to try her equipment.

Tried the Bodo, quickly decided that I liked it better than my own knuckles. Now I find myself using it lots after intense climbing workouts.

Often I find that pain which I am first aware of in some finger joint can be traced back to one of more "trigger points" found by probing in my forearm. I can easily work on those with the Bodo.

Ken

photos of BoDo

medium-size BoDo that I own and use lots:

massaging my forearm -- like that expensive tool, but more focused + intense


precise focus into my elbow


another mode -- using side of Bodo on my upper arm


yet another mode -- using bottom disk on my bicep


massaging a spot that other expensive tool won't help


other sizes of the Bodo . (photo from official website )