Where does it hurt?

For most healthy adults, yes. Tri-Aid is a self-massage tool, which means you are always in control of how much pressure goes in, and that is the main safety feature. Start gently, build up slowly, and let comfort be your guide rather than pushing for intensity.

How to use it safely

• Start with light pressure for around 30 seconds on a spot, and build up over a few sessions as you get used to how it feels.
• You are aiming for firm, releasing pressure that you can breathe through. If you are bracing, holding your breath, or gritting your teeth, you have gone too far.
• Keep each area to a few minutes at most, and no more than two or three sessions a day.
• For the neck and the base of the skull, lie down on the floor or a firm bed rather than standing against a wall. Lying down gives you far more control over how much of your body weight goes through the device.
• Give an area at least a day before working it hard again.
• Mild tenderness for a day or so afterwards is normal, in the same way it is after a deep tissue massage. Bruising, sharp pain, or pain that is still building the next day is not, and means you were pressing too hard.

If you are new to trigger point work, or you are not sure whether Tri-Aid is right for your situation, have a chat with your GP, physio, chiro or myotherapist first.

Stop straight away, and speak with your GP or a qualified practitioner, if at any point you notice:

• Sharp, shooting or electric pain, or pain that travels down your arm or leg
• Pins and needles, numbness, tingling or burning
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, spinning sensations, or feeling faint
• Changes to your vision, including blurring or double vision
• Slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, or numbness or weakness in your face
• Nausea
• A sudden or severe headache, or a headache unlike any you have had before
• Any symptom that gets worse rather than better during or after use

Persistent bruising, swelling, or skin that stays red and sore well after a session means the pressure is too high. Ease right off.

Please check with your GP or practitioner before using Tri-Aid if you:

• Have had a recent neck or back injury, including whiplash, or any recent trauma to the area
• Have had spinal surgery, a fusion, a disc replacement, or have surgical hardware in the area
• Have osteoporosis, osteopenia, or have been told your bone density is reduced
• Have rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, or another inflammatory arthritis, particularly where it affects the neck
• Have Down syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, or another condition associated with joint instability or hypermobility
• Take blood thinners or antiplatelet medication, or have a bleeding or clotting disorder
• Have a history of stroke, TIA, arterial dissection, aneurysm, or significant cardiovascular disease
• Have a current or past cancer diagnosis, particularly one involving the bones
• Have reduced sensation anywhere you want to use it, including from diabetes, nerve damage or spinal cord injury. Tri-Aid relies on you feeling the pressure, so reduced sensation removes the safeguard.
• Have had lymph nodes removed, or have lymphoedema
• Have a history of deep vein thrombosis, or currently have leg pain, swelling or redness
• Have been on long-term corticosteroid medication
• Are pregnant or recently postpartum
• Have an implanted medical device in or near the area you want to use it on, such as a shunt, port, pump or stimulator
• Are currently unwell, feverish, or have an active infection

Don't use Tri-Aid:

• On the front or sides of your throat
• Directly over the bony bumps of your spine, over the bony edges of your shoulder blades, or over any other bone rather than muscle
• Over broken skin, cuts, grazes, burns, rashes, sunburn, recent scars or surgical sites
• Over bruises, swelling, or an area that is hot, red or inflamed
• Over any lump, mole or skin change you don't have an explanation for
• Over varicose veins
• On children, or by anyone under 16 without adult supervision
• While driving, or anywhere you could fall
• If the device is cracked, split or damaged in any way

Tri-Aid is a self-massage tool for everyday muscle tension. It isn't a substitute for medical care or hands-on treatment. If you have pain that is persistent, severe, worsening, waking you at night, or new and unexplained, please see your GP.