Below are a list of products I recommend to my clients if you would like to take some initiative caring for your body in between massages. This is not an exhaustive list and please do not consider this to be medical advice. My recommendations are specific to my knowledge and experience as a massage therapist. As always, proper diet, exercise, and sleep are necessary for maintaining a healthy and comfortable body.
Supplements: many people are deficient in magnesium and it plays an important role in muscle tension and the sensation of pain in our bodies. Not all forms of magnesium are equal in terms of bioavailability and I tend to recommend magnesium glycinate since it is relatively inexpensive and is bioavailable when compared to some other popular forms of magnesium supplements. Getting sufficient amounts of protein and supplementing with a fish oil (omega 3 fatty acids) can also help improve muscle health. Collagen and vitamin d supplementation is also important, especially for those with dietary restrictions.
Gua Sha Stones: These come in different shapes, sizes, and materials and allow you to easily massage facial, scalp, neck and other muscle groups. I tend to stay away from the roller types since they don't hold up as well as others and aren't as versatile. There are some resources on youtube to teach yourself how to use these stones effectively.
Barefoot shoes: I almost always wear barefoot shoes and it appears as though they have helped me to alleviate foot and low back tension while improving balance and stability on my feet. If you have medically diagnosed problems with your feet or ankles consult your doctor first. This type of footwear initially has a learning curve since there are muscles that atrophy with regular use of heeled and cushioned footwear, so you may have to get used to them. Once your feet and lower leg muscles have strengthened some you will notice the benefits. Some companies I have purchased from in the past are Xero and Lems.
Massage Gun: Some people enjoy having these at home to provide themselves percussion therapy. It has been my experience that if you find this type of therapy useful it is worth it to pay more for a high quality device than it is to buy a cheap one. They tend not to last very long. If you want to try out a massage gun you are welcome to at the office if you come in for a massage.
Reflexology Ball: these are firm, usually nubbed, golf ball sized spheres used to work on tense spots in the hands and feet. I usually place mine on a table and push my hand into it for relieving hand tension. For my feet I place it on the ground and push various points on my feet into it (or stand and shift weight on the foot you are treating).
Epsom salts: Used in baths or foot soaks to provide relief for tense and sore muscles. Some are scented, but I prefer to add my own essential oils to the water if I want a nice scent.
Shakti Mat: Think mat with a spiky plastic surface upon which you rest your back or stand. This takes some getting used to. At first it may feel somewhat uncomfortable but if you stick with it you will feel circulation increase to the effected area then you will feel those muscles start to relax into the surface. The original version is quite expensive but there are plenty of knock offs that are probably just as good.
Foam roller/Yoga wheel: These are both great tools for applying pressure to various muscle groups and to provide a decompressive force on the spine and manipulate the spine into extension while opening the chest (specifically the yoga wheel). It is hard to describe how the yoga wheel works, it is easiest to look up a video demonstration. Be careful with this product if you have any spinal issues.
Ice/Heat Gel Packs: These come in many forms but I prefer the gel kind that can be put in the freezer or microwave depending on whether you would like cold or hot therapy. Even though icing can be uncomfortable it can be very effective at reducing inflammation in muscles and joints. Some of these products are designed to wrap around specific parts of your body (shoulder, hands/wrist, low back, etc.). If you think it would be difficult to effectively treat the desired part of your body with a simple, flat ice pack then consider looking into these customized types.
Head/Scalp Massager: this almost resembles a whisk that doesn't come together at the end of the wires. This can be great for stimulating the scalp which can be somewhat relieving to the muscles in the face and scalp. Many people are unaware how tense these muscles are and may not even think of their face and scalp as a muscular area of their body. These are most pleasant when someone else uses them on you but they are beneficial to self apply as well.
Cups: Applying cups to yourself is easy (certain areas at least) and relatively fool proof. A simple google search should help you determine where it is safe to apply cups and how long to apply them for. These will leave marks (resembling a circular bruise) typically for a few days, some of the stronger cups (glass or hard plastic) may leave marks longer and feel more intense when applied. You can find inexpensive sets of silicone cups on amazon or massage supply stores.
Bolster: Having a few bolsters of different shapes and sizes can be great for assisting in positional release of various muscle groups. They can also be used to help you stay in a neutral position while sleeping to avoid chronic tension resulting from poor sleep positioning.