I am always on the lookout to find and try out new recovery tools. Doesn’t every runner want to find that one piece of equipment (or torture device) that will instantly speed up recovery? No runner wants to be sidelined with pain or injury. I was offered the chance to check out the Sidekick Swerve Muscle scraper. All opinions are my own.
Sidekick Swerve Recovery Tool
If you have ever received soft tissue treatment by a physical therapist, perhaps you have seen similar looking gadgets. I admit, at first glance, the Sidekick swerve looks a little intimidating. It arrives in a sturdy zippered case that reveals its shiny stainless steel beauty.
What is the Sidekick Swerve exactly?
The Swerve is a smooth scraping instrument used to target tight or aching muscles. Instructions are to prep your skin with a lubricating balm (included with my kit). This allows the Swerve to move smoothly over the targeted muscles. “Sidekick’s tools release adhesions under the skin from muscle overuse or injuries. This improves blood flow around the area and consequently, your muscles and joints feel looser, lighter, and more fluid.” (source)
A few months back, I was receiving regular soft tissue massage for my tight calf muscle at my Physical Therapist’s office. While I did find relief at my sessions, it became time-consuming to get to regular appointments. I started using the Swerve on my tight calves and found I could target that same area more directly than I could with a foam roller. Definitely, much more convenient for regular treatment. I am in no way suggesting that PT is unnecessary for some injuries. Please make your own informed decisions.
The curved design of the Swerve Echo scraper allows me to access both smaller areas such as the arches of my feet as well as larger areas like hamstrings and calves. You can apply as little or as much pressure as feels right to you. More recently I have been targeting my hamstring muscles with the help of my trainer. I feel a much deeper targeting of my hamstrings using the Swerve vs a foam roller.
On days where I am feeling a little twinge of that old plantar fasciitis pop up, a few minutes of targeted pressure with the Swerve Echo provides some immediate relief to the arch of my foot. My own photos did not do the product justice so instead, I am going to share a youtube video showing the Swerve in action.
Through “Sidekick University” you can find how-to videos for almost every body part. These are free of charge and available here.
This looks similar to what my chiro uses for ART. But boy is it painful.
Yes it is similar to the instruments that some Chiros and PT’s use for therapy. You can control the pressure when you do it on yourself
Sounds like another great tool for the runners’ recovery toolbox! Did it hurt like scraping does?
When I’ve had it done by a PT yes it really hurts at times. When you do it to yourself, you can control the pressure. I think you could use it more often if you do it more gently.
This looks very interesting. I’m all about trying new recovery tools!
I love to try new recovery tools as well. Now I just have to use them all more often 🙂
I think my ART doc uses something similar to this. It never feels “good” but I always feel better after he uses it on me!
I agree, I don’t think it feels good while you are using them. Does feel good afterwards
My PT used something similar and it was painful in the moment. The good kind of pain where you feel it releasing tension from muscles though!
Yes that’s is exactly how it works!
My husband would LOVE for me to get this tool and use it on him, hahaha! He always seems to have sore muscles and achy joints. Scares me for the future because it seems like he is going to have arthritis! Instead of me getting things like this for him, I try to get him to down glucosamine! LOL!
Sounds like a great gift in the making!
Interesting tool. At the moment I only use a mio-care tens but I think I have to try something of new.
I do like to try new tings and test them out too
Interesting!!! I like my foam roller, but it is bulky and not always “precise” enough to hit every spot. This tool looks like a great recovery tool!
I agree the foam roller is a great tool but cannot get into the smaller places. This sidekick also goes much deeper
Oh no! You forgot the discount link!
You know how much I love my gadgets. I think I’ve read about this before, and I’ve read good things about it. It definitely sounds very convenient!
You are much better at taking advantage of your gadgets too. Oops don’t know why my link did not stick should be there now and is good for the whole site. Let me now if you try anything
Before I read any of this I couldn’t decide if it looked more like a shoehorn or one of those gadgets to get an avocado out.
Sounds like great for our feet. I had to roll mine the other day. Forgot how wonderful that “hurts so good” can feel
Ha ha have not tried it on avocado! I do think it’s perfect for the arch of the foot
I’ve never heard of nor seen this tool. It does look painful but if it helps with recovery then sign me up.
It sure does help with recovery and they have some other interesting items as well
Sounds like a great way to provide instant relief. Thanks for the comprehensive review
Thanks for checking it out
I bet this is extremely useful! So nice that you can control the pressure yourself!
That is one of the great benefits for sure
I’ve never heard of ‘muscle scraping’. The term itself makes it sound intimidating, but your post helps clarify that it’s not a torture tool like I imagined! It sounds like a great tool for your recovery arsenal!
It does sound and look a little scary at first!
That looks pretty interesting. I’m going to look more into it!
It is interesting and an effective way to get into some of those nagging spots
This seems so cool! I love foam rolling but sometimes I don’t feel like I can apply as much pressure as I’d like with it. This may be a good option to try!
Yes exactly! It’s a great option to have to get into those deeper spots
Interesting – I’ve heard talk of these being used on people but didn’t realise you could get them yourself. Sounds like it’s been a good fit for you.
Yes I did not know either until I saw it a few months ago.