A cord extends through a cylindrical member. A pair of rubber washer stop devices are frictionally mounted on the cord and are movably positionable on the cord for holding the member in a desired position on the cord. Handles are affixed to the ends of the cord. Sleeve-type covers are provided on the cylindrical member for application to the back of a user.

An applicator implement for massaging the body and for spreading lotion or cream over portions of the body is disclosed. The applicator has at least one axle, usually four, and on the one or each axle there are mounted a plurality of wheel components that are rotatable independently one of another. Each wheel component is formed of a soft and pliable material so as to be resilient when pressed against the body, and comprises at least five major faces around its periphery--usually six--where each major face is gently concavely curved and the transition between adjacent major faces is more prominently convexly curved. Each of the wheel components is of substantially constant thickness from side to side, at least at the periphery thereof.

A massaging device constructed as a set of massaging elements comprising disc-shaped rollers rotatably mounted on the ends of a plurality of transversely-positioned axles spaced apart along the length of a strap and retained by the strap. The axles and rollers are designed so that the axles are flush-mounted with the outer face of the rollers, and the axles do not project beyond the rollers, eliminating any possibility of injuring the skin while massaging. The strap is designed to insure that the massaging elements do not become entangled, while preserving the stability and flexibility of the device. The ends of the strap are provided with wide handles, providing additional comfort during use. The inventive design provides an inexpensive, light, sturdy, safe and easy-to-use massaging device.

The invention provides devices and methods for therapeutically treating a variety of body parts. An exemplary massage device comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A head is attached to the distal end of the shaft and includes a plurality of surface for interaction with a body part. At least two of the surfaces on the head each include a plurality of resilient knobs which are distributed over their surfaces. The knobs on one of the two surfaces are different from the knobs on the other surface. A handle is removably attached to the proximal end of the shaft.

A flexible strand is provided with pressure applying nodules spaced therealong so that the strand may be looped around various deeper body muscle groups to apply pressure to the muscle groups and relieve muscle pain. An optional bar may be also used, either by itself, or with the flexible strand, to apply pressure to muscles which are close to the surface of the body.