Two emerging back massage products - Chirp Wheel and QL Claw - came into the market by storm over the last few years. Although quite different in shape and function, both Chirp Wheel and QL Claw attempt to solve the same crippling problem of back pain via their non-invasive massage techniques. This article reviews the Chirp Wheel product alongside our own - the QL Claw.
QL Claw vs. Chirp Wheel
What Is Chirp Wheel?
The Chirp Wheel is a novel variation of the foam roller, designed to massage the paraspinal muscles with more intensity than its predecessor. Chirp Wheel utilizes the same motion as the foam roller, and upon first inspection it could actually appear no different. However, unlike foam roller Chirp Wheel massages the spinal erectors with great intensity - potentially breaking up a lot of tension and tightness correlated to back pain.
How Does Chirp Wheel Work?
Chirp Wheel works by rolling out the spinal erector (aka paraspinal) muscle group adjacent to the spine. These muscles can develop a ton of tension and pressure when sitting with poor posture - which many of us unconcsiously do all day every day. Chirp Wheel massages these muscles nicely, while also arching the back in the opposite direction of hunchback posture - potentially correcting spinal alignment as well.
Chirp Wheel's second function touched on above is extremely important - arching the back to combat slouched, rounded shoulder posture. This alone is enough to provide benefit, just like with the back cracker board.
Chirp Wheel vs. QL Claw
If you are deciding between a rolling massage tool such as Chirp Wheel against a deep tissue trigger point tool like QL Claw, one could be much better for your case than the other. Both have merit and both can provide the quick relief you are looking for via different mechanisms. Here are a few differences between the two.
Chirp Wheel
Chirp Wheel is a great posture corrector for the average desk jockey. It will help a ton to undo the slouched, rounded shoulder posture most folks hold while sitting. If you sit 8+ hours a day like the hunchback of Notre Dame, hopping on the Chirp Wheel after work should feel amazing.
QL Claw
QL Claw is a deep tissue massage tool designed to bust up years of muscle tension in specific muscles that contribute to lower back pain. Think of QL Claw as a sniper approach that a physical or massage therapist would take with their thumbs, knuckles, and elbows. If you have years of built up low back, hip, and glute tension QL Claw is for you.
Is Chirp Wheel Right For Me?
In short - probably. If you sit down, need help with posture, or just enjoy a deep tissue roll along the spine (which includes nearly everybody), Chirp Wheel is great. However, if you have a deeper, more complex back muscle problem QL Claw is the way to go. QL Claw was designed to release the 5 major muscles that contribute to lower back pain when tight via deep tissue massage tactics. QL Claw is much deeper and targeted than a foam roller or Chirp Wheel, and is more for folks battling lower back and hip pains directly.
Both QL Claw and Chirp Wheel have a place in your home. Each tool helps different individuals with different ailments - maybe one day you need the Chirp Wheel and maybe the next you need the Claw.
Final Chirp Wheel Review vs. QL Claw
If it is the budget and you have an ultra-screwed up lower back, I honestly recommend both tools. Back pain relief is worth more than the cost of either product. If you only choose one, do your best to review your symptoms and determine which tool is most likely to treat your particular condition. For more on lower back trigger points and how they can contribute to lower back pain (and potentially be relieved by Chirp Wheel and QL Claw) - read the article below next: