What I’m once again using for back soreness (usually after training) — Roughly seven years ago, I injured my shoulder and lat in handstand training. This needle pad was recommended to me by Cirque du Soleil performer and freak of nature Andrii Bondarenko (here’s one example of his astonishing skill and strength) as one means to speed recovery. In Ukraine, he used this type of mat daily after strenuous acrobatics practice, particularly for back pain. I’ve found 6–10 minutes per session, 1–2 times per day, to have a near-miraculous effect on mid-back issues (and thoracic mobility, oddly). It could be placebo, of course, but after years of use, I’ve found it consistently helpful. Important caveat: start slow, my eager little friends. The “thorns” are sharp. There are also many different brands available (e.g., “Bed of Nails”), as this has become a commodity product.