Sometimes I get home from work and my feet are so sore I don’t want to move. All my plans for the evening include is curling up on the couch, feet lifted from the floor, with the latest box set of Game of Thrones. Venturing out, despite invites from friends, is about as appealing as a trip north of the wall (GoT again, sorry!).
Sound familiar?
Being able to rest and prop your feet up helps, but when was the last time you treated yourself to a relaxing foot massage? I know, it’s not always easy to find someone willing to massage your feet. Hiring a masseuse may appeal but isn’t that practical for the average budget.
The best foot massage ball will help to ease those aches and pains to have you moonwalking better than Michael Jackson ever did.
Whether you need something to relieve those daily foot aches and pains, or you’re suffering from a chronic condition, we’ve got you covered. The best foot massage ball is great for getting an effective massage without having to leave the house or hire a masseur. Let’s look at how these small spiky balls can help with your foot pain before looking at some top-selling balls.
What Is a Foot Massage Ball?
When you get that nagging pain or aches in your feet be assured you’re not alone. In fact, nearly eight out of 10 Americans suffer with foot pain according to a new survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association. Foot pain can impact your quality of life and make simple tasks like walking so much more difficult, let alone strutting your stuff down the local bar on a Friday night.
Those weird-looking spiky massage balls you often see in your local Walmart were first created in Denmark. They were designed to help depressed psychiatric patients and lift their moods with stimulating massage. A simple design, they’re made from a durable plastic or rubber that’s covered with spikes that often have rounded or blunt ends.
Available in a variety of sizes, massage balls have been used by physiotherapists and massage therapists for many years to relieve muscle tightness. They’re becoming popular for home use, especially among athletes and people with chronic conditions like plantar fasciitis. As well as playing an important medical role in relieving pain and boosting flexibility, using a massage ball can be enjoyable too.
The Benefits of Foot Massage Balls
The best foot massage ball works by stimulating the tissues below the skin and improving circulation. When used with relaxed breathing techniques, the spikes can apply pressure to relieve muscle tension too. And the best part is you control the pressure—it can be as hard or soft as you like.
Pretty simple so far.
There are so many ways you can enjoy using a massage ball on your feet and it has lots of benefits:
Prevents Foot and Ankle Injuries
Foot massages are great for relieving joint pains and can help with injury recovery and reducing the soreness of your muscles. Combined with strengthening exercises for your foot and ankle, a massage ball will aid in preventing future injuries while speeding up the recovery of an existing injury. Regular use of a massage ball will boost the strength of important foot and ankle muscles to minimize the risk of injury.
Improves Circulation
Sometimes our foot muscles don’t get the exercise they need. Sitting behind a desk all day, lounging on the sofa at home and confining shoes will all cause foot health problems. Rolling a spiky massage ball over each foot before you go to bed can be great for boosting circulation in your feet and lower legs.
Better circulation will mean more oxygen is delivered to those tired and sore muscles. It can also help you feel calmer and fall asleep faster and sleep for longer too.
Relaxes Tight Muscles
One of the main reasons many of us go for a massage is to relieve the symptoms of tight muscles. Self-massage tools like the best foot massage ball will have the same effect, just minus the smile of a hunky masseur. Smooth roller balls, often called lacrosse balls, are the most effective for relieving muscle aches. Spiky balls are better suited at attacking those muscle knots.
Decreases the Pain of Plantar Fasciitis
Foot massage balls are one of the most effective home treatments for the chronic heel ache of plantar fasciitis. Applying strong pressure to the arch of your foot can help lessen the pain associated with the deterioration of connective tissues that support the arch. It can also assist people who have a collapsed arch of the foot, commonly known as flat feet.
Relieves Headaches and Migraines
How does a spiky ball on your foot help with headaches you may ask? Glad you asked, the ancient science of reflexology is the key. Foot reflexology uses pressure points on your feet in much the same way as acupuncture does. But instead of sticking a needle in them (ouch!), spikes on the ball stimulate the points with acupressure.
A Danish study found individuals who suffered from headaches and migraines experienced significant improvements after a course of foot reflexology treatments. The success rate of 81 percent was much higher than drugs like Imitrex used for migraines with only a 68 percent success rate. Wow, no pills needed either!
Sounds good up to now?
How to Use a Foot Massage Ball
At this point you’re probably itching to roll a ball over your foot. There are many ways you can massage your feet with a spiky ball. Always use a ball which has been specifically made for massage, a tennis ball or dryer ball may not give the support you need.
The simplest way of using a foot massage ball is to stand up and while holding on to something for stability, gently roll the ball along the sole of your foot. A larger spiky ball is better for a standing position as it gives you more control and stability.
Another option which allows for easier targeting of reflex points or specific muscles is to use the ball sitting down. When seated take the ball in the palm of your hand and roll the ball over each foot. You can vary the area you roll it over and apply as much or as little pressure as is comfortable or as you need. You could also sit and roll the ball on the arch of your foot when at the office desk or traveling for more stability.
The following YouTube video shows in more detail how to use a foot massage ball for trigger points.
The Best Foot Massage Ball
With so many home-massage solutions out there, it’s difficult to know which to choose. There are foot rollers, massage pads and even electronic foot massagers. But if you’re looking for a simple yet effective massage ball, we’ve checked out some top-selling balls to help you choose the best foot massage ball.
Our Choice
They may look like a dog’s chew toy, but the best massage ball is an effective tool for relieving foot aches and pains. Don’t let the dog chew it though, it can often hurt your foot more when giving the dog a boot up the backside. The choice of balls is simply quite staggering but choosing the right one should give you many years of pain-free feet.
In our opinion, the Pro Satisfy Foot Massage Ball Set offers the most versatility for treating your feet to a relaxing massage. A ball with shorter blunt spikes is ideal for times when your feet are feeling more delicate. While a spikier small ball is good for attacking those more stubborn muscle knots. A smooth lacrosse ball is also included for relieving the pain of plantar fasciitis or other chronic conditions.
Leave a comment