The Benefits of Sustained Pressure On Your Muscles Using a Massage Ball
As a small business owner, registered massage therapist, and empowered self-care enthusiast, I recognize the importance of taking care of my body and mind. I've attempted throughout the years to utilize different tools to help me achieve a state of mental and physical balance and reach the potential for healing that we all crave as busy human beings with many demands on our plates.
In an attempt to achieve this state of balance as efficiently as possible, I have tried many different massage therapy tools in my day, and I'll admit that, as a massage therapist in the industry since 2016, the basic massage ball (or lacrosse ball) has always been and still remains one of my best go to tools (and it's cheap!).
In this blog, I'll discuss some obvious benefits, like trigger point release, but I'll also reveal an indirect mental benefit as well as a reward for using a simple tool like a lacrosse ball for self-massage.
There are many benefits and, honestly, not many drawbacks that I can personally think of when I think of using this cheap and portable tool for the purpose of physical self care and the maintenance of healthy musculature. Some of my favourite clear benefits include increased blood flow to the localized area that is receiving the pressure from the ball, the release of tension and myofascial adhesions that are causing pain or tightness, and improved range of motion in the joint you're working to improve. Overall, these benefits provided by the sustained pressure of a massaging ball on the tender areas can contribute to a more efficient and effective movement.
Using a massage ball to apply sustained pressure to the muscles of the back can help alleviate bands of hyper irritable and fibrous tissue and tension caused by sitting at a desk all day. By rolling the ball along more narrow and hard to reach places that a foam roller can’t reach, such as the muscles of the upper back, it can break up adhesions and increase blood flow, providing relief from pain and stiffness. This can lead to improved posture and a reduced risk of developing chronic back issues. Applying pressure to trigger points can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and have other less discussed benefits like increased pain tolerance by breathing mindfully and "leaning into" the discomfort as a trigger point is released.
By applying pressure to the trigger point, you can help release the tension as well as any possible pain that is referring distally to where you are pressing, in the muscle, and reduce pain. This can be particularly beneficial for people who suffer from chronic pain, restrictive joints, and general chronic discomfort from the everyday stress of our lives, which also increases cortisol and causes inflammation and restriction of tissue over a longer period of time. By applying pressure to the trigger point, you can help alleviate discomfort and promote relaxation in the affected area.
This can be particularly beneficial for people who suffer from conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia. Applying sustained pressure to a trigger point using a massage ball can also help increase blood flow to the area, which is not only healthy for the tissue but also very satisfying and relieving. This increased blood flow can help reduce inflammation and increase the flow of hydration and nutrients to the localized area to promote healing. It can also help reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery time after exercise. Additionally, increased blood flow can enhance overall performance and prevent future injuries.
Now, for a surprising indirect benefit that trigger point release with a massage ball can cause. The benefits aren’t just physical.
Feeling the mindful release of these tender spots and breathing through them encourages you to know that you can breathe through discomfort, increasing your mindfulness and mental fortitude. Promoting mindfulness and "leaning into it" in this unique way is beneficial for those who suffer from stress or anxiety in terms of mental and physical well-being by increasing the grey matter in your brain, which helps to regulate your pain perception. The massage ball practice is additionally beneficial for the promotion of mindfulness and focus, because you can slowly apply your bodyweight, increasing gently overtime, which gives you the control over the sensory input and stimulation that’s given.
Overall, sustained pressure on a trigger point using a massage ball can provide a range of benefits, including reducing pain, improving mobility, increasing blood flow, promoting relaxation, and increasing your pain tolerance. If you suffer from chronic pain, muscle tension, or chronic stress and anxiety (which unfortunately most of us do in this world), consider using a simple yet powerful therapeutic self care tool like a massage ball to help release tension in your muscles and improve your overall well-being.
If you want to know more about which self care tools to utilize for the most efficient use of your time and the most effective self care for your physical body, consider seeing one of our incredible registered massage therapists at our local business here in the downtown Edmonton area. Strive Holistic is located out of Evolve Strength Downtown, just off the 124th Street district in downtown Edmonton. We're looking forward to empowering you with the tools you need to reach the highest potential of physical health and wellbeing for pain free, happy living. Book a treatment here or email us at info@striveholistic.com!
