- What is the best massage balls for sciatica pain?
- Video: How to use massage balls?
- The types of massage products you should know about
- What is sciatica and what are the causes and symptoms?
- Most effective types of massage balls to relieve sciatic pain
- How to relieve sciatic pain with myofascial massage balls?
- What are the benefits of using massage balls to relieve back pain?
Sciatica is one of the most common conditions in older people and those who lead an intense and hectic lifestyle. This causes muscle tension and compression, which puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.
The pain is often difficult to localize because the sciatic nerve runs from the lower back all the way down the leg to the foot, and the pain varies depending on which end of the nerve is being pressed.
What is the best massage balls for sciatica pain?
- Made with quality materials
- Designed for optimal massage
- Suitable for light or deep tissue massage
- Relieves muscle knots and tight muscles
- Too intense for some people
- Difficult to clean
Thanks to its design and technology, you will stimulate blood circulation to eliminate toxins accumulated in the fibers and thus make the injury go into remission in a shorter period of time. You can use it with cold therapy, as you only need to unscrew its base and place the stainless steel sphere in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Then, you will be able to apply ice on the most sensitive areas to stimulate the oxygenation of the fibers. Keep in mind that its base may break if excessive pressure is generated.
- Measurements: 6,4cm - 2,5in, 12,7cm - 5in
- Material: Foam rubber
- Colors: White, Black, Green
- No. of Units: 1
- Pack: Massage ball
- 3 different sizes to choose from
- For various areas of the body
- Outer layer of fabric separates from the inner one
Its material is made for medium density, which helps relieve pain and helps to achieve a deeper level of internal tissues. It is ideal for the shoulder, groin and hips, thanks to the size and technology used. With just a 20-minute self-massage every day, you will achieve extraordinary results in a short time, but its size can be uncomfortable in hand injuries.
- Measurements: 6,3cm - 2,5in
- Material: Rubber
- Colors: Blue, Purple
- No. of Units: 2
- Pack: Includes carrying bag
- Easy to carry
- For various areas of the body
- Suitable for Yoga
- Perfect for various ailments
- Beginners may find the massage too intense
- Same hardness for both units
You won't need anyone to get good results, as you only need to sit or lie on the floor to rub the balls of different densities. Each of the massage balls are made of non-toxic rubber bands, so that their duration is prolonged over time. It is important to consider that, you can use it in the gym or at home, although it is not intended for therapy in children.
- Measurements: 6,3cm - 2,5in
- Material: Rubber
- Colors: Pink
- No. of Units: 2
- Pack: Carrying bag and QR code with Manual
- Special for Yoga
- Includes QR code with instructions and exercises
- Too soft for some people
Use the massage ball we recommend for your therapeutic recovery and to reduce stress. It will help improve blood circulation and combat the symptoms of bursitis, plantar fasciitis and tendonitis. You can take it everywhere because it comes in a practical gift box that will not take up space in your backpack. Please note that the hardness may be excessive for some types of shoulder disorders.
- Specific for removing muscle knots and tension
- Pilates, Yoga, physical therapy and massage therapy
- Ideal for large and small muscle groups
- Sufficiently dense ball
- No size specified
- No material specified
By having high quality materials, you will get the necessary pressure on each trigger point that affects the fascia. You only need 15 to 20 minutes per day to soften the membrane that covers the tissues and, in this way, relieve the pain. Press through the floor, a wall or with your hands on each of the balls until optimal blood circulation is achieved. Note that the size of both balls is the same.
- For various body areas
- With large carrying bag
- No size specified
It is ideal to apply the reflexology therapy of stress, also to reduce anxiety and correct posture, just stimulate the trigger points of the body to soften the fascia. It can be used in elderly people or in patients with vertebrae impingement, just by lying down and feeling the softness of the materials of the balls, the effects will begin. It is necessary to know that in some cases they were difficult to use comfortably.
- Suitable for hands and feet
- Latex free
- Innovative design
- Perfect for relieving tension
- Does not specify material
- Too hard for some people
Its density is medium, which helps to relieve direct pain. You will only need to press your hand, calf or any other area where you need to improve blood circulation. It can be used every day to stretch the fascia and get a faster recovery from a pulled muscle. Please note that its hardness level is medium, which is not usually useful for certain internal tissues.
- Suitable for various areas of the body
- Large carrying bag
- Beginners may find the massage too intense
Do not let more time pass without having your mobility ball for self-massage. Its use is very simple, just choose a place where you can relax and then rub the ball over the sensitive areas of the body where the trigger points are located. After a few minutes you will begin to feel the temperature rise in the affected area, which will help the injury go into remission. Rubber material may be uncomfortable for back massage.
- Measurements: 4,3cm - 1.7in, 6,35cm - 2.5in
- Material: Rubber
- Colors: Yellow, Blue, Red
- No. of Units: 3
- Pack: 3 balls and carrying bag
- Different sizes and hardnesses
- For various body areas
- Quality finish
- Perfect for various therapies
- Some units may smell for a few days
- Loses its shape with use
The different combinations of this set of self-massage balls will help you release trigger points that are causing pain and lowering performance. You can also use them to improve aerobic capacity, reduce fatigue and combat stress. Each of the high quality balls can be used to generate endorphins, but consider that the size of the smallest ball is often ineffective for tennis elbow syndrome.
- Made of premium renewable cork
- Environmentally friendly and waterproof
- Easy to clean
- Perfect for various areas of the body
- Does not include carrying bag
- Too soft for some people
Its classic size is durable and long-lasting and, for cleaning, you only need to use a drop of soap and water to remove any residue. Use for 20 minutes daily acupressure therapy to reduce stress and improve the quality of your night's rest. You just need to rub the trigger points until you achieve a general well-being that makes you feel better. In some cases, excess water may cause deformation of the product.
Video: How to use massage balls?
The types of massage products you should know about
What is sciatica and what are the causes and symptoms?
Sciatica is different from lumbalgia. The former is a severe pain in the sciatic nerve that starts with weak signals, then a localized pain is activated.
Causes
- Postural overuse: prolonged sitting or standing is a likely cause of sciatic nerve pain, often working irregularly for days before it is recognized due to muscle compression. It is advisable to pay attention to proper posture.
- Muscle contractures: this cause is most likely to occur in people who participate in sports that place excessive stress on the back muscles, such as golf, and sports that involve a lot of physical contact, such as soccer. When the muscles are exhausted, the fibers involuntarily contract until the nerve is affected.
- Disc protrusions and herniations: Injuries such as the displacement and deformation of the intervertebral discs cause compression of the nerves in the lumbar region, triggering sciatica. Rest is sufficient at the first signs.
- Spondylolisthesis: this is the displacement of an entire vertebra forward, which also puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. The most commonly displaced vertebrae are L4 and L5, which often affects the function of the entire spinal cord.
Symptoms
- Tingling: every evil has a beginning, sciatica is a condition that starts with a slight tingling sensation in the lumbar region, which is often overlooked by patients; they prefer to rest and avoid looking for the cause of this symptom.
- Muscle weakness: the nerves send direct signals to the muscle groups and it is common to feel weakness in the legs because these electrical signals do not reach the muscle fibers properly.
- Generalized numbness: depending on the nerve compression, sufferers experience numbness of the body between the lower back, buttocks and ischial tuberosities. Pain is not usually associated with this initial symptom.
- Pain in only one leg: It is very rare to have pain in both legs at the same time. What few people know is that sciatica has this negative effect and is very often associated with muscle fatigue.
- Pain in the buttocks: this symptom is constant, more severe than the leg pain, and is usually on the same side as the pain in the thigh. At first the pain is intermittent, later it becomes continuous.
Most effective types of massage balls to relieve sciatic pain
Lacrosse Balls
When treating sciatic pain, these massage balls relieve muscle tension and stiffness that put pressure on the sciatic nerve. Start with the softer balls to adjust the body, and then use the harder balls. The massage balls release trigger points in the dense muscles of the lower back where sciatica originates. If you massage yourself at the first signs, you can certainly prevent the pain from affecting your life.
Massage balls with spikes
This model of balls allows a deeper stimulation of the back, when the muscle knots are very deep and intense. It is advisable to start with gentle routines at first. The spikes penetrate the skin without hurting, but release tension when you apply light body pressure on these balls.
Peanut ball shaped
This ball model stimulates the muscles closest to the lumbar vertebrae, where the sciatica is located. The peanut-shaped ball should be placed on the floor with your body on top of it, right where you want to apply pressure. Although the movements are more limited, bilateral massage allows you to cover a larger area without the risk of stressing the spinal cord.
Massage ball with vibrations
Using this ball has a double advantage: you can use it with one hand to reach hard-to-reach areas, and its vibrations evenly stimulate myofascial tissue and tense muscle fibers. You don't have to apply heavy pressure to your body, just let the vibrations do the work for you while you relax and enjoy the feeling of pain relief.
Foam roller
Although this is not a massage ball, it also offers benefits in relieving tension and nerve compression in the back. There are models that offer vibrations just like massage balls. So if you have this product at home, it can also be used to relieve lower back pain.
How to relieve sciatic pain with myofascial massage balls?
Here are the main points that you should consider when using massage balls in the back area:
- This type of massage should be done quietly, take your time.
- Place the softest ball on each buttock.
- Place your body on the soft ball and angle your leg to the side (as if you were making the number 4).
- Hold this position for one minute and then repeat on the other buttock.
- Place a harder ball (possibly with spikes) on the first buttock.
- Bend both legs.
- Perform slight hip movements forward and backward.
- Repeat the movement for three minutes and then pass the ball to the other buttock.
- Both exercises can be done two to three times a day.
- Repeat sessions for two and three days if you feel relief.
- Remember to always start with soft balls.
What are the benefits of using massage balls to relieve back pain?
- Improves muscle function: constant massages keep the muscles of the lower back supple and elastic.
- Relieves muscle fatigue: Massaging better prepares muscles for athletic stress and prevents injuries such as strains.
- Prevents damage to nerve endings: The spinal cord is located in the back and muscle injuries lead to dangerous compressions of the spinal cord, with massages this probability is reduced.
- Activates trigger points: You can reduce tension in trigger points with smaller, harder balls, but you need to prepare the body with the soft balls first.
- Improves blood circulation: a good massage will stimulate blood circulation and provide more oxygen and nutrients to muscles weakened by overuse.