How To Use Massage Balls

Jin Ong — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 23:16:55 +0000

Tight and achey muscles but can't get in to have a massage or treatment?
Massage and hands-on work is a great way to relieve muscle tension, but sometimes it can be hard to find the time.

Thankfully there's an array of self-care tools including massage balls out there to help you. But you may not be so sure how to use them.

Benefits of massage balls

Quick and easy massage tool
Treat yourself between massages or treatment
Improve blood flow
Improve muscle recovery
You can control the pressure

Smooth or Spikey?

Generally you'll find different types of massage balls: small, large, soft, hard, smooth and spikey. You can use them for different areas and depending on how much pressure you want to apply.

Laura Randall our Osteopath will take you through the benefits of each type of massage ball.

Benefits of the smooth ball:

These myofascial balls are great to get into more sensitive areas, or if you're just starting out with massage balls.

Benefits of the Spikey Ball:

The spikey ball is a bit harder with little nobbles to get into all the nooks and crannies. If you need some deeper work a spikey ball can be great to get deeper into your muscles.

Quick and easy tips to relieve tension

Roll your feet for 5 minutes to relieve tired and achey feet
Lay on your back with the ball under a trigger point, lay there for a couple of minutes until the trigger point releases
Place the ball under your neck as you lay over it
Roll the ball over your muscles to improve blood flow

When Not to Use Massage Balls

There are times when it's not appropriate to use massage balls. If you're unsure seek professional advice.

Fresh injury
Broken skin
Too painful or uncomfortable
Makes your symptoms worse

The post How To Use Massage Balls appeared first on MetaMed.

Invest in your health

Jin Ong — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 21:32:22 +0000

We're all investors whether we know it or not. Most people identify investing with retirement, buying a house, putting money into shares or superannuation so that you can reap the benefits later. Everyday you invest your time and attention in the tasks that you do- watching TV when you get home is an investment of your time. The busy lifestyle many of us live today can make us feel like we have little time to actually invest in ourselves and our health. Your health is the one thing that could actually make a difference as to how much you enjoy retirement, the house, and the money to go travelling. What was it all for if you can't do anything with it? Aside from that, why not make sure you enjoy life right now, in the present instead of planning on doing all the fun stuff later.

How do you invest in yourself?

Sometimes we get so caught up doing things for others we forget how to look after ourselves. Here's a few things you may or may not be doing already.

read a book each night
meditate
exercise: run, swim, climb, ski, yoga
go for a walk
eating better food
have a massage
get a treatment
have a facial
educate yourself in a new skill

It may seem indulgent and selfish but it's probably one of the best things you can do for yourself. When we invest in our health we allow our body to function at it's optimum to feel pain free, energised and alive. When our mind and body is in flow this is often reflected in other areas of our lives- work, relationships, money etc… If life seems to be putting up roadblocks have a look at how much you invest in yourself. See something on the list you've thought about and not let yourself do? Don't scrimp and save wishing for a better life later. Invest in yourself and reap the benefits now. Give it a go and see what changes for you.

The post Invest in your health appeared first on MetaMed.