If you’ve followed this blog at all, then you already know that massage offers many great benefits ranging from releasing stress for better health to speeding up recovery time if you’ve sustained an injury. While massage generally refers to getting worked on by a professional therapist, the reality is that you can receive a lot of the same benefits by using a massage ball—especially when it comes to your neck.
Why Massage Balls Are Good For Your Neck
Have you ever had pain or tenderness in or around your neck area, particularly if you’ve been under a lot of stress or have a job where your head is in the same position for hours at a time (think computer work)? This discomfort is generally due to “knots” that develop in the muscles in this region, which are technically myofascial trigger points that won’t release.
To put it simply, it means that the muscles are all tightened up, which is what is causing the pain. The key to relieving the pressure then is to release the trigger points. One way to do this is to use a massage ball.
How to Use a Massage Ball On Your Neck
An effective exercise to help rid yourself of neck pain is to stand with your back against the wall, placing the ball between you and the wall, just to the right of your left clavicle bone. Push against the wall gently, placing pressure on it so the ball hits your sore spot. After 30 seconds or so, move the ball to the right side and do the same.
Another option is use two balls to massage the muscles in your neck. Simply place them side-by-side in a sock (to keep them together), and lie on your back, placing them under your neck. After lying for about 60 seconds, slowly move your head as if you’re nodding yes, allowing the balls to rub against your neck muscles, getting them to release.
