Legs have a lot of muscles and they all work differently.Standing, running, weight training and even sitting at a desk all day can all affectblood flow and muscle tension in the legs. Making self-myofascial release apart of your routine will relieve tightness and improve flexibility. Calves

Quintner, Cohen, and Bove think the most popular theory about the nature of trigger points (muscle tissue lesions) is “flawed both in reasoning and in science,” and that treatment based on that idea gets results “indistinguishable from the placebo effect.” They argue that all biological evidence put forward over the years is critically flawed, while other evidence leads elsewhere, and take the position that the debate is over. (They also point out that the theory is treated like an established fact by a great many people, which is definitely problematic.) However, their opinion is extreme, and most experts do not think we should throw out all the science so far (see Dommerholt etal). When performing Lacrosse ball exercises and stretches, remember that it should never be very painful. Of course, you will experience some discomfort when applying pressure to a tight muscle, but remember that it is up to you to control that amount of pressure that you are using. If you are just starting with a Lacrosse ball massage, begin with light pressure and see how your body responds the next day before progressing. Lacrosse Ball Mobility Use your forearms andother leg to support your weight as you apply as much pressure as you arecomfortable with to the ball. It is very simple to learn how to use a Lacrosse ball for massage. The only equipment you will need is a Lacrosse ball and a flat surface. The area of the body you choose to massage will impact the type of surface you will need. For example, if you are massaging your foot, you will place the Lacrosse ball on the floor. If you are massaging the Hamstring, you can choose to sit on a box or chair. If you are massaging the chest or shoulders, you will need to pin the Lacrosse ball against a wall. On the other hand, tennis balls have been widely utilized in massage therapy for their unique properties. Tennis balls, which measure approximately 6.7 cm in diameter and weigh around 57 grams, provide a different approach to relaxation and relief.If you look at the average massage ball and ask yourself “why is it like that?”, you’ll find most of the time it’s lightweight to make it inexpensive to produce and ship, it’s going to have bumps or knobs which make it patentable and allow the marketer to spin a “secret sauce” story to persuade you to buy it. None of this has anything to do with your body’s needs. Massage balls really are very special and have unique benefits.

Our legs and calves do a ton of work for us. Reward them for their efforts with a lacrosse ball massage on your hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves. Start by massaging the hamstrings. Fascia stabilizes muscles and organs, imparts strength, and encloses organs, tendons, and ligaments. So you can see why a heated massage ball makes a lot more sense. But, let me make a prediction. If you were to buy a massage tool that could be heated, you’d try it once or twice and then would use it without heat thereafter. Who has enough spare time for heating a massage tool when the heat will dissipate in a couple of minutes? It’s a nifty idea, but personally I’m into simplicity and practical tools. If I need heat, a heating pad makes a lot more sense to me. How to use massage balls for myofascial release

How your piriformis muscle responds to the amount of force delivered by a practitioner’s elbow or a lacrosse ball may surprise you.

Chest and shoulders – here you need a 4 inch diameter ball (or about 100 mm) which is an unusual size and most commonly found as a high bounce ball from a toy store. If you are wincing or gritting your teeth, please be more gentle with yourself. You need to be able to relax. In theory, knots are soothed by pressure and rubbing, and it’s often much easier to do that with a tennis ball than your thumbs and fingers. How to do it: tennis ball massage technique basics

Professional, frequent massages are a great way to keep your body limber and injury-free. Unfortunately, massages can also be quite expensive and time-consuming. What if you could still reap the benefits of getting a massage without the expensive cost and time commitment? It is in fact exactly like foam rolling, 2 but less trendy and more precise. Both have their strengths, but if I could only have one, I’d definitely choose the tennis ball for its accuracy and versatility. What they are, why they work, how to use them, and 5 key things to look for when buying massage therapy balls. So-called “muscle knots” — AKA trigger points — are small unexplained sore spots in muscle tissue associated with stiffness and soreness. No one doubts that they are there, but they are unexplained and controversial. They can be surprisingly intense, cause pain in confusing patterns, and they grow like weeds around other painful problems and injuries, but most healthcare professionals know little about them, so misdiagnosis is epidemic. When choosing between a double lacrosse ball with vibration and a non-vibrating ball, note that the vibrating ones are quite a bit larger than non-vibrating options as they need to house the mechanism that causes them to vibrate. Tips and Warnings for First-Time UsersLacrosse balls, originally designed for use in the sport of lacrosse, have gained immense popularity in the field of massage therapy. Measuring at roughly 7.6 cm in diameter and weighing approximately 140 grams, these small but mighty tools offer several advantages over their counterpart, the tennis ball. Self-myofascial release (SMR) is a technique used to help release tension in areas of the body where the fascia has tightened. Fascia is a thin layer of connective tissue that covers all muscles and organs within the body. The peanut massage ball can be used in the same areas as a traditional massage ball can, however, the differences in results can be quite different given its shape. When massaging around the spine be extra gentle and don’t press too hard. As time goes on your tolerance will go up. Lie down on a tennis ball, placing it in approximately the right location. You do not have to be precise. “Explore” by moving slowly and gently, until you’ve got just the right spot.