When your muscles are strained or stressed, they can form small, painful knots called trigger points. According to WebMD, trigger point massage therapy can improve blood flow and muscle relaxation, as well as encourage the release of contracted muscle fibers. The good news is you don’t necessarily have to see a professional every time your muscles are giving you grief: You can manage your trigger points at home through massaging them with your hands or elbows, or by using a tool like a massage ball.
Massage balls help increase blood flow and release muscle tension as you roll them over trigger points, and their small shape can help you reach areas of your body you might not be able to massage as easily with just your hands, like your back muscles. Having one in your pack can be a godsend during a hike, and luckily for you, I’ve found one that reviewers swear by: the Rawlogy cork travel masssage ball, available on Amazon now for under $15.
You can buy this massage ball in multiple diameters, depending on the areas you want to massage. The extra-small 0.75-inch is ideal for hands and wrists, while the 1.4- or 1.9-inch are the perfect size for your feet. If you want to massage your back muscles, the largest size of 2.5-inch will help you reach all those muscles.
No matter the size(s) you choose, the ball can easily fit in your backpack so you don’t have to worry about lugging around a big, bulky tool on your hike. Reviewers are obsessed with how lightweight the recycled cork ball is, too. Multiple reviewers have also pointed out that the Rawlogy ball has been helpful in for their plantar fasciitis and chronic pain.
With 4.7 stars across over 1,200 reviews, why not try massaging your trigger points with this ball the next time you’re out on a hike? Take it from the reviews below — just like supportive walking shoes and quick-dry pants, this ball is a must-have for hikers.
Check out some informative reviews below or just scroll all the way down to add this nifty little tool to your own Amazon cart.
