McMaster Spikey Balls!

 

Benefits of Spikey Balls

  • They have been used extensively in Australia and on the European, Asian and US Golf Tours to provide myo-fascial release, self-massage and postural education for tour players. 
  • As a result of fixed postures, muscle imbalances and excessive repetition associated with the sport of golf the Spikey ball has been used extensively to alleviate these conditions. This information is now being used for all types of patients with musculoskeletal disorders e.g. computer operators, postural dysfunction in young people and sports injuries to name a few.

Physiological Benefits

  • Stimulates local vasodilatation to increase blood flow  and promote the healing process
  • Stimulates the mechanoreceptors to promote the pain gate theory
  • Acts as an adjunct for acupressure point release and myo-fascial release
  • Promotes endorphin release
  • Can assist in scar tissue breakdown

Benefits to Therapist

  • Patients / clients can get an instant feedback result through sensory motor change using the spikey ball
  • The ball can reinforce self-massage techniques
  • Client / patient can improve body postures and body awareness immediately promoting instant gratification for the client and the therapist

Postural Problems

Poor posture subjects the spine to abnormal stress. Abnormal stress over time can lead to structure changes in the spine including degeneration of discs and joints, lengthening and shortening of the supportive ligaments and muscles and wear and tear of cartilage.
 
  • Occupation can be relevant in terms of postures adopted while at work and the activities involved in the patient's job.
  • Habitual postures can contribute to postural adjustment, altered biomechanics and muscle imbalance.
  • Examples are provided by the poking chin posture of the visual display unit operator and the muscle imbalances displayed in conveyor belt workers due to one sided work.

Poking Chin

Causes:
  • Stress and tension
  • Poor lumbar posture
  • Sustained shoulder elevation
  • Fatigue
  • Tight neck flexors
In the poking chin position the force through the neck is multiplied by 3 times. Therefore the neck and shoulder muscles have to work 3 times harder to hold head in a neutral position.
 
Spikey Ball Solutions:
  • Double spikey ball chin tuck
Benefits:
  • Increases neck mobility
  • Reduces neck tension
  • Improves neck posture
Additional Drills:
  • Double spikey ball bounce
Benefits:
  • Improves rounded posture
  • Reduces pressure in the neck
  • Relaxes shoulder blades
  • Increases neck mobility
  • Improves neck posture
  • Strengthens shoulder muscles

Sway Back

Causes:
  • Short and strong hamstrings
  • Short and strong upper fibres of internal oblique
  • Short lumbar erector spinae
  • Elongated and weak one joint hip flexors, external oblique, upper back extensors and neck flexors
Spikey Ball Solutions:
  • Dead Frog

Benefits:

  • Strengthens postural muscles
  • Strengthens abdominal muscles
  • Maintains core stability
  • Stabilises the lumbar spine
  • Produces lower spine rotation
  • Improves neck posture
Please Note: All prices are in US dollars and do not include postage and packaging. Payments that are made in currencies other than US dollars will pay a price corresponding to the current exchange rate at that time and those purchased in Australia will be subject to GST. Payments can be made by VISA, MasterCard or International Cheque.

Order Now or visit www.spikeyballs.com.

 

 

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