After hours on a plane or train, or a long walk in a new destination, tight muscles can be relieved with some tricks using this simple Wiffle Ball.
Aimee Cebulski/CNN
IT Band/outer leg reliever —
To relieve pain or tightness in the IT Band -- the muscle group that runs along the outside of your upper leg -- prop yourself up on an elbow and place the ball just below your hip in the large part of your thigh. Slowly move yourself up and down while bracing with your elbow, allowing the ball to roll up and down your leg to relieve tension.
Aimee Cebulski/CNN
Back rub —
Lay on the floor with the ball under your shoulder blade. Slowly rock yourself back and forth over the ball, moving it around the large muscles encasing the blade.
Aimee Cebulski/CNN
Foot relief —
To massage the arches of the foot, sit in a chair or on the edge of a bed, place the ball under your foot (starting in the arch) and slowly roll your foot back and forth for about two minutes. The massage motion should increase blood flow and help release tightness.
Aimee Cebulski/CNN
Play time —
Now that you're back to your old world-class athlete self, this simple plastic accessory can be used in all sorts of other ways. Maybe a quick game of hotel-room baseball? Don't forget to move the lamps and protect the TV.
