Travelers are packing tennis balls for long airplane flights to relieve the muscle discomfort and stiffness caused by sitting in a chair for several hours.
The Romanian newspaper Cotidianul reported that the massage technique has become popular among passengers and is recommended by specialists as a simple way to stimulate blood circulation.
A tennis ball is probably the last thing someone would think of when packing their bags for a vacation, but the small and lightweight item takes up almost no space in hand luggage. Staying in a single position during a long journey contributes to a feeling of stiffness, and passengers can use the ball to apply light pressure to specific areas of their body.
Tracy Hannigan, a licensed osteopath and sleep therapist, recommended wrapping the tennis ball in a hand towel. Placing the ball in the middle of the towel and rolling it up keeps the object fixed in place.
Hannigan said this method gives the passenger more control over the pressure and reduces the risk of the ball slipping. The passenger can easily roll the ball over their thighs, legs or shoulder area.
The pressure should be comfortable and should not cause any pain. The advantage of the technique is that it can be applied in the limited space of an airplane without any special equipment, allowing passengers to perform a few simple movements during the trip.
Stretching during the flight
Alongside the tennis ball massage, Hannigan advised passengers to periodically perform light stretching to ease their muscles. The goal is to reduce the feeling of stiffness rather than to conduct a full workout during the flight.
To stretch the neck, the therapist suggested turning the chin toward the armpit and applying light pressure to stretch the opposite side.
Passengers can also stretch their lumbar region without leaving their airplane seat. One exercise involves crossing the legs and leaning slightly forward, as if a person is trying to reach their elbow to their top leg. It is important that these movements are performed slowly and without effort.
The massage method has moved beyond specialist recommendations, with several travel enthusiasts reporting that they use a tennis ball during long trips.
One passenger said they usually place a tennis ball at the base of their spine, near the tailbone, when they spend a long time sitting in a chair. Another person noted that the massage trick helps them during long airplane flights.
Personal experiences do not constitute general medical recommendations. People with underlying health problems or constant pain should consult a medical specialist before trying the massage techniques.
Hotel room safety
The tennis ball massage is one of several unusual tricks involving ordinary objects that have gained popularity in recent years to make vacations safer and more comfortable.
Esther Sturrus, an employee of the Dutch flag carrier airline KLM, advised tourists to roll a bottle of water under the bed when they check into a hotel room.
The idea is to quickly check if there is a hidden person or an object underneath the bed, without the tourist having to bend over and look directly down.
The Ukrainian news agency UNIAN previously reported on the naming of the airport that handles the highest number of international flights.
