10/03/2025
Good info!
Rolling a tennis ball under your glutes provides a self-administered, deep-tissue massage that releases tension in tight glute muscles and connective tissue, reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve, easing lower back pain by deactivating hyperactive nerves, and improving hip mobility by breaking down muscle adhesions and increasing blood flow and nutrient delivery. This technique works by applying focused pressure to trigger points, relaxing muscles, and promoting a natural release of endorphins to help relieve pain.
To elaborate:
RELEASING SCIATIC NERVE TENSION: The sciatic nerve runs near or under the piriformis muscle in the buttock. When the piriformis muscle becomes tight or spasms, it can compress the sciatic nerve, causing pain. Rolling a tennis ball into this muscle applies pressure to the trigger point, helping it to relax and release the tension on the nerve, thus alleviating sciatic pain.
RELIEVING LOWER BACK PAIN: The tennis ball massage can directly target and relax tense muscle and connective tissues in the lower back and buttocks. Increased blood flow delivers healing nutrients and oxygen to the areas, aiding muscle recovery and reducing pain signals. The massage also stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain-relieving hormones, which helps to reduce the perception of pain. Also, by reducing muscle hyperactivity, the massage can decrease the number of pain signals sent to the brain from the lower back nerves.
IMPROVING HIP MOBILITY: The focused pressure from the tennis ball helps to break up adhesions and scar tissue in the gluteal muscles, which can restrict movement. By releasing built-up tension and adhesions, the muscles become more pliable, allowing for a greater range of motion in the hips. Improved blood flow and circulation facilitate the delivery of nutrients and the removal of waste products from the muscles, promoting greater flexibility and easier movement.
Read more (and find a video tutorial) here: https://www.rocketcitychiropractic.com/sciatic-pain-and-a-tennis-ball-what-they-have-in-common/