If you’ve been following my tips all year, by now you’re well aware of the benefits of massage. You’re probably already giving yourself a daily hand massage and a daily foot massage, but when it comes unkinking other chronically tight areas of your body, you might wonder if you have to become a contortionist first. It’s practically impossible to knead your own shoulders, back, and neck! If you have a foam roller or regularly get massages (lucky youuuuu), you can skip this post… but most people don’t, and both can be pretty expensive.

A super-easy way to make your own massage roller is to repurpose two old tennis balls and an old sock! 

If you’re in the U.S., you can get a can of tennis balls for about $5, and if you’re a tennis player or dog owner and have some lying around the house already, well, then you’re all set. All you need now is an old sock, which nearly everybody has lying around. If you don’t, you can of course use a new sock, but we’re trying to keep this as frugal as possible here 🙂

Once you’re ready, find an empty wall space or door, and get to it! Your muscles will continue to thank you with their knot-free joy.

Stuff to Know:

• Painful shoulders, neck, lower back, joints, or other problems can be the result of underlying health issues. If you have concerns about your overall health, please see a medical professional.

DIY Tennis Ball Massager

You’ll need:

• 2 tennis balls
• 1 sock

Steps

1. Stuff the tennis balls into the sock, squishing the first one in all the way to the toe.
2. Tie the open end of the sock closed tight. Make sure your tennis balls have a little bit of room to move around and aren’t stuffed in too tightly.

To use:

• Find an empty wall space or a very secure closed door.
• Stand with your back to the wall/door.
• Place the massager horizontally along your back, wherever you need it most, and press your back toward the wall, securing the massager between your back and the wall.
• Bend your knees and gently lower and raise your body, allowing the tennis balls to knead the knots in your back.
• Repeat as necessary wherever you’re tightest.

Like this tip? Consider buying my book to get all 52 tips PLUS bonus tips in an easy-to-read format! It’s called A Year of Natural Health and Beauty: 52 Easy, Frugal, Natural Ideas to Enhance Your Mind, Body, and Spirit. You can buy it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other places. Click here to learn more or to purchase!

Questions for readers:

Do you get regular massages?

Have you ever used an ordinary object for a back massage?