A stress toy is a non-toxic plastic ball or plastic hand exercise ball, typically not larger than 7 cm in diameter and usually not longer than 15 cm in length, which is easily squeezed into the palm and manipulated using the fingers. Stress toys are regularly used in physical therapy for patients who experience pain and/or muscle tension in their hands and wrists due to daily or repetitive tasks. The squeezing action of a stress toy can be used as an alternate form of exercise in conjunction with conventional stretching exercises or as part of a massage therapy session. Some people use stress balls or stress toys in ways that do not require the hands to squeeze, such as in fingerless glove choices for driving, sewing, cleaning, gardening and other activities.

Pain Relief With a Stress Toy and Magnetic Balls

The squeezing action of a stress toy can produce two effects: one, it can stretch the wrist muscles to help reduce pain or tension; and two, it can help to warm up and stretch the arm muscles so as to provide for greater dexterity and enhanced hand-eye coordination when using the same hand-to-hand application over a period of time. While the stretching and warming up of the arm muscles is helpful in terms of providing the necessary dexterity to perform an activity, the increased dexterity and hand-eye coordination provided through consistent squeezing action of the stress toy can have very real and meaningful health benefits. Studies indicate that repeated squeezing of a stress ball can release chemicals and hormones that promote resilience, increase cell growth and anabolism (cell production), improve bone density, reduce stress related headaches, lower blood pressure and heart rate, improve sensory processing and improve motor control. Stress toys can be very effective if they are used in conjunction with other types of therapy, such as massage therapy or acupuncture. In my professional opinion, the combination of massage therapy and an electric stress toy is the most effective and safe method for hand-to-hand therapy.

The next time you need a stress-relief method to manage your stress, consider the use of stress balls and magnetic balls. Both of these items offer effective, safe ways to alleviate stress. If you suffer from chronic pain or physical discomfort, the combination of a stress toy and proper therapeutic care may be just what you need to regain control of your life. To learn more about this powerful combination, register for my free newsletter and receive my free ebook on How to Prevent Stress From Ruining Your Life.