Best lacrosse balls according to redditors

Updated: So I posted on EDC 3 years ago back when I was working for a small Chicago based IT consulting firm with no flying that's the first photo. Second photo is my EDC I currently work for a very large Global Tech Consulting firm with weekly travel to the east coast.

• Incase backpack
  
• Plastic document holder with legal pad inside
  
• Green ethernet cable
  
• Serial to USB adapter cable
  
• USB console cable
  
• USB to ethernet cable
  
• Serial Console cable
  
• DB9 adapter
  
• DB25 adapter
  
• Green lacrosse ball for rolling out muscles/feet
  
• TP-Link pocket router with USB power brick
  
• Yellow 1 foot ethernet cable
  
• Gray 3 foot ethernet cable
  
• Trader Joes almonds
  
• Plantronics Bluetooth headset
  
• Anker USB battery
  
• Western Digital 1 TB usb drive
  
• USB cables
  
• Logitech mouse
  
• g2 pens and sharpie
  
• Earplugs for data centers and airplanes
  
• Wet wipes
  
• iPhone headphones
  
• iPhone charger
  
• First aid kit
  
• Kleenex
  
• hp elitebook 745 and charger
  
• magpul 5s case
  
• client badge
  
• employee badge
  
• client RSA key
  
• RFID blocking passport with various travel rewards cards
  
• business card case
  
• hand sanitizer
  
  I can include links to things if curious just ask.
  
  not pictured:
  
  
• iphone 5SE 64 gig
  
• oakleys
  
• citizens nighthawk watch
  
• wallet
  
• chapstick
  
• keys
  
• I usually have more snacks than that, protein bars, almonds, protein powders, I hate eating in airports due to inflated prices and greasy unhealthy foods (most of the time)

Thanks to that thread about non-workout time investments for a fit lifestyle, I ordered a foam roller and lacrosse ball and have actually been rolling myself out on the reg for the last week and GUYS. GUYS THIS IS LIFE CHANGING.

One question though: how do you use a lacrosse ball on your back without just wiggling all over the floor like a two-year-old on an entire package of gummy worms?

tl;dr - be smart, gets lots of opinions, read up, listen to your body, don't let the problems compound, don't let silly small issues distract you.

Honestly, I find that plantar fasciitis is a rather mysterious injury. So many people have all this authoritive sounding advice, but from what I've gathered, causes and solutions vary quite a bit.

What seems universally applicable, though, is that you need to stretch. All the time. I use a Foot Rocker that I stand on at work all day long. I have a standing desk (well, I and three other coworkers each have this thing on top of a regular desk and use it for my monitors, keyboard and mouse), and I stand on the foot rocker as much as possible, one foot on top of it, the other underneath pulling up to stretch until I can really feel it.

I keep a Lacrosse ball in the freezer, then stand on it to break up any knotted tissue or whatever the heck it does.

I've used KT tape, but I'm not entirely convinced that it's effective (the tape isn't all too cheap, if you get into it, you'd want to buy in bulk somewhere). However, I do feel that when I run without it, the pain flares up quite a bit. Not while running, afterwards (or next day).

The foot specialist I saw got me a night splint, but I found it to be utter crap. It's cumbersome, it's not effective, and half the time I wake up in the morning without wearing, because I likely tore it off in my sleep (because it's really uncomfortable).

I'd imagine (I haven't used it) that this thing works better, because it actually pulls your toes up in the front and really stretches your plantar fascia.

One of the girls I run with said they make a sock to wear at night, so I bought it. It's called the Strassburg Sock, and I actually really like it. I've used it on and off for the last 2 or so months, and it does help.

The last month I've run in custom orthotics (they scan in your feet and create custom moulds), and they seem to help as well. I tried reading up on how and why, and although I can't find the link right now, interestingly enough, an article mentioned that in a high percentage of cases it works, but we don't exactly know why. I'm a software engineer. I want to know and address root causes, not applying band-aid after band-aid down the pipeline that incorrectly and often less effectively patches or just masks the problem. But I guess "we just don't really know", which explains all those elusively vague answers that I'm getting in my own research.

Do plenty of research, read up on stuff. You'll see all kinds of advice. Some is good, some is irrelevant. You'll hear everything from "just dont run for a while" to "you might need surgery for bone spurs and/or months of recovery."

I've had plantar fasciitis twice:

1. I only started running last year. Religiously. Kicked it off with a 5K race at 28:00 min and was quite unhappy with that. Ran my ass off, battled finding the right shoe so I could run more than 4 miles without blistering up, but eventually my wide, high arch, pronounced heel found something that worked. Discovered forefoot running (it's amazing, like running on springs!), overdid it on the first go, and bam, plantar fasciitis, right foot. It was insanely bad. Super swollen, I thought I shattered my heel. I took two weeks off, and continued to take small breaks, but essentially ran through it after that. It was gone after 2-1/2 months. Mostly because it was just a simple inflammation; I overdid it, the plantar fascia was damaged from overstressing it, I let it heal, done. case closed. I ran the same 5K event a year later and had a time of 20:43 min.
   
2. I added P90X and weights this year (January). In mid-March or so, I got plantar fasciitis in my left foot. But it didn't just hit me. It slowly faded in over a week or three. I've been battling it ever since and actually run very little compared to what I normally put in. The doctor mentioned it's (in part) because I have a high arch, and my foot doesn't 'roll off' as easily. Kind of makes sense I guess, I'm not very flexible anyway, my muscles and ligaments are like piano strings. Anyway, so after that consultation with the recommendation that I don't run I did the only logical thing: I ran a half marathon and made a conscious effort to roll off more on the outside of my feet. It worked kind of, because it didn't flare up nearly as much as I thought it would/should (I ran 13.8 miles, normally I can feel it after a 5K), on the other hand, the next day my patella tendon hurt. Runner's knee, maybe? FML. The pain slowly faded away. Stretching and putting weight on my foot no longer hurts, but pushing right into the hot spot with my thumb is still noticable. I do, however, have a Spartan Beast coming up in October, and I needed to step it up. So, last ditch effort (ha) and i'm just running through all these silly ailments.
   
   The main thing is to listen to your body. Don't just blindly ignore problems, but don't feel like you can't do anything either. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation. Generally that also means that you've probably torn some kind of tissue, there, so that needs to heal, but the question is still why you did that? There are all kinds of schools of thought on that out there. From tight calf muscles to neck problems (yes, really, similar to how a tail bone injury could affect shoulder pain, seems weird, but the body does seem to want to balance things out one way or another).

I've gotten them to decent condition with hot water, dish soap, a metal scrub brush, and a ton of time. Honestly wouldn't recommend it, I'd just buy some new.

Swax Lax has this practice ball which can be a good alternative. No good for wall ball, but it's pretty decent to practice your shot, the texture doesn't break down (at least mine hasn't after three months of moderate use), and it won't go bouncing to Kansas after a missed shot

I like the Rumble Rollers better than the M-80 as they seem to be more effective.

Lacrosse Balls are great for targeting a real tough knot; also they're very portable.

And VooDoo Floss Bands are amazing, my shoulder thanks me every day.

Get some Lacrosse balls, I actually prefer them and they are cheap (6 for $17 on amazon).

First of all, Congratulations!

There are a lot of posts on here already about shin pain. But a year is kind of a long time to keep shoes. It's usually recommended to consider replacing them every 300-500 miles or every six months. Hardcore runners might replace them every three months but most light to moderate runners can usually go six months to a year. That said, that's assuming that you are only using your running shoes for running. If you wear them out and about on a daily basis, they're going to wear down a lot faster and in different ways.

I'm not sure if this is an urban myth or scientific truth, but I've heard that pregnancy can flatten out women's feet? I'm totally ignorant in that area. But if it's true, it's possible that your awesome Asics from pre-childbirth workout might not be the right shoes for your post-childbirth workout. It could be a good idea to get fitted again. Maybe the shoe is great but a special insole will give you the support and the cushion you need.

We talk about shins a lot, but not about feet. I recommend being sure to include foot flexes and foot pointing into your warm up and cool down stretches. I don't typically ice my feet but if my feet hurt, I definitely ice my ankles. I also like to roll my foot over a small trigger point ball to massage it a little bit and get some of the knots out. A foam roller won't hit it but things the size of a tennis ball will. Lacrosse Balls are about right.

Or you can buy the same thing without the massive markup.

This is a much cheaper alternative: http://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Lacrosse-Ball-Orange/dp/B0001NX9R2/ref=pd_sim_sg_ef_3

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance_repair/feel_better_for_10_bucks;jsessionid=B5B16BE927F6FB958B1CC2FE27BE3495-mcd02.hydra

The same exercises can be done, just in a circular motion, with the lacrosse ball. Foam rolling wont help with shin splints, but I think really you need myofascial release (deep tissue massage).

I bought the cheaper 18" one on Amazon and It's been used pretty heavily in my gym for the past year with no problems.

I say buy a bigger one to use on a regular basis and buy a short one to travel with.

Save the extra $$ on a cheaper roller for a couple lacrosse balls and tape them together.

Rhomboids and traps insert there. Mine are awful.

Invest in one of these: Orbital Polisher and one of these: Lacrosse Ball to work those knots out.

Lacrosse Balls - NCAA NFHS Certified - White

$5.99

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006JANLKQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_F9uGwb4RHTHHM

No offense but I really don't see the difference between that and this regular lacrosse ball, which is almost $10 less than the one you linked.

I have a 2 year old red nosed pit.

none are affiliate links

My pit is obsessed with large circular balls, and she'll easily deflate a soccer ball in minutes, so I bought this rubber soccer-sized ball that doesn't deflate. I kick and throw this ball around, and all her attention is on it. She's a gnaw-er, so she try to bite through basketballs and soccer balls as quickly as she can. This ball has stayed un-deflated for weeks now: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EMSVVAI/

For fetching with smaller balls, I bought two lacrosse balls, as they are very durable. And the reason they're durable is because they're not mostly empty inside, like regular bouncy balls you'll find at Petco. My pit isn't good at dropping the ball at me, so I throw the second when she gets close enough to me with the first, and she'll drop the ball: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006JANLLU/

Nylabone, super durable and a great chew toy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002ASNAM/

This food dispensing toy for mental stimulation: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ARUKTG/

I also have the luxury of having a co-worker who had a dog supply ecommerce website (closed shop last month) and he gave me these large deer antler(?) bones as well as several other items for free. But the antler bone is easily the best chew toy the dog has ever tried to chew on, and it was free.

Looks about right. Can't tell if it has an air valve, tho :/

Haven't seen anyone say this here yet and it's been a life-saver for me: Lacrosse Balls. They are a hard rubbery material that they can't destroy. Mine love theirs. She was always a tennis ball freak, but tore them apart in seconds. Also, Elk Antler is expensive but lasts a long time and is healthier for your dog than bones.


Edit: I've also had good luck with Jolly Balls for a good soccer/basketball sized toy. They are made of a real tough material, but are also kind of bouncy. I've had the same one for about 3 years now with no holes.

Did a quick search to pass the time... Here's some ideas..

https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Folding-Lacrosse-Throwback-Rebounder/dp/B007RIAB6G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1482260326&sr=8-3&keywords=lax+bounce+back This would be the best help for development and is at a good price-point. The fact you are limited to amazon does limit things. Maybe get a few family members go in on it together.

https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Sports-Lacrosse-2-Pack-Pink-Pink/dp/B00WAHJPPC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482260453&sr=8-1&keywords=lax+pink Lacrosse Balls - Pink

https://www.amazon.com/Lacrosse-iPhone-Plus-Case-Girls/dp/B014JL0FKA/ref=sr_1_47?ie=UTF8&qid=1482260488&sr=8-47&keywords=lacrosse+girls+rule Iphone 6 Lacrosse Case - girls rule

https://www.amazon.com/College-Jewelry-CRC-155N123-Syracuse-Lacrosse/dp/B01M2914RS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482260609&sr=8-1&keywords=womens+lacrosse+syracuse Lacrosse Charm - Syracuse

https://www.amazon.com/Female-Lacrosse-Photo-Bobble-Bobblehead/dp/B00TY3ME30/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1482260649&sr=8-2&keywords=lacrosse+10+year+old Bobble Head Photo

you can do a PT or get a body back buddy and research on your own how to get trigger points out of different parts of your body, where to start, etc. hard to foam roll the neck lol. a lacrosse ball is great too.

you can also do simple myofascial release therapy or dry needling as well.


https://www.amazon.com/Body-Back-Companys-Trigger-Therapy/dp/B002C8AIKK
https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Sports-NCAA-Certified-Lacrosse/dp/B006JANLIS lacrosse ball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ9Z4PX_hF8 (used this guy for mobility exercises)

https://thevibes.me/2014/02/01/share-a-coke-with-vladimir-putin/choke-on-it-putin/
on my
https://www.amazon.com/LBS-2-Lacrosse-Massage-Balls-Blue/dp/B00NA6WTU0