Let me be clear – I love Foot Rubz. I give them to friends as gifts. I probably own 3-4 Foot Rubz. I’ve been using them for years. Besides massaging the feet, they can be used on many of the muscles of the body.
Will you like FootRubz? If you’re thinking about getting a massage ball, Foot Rubz rank high on my list. I’m not a medical professional, but most people seem to like. It’s probably a good bet. (You might also like the MobiPoint by TriggerPoint, too)
What is Foot Rubz?
Foot Rubz is a little green plastic massage ball (about 2 inches wide) covered with a bunch of small, flat nubs. The nubs are inspired by Eastern-style acupressure. (I don’t know much about acupuncture or acupressure, but these nubs seem to help with the massaging properties of the ball)
The plastic feels pretty good, more like high-quality rubber. It’s probably has less give than a lacrosse ball, but more than wood. They are produced by Rubz Massage and Sure Foot Corporation. The website states that they are mad in the USA.
They’re designed to “provide temporary relief from Plantar Fasciitis” and help the user feel better and more relaxed.
Due North Foot Rubz Foot Hand and Back Massage Ball, Relief from Plantar Fasciitis (Amazon link)
Disclaimer: I’m not a medical professional, so please consult with a high-quality, pertinent professional about your specific health situation. Also, this site may receive commissions from Amazon via their affiliate program.
Pros and Cons of the Foot Rubz
Pros of Foot Rubz
- Good to use for basic foot tightness
- Portable, so you can use anywhere, including on travel trips
- Economical
- Over 70% of the reviewer on Amazon gave it 5-stars, and about 87% gave it 4-5 stars.
- A typical 5-star review, “After four days of increasing pain, I used the Rubz ball, got my foot back in place and was able to walk around the zoo for hours the next day with no pain – during or after! This item is so recommended.”
Cons of Foot Rubz
While lots of people love Foot Rubz, it may not be for everyone!
- Smaller in size, so easier to lose, if you tend to be absent-minded – also make you don’t leave it on the floor; it could pose a tripping hazard!
- Good quality, but not at the same level as a professional massage
- You may prefer a different foot massager
- Will take care of some muscular/myofascial stuff, but possibly not everything
- If you have chronic foot discomfort, Foot Rubz may not solve the underlying problem, but may help alleviate the issues caused by the problem.
- About 5% of the reviewer on Amazon gave it a 1 or 2 star rating because it didn’t work well or was cheap
Who might Foot Rubz help?
Anyone who feels tightness, especially in the bottoms’ of their feet. Again, if you’re experiencing chronic or intense pain, please consult with a licensed medical professional.
Friends’ Reactions
Some people don’t seem that interested. They’ll try it for a few seconds and just forget about it. But maybe 1 in 3 or 4 will seem genuinely thankful and use it for 5 minutes and say they feel better. Some will start using to massage their or use it in some other random, creative way that I wouldn’t have thought of. Maybe 1 in 10 will ask me about borrowing it again every week of so.
How do Spiky, Roller Balls Work?
According to Melbourne Osteopathy Centre, spiky balls (similar to Foot Rubz, though a bit spikier) help to “reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow, increase body awareness and aid in injury prevention and rehabilitation.”
Moreover, they help the user target muscular knots, otherwise known as trigger points. Unresolved trigger points can create imbalances in a person’s gait and general movement patterns.
Has it helped me?
Yes, though only to a certain degree, then I need to give myself a foot massage with my hands.
It feels good and provides general relaxation. Also, I can feel it breaking up minor knots, as well as minor uncomfort in the myofascial layer of my feet. I also use it on my forearms, shoulders, neck, and legs. It works great when I want to bring a massage tool with me on the road.
What about the acupuncture/acupressure thing?
I can’t speak to the companies statement, that the Foot Rubz “stimulates acupressure points in your feet, hands and body,” not because it does or doesn’t, but because I don’t have the background in acupressure to speak about the subject. It does feel good (to me) to roll my feet on.
Check out Wikipedia’s entry on acupressure to become more informed! Whereas many people like the idea of acupressure, other folks claim there may be no known scientific basis to acupressure principles, so you may want to check out a contrasting opinion if you’re so moved.
Who should be careful?
Anyone with intense and/or chronic pain, I’m guessing. It may help. Again, I am only providing general information and my personal experience. You should get a professional opinion(s) about you situation.
Also the manufacturer states that Foot Rubz only provide temporary relief from discomfort, pain and soreness. In other words, it may help treat the symptoms of problem but won’t fix the underlying problem!
What are some other Foot Ball alternatives?
Check out The TriggerPoint MobiPoint Massage Ball Review. The MobiPoint has a bit more give than the FootRubz. I like to use them slightly different things. The MobiPoint for a more gentle massage and the FootRubz for a deeper one.
There seem to be about 5 different variations of the Foot Rubz available on the Amazon, as of Spring 2018. I don’t remember all the options existing a few years ago. I could be wrong but I think Foot Rubz was one of the originals. Also, the Foot Rubz company has 2 other products, which I haven’t tried but look very good. These may also provide relief.
What about other strategies to Help Foot Soreness?
Looking beyond massage balls and other myofascial-type roller products for relief?
You could get a massage or give yourself a massage.
I like walking barefoot, especially in the sand. It seems to help me with some of my foot discomfort issues.
Also, lots of folks will use a tennis ball or lacrosse ball.
What about some other ways to massage the feet?
Besides using a roller ball like foot rubs some other ways to massage your feet would be to use a different kind of massager. Or you could just massage your feet with your parents. A lot of people find something some household item to massage your feet like a tennis ball or a lacrosse ball.
In addition to massaging your feet, you could also do foot exercises and ankle exercises, too.
Some basic examples of doing foot exercises are doing toe stretches, doing range of motion like spelling the alphabet and doing calf raises (you know like if you’re standing on the stairs).
What are the benefits of foot massage?
For me, I would say it helps relieve foot discomfort. It also can help break up knots, especially along the ridge of the foot and also in the arch of the foot. In terms of other parts of the body, I think there’s tons of benefits.
According to Harvard Health:
“Regular [foot]massage improves circulation, stimulates muscles, reduces tension, often eases pain.”
All in all, besides using a massage aid, like Foot Rubz, massaging muscles really can help a person’s overall wellbeing.
How often can you use Foot Rubz?
It’s up to you, but probably a few times a day for a few minutes. I like to use it when I’m on the computer or watching TV. Also, if you’re in the airplane, it’s good to use for a few minutes if your feet don’t smell too bad! And it doesn’t roll off to some other part of the airplane.
When do you use Foot Rubz?
Usually at the end of the day. Not every day, but once and awhile when my feet feel pretty tight, maybe after a day with a lot of walking or running.
More suggestions:
- Stretch well
- Consult with professionals
- Become educated about different perspectives and ideas
- Exercise well
- Stretch before and after working out
- Prehab: Prevent Injuries, Improve Posture + Movement
- Rest and recover well
- Hydrate well
- Find applicable foot and lower leg stretches and exercises for optimum performance
- Do specific pre- and post-workout stretches in relation to your feet (self-massages, also with these massage balls, etc)
Conclusion
Foot Rubz aren’t probably going to be a big difference in your day-to-day life, but they might help you incrementally. (Like maybe make your day 1% better or something, I don’t know!)
If you’re interested, I would recommend checking them out. Please let me know how they worked for you!
Due North Foot Rubz Foot Hand and Back Massage Ball, Relief from Plantar Fasciitis (Amazon link)
Credits
Footprints in Sand by Olichel Adamovich
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