![\"Maria](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5282-882c.jpg\")
\n\t\tDoes packing a tennis ball in your carry-on actually help on long flights? Let\u2019s find out (Picture: Maria Astardjieva)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tDoes packing a tennis ball in your carry-on actually help on long flights? Let\u2019s find out (Picture: Maria Astardjieva)<\/p>\n
Around the five-hour mark of my long-haul flight<\/a> from London<\/a> to San Francisco<\/a>, everything hurts.<\/p>\n My lower back is throbbing<\/a>, my leg muscles are stiff, and I\u2019ve exhausted every possible sitting position, none of which are comfortable enough for longer than a minute.<\/p>\n Stuck in the window seat, with my neighbour fast asleep before the safety demo had finished, I bide my time before the inevitable \u2018excuse me, can I just squeeze past?\u2019.<\/p>\n But then I remember: along with my passport, noise-cancelling headphones and neck pillow, I packed something else. A tennis ball.<\/p>\n Not your typical essential, but according to travel experts, it doubles as an effective in-flight massage tool<\/a>. Frequent flyers swear by it, and it keeps popping up on TikTok<\/a> again and again.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tBest of Metro Deals\t\t\t<\/p>\n Get exclusive\u00a0discounts\u00a0with\u00a0Metro Deals<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 save on getaways and spa days.\u00a0Powered by Wowcher<\/p>\n Bannatyne Spa: Spa day for two with treatments, lunch & prosecco \u2014\u00a0save up to 57%\u00a0off.<\/p>\n Get deal now<\/a><\/p>\n Mystery Escape: Hotel stay with return flights from as low as \u00a392pp \u2014\u00a0save on worldwide holiday packages.<\/p>\n Get deal now<\/a><\/p>\n Beach Retreat (Lanzarote): 4* Lanzarote beach holiday with flights \u2014\u00a0save up to 58%.<\/p>\n Get deal now<\/a><\/p>\n At this point, my curiosity is piqued, and I\u2019m in pain, so I decide to give it a go.<\/p>\n Trying the viral tennis ball travel hack<\/p>\n I\u2019ve seen countless tips<\/a> promising to make long-haul flights more bearable. There are compression socks, inflatable cushions<\/a> and even lidocaine patches. <\/p>\n But one suggestion kept cropping up, particularly on Reddit\u2019s trusty r\/TravelHacks<\/a>: pack a tennis ball.<\/p>\n It\u2019s cheap (mine was left over from a short-lived tennis stint a couple of summers ago), weighs next to nothing, and, crucially, takes up barely any space. So, into the bag it went.<\/p>\n Long-haul flights are uncomfortable. If you\u2019re lucky enough to get an aisle seat \u2014 or better yet, can afford to \u2018turn left\u2019 into business class<\/a> \u2014 your best bet is to get up regularly and stretch.<\/p>\n Physiatrist Ali Ganjei, MD, Medical Director of the Inova Spine Program<\/a>, explains: \u2018Staying stationary for prolonged periods of time stresses the spine and can make back pain much worse. See if there is room at the back of the plane to do some quick stretching, which can ease stiffness.\u2019<\/p>\n But if you\u2019re stuck in your seat (like me) or in need of extra relief, the tennis ball trick might be a winner.<\/p>\n Does it actually work?<\/p>\n According to Tracy Hannigan, a registered osteopath and qualified sleep therapist, the answer is yes.<\/p>\n \u2018A tennis ball is small and light and can help you apply soothing pressure to areas you might not otherwise be able to reach,\u2019 she tells Metro.<\/p>\n \t\t This works by applying pressure to tight muscles, helping boost blood flow and release tension \u2013 similar to a deep-tissue massage.<\/p>\n She suggests placing the ball inside a hand towel and rolling it \u2018like a sausage\u2019 to stop it from slipping. I didn\u2019t remember to pack a towel, so I improvised by placing the ball in a (clean!) sock.<\/p>\n I start by positioning the ball at the base of my spine, just above my tailbone \u2013 the epicentre of that dull ache that seems to appear the moment you start approaching your 30s. <\/p>\n Leaning back into the seat, I apply gentle pressure and slowly shift my weight. Almost instantly, I feel relief. It\u2019s subtle, but noticeable \u2013 the light but consistent pressure works wonders.\u00a0<\/p>\n Next, I follow the experts\u2019 advice and move to my upper back and shoulders, using my makeshift sock contraption to reach those trickier spots. Again, the tension starts to dissipate.<\/p>\n Finally \u2013 and this quickly becomes my favourite part \u2013 I place the ball on the floor and use it to massage the soles of my feet. It feels so good, I try not to audibly sigh with relief (I\u2019m conscious that what I\u2019m doing probably already looks a bit\u2026unusual).<\/p>\n By now, my aisle seat neighbour is awake and watching with interest. I give her the rundown of what I\u2019m doing. <\/p>\n By the end of the flight, I\u2019ve convinced her she needs to try it, too.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tFinal verdict on the tennis ball travel hack\t\t\t<\/p>\n The humble tennis ball has earned a permanent place in my carry-on.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s not a miracle cure \u2013 you still need to get up, stretch, and move around where possible, it\u2019s an easy, effective way to ease stiffness and target those hard-to-reach aches mid-flight.<\/p>\n Considering it costs next to nothing and takes up barely any space, it\u2019s really a no-brainer. It might look a bit odd, but then again, so does quietly wriggling around, trying not to cry from back pain.<\/p>\n This article was originally published on May 1, 2026.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5312-16b9-e1777646595265.jpg\")
\n\t\tThis last-minute addition to my hand luggage has revolutionised the way I travel (Picture: Maria Astardjieva)<\/p>\n
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