Foam Rollers? What is that? Have you ever noticed a Styrofoam roll in your gym and wondered what it is and what it is used for?
Foam rollers are used to stretch muscle and fascia. Fascia is a layer of connective tissue that surrounds muscle. Often times this fascia gets bound up into fibrous sheets that can cause tightness and restrict a muscles’ flexibility thus causing pain or limitations in movement. The foam roller provides an opportunity to roll on and compress these structures using pressure massage to loosen areas of restriction. Even muscle spasms or trigger points can be relieved through sustained pressure in one area.
Generally, foam rollers are used to promote soft tissue flexibility in large muscle groups like the quadriceps on the front of the thighs, the hamstrings and gluts on the back of the thigh and the tensor fascia lata along the side of the hip. I certainly use the roller myself, as I am prone to thoracic spine (mid-back) tightness.
If you are noticing pain and tightness that doesn’t go away with stretching, you may want to get assessed by your MD and PT. Your physical therapist can show you how to use the foam roller to improve your flexibility and strengthen surrounding muscle groups to prevent overuse injuries.
Don’t suffer unnecessarily after exercise — call your physical therapist or a therapist on our team today.
