Clients at Body Sculptors in Louisville, KY, know that a hard workout can result in some muscle aches and pains. Those can lead to a reluctance to keep a workout schedule. The best way to deal with sore muscles is to avoid them and a foam roller can do that. There are several benefits you can get from foam rolling, besides relief of muscles aches and pains. It’s a technique where you use a self-myofascial release (SMR) technique.
When you loosen muscle tissue, you increase your range of motion.
Every workout should include flexibility exercises to boost range of motion. The more improved it is, the less chance of injury during a workout or just doing everyday movements. Foam rolling can be combined with exercises like static stretching to get the most benefit. In one smaller study, it was found that a combination of static stretching and foam rolling actually provided the most benefits for range of motion, when compared to either used alone.
Use it to warm your muscles before working out and increase circulation.
What is foam rolling? A foam roller is normally a long tube similar to a short, wider pool noodle. They can have a variety of textures from smooth to ones with foam projectiles. When you lay on them and roll, they release a variety of trigger points and can improve circulation, while loosening muscles. That same action can also increase circulation to improve recovery. It also reduces inflammation and by loosening the muscles, is the cause of increased range of motion.
Back pain can be debilitating and foam rolling can help reduce that pain.
Foam rolling is a massage, albeit a self-massage. If you’ve ever had a massage for back pain, you know how good it can feel when you’re done. There are some problems when doing this type of self-massage, but the biggest one is getting the foam in the right position and moving your body to ensure it creates the massage you want, without causing further injury due to an awkward position that can cause back straining.
- If you want to look your best in a swimsuit, foam rolling can temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite. However, the results are temporary. If you want more permanent results, a healthy diet and regular exercise is the way to go.
- Fibromyalgia is a painful disease that’s exhausting and depressing. Foam rolling may help. One small study found that when 66 adults used foam rolling for 20 weeks, they had less fatigue, less depression, increased range of motion and far less pain.
- Foam rolling isn’t good for every injury. If you are pregnant, have a muscle tear or other serious muscle or bone condition, you should avoid foam rolling. Always talk to your health care professional first.
- If it’s hard for you to relax and get a good night’s sleep, you probably hold your tension in your muscles. Foam rolling can help loosen that tension and aid in getting to sleep faster.
For more information, contact us today at Body Sculptors Personal Training