How to Get Relief with a Foam Roller

Do you ever feel like stretching just isn’t doing it for you? Are you super sore after your workouts and can’t figure out a solution? Whether you have a sore low back or post-workout pain, maybe what you need is a different form of relief: a foam roller! Foam rolling is a great way to perform some light myofascial release; our fascia is underneath our skin and often makes us feel super tight. Learn how to use a foam roller and which areas to roll to promote circulation, soften up those adhesions, and increase circulation.

All exercises you perform are your own responsibility and you perform them at your own risk. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider before starting any physical exercise, fitness or wellness regiments of any kind.

4 Responses to “How to Get Relief with a Foam Roller”

1. Rnr.tamez January 1st, 2019

   Hi, is it safe to foam roll over the lumbar/ lower spine?

   Reply

   • Customer Service January 9th, 2019

     Hi There!

     The goal of the foam roller is to “massage” or roll out your muscles. To answer your specific question, yes you can and should roll out your entire spine. You are not rolling your low back vertebrae, but rather the muscles on either side of the spine. We have a great foam rolling article that might help you. I encourage you to read it and see the photos of how to roll the lower back.

     Hope this helps!
     Kim, GetHealthy U Team

     Reply

2. j August 31st, 2016

   You mention that foam rolling softens adhesions. Do you have any techniques for softening the adhesions that occur as part of a frozen shoulder? Waiting a year or more for the adhesions to soften on their own is so frustrating, not to mention the difficulty of hooking a bra properly.

   Reply

   • Customer Service September 1st, 2016

     Thank you for your question.
     Foam rolling a frozen shoulder can be tricky since we don’t know exactly what’s going on in your shoulder. I suggest talking to your doctor and asking if rolling with a tennis ball or LaCross ball would be beneficial?
     This article explains in detail what is happening in a frozen shoulder and gives you a few PT exercises you could try that might help.
     http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00071 <http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00071>
     Again, before starting any exercises or rolling with a ball you should make sure your doctor or PT gives you the green light. You also might be interested in this article on ant-inflammatory foods that might help you:
     http://gethealthyu.com/6-foods-fight-inflammation/ <http://gethealthyu.com/6-foods-fight-inflammation/>
     I hope these ideas help!!

     Reply