Foam Rollers What the hell are these?
- Thread starter The Dude
- Start date
Pharm_Fed
MuscleChemistry Registered Member
It's kind of like self-administered ART. Speeds recovery, increases blood flow, etc. Not just for your back though, for use on any muscle.
They have them at Dick's in a variety of flavors.
Dick's Sporting Goods
They have them at Dick's in a variety of flavors.
Dick's Sporting Goods
neonlizard
New member
I foam roll every day. The technical term for it is self myofacial release. It helps relieve the tension and built up knots in the myofacial layer. With that being said, it seems that the lazy mans remedy for this would simply be to pump some synthol in there and stretch the tissue. I get that when you are massive that this may be a necessity to allow more room for growth, but honestly, very few people ever reach that level. This was one of the first things I read about when I was studying to be a trainer and I can't stress the benefits of it especially in places like the hamstrings and tfl. It helps not only in the repair process, but also in creating more room for muscle growth via releasing the restrictions that the tightened myofacial layer has on the muscles. If you have any more questions at all, feel free to ask, this is a subject I'm a bit of an expert in.
neonlizard
New member
There are some videos on YouTube, pretty simple but it does hurt like a biotch when you do it right.
Ox 51
Musclechemistry Guru
Well, that's encouraging...
neonlizard
New member
Yes and no. That is one way to roll but if your goal is to loosen up knots in the myofacial layer, you're going to want to roll to the spot that hurts when you roll over it and leave static pressure on that spot for 30+ seconds. If you do this and are able to relax the muscle fully, you will actually feel the tension in the layer release and you will be amazed at how loose and free the area feels afterward. I'll find something solid when I get to my computer, typing this from my iPhone right now. But if you're antsy, look up Self Myofacial Release (Smr) and you will find exactly what you're looking for. This link shows everything related to what I'm talking about: http://www.performbetter.com/webapp...151&catalogId=10751&languageId=-1&pagename=91
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neonlizard
New member
My certs are through(decided to delete the orginazation just bc) and everything he's done is correct, except when he says to "concentrate on that area" and is rolling back and forth over it with a "small range of motion" you would stay on that area for a while with constant pressure. This video attached is EXACTLY what I teach clients. To each their own but this guy says it 100% correct when he says, "the rolling isn't that important".
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Give it a shot and you will actually feel the tension release and the layer expand a bit over the muscle, it's pretty cool. I didn't think it could be all that b/c I'd never really seen anyone do it the way we were taught but then I started doing it a couple years ago and can't stop. I haven't had any injuries since I started this either which is a big plus as I used to pull stuff all the time, primarily with straight leg deadlifts. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
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Give it a shot and you will actually feel the tension release and the layer expand a bit over the muscle, it's pretty cool. I didn't think it could be all that b/c I'd never really seen anyone do it the way we were taught but then I started doing it a couple years ago and can't stop. I haven't had any injuries since I started this either which is a big plus as I used to pull stuff all the time, primarily with straight leg deadlifts. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
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neonlizard
New member
You can definitely use them on carpet. It's obviously not the ideal situation but would still work for sure.
neonlizard
New member
What type of back pain is it? Skeletal, muscular, just tightness that you can't pinpoint the cause of? The technique could vary drastically depending on what is causing the pain. This is always the starting point especially for lower back issues assuming no unrecooperated injuries. Usually the cause for lower back pain has to do with over or under active muscles and this would address the underactive muscles. To pinpoint the remedy though, you would ideally do a fitness assessment. Overhead squat assessment, pushing/pulling assessment etc and a properly trained person could tell you what the corrective exercises/stretches would be. If you are able to be unbiased and objective toward yourself, you could even do these yourself. You might add 15 minutes a day to what you're already doing at the gym (and get some weird looks) but a pain free back is worth it IMO.
The Dude
MuscleChemistry Registered Member
I've got to try these. I'm going to order one
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