A foam roller should be a basic tool you'd want to keep on-hand & use on a regular basis. Foam rolling is a form of self-massage. It helps to break up the fascia, or the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles. It helps to alleviate the knots & trigger points that develop from being active. It's super affordable & easy to use… BUT can be somewhat uncomfortable. So, breathe through each move & take your time. Check out some techniques I show you in this video… that will get you started.
Purchase one here.
This is so funny! Dana 3 weeks ago my left thigh was so tight I didn’t know what to do, someone made me try te roller and that night I brought one. Now everyone in the house is using it.
haha… awesome! It’s amazing how great they work, if you are patient & can tolerate the discomfort so you can get to the comfort on the other side 🙂
Hi Dana,
I have been using a roller for awhile – my massage therapist suggested it for my incredibly tight IT bands. It works well when I remember to do it and this video gave me some more ideas of how to get even more out of it, so Thanks! I was wondering, is it ok to let it rest on a specific trigger point for awhile to try to break a knot, or do you think actual motion is needed?
PJ
You can hang out on that pressure point for a bit – but I’m confident you’ll find more relief if you move over it gently & slowly. And of course, breathe! 🙂
Can you use this on lower stomach & pelvic area?
What would be the purpose, if you don’t mind me asking?
I have a bit of pain in my lower stomach & pelvic area, wondered if the roller would help the pain?
I don’t think that you will find relief with this method. A foam roller is ideal over tight, larger muscles. Your abdomen is softer tissue. Sounds like there is something else going on there – you may want to have that checked out.