What is foam rolling?
A foam roller is just what it sounds like: a foam roller is a firm, cylindrical shaped piece of foam which is commonly used to create pressure against the muscle to release tension and to increase range of motion. Self-myofascial release or self-massage uses a foam roller to relieve muscle tightness or trigger points that occur in your fascia tissue. You can use the foam roller for various parts of the body to create releases and you can apply this principle to any part of the body. It’s also a great tool to use for stretching too.
What is Fascia?
Fascia is a very densely woven tissue like a spider’s web that covers every muscle, bone, nerve, artery, internal organ, and even your brain. In a healthy body the fascia tissue is relaxed and flexible. But, after trauma, like a sport injury or a heavy workout, the tissue loses its flexibility and becomes tight, this leads to tightness and pain in your body.
By rolling your muscles across the foam roller it will help break up the tightness to help keep your fascia flexible and relaxed.
Why is foam rolling so beneficial?
When you are doing a highly repetitive movement such as running, swimming, or biking, you’re typically overusing some muscles and underusing others. The muscles that get overused tend to get tight, and a tight muscle doesn’t function properly. When you foam roll, you can help improve symmetrical (ideal) muscle function by ‘resetting’ tight areas.
Some benefits of foam rolling include:
Reducing muscle pain
Increasing range of motion around a joint
Break up scar tissue
Making muscles more responsive to stretching
Improve blood circulation
Relaxation – reduce stress levels
It’s a relatively safe way to self-massage tight muscles
Your athletic performance will get a boost
Muscle recover may be faster
Injury prevention
Improves posture
The benefits of foam rolling are plentiful. Doing this on a regular basis not only provides an immediate release from tension and soreness after a workout, but it may also promote mobility, flexibility, and overall fitness gains. After a few classes you will figure out the right level of pressure for your muscles and it feels amazing!
Massage can be expensive and a weekly massage is not always in the budget, but our new Foam Rolling classes are so affordable at just $10 per session. Our Foam Rolling – Stretch and Release classes are held every Saturday at 9.40am, if you are interested in booking for this class please call us on 0409586950 or email admin@studiolifewave.com and we will get you booked in.