What is all this fuss about foam rolling?

I recently taught a foam rolling class and it was filled with individuals who either owned a foam roller but had no idea how to use it or had used one in the past but found it to be too painful to use. So what is it with the foam roller and how can it benefit you?

Foam rolling is a technique used to help massage muscles using a deep tissue approach. It is meant to help relieve muscle tightness and soreness allowing  for  improved tissue mobility and decreased pain. There are many different densities of foam rollers and each one will have a slightly different effect on your tissues, depending on how deeply you want / need to massage your muscles. Less density, or a softer foam roller, is often most appropriate for those new to rolling vs a higher density foam roller will provide the deeper tissue work that is sometimes too intense initially. Remember, foam rolling will be uncomfortable but not so much so that you are gritting your teeth, waiting for it to be over with! If that is happening, decrease the amount of pressure you are applying and take slow, deep breaths as you roll through some of those tissues that are more sensitive than others. 

Want to learn more? Foam Rolling 101 will be held at Joy of Pilates on Wednesday, March 18th at 4:35pm. This presentation will talk more in depth about foam rolling and be filled with techniques to help you relieve muscle tension from head to toe! Please bring a foam roller if you have one, otherwise there will be some available for use. Please RSVP to Brandis@bakertobaypt.com Cost is $20.00.