Foam rollers, do they help mobility and should they be part of stretching for joint aches and pains?
It is now February already, which is a scary thought for some people, including me.
Hopefully, those of you who are reading this have stuck to your New Year’s resolutions. Exercise is a common resolution, and that is fantastic news. There is always something that you could do that you will thank yourself for in the years to come. So if you haven’t started yet, now is the time!
Your exercise routine may have hit a few road bumps along the way. Sore muscles and aching is a common side effect of exercise and even though stretching is brilliant, it won’t always release off those tight muscles. You may be wondering if there is something else you can do. There is.
Foam Rollers- how they can help ease muscles
Foam rolling is a great way of routinely releasing off muscles themselves and a connective tissue called fascia. Fascia interconnects your muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones. There is no getting away from it, and when it is working as intended, it stretches and moves with the body. However, if you have a poor stretching routine, are glued to a desk for 8 hours a day or find your are often stressed then fascia can become stiff and even painful. This can increase your chance of getting more injuries.
So is foam rolling for you? It is a great solution for a lot of people, and has been shown to improve the range of movements your joints can achieve if they are stiff. It can also reduce soreness! I myself am an avid user of foam rollers, and although it is incredibly easy to do once you know how to do it, getting specific advice on how to use a foam roller can really help with those fitness setbacks!
