What is foam rolling and how can it benefit you?
Do you tend to get tightness and tension in your upper or mid back? Maybe you get occasional niggles in your hips, knees, shins, outer thighs or feet? Some of my regular 1-1 clients have experienced specific muscle group foam rolling and dynamic stretching before training sessions. Foam rolling is another technique that can be used at home to ease some aches and tension.
I won’t reinvent the wheel here, so take a look at this very useful Youtube video: what is foam rolling and the basics of how to do it.
These are some of the common reasons why we might experience muscle tightness, tension and pain:
Inherited physiology – our natural body shape and design (some body types can be more prone to tension)
Posture, biomechanics (how we move) and previous injuries
Lifestyle – e.g. whether we are deskbound/ sedentary, or if we are over-using certain muscle groups
Stress
Dietary mineral imbalance – e.g. too little magnesium, potassium, too much calcium etc.
If you enjoy regular exercise such as running, cycling, swimming, strength training etc, it’s important to restore balance to what you do. Some muscles will be weak and not fire up appropriately, while other muscles will overwork and become tight.
If you have a muscle, bone, tendon or ligament injury seek help and advice from a physiotherapist or similar musculoskeletal specialist before carrying on or doing further exercise. Don’t forget to carry out their recommended exercises diligently!
Learn from regular athletes. What do they do to reduce injury or recover after exercise? You can’t beat:
visiting a professional massage therapist or sports rehabilitation specialist.
or following up with me – with an assisted stretch session and learning how to take the next step of correcting and re-strengthening the muscles that may be weak. Learn first by having a free chat and follow up with a postural check and corrective programme.
When you understand how your body works, know what to do and look after it, you may find you stay in better health and reduce further chances of injury!
