In recent times, foam rolling has gone mainstream. Once a self-massage technique which was only by professional athletes, coaches, and therapists using a foam roller is now a daily practice for people at all levels of fitness. There\u2019s a reason for the widespread acceptance of this self-massage technique: it\u2019s simple and it works.<\/p>\n
The process of foam rolling is also known as myofascial release. Fascia is the thin tissue which connects our muscles. Imagine it as your body\u2019s internal packaging \u2014 it assists our muscle groups to cooperate as integrated units.<\/p>\n
When fascia is healthy, it is flexible, supple and glides effortlessly over your muscles. However, binding in your fascia can develop for a variety of reasons, such as muscle injury, inactivity, disease, inflammation and even trauma. Even just sitting at a desk for eight hours a day can get your fascia \u2018gummed up\u2019 and stiff.<\/p>\n
Many people now prefer dynamic stretching as opposed to static stretching. Here, you move your body through the chosen range of motion<\/a>. Running on the spot while kicking your butt, for instance, is a dynamic adaptation of the traditional static quad stretch.<\/p>\n Foam rolling the body part you would otherwise stretch, instead of actually stretching it, serves a similar purpose as dynamic stretching. This is because your muscles have the opportunity to move around. In fact, studies show that using a foam roller can improve your range of motion when done before exercise.<\/p>\n