Credit: @newbalanceusa
Foam rolling is having a moment right now. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to help relieve the tightness in muscles that you feel post exercise, after a long time in your office chair or at the end of a day of travel. If you haven’t ever foam rolled before now is the time to start. As well as helping to loosen up the body, foam rolling will also enhance circulation and rehydrate muscle tissue, just like a massage.
Foam rolling at home is essentially giving yourself a deep tissue massage on days when you don’t want to book a personal masseuse. Read on for our tips on the foam rolling techniques you should be doing daily, so you can truly make the most of your next treatment.
Credit: @drmanish_soni
Knead out knots with acupressure
Rolling over super tight spots and applying firm pressure where needed on your muscles can help to work away those painful knots. While you won’t be able to go as deep as a massage therapist, daily kneading with a roller can help to break down scar tissue, so when it’s time for your next treatment it will be quicker and easier for your masseuse to relieve any issues.
Use it as a prop for stretching
Foam rolling is a great compliment to yoga and you can use your roller in conjunction with classic moves to make your stretches easier to hold. After a week or two of foam rolling book a Thai Yoga massage and you’ll instantly be able to notice a difference in both your flexibility and core strength.
Loosen up after workout sessions
With daily foam rolling you should be able to greatly reduce your risk of stiffness and the tightness in your muscles after exercise. Be sure to roll regularly after workouts and fitness classes to ensure you speed up your body’s healing and recovery process.
Breathe deeper and improve your mood
If you end your work days feeling frazzled and often find yourself looking for a massage near you, try using your foam roller to keep calm instead. Sit at the end of the roller and lie down so it runs along the length of your spine and neck. Stretch your arms out either side and as you breathe deeply, focusing on your breath. This is a great technique to stretch open your chest, relaxing your muscles and leave you with an overall feeling of calm and wellbeing. Try this every day for a week and at your next treatment your masseuse should notice you’re more relaxed, allowing them to go deeper with their techniques.
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