| The foam roller is a simple but incredibly effective | | | | lower and mid back slowly and steadily up and |
| tool for personal daily stretching, massage and | | | | down on it paying attention to areas that feel |
| pain management from muscular tightness and | | | | tight and need attention. In the same way, place it |
| structural imbalances. Several months ago I was | | | | under your legs and using your arms to support |
| introduced to the foam roller by an excellent | | | | you, roll your hamstrings (back of your thighs), |
| Chiropractor who, like me, believes not only in | | | | quadriceps (front of your thighs), iliotibial or I.T. |
| doing body work but in getting to the root of the | | | | bands (the outsides of your thighs) and even your |
| problem and working with people for a home | | | | calves and hips on it using your body weight for |
| program to help them help themselves on a daily | | | | pressure. Be aware that for nearly everyone the |
| basis. | | | | iliotibial bands which are made up of connective |
| The foam roller is exactly what is sounds like. A | | | | tissue will be quite tight and unable to support too |
| round, long piece of sturdy foam that you roll | | | | much pressure without some pain. This is not a |
| your body on. It looks like a big solid foam noodle. | | | | soothing, feel good kind of massage. This will |
| You know, like the pool toys you can float and sit | | | | work your muscles deeply and it may not feel |
| on. The best and most popular size for overall use | | | | great, but it is effective. Because it is so deep |
| is the 36-inch long and 6-inch diameter model. | | | | and possibly even a bit painful, you probably |
| These are available on line for around $13 plus | | | | cannot and do not need to do it for very long. |
| shipping. If you go to a store you are likely to see | | | | You can work all the areas you need to in just a |
| prices anywhere from $25 to $50 for the same | | | | few minutes every day. |
| item. Too high for a bit of foam in my opinion, but | | | | By using the foam roller every day you have an |
| nevertheless, if you buy and use this piece of | | | | easy and effective tool available to slowly and |
| equipment it will be worth it. | | | | steadily loosen tight muscles that cause pain and |
| To use the foam roller you simply find enough | | | | pull your body out of balance and alignment. A |
| space on the floor to be stretched out full and be | | | | few minutes a day used over time will become |
| able to move around. Place the roller on the floor. | | | | more comfortable as your muscles learn to |
| Now lie on the foam roller and roll your upper, | | | | soften and let go of unnecessary tightness. |