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Foam Rolling

Foam rolling is a great way to reduce muscle density and deactivate troublesome trigger points that can cause muscle shortening, diminish strength and result in pain.

No fancy equipment is needed and the technique is relatively easy to incorporate into your daily routine and/or warm-up. It can even be done on rest days in front of your television.

Are LMT's aware of this modality and therefore using or suggesting this technique?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on December 18, 2009 at 8:27pm

Different! Do you have a website on it?

Permalink Reply by Danny Christie on December 18, 2009 at 8:33pm

My site is currently under construction. I will be posting a more in depth article on this form of self care soon

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on December 18, 2009 at 8:37pm

Sounds great! Thanks! Start a group too! You may be surprised how many will join!

Danny Christie said:

My site is currently under construction. I will be posting a more in depth article on this form of self care soon

Permalink Reply by Bert Davich on December 18, 2009 at 10:20pm

I assume you are referring to the 6" diameter by 3 ft foam roller that was/is commonly used by athletic trainers. It is especially effective for IT band and vertebral work. They are great self care tools.

I have used a foam roller since I was in school. It was introduced as part of the curriculum and I used it during breaks regularly and still use it sporadically.

I have recommended it to clients that had no contraindicating vertebral issues (like scoliosis or a degenerative disease) and that I believed would benefit, and were capable of using it without hurting themselves.

When I do recommend it, I also recommend a book with illustrations and instructions on how to use it we carry in the clinic. That makes it educational rather than a prescription for therapy.

Permalink Reply by Valerie Cochrane on December 19, 2009 at 8:05am

Yes, I do suggest a foam roller for ITB work. I have sold a few to my clients as well. It hurts to use but it does help to soften the tissue and allows our sessions to focus on TP rather than speding time softening.

Permalink Reply by Erica Olson on December 19, 2009 at 10:54am

I live in a very athletic ski town, so I see a lot of skiers, mountain bikers, and runners. I have definitely suggested a foam roller for those with tight IT bands. It is not unusual for my clients come to me already aware of and/or using this technique.

Permalink Reply by Erik Dalton, Ph.D. on December 20, 2009 at 8:32am

Hey Danny:

Do you use the 8" or 6" roll?

I use a product I buy from a PT supply house here in OKC called the "Soul-Roll". It's density allows me to mobilize thoracic joints stuck in flexion. With knees flexed and feet flat on the floor (lying supine), I lift my hips, cross my arms around my chest, and allow my head to drop. By rolling across the apex of the kyphotic curve (bra line), I usually hear a cavitation as fixated (ERS) T8,9 &10 joints close.

Really helps release the protective muscle guarding caused by joint blockage of the intevertebral, costotransverse and costovertebral articulations. Teach a revised exercise to all my functional and structural scoliotics and, of course, to the upper crossed clients.

Permalink Reply by Bert Davich on December 20, 2009 at 11:38am

Thanks Erik,
It would be great if you would care to elaborate on the revisions for scoliotics to use the foam roller.

Permalink Reply by Danny Christie on December 20, 2009 at 1:29pm

Hello Erik,

I use various sizes actually depending on the area being worked, size of client and foam roller density is real important.

I have stoped suggesting and personally using rolling techniques for the ITB, which I will expand on in later posts.

Permalink Reply by Jacqueline M Curan on December 24, 2009 at 7:37am

Danny I recommend foam rolling to my clients fairly often. I'm lucky to have a small training room at my office which is perfect for showing clients how to use the roller. I also order them for clients and pass them on at cost to save them the extra cost they would pay if retail purchasing. I have one at my home and use it often. I can't say i enjoy using it but i do feel soo much better afterward.

Permalink Reply by Jacqueline M Curan on December 24, 2009 at 7:41am

Bert is the book you refer to one that yoiur clinic has put together or is it one that is published for public use?

Bert Davich said:

I assume you are referring to the 6" diameter by 3 ft foam roller that was/is commonly used by athletic trainers. It is especially effective for IT band and vertebral work. They are great self care tools.

I have used a foam roller since I was in school. It was introduced as part of the curriculum and I used it during breaks regularly and still use it sporadically.

I have recommended it to clients that had no contraindicating vertebral issues (like scoliosis or a degenerative disease) and that I believed would benefit, and were capable of using it without hurting themselves.

When I do recommend it, I also recommend a book with illustrations and instructions on how to use it we carry in the clinic. That makes it educational rather than a prescription for therapy.

Permalink Reply by Bert Davich on December 24, 2009 at 9:25am

It is published for public use. The one we carry is "Foam Roller Techniques" by Michael Fredericson. There are others.

Jacqueline M Curan said:

Bert is the book you refer to one that yoiur clinic has put together or is it one that is published for public use?

Bert Davich said:
I assume you are referring to the 6" diameter by 3 ft foam roller that was/is commonly used by athletic trainers. It is especially effective for IT band and vertebral work. They are great self care tools.

I have used a foam roller since I was in school. It was introduced as part of the curriculum and I used it during breaks regularly and still use it sporadically.

I have recommended it to clients that had no contraindicating vertebral issues (like scoliosis or a degenerative disease) and that I believed would benefit, and were capable of using it without hurting themselves.

When I do recommend it, I also recommend a book with illustrations and instructions on how to use it we carry in the clinic. That makes it educational rather than a prescription for therapy.