Physio chat: The many uses of foam rollers

Foam rollers have been popular in the exercise world for a while now and are mainly used to help combat muscle soreness and tightness after your workout.

In addition to relieving muscle soreness, foam rollers are used to help breakdown adhesions or scar tissue in the fascia - the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles to transmit both force and movement to other areas of your body more effectively and efficiently. Using the foam roller to help iron out these lumps and bumps in the muscle and fascia is a method of what physios call myofascial release.

But there are a number of other uses for your foam roller:

Thoracic mobilisation

If you sit at a desk all day or work in a physically demanding job you may feel yourself getting sore and tight across your mid-upper back. Foam rollers are great for helping ease that tension.

Core exercises

Foam rollers are a great addition to your core or Clinical Exercise-based workouts as a means of challenging your stability and strength. Use your roller to change your base of support or to work on your balance – you’ll have to work just that bit harder to maintain control thus engaging your core.

Stress relief

Foam rollers can help you relax by relieving the tension and stresses you build up in your body throughout the day. Take a look at what our physio Jamie has said about this on Facebook. 

View more about foam rollers on our blog

Author

Darren Kreymborg - Physiotherapist at Back In Motion Blackwood, SA

Darren graduated from the University of South Australia, having completed a bachelor’s degree in Human Movement (2011) and a master’s degree in physiotherapy (2013). He has a keen interest in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and special interests in low back pain, headaches and sporting injuries. Darren is passionate and committed to improving himself as a physiotherapist and keeps up to date with the latest in physiotherapy research and professional development courses in order to provide best treatment and best results to clients.

Outside of work Darren is a keen basketballer, loves travelling, music, watching TV and spending time with family and friends.