It is estimated that over 116 million Americans suffer from debilitating chronic pain each year, of which low back pain is the most common. According to The American Academy of Pain Medicine, “Back pain is the leading cause of disability in Americans under 45 years old. More than 26 million Americans between the ages of 20-64 experience frequent back pain.” There is a proven and effective way to treat most forms of chronic pain — self-myofascial release using foam roller massage therapy.By performing self-myofascial release techniques using a foam roller or ball, you can reduce trigger points, decrease tissue tension, and break down scar tissue adhesions in injured myofascial tissue (muscle and fascia) formed by a combination of acute trauma, poor posture, repetitive movement, over-training, or inadequate sleep. The goal of self-myofascial release is to speed up the healing and recovery process, reduce pain, improve joint range of motion, balance the body, and prevent injury.How does self-myofascial release work?Fascia is a three-dimensional fibrous matrix interconnected throughout the body from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet. Fascia surrounds muscles, bones, and joints providing the body structural integrity and strength. Dysfunctional fascia is a leading cause of chronic pain, reduced flexibility, and decreased athletic performance.Located within the muscle and tendon tissue are two sensory receptors called the muscle spindle and the golgi tendon organ. These sensory receptors monitor muscular and tendon tension from the surrounding tissue and relates it to your nervous system. They are highly sensitive to changes in muscle tension and rate of change. Stimulation of the golgi tendon organ leads to a decrease in soft tissue tension.Placing pressure directly on tight or overly toned muscle tissue using deep tissue massage therapy or self-myofascial release techniques stimulates the golgi tendon organ to relax tension in the soft tissue. Decreases in soft tissue tension will help break down scar tissue adhesions, increase joint mobility, reduce pain, and improve overall function.
BENEFITS OF Foam Roller Massage Therapy
correct muscle imbalances
increase joint range of motion
decrease muscle soreness and relieve joint stress
decrease tight or overly toned muscle tissue
increase extensibility of muscle and tendon tissue
increase performance
maintain normal functional muscular length
Self Foam Roller Release Instructions
Self-myfascial techniques are very simple to learn. To perform self-myofascial release you will need a foam roller and a small ball (such as a golf ball, tennis ball, lacrosse ball, or softball).
In this article I will go over self massage therapy using a foam roller for beginners. This is a shorter session that should take between 30-45 minutes to complete. The goal of this session is to begin to unlock the hips and shoulders. After you have spent a few weeks and feel more comfortable with self-myofascial release therapy, there is an intermediate and advanced session that I teach.
Following the directions in the pictures below, place your body weight on the foam roller over taut bands of muscle tissue that need to be released. For the best results, begin near the center of the body and slowly work away from the center of the body.
Relax your body, breathe, and slowly roll through the length of the muscle. Your muscles will naturally tense up, especially when you hit a trigger point. Ease into it and allow yourself to relax.
If you find a painful spot, stop and visualize the soft tissue as melting butter and the foam roller as a hot knife. Allow pressure into the tissue and within 30-60 seconds you will notice a significant reduction in pain. Once the pain reduces significantly (20-30%), move on to the next painful spot and repeat.
Spend between 3-5 minutes on each side. It is very important that you spend an equal amount of time on both sides and that you work through each of the areas listed to gain the most out of self-myofascial release.
Beginners Session Pictures
Arches
Use a small ball, such as a golf ball.
Adductors
Place foam roller lengthwise to your body. Bend your knee to 90 degrees with your inner thigh on the foam roller.
Slowly massage out to the knee seeking out the most painful spots.
Tensor Fascia Latte
Place foam roller beneath the top of the hip bone. Lie with one hip on the roller. Opposite hip is off the foam roller.
Massage from the hip bone to the top of the thigh. Slowly rotate your opposite hip up towards the ceiling.
Gluteals
Sit on the foam roller. Turn your body to one side. Massage through the entire gluteal area from the crack of your butt to the outside of your hip, top of the pelvis to the top of the thigh.
Teres Minor
Placing the foam roller at the armpit. Lie on your side with your arm overhead. Slowly massage from the top of the arm to below the shoulder blade. Do not massage in the armpit area.
Upper Back
Place foam roller at on upper back. Massage from the top of the shoulders to the bottom of the rib cage. Roll your body 10 degrees to massage the spinal erectors (muscles that run parallel to the spine).
With foam roller on upper back, changing arm position will expose different muscles around the shoulder blade.
Other areas you can roll out are the calves, IT band (outside of thigh), quads (front of thigh), chest, and shoulders.
The first couple of weeks of foam roller therapy will be painful. It is important to be diligent and commit to doing it every day for two weeks, because the payoff is well worth it. If you use the foam roller every day, within a couple of weeks you will begin to notice not only does the exercise not hurt as much, it will begin to feel good and you will be on the path to feeling great. Over time the muscle and fascial tissues heal, improving flexibility, function, and performance providing chronic pain relief and injury prevention.
When to foam roll?
When you hurt
Before you exercise
After you exercise
In the morning
Before bed
While watching TV
Just about any time is a good time
Self massage therapy on a foam roller offers an effective, inexpensive, and convenient way to reduce muscle tension and reduce scar tissue adhesion. Self-myofascial release can help you get relief and recovery from chronic pain and injury, improve athletic and work performance, and help you reach your health and fitness goals.
Thanks Karien,
Let me know if there is anything more I can help you with. The hair will be staying short for awhile.
Jesse James Retherford https://tao-fit.com
Thank you for the great blog. I always wanted to know the most effective way to use the roller. Also it now makes sense to me how it works releasing facia. I am a yoga teacher and work with lots of people who have aches and pains. It’s always great to add new tricks to my bag.
Thanks so much for your informative articles. I bought a GRID foam roller a few months ago to help deal with intensely tight muscles all over, due to a number of injuries, but have not had great success using it. However, thanks to your articles I now have a much better idea of how to use it successfully!
Thanks for the illustrations on your article. I’ve had a good foam roller sitting in my massage room for a while, and now I’m going to use it on myself! I had tried it, but quit because it was too painful. From your article I’m reminded the pain will subside with use, so I’m committing to work with it, to feel more range of motion and “open!”
I would like to know your progress also. I will not pry and ask you the extent of you injury, but I really would like to know how long before your body made its adjustment and the “pain” subsided.
I have only used the foot massage ball, per se, and I love it. I know there are programs and teachings which focus on stress points in the hands and feet.
Greg V
http;//www.BestStrengthTrainingRoutines.com
Client results are directly proportional to the level of commitment to using the foam roller. I have clients whose relationship to the roller spans from best friend to dog toy and it definitely shows. A fantastic tool for self maintenance after exercise, for improving muscle health, and between massage, which speeds results and increases the value of the money spent on my services.
Lauren
Thanks Lauren for the comments. It is great to hear from other therapists who so strongly advocate for self care exercises such as foam rolling. It is a definite sign of a great therapist. Keep up the great work.
I have a question, my son has been accepted on the local high school football team and is not able to complete the training. I have been working out for over 20 years and want to aid him in his training. I noticed that he is not very flexible and I am wondering if this would help him? If so would you still recommend the 30-45 minute usage of the roller, thank you for your time and help. I also will be earning my personal fitness trainer certification this year.
I have a couple of questions for you in return. How old is your son? Why is he unable to complete the training?
In answer to your question, yes with regular usage, the foam roller will help with flexibility and mobility. Especially if used with a well rounded flexibility and functional movement program. This article explains the beginners series I have most clients start with. I have an intermediate and advanced session that will ultimately aid your son the more. I have worked with a few high school kids with pain and injury issues. It is very difficult to get them to do the work for themselves. I find it crucial that they willingly choose to do the work for themselves.
Great info but might I suggest using RACQUETBALLS instead of golf balls. As a professional racquetball player and coach…I use them and give them to my clients. The ball is not as hard and the flexibility of it make it great for pressure (if you want to apply more pressure, simply stand up rather than sitting down while using it on your feet).
Thanks for posting…Wellness is easy to do and easy not to do, choose wisely!
Thanks for the comment. A racquet ball does sound quite useful. I wouldn’t replace the golf ball completely though. For people with severe pain, I could see a racquet ball being very useful. It would also be great for using around the face and neck. Thanks again.
Thanks so much for this informative website. I have had a few of my massage clients tell me they use the foam roller and didn’t actually fully understand what it was and how it could help until I read this blog. It seems like a great way to get clients to do some self-care at home. I may start promoting this. Will definitely be staying in touch with this blog!
Thank you so much for all your informative articles on barefoot/minimalist running and using the foam roller. I am 51 and have only been running a short time. I see the health benefits but I have also been dealing with various injuries. Because of your articles, I have started over and am using a roller and finding all sorts of sore places. My family thinks I’m nuts going outside to walk barefoot (and I do have to be careful here in the urban jungle) but I really want to be able to run again without the injuries. Thanks again.
Thanks for the comments Christine. Remember to be patient and take your time. The path you’re on is for improved movement, not just in the now, but for the rest of your life. If you have any questions or concerns along the way, please feel free to contact me.
great blog. Very informative.
Hi Brendan,
Thanks for the positive feedback.
well done..thanks for the info and great pics
Thank you Benita.
Good stuff Jesse. I never did quite get how to use the roller but now I see. Also, love the hair cut.
Thanks Karien,
Let me know if there is anything more I can help you with. The hair will be staying short for awhile.
Jesse James Retherford
https://tao-fit.com
Thank you for the great blog. I always wanted to know the most effective way to use the roller. Also it now makes sense to me how it works releasing facia. I am a yoga teacher and work with lots of people who have aches and pains. It’s always great to add new tricks to my bag.
Be well,
E
Thanks Elaine,
I have a guest post article at Toesalad.com with more on foam roller therapy. It is a little more detailed. It will be sent out in my next newsletter.
Jesse James Retherford
https://tao-fit.com
Hi Jesse,
Thanks so much for your informative articles. I bought a GRID foam roller a few months ago to help deal with intensely tight muscles all over, due to a number of injuries, but have not had great success using it. However, thanks to your articles I now have a much better idea of how to use it successfully!
Hi Kristen,
Thanks, I’m glad to hear the articles are helping. Let me know if you have any questions for me.
Jesse James Retherford
https://tao-fit.com
Thanks for the illustrations on your article. I’ve had a good foam roller sitting in my massage room for a while, and now I’m going to use it on myself! I had tried it, but quit because it was too painful. From your article I’m reminded the pain will subside with use, so I’m committing to work with it, to feel more range of motion and “open!”
Great to hear Sarah. Come back and let me know how it feels in a couple of weeks.
Jesse James Retherford
https://tao-fit.com
Sarah,
I would like to know your progress also. I will not pry and ask you the extent of you injury, but I really would like to know how long before your body made its adjustment and the “pain” subsided.
I have only used the foot massage ball, per se, and I love it. I know there are programs and teachings which focus on stress points in the hands and feet.
Greg V
http;//www.BestStrengthTrainingRoutines.com
Regarding “Foam Rolling for Beginners”…
Client results are directly proportional to the level of commitment to using the foam roller. I have clients whose relationship to the roller spans from best friend to dog toy and it definitely shows. A fantastic tool for self maintenance after exercise, for improving muscle health, and between massage, which speeds results and increases the value of the money spent on my services.
Lauren
Keep the great info coming, Jessie!
Thanks Lauren for the comments. It is great to hear from other therapists who so strongly advocate for self care exercises such as foam rolling. It is a definite sign of a great therapist. Keep up the great work.
Jesse James Retherford
https://tao-fit.com
I have a question, my son has been accepted on the local high school football team and is not able to complete the training. I have been working out for over 20 years and want to aid him in his training. I noticed that he is not very flexible and I am wondering if this would help him? If so would you still recommend the 30-45 minute usage of the roller, thank you for your time and help. I also will be earning my personal fitness trainer certification this year.
Hi Joyce,
Thank you for the question.
I have a couple of questions for you in return. How old is your son? Why is he unable to complete the training?
In answer to your question, yes with regular usage, the foam roller will help with flexibility and mobility. Especially if used with a well rounded flexibility and functional movement program. This article explains the beginners series I have most clients start with. I have an intermediate and advanced session that will ultimately aid your son the more. I have worked with a few high school kids with pain and injury issues. It is very difficult to get them to do the work for themselves. I find it crucial that they willingly choose to do the work for themselves.
Jesse James Retherford
https://tao-fit.com
Great info but might I suggest using RACQUETBALLS instead of golf balls. As a professional racquetball player and coach…I use them and give them to my clients. The ball is not as hard and the flexibility of it make it great for pressure (if you want to apply more pressure, simply stand up rather than sitting down while using it on your feet).
Thanks for posting…Wellness is easy to do and easy not to do, choose wisely!
TCOY = Take Care of You!
Lucy
Hi Lucy,
Thanks for the comment. A racquet ball does sound quite useful. I wouldn’t replace the golf ball completely though. For people with severe pain, I could see a racquet ball being very useful. It would also be great for using around the face and neck. Thanks again.
Jesse James Retherford
https://tao-fit.com
Thanks so much for this informative website. I have had a few of my massage clients tell me they use the foam roller and didn’t actually fully understand what it was and how it could help until I read this blog. It seems like a great way to get clients to do some self-care at home. I may start promoting this. Will definitely be staying in touch with this blog!
Thank you Charlene.
Jesse James Retherford
https://tao-fit.com
Thank you so much for all your informative articles on barefoot/minimalist running and using the foam roller. I am 51 and have only been running a short time. I see the health benefits but I have also been dealing with various injuries. Because of your articles, I have started over and am using a roller and finding all sorts of sore places. My family thinks I’m nuts going outside to walk barefoot (and I do have to be careful here in the urban jungle) but I really want to be able to run again without the injuries. Thanks again.
Thanks for the comments Christine. Remember to be patient and take your time. The path you’re on is for improved movement, not just in the now, but for the rest of your life. If you have any questions or concerns along the way, please feel free to contact me.
Jesse James Retherford
https://tao-fit.com
Yo, thanks. After some time, now I figured out how I can reuse that cardboard tube I kept. I knew it would come in handy.
Sounds terrific. Do you know where a person could get certification to teach Foam Roller Technique?