Self Myofascial Release

Self myofascial release using foam rolling

Most athletes will admit that they have aches and pains after their practices and most have grown to simply "live with the pain." However, this is something that can actually hinder you from performing your best and so you will need to find a way to simply recover and heal faster. One of the newest, most affordable and most efficient way to recover faster is through self myofascial release using foam rolling. Though this may seem like a very scientific term, it is actually very simple and will do wonders for athletes.

What is self myofascial release using foam rolling?

Self myofascial release on the foam roller encourages soft tissue breakdown of adhesion and scar tissue in the fascia.  Fascia surrounds all of the bodies bones, joints, and muscles that gives our body the strength and structure that it needs.  Damaged fascia is thought to be the leading cause of chronic pain,reduced flexibility, and ultimately decreased athletic performance.

It is a set of techniques that involve a piece of foam that is about 2 feet long. You will simple roll yourself on the foam and target certain pressure points. The process can often be painful as athletes have muscles that are extremely tight. The foam then allows you to stretch and expand these fiber lengths and thus have the feeling of "looseness." These pressure points however can be very sensitive and can be a painful process.

What are the benefits of self myofascial release using foam rolling?

The main benefit of myofascial release is that you will feel less pain. After a long day of training, there is a lot of build up in your legs and in different parts of your body and so it is important to release everything. You will be able to restore your muscles to the lengths that they were before and overall be able to function better. It will also help you feel more flexible and thus perform better. The one big benefit that self myofascial release using foam rolling can bring is the fact that you will greatly reduce the chances of injuries and this will certainly go a long way towards your success.

All you will need is a foam roller and to know the proper foam rolling exercises. If you are able to do this before and after your training sessions, you will see an amazing change in how you will perform in your sport. This technique is best known in basketball but athletes from other sports are beginning to see just how beneficial this is. If you are serious about being able to take your talents even farther, then it is important that you consider self myofascial release using foam rolling as a way to become a better athlete.