Foam rolling has quickly become a great – and safe – way to keep your spine healthy and aligned. These handy tools are not only versatile and easy to use, but they can benefit patients of all different ages and conditions. When used in conjunction with chiropractic treatment, a foam roller can help rebuild muscle strength, improve balance, and increase coordination. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, foam rollers can be an excellent tool to help speed up your recovery. While in today’s culture, we are constantly looking for the latest technology and innovations, sometimes something as simple as a foam roller is the answer.
If you’ve ever been to the gym, seen a chiropractor, or had physical therapy, chances are you’ve seen a foam roller. As the name would imply, it is a roller made out of foam. Pretty straightforward, right? Unfortunately, many people do not know how to use a foam roller properly, which is why they often leave it sitting in the corner. When used the right way and alongside chiropractic treatment, a foam roller can make all the difference in the world. You can think of it as a cheap form of massage if you will.
What is a Foam Roller?
The most common type of foam roller is a cylinder or half cylinder of closed-cell foam. Many different brands sell them, and they come in a variety of lengths. The type of foam roller that will be best for your needs will depend on a host of factors, which is something to discuss with your chiropractor.
The idea behind foam rollers is that they are a cheaper alternative to sports massage. They help loosen muscles, increase flexibility, and provide individuals with the release they’ve been looking for. Foam rollers rely on the patient’s weight to give them myofascial self-release, which could give much-needed relief from pain and discomfort.
How to Use a Foam Roller
There are many different ways to use the versatile foam roller. Depending on what you are hoping to get out of it – toning your muscles or working out pesky knots, for example – you will use the foam roller in a specific manner. If you are undergoing chiropractic adjustments, foam rollers can help the body stay in the right position for an extended period, which can make the spinal manipulations much more effective.
Chiropractors are huge advocates of foam rollers because they help with aligning the spine and are extremely beneficial when used to complement chiropractic treatment. They can help relieve muscle trigger points that are causing your body to “hold on”, or give you more core stability to perform certain exercises to help improve balance, coordination, and posture.
The Benefits of a Foam Roller
As you can likely see at this point, there are many different benefits to and ways to use a foam roller. However, it is important to not overdo it, especially if you are also undergoing chiropractic treatment or if you have been in a car accident and have an injury you are working to recover from. Keep your rolling time to somewhere between 30 and 90 seconds per muscle to avoid overworking and causing injury. Some of the other benefits of a foam roller include:
- Can help avoid injuries
- Can aid in recovering from a wide range of car accident injuries
- Relieve tension in the fascia (upper layer of connective tissue)
- Improve recovery times
- Helps with post-workout recovery
- Helps align the spine
To learn more about why you may want to consider using a foam roller in between chiropractic treatments or following a car accident, please contact our chiropractic treatment center today.
