Thursday, March 15, 2012

I Asked About Rolling...

A few days ago I asked for suggestions and advice about foam rolling and a device I have seen advertised called The Stick and the Tiger Tail.  I didn't really think that I was interested in a foam roller where I had to sit on the floor and roll my body parts back and forth over it.  I know that lots of runners advocate it and I have seen it on many blogs but I just cannot see myself doing it.
I got some really good feedback and advice and I want to share it.

People love their various foam rollers, and there are many different ones out there.  Some just foam roll, some people use Sticks and foam rollers, and also tennis balls.  One person advised that a rolling pin could be used in place of a Stick.  Now that appealed to me....

But probably the most helpful advice I was given was to look at a report called Self-Myofascial Release, written by Mike Robertson, MS, CSCS.  (I had to do some research to find out what those letters meant - Master of Science, Cerfitied Strength and Conditioning Specialist).

It is a very informative 47 pages about the science of foam rolling - what it is, who would benefit from it, the various implements used, when to do it, and a very detailed and illustrated section on the various body parts and techniques/tools that should be used on them.

I urge you to download a copy of it for yourself... it is free... and read through it.  It is a quick read and it was a real eye-opener for me.

I found out that the body parts I am particularly interested in can all be best effectively rolled using a Stick device, and that pleased me, a lot!

And since I do not have a Stick, but I do have a rolling pin, today I am going to give it a try.


And Jen's comment reminded me that someone else suggested I use a frozen bottle of water... very clever too, I think, don't you?  Ice and rolling all in one!

6 comments:

  1. I never thought of my rolling pin, hmm i may have to try that!

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  2. I saw a guy use his Nalgene bottle at a race last weekend - my husband and I both looked at him and then looked at each other and said "genius". :) I never thought of a rolling pin. You are "genius".

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  3. Both of those suggestions sound like good ones and inexpensive ones at that!

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  4. I have used a rolling pin before and really liked it. Unfortunately, mine squeaks, but oh well, it still works. Thanks for the info:)

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  5. A rolling pin is super smart! I use the stick, but I want to get a real foam roller. But of course that would mean I would have to use it...

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  6. Thanks for the link. I will have to read through it. :)

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