Don’t overdo it with the self-massage tool.
Despite the foam roller’s popularity, it “shouldn’t be considered the silver bullet for at-home therapy,” says Richard Hansen, a sports chiropractor. Hansen, who treats recreational runners as well as Olympians, warns that incorrect use may cause muscle damage.
Doug Perkins, a physical therapist and certified strength and conditioning specialist, agrees: “Runners should understand why, when and how foam rolling should be used before getting started.”
Here are 10 mistakes these experts recommend against, as well as suggestions for safe and effective foam rolling:
Foam Rolling Without Reducing Adhesions First
Why it’s bad: Perkins warns that foam rolling won’t be as effective if you don’t properly address and reduce your adhesions – also known as knots – beforehand.
What to do instead: Adhesions can be addressed using the foam roller itself: just place it under the pressure point and press your weight down until you feel the tension ease. Or, if the tightened area is small and more localised, a targeted tool – like a massage ball or tennis ball – can do the trick. Once the knots are loosened, lengthen out the muscle by gently rolling it across the foam roller for about 30 to 90 seconds.
Waiting to Foam Roll Until After Exercise
Why it’s bad: While Perkins notes that the research is still mixed on the ideal time to roll, he recommends both pre- and post-workout sessions. The reason: jumping straight into a workout without proper tune ups can put you at risk for pulling on those adhesions and making pain worse. Plus, pre-run foam rolling lengthens out your muscles, which can help improve your performance.
What to do instead: Set aside an extra five to ten minutes before your workout to reduce any adhesions and then roll out your muscles per the above.
Foam Rolling for More Than 20 Minutes
Why it’s bad: If you feel you need more than 20 minutes of foam rolling to work out the kinks, “you’re probably suffering from a deeper, underlying issue that foam rolling won’t fix,” Perkins says. Hansen agrees: “It’s better to underwork tissue than overwork it,” as excessively rolling a trouble area can increase injuries.
What to do instead: Limit rolling to 30 to 90 seconds per muscle group, with 10 seconds of stretching in between each roll. You can repeat this cycle up to three times on each body area.
Using a Roller That’s Too Firm
Why it’s bad: If you’re new to foam rolling, using a rock hard, textured roller can compress the tissue too much and cause unnecessary pain – and even bruising, warns Perkins.
What to do instead: Rookies should opt for a softer, even-surfaced roller. As your muscle tissue becomes used to the pressure, you can gradually work your way up to a firmer roller.
Rolling out Your Lower Back
Why it’s bad: Perkins explains that your lower back is more vulnerable than your upper back; rolling it can put too much pressure on the bony part of your spine and end up increasing – rather than alleviating – your back pain.
What to do instead: If you’re experiencing chronic back pain, the problem is likely radiating from a point lower down, like your hips or hamstrings. Rolling out these muscles may help alleviate the back pain, but Perkins advises runners who are unsure of the cause to consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis.
Improperly Rolling Your IT Band
Why it’s bad: Rotating on your side, stacking your feet on top of each other and rolling out your IT band will compress it against the femur and likely cause extreme pain. “The average person is doing this because they think they should, but they’re actually smashing the muscle against the bone,” says Perkins.
What to do instead: Once you’re rotated on your side with your feet stacked, bring your top leg to the floor and place weight on it to relieve pressure from our IT band. You can also relieve pressure by placing your hand on the floor too.
Rolling Over Knee Caps
Why it’s bad: Rolling straight down from your quad to your calf without breaking can crush the bony attachment in your knee, warns Perkins.
What to do instead: Pay attention when you’re rolling so that the roller doesn’t slip onto danger areas.
Foam Rolling to Treat Injuries
Why it’s bad: Rolling an injured area can aggravate damaged muscle tissue, particularly in the first few days after an injury.
What to do instead: Keep the foam roller off of the sensitive area until the pain subsides. And remember: the foam roller should be just one piece of your recovery process, not your only ‘go-to’ technique, advises Hansen.
Only Rolling on Days You Run
Why it’s bad: Exercise isn’t the only thing tightening up your muscles. Sitting for prolonged periods of time – like most of us do at work – can decrease your range of motion, says Perkins. You may notice this tightness when completing everyday activities, like bending down to tie your shoe.
What to do instead: Keep yourself consistent and limber by setting a routine time to foam roll, whether you run that day or not.
Not Understanding Why You’re Foam Rolling
