Take the 2-minute tour ×

Recently a personal trainer recommended I use a foam roller for muscle massage and flexibility. Most research I've done on the web simply states the roller 'massages the muscle' or 'breaks down scar tissue'. Is there a more scientific explanation about the benefits (or negatives) of using a foam roller to improve flexibility and reduce soreness?

share|improve this question

3 Answers 3

up vote 6 down vote accepted

Think of it as a gentle meat tenderizer. But instead of weakening the muscle by pulverizing it, the added pressure and use simply promotes blood flow to massaged areas. Foam rollers are great recovery tools because they generate similar benefits as a sports massage, but can be performed by one's self.

share|improve this answer
You can also get to some hard to get at areas with a foam roller. –  Megasaur Jun 5 '11 at 0:25
You can also use a lacrosse ball for the same effect. Rather more intense sensation, though... –  JDelage Jun 11 '11 at 14:01
Thanks for this answer. Do you have any personal experience with specific rollers and/or instructional resources? –  The Chaz 2.0 Feb 6 '12 at 19:05
I just use a generic roller, but have been wanting to get/try the trigger point grid (tptherapy.com/shop/smrt-core-products/the-grid.html). –  Ryan Miller Feb 7 '12 at 2:18

If you want the most scientific explanation, look up anything you can find by Dr. Janet Travell. If you're willing to settle for a more layman's explanation, The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies is likely your best bet (I get the impression foam rollers weren't widely available when it was written, but all the principles talked about using the TheraCane still apply with a foam roller).

share|improve this answer
Why should someone look at those books? Can you provide the relevant information from them instead? –  Matt Chan Jun 29 '12 at 12:00
If you want the scientific explanation, you sometimes need to do a lot of reading. There's no way to condense it without oversimplifying and having someone object to it based on the brief overview. –  Robin Ashe Jun 30 '12 at 1:36

I recently saw my physio and she said my knee pain is Fat Pad Impingement which is caused by an excessively tight quad muscle. She told me to get a foam roller because it will be useful for deep tissue massage of tight muscles and will help with the overall state of muscles utilised in exercise (in my case, long distance running).

share|improve this answer

Your Answer


