Can you use a foam roller if you can't feel it?

contingencyplan

Is there a proper way of using a foam roller or getting benefit out of it if you can't feel it working?

JoRocka

you might need a more dense roller- or use a LAX ball. I have two- about to go purchase a third on.

My IT bands are SO tight that I cant' use the more dense one- but my glutes could totally use a straight piece of PVC pipe. One of the trainers at my gym uses essentially a 1/4 inch foam covered piece of pipe.... some of the people I know use a bottle of wine (HOLY COW I CAN"T EVEN) If you have access to medicine balls- you can use those in a pinch too.

and yes- there are proper ways to roll... google self-myo-fascial release. that should get you started down the right track.

I have a link somewhere- I posted it up in Nerd Fitnessa bout foam rolling- you can try to google that and see if it comes up (I won't be able to find it at work) but it's a whole pamphlet run down on how to roll the major body parts.

contingencyplan

My problem is because of sensory issues I can't actually feel whatever it is you're supposed to feel when using one. So I was wondering if it was worth using at all if you can't feel it working because of sensory/nerve problems.

BrianSharpe

If it's a matter of not feeling the pressure you can probably still get an effective self-massage but they do work best when you can feel and concentrate on the really tight spots - if you're using your foam roller effectively it can actually be somewhat unpleasant (not as unpleasant as a deep tissue massage but part of the theory behind foam rolling is it helps release adhesions etc)

jdm_taco

get a black rumble roller and thank me later. I got mine off amazon, but ****s sporting goods has them as well.


http://www.rumbleroller.com/foam-rollers.html

bumblebums

I hear some people find a 3" PVC pipe more effective. It's certainly supposed to be more painful.

contingencyplan

If it's a matter of not feeling the pressure you can probably still get an effective self-massage but they do work best when you can feel and concentrate on the really tight spots - if you're using your foam roller effectively it can actually be somewhat unpleasant (not as unpleasant as a deep tissue massage but part of the theory behind foam rolling is it helps release adhesions etc)

Therein lies the problem: i can't actually FEEL deep tissue massages of any kind due to sensory processing problems. But I went ahead and bought a really firm one anyway and now I want to try to see if I can get my money's worth out of it.