So, you read the title and you like things so you clicked the link. 😋

Well now that you are here stay a while and let's talk about the benefits of foam rolling aka the poor man's massage.

Now for those of you not in the know, foam rolling is a recovery technique that deals with the mobility of the fascia. Fascia is a fibrous layer of connective tissue that surrounds all of the muscles in our body. Without proper mobility, the fibers of the fascia become cross-linked and they bind to muscles and nerves, inhibiting normal motion and causing pain.

The process of applying low-intensity forces to soft tissues over a period of time is known as myofascial release. The purpose is to allow contracted muscles to relax, which improves blood flow and nutrient flow to the area. The idea is that muscles operate with smoother motion because of reduced internal rubbing.

1. Decreased Recovery Time: After a workout, muscles and joints become sore because of the build-up of waste products such as lactic acid. When performed after a workout a roll acts to wash the acid away by drawing fresh blood and nutrients to the fatigued muscle group hence recovery. Blood carries oxygen throughout the body, a decrease in our circulation can lead to a whole host of problems such as numbness in our limbs, impaired cognitive ability, and a weakened immune system. Myofascial release can help improve circulation which can decrease the chance of injury and decrease recovery time after a workout.                                                                                                                                                                          
2. Improves mobility & flexibility: Another added benefit is the performance capability of your muscles, the more flexible your muscles are within normal range of motion the more power they will be able to produce. This concept has to do with elastic energy, the more stretch a muscle gets, the more energy store it has and the greater force it can generate. On the other hand, a less flexible muscle produces less stretch, less range of motion, less stored energy, and decreased force output. When combined with proper stretching and training, foam rolling can have amazing benefits for improving your overall performance levels.                                                                                                                                                                        
3. Decreased stress: Had a hard day? Foam rolling away the knots can help you de-stress at the end of a tough day—just like a massage would hence the name poor man's massage. That’s because when you release your knots and sore spots, the tension built up in your connective tissue releases and leaves you feeling less stressed.