Roll With It: Foam Roller Tips & Tricks for Maximizing Your Chiropractic Care 

Picture of Nate Gindele
Nate Gindele
Owner, Chiropractor

You’ve likely seen athletes or runners using a foam roller to stretch their muscles after a hard workout. But did you know that foam rolling can be beneficial for non-athletes as well? Rolling helps loosen tight muscles and relieve tension – two things that can help your body in between visits to Gindele Family Chiropractic! 

What is Foam Rolling?

Foam rolling uses a specialized roller to basically give yourself a massage. It enhances flexibility, eases muscle soreness, boosts range of motion, and reduces the risk of injuries. This low-cost and effective massage technique can be conveniently practiced at home or with the care of a chiropractor.

How to Get Started with Foam Rolling

Like chiropractic care, foam rolling is beneficial for people of all ages! Foam rollers come in various sizes and densities. If you’re a beginner, you may want to start with a softer roller, while experienced users may prefer a firmer one. 

Once you have your roller, it’s time to get started! Here’s a step-by-step guide to help:

  1. Warm up: It’s important to warm up your muscles with some light aerobic exercises or dynamic stretches to increase blood flow and prepare your muscles for rolling.
  2. Start slowly: Find an open space where you can lie down on a mat or a soft surface. Slowly lower yourself onto the foam roller, targeting a muscle that has been giving you pain or tightness and gently roll.
  3. Focus on trigger points: If you feel a particularly tender spot, pause and hold on that area for a few seconds. Gentle pressure allows the muscle to release tension – even if you’re not rolling!
  4. Make adjustments: As you’re using the roller, experiment with adjusting your body position and pressure to find what works best. 

To see video examples, as part of their training for trail running, outdoor company, REI, has videos showcasing the eight most common roller exercises and how to perform them!

Adding Foam Rolling to Your Chiropractic Care Routine:

We recommend starting with an evaluation of how foam rolling would best benefit you. Our team can show you how to use it on your body, and then give you exercises you can do at home to complement your chiropractic care.

Combining both foam rolling and chiropractic treatment provides several advantages, such as:

  • Enhanced flexibility
  • Diminished muscle soreness
  • Enhanced range of motion
  • Injury prevention
  • Alleviated pain
  • Improved functionality
  • Heightened general state of well-being

Let Us Help You Get Rolling! 

If you’re interested in trying foam rolling, our team at Gindele Family Chiropractic in Southwest Florida is here to help. We know the benefits of combining different types of therapies to help and heal the whole you, and know that no two cases are the same. Contact us today to start feeling your absolute best!

Explore Related Articles:
Chiropractic Care

My Secret To Success: Planning to Fail at New Year’s Resolutions

As we approach the new year, many of us embark on the journey of setting New Year’s resolutions with aspirations of self-improvement and personal growth. However, according to U.S. News and World Report, 80% of us fizzle out by mid-February. So, how can we break this cycle of enthusiasm followed

Read More »
Chiropractic Care

5 Ways to Reduce Daily Stress

Stress has become an almost constant companion in our everyday lives. The demands of work, relationships, and daily responsibilities can leave us feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. However, there are effective strategies we can incorporate into our lives to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. We DO have the power to

Read More »
Chiropractic Care

Red Light Therapy and Chiropractic Care in Southwest Florida

Red light therapy and chiropractic care go hand-in-hand to effectively address a wide range of health concerns. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain and inflammation, or simply looking to optimize your overall health, the benefits of these two therapies are hard to ignore.

Red light therapy is a non-invasive

Read More »