19/08/2025
Foam rollers have gained popularity in recent years as a tool to help relieve muscle tightness and pain, but do they actually work?
A recent study has concluded that self-myofascial release such as rolling on a foam roller:
- Increases mobility and joint range of motion
- Reduces post-workout soreness and DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)
- Allows for greater workout performance in future workouts
- May lead to improved vascular function and parasympathetic nervous system function
So in summary, using a foam roller has been shown to help you feel and move better.
So how does it work:
Often we see a decrease in stiffness, pain, and increase range of motion when using a foam roller, but a roller will not break down adhesions or scar tissue. Instead it is thought to shift muscle and tissue from sympathetic nervous systems e.g. fight flight (hold on to muscle tension) to a parasympathetic relaxed / calming effect, which can equal short term changes in soft tissue and increase range of motion. In addition, rolling is normally a painful treatment and this overload of pain to our system can alter our perception of pain and “reset” our pain threshold, allowing the body to withstand more pressure without the sensation of pain.
