Foam roller??

[Abaggs]

Has anyone used a foam roller? My back had gone into spasm again, it's a fairly regular occurrence (2 or 3 times a year) and wondered whether a roller would help. I've also read it's good for sore calves. Anyway, I'm out of action until my back sorts itself 😢

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I think loads of us use them for legs. I have the wand type. Having back problems myself, and having had my back go into spasm, I would want advice before using a roller in case it makes it worse, so my advice would be to check out before trying.

[Empem Graduate10]

Oh no poor you.I wouldn't give any advice about backs even though I used to do a whole set of exercises when I was a gardener ( before rollers were invented) but will follow your post with interest as I do suffer sore calves.Just the one! One hour of Pilates a week is all I can manage and it's not cheap.Though effective.Hope your back improves soon.Keep moving if you can.I wish you well.

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to Empem]

Fellow gardener here - never thought of exercising for work, but now spend a lot of working time nursing any running niggles or stretching out running tight spots when I'm working 😀

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Sorry to hear that you have had spasms again, sometimes my back gets a bit sore but usually gets better quickly, just last week I had a problem, this time with my hips but it seems to be getting better. I have not used a foam roller but have heard they are pretty good for recovering from a sore back, spasms or sore calves, I sincerely hope that you recover quickly and you are able to get back to running.

[Chrisj31]

Hope you feel better very soon!

[APScotland Graduate10]

Yes, I use a foam roller for my back. First got one of the very cheap smooth ones which feel like polystyrene. Useless! Splashed out on a £40 to £50 one which is hard, mix of knobble shapes and really helps. I reckon it's saved me £100s in chiropractor bills. I have repetitive back issues in upper right section plus occasional lower to mid back issues. 1 to 2 mins of rolling a couple of times a week sorts me out - as well as mobility and strength-building exercises in the gym. But be very careful when it's in the spasm-ing phase. A tennis ball applied at the pressure point might be safer til the muscles relax more, then try the foam roller once it's settled a bit. Good luck!

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10]

Oh no! I’ve used one for my back after a tough weights session. It worked really well to fix it. Was painful mind!

You lie on top of it and gently roll your back over it back and forth. The little modules get right into the sore muscles. Also have used for legs too.

Hope it starts to improve soon.