Does anyone use a foam roller?

[sofaqueen]

If so would you recommend it and what sort do you have?

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Yes i do, mine was a basic one from Sports direct shop in town. I use a wonderful green one at the gym but they cost about £60 i was assured by gym staff that the cheap ones work just as well so long as you use it properly. I''ve just been rolling my right hip, sciatic nerve is twinging again, fingers crossed that it's helped it.

[sofaqueen Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Thanks Oldgirl, I was thinking of it for my stiff legs but hadn't thought of using it to help ease my sciatica. I think I might get one and give it a go.

[Hidden]

I do. I did a bit of research and went for the Trigger Point Performance Grid version. It takes a bit of getting used to if you don't have personal instruction, but it really does work for stiff muscles and my sciatica. I run, stretch and then have a bit if a roll, concentrating on stiff and lumpy bits. I do think it helps.

[sofaqueen Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I was looking at foam rollers on Amazon earlier and saw these ones as well as the smooth ones without the ridges and wasn't sure what the difference was. The reviews on these ones look pretty good and I've seen that you use it for your sciatica too so I think I'm definitely going to try one. Thanks

[Hidden in reply to sofaqueen]

With this one you can position with the flat bits for a lighter massage, or roll on the knobbly bits for a deeper massage. I'm not hardcore enough for the old rolling pin!

[sofaqueen Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I was just reading about it a bit more and it said there were different areas for a different level of massage which sounded really good. It also suggested some YouTube videos on how to use it so might have a look at those too.

[OlsBean]

I use an old wooden rolling pin

[sofaqueen Graduate in reply to OlsBean]

Oh I might try that until the one I've ordered arrives

[suzybenj Graduate]

It is also great for your back - great for stretching before a run. I got the one from amazon and it is fine. i did quite a bit of research - it seems v good for IT bands (down the sides of thighs) - ouch but v good.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

We use the foam rollers at a Stretch Workshop at my gym. We start at the foot and work slowly up the whole leg (back) then move to the outside leg, inside leg, then front leg. Buttocks, lower and upper back. It takes a while to get used to them but they do iron out the creases and help smooth out the muscles, especially good if they feel tight after a long run. I'm not brave enough to try the knobbly ones yet.

[fits735]

Yep I just bought one today for my apartment in this country. Been using one in Ireland for the last couple of weeks. Have sciatica IT band issues and it really does iron it out. Can be very sore to use the first couple of times so ease into it.

[sofaqueen Graduate]

Thanks for everyone's advice, much appreciated as always.

[Fletchasketch Graduate]

I have a trigger point (knobbly!) one that I use at home and use one of the smooth foam ones at my physio appointments and honestly, they don't seem very different to me. The difference is more in how much pressure you apply when you use it - for example if I'm rolling my calf, sometimes I'll cross one leg over the other and you get a much deeper pressure.

I use the roller before and after each run, and I hardly ever get that achy muscle feeling or any stiffness the day after a run. It's like magic!

[sofaqueen Graduate in reply to Fletchasketch]

Thanks, mine arrived yesterday and I'm still trying to get to grips with how to use it properly, but will try it before and after my run later as you suggest and fingers crossed it will help with the aches I've been getting.