Foam Rolling, What is it? Why do it?

Post title pretty much says it all. From what little I know it helps with muscle recovery. If only someone had a link to the basic information or feedback with regards to their experience.

I don't know the "hows and whys" of it from a technical aspect, I just know since I foam roll after weight lifting my DOMS don't tend to be nearly as bad.  I still have them but, from my own personal experience whenever I switched routines in the past I used to barely be able to walk the 24- 48 hours after that lifting workout.  Now with foam rolling after lifting and stretching ( I did stretch after before just not roll) I get a little sore the next day but I can at least go up and down stairs and am not dreading sitting down or getting up from said chair.  

I gave one of my foam rollers to my daughter's boyfriend who was taking a lot of pain meds for his low back pain, now he only has to take the meds at bedtime.  

I learned about rolling from "the Female Body Breakthrough" book.  

I think Oldguysrule introduced me to these videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOpnaplkmXU&am p;feature=fvsr

also there is this link  I'm not into the "spiritual" or "meditational" stuff but it does kind of explain why to do it-

http://www.bodywindow.com/foam-rolling.html

I think its like a self massage

I highly recommend giving it a go and see if it helps for what "pains you"!  Good luck

Original Post by kevinatthebrook:

If only someone had a link to the basic information

Here

There are a lot of videos on youtube also.

I first learned about foam rolling from a physical therapist when I was having some knee issues - specifically he had me paying a lot of attention to the IT band.  Here's a video of how to target that.  I also roll hip flexors, hamstring, calves, quads and I have a spot on my upper back that knots up from time to time and rolling helps with that.

There is also The Stick.  It's a similar device for self massaging.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Original Post by kevinatthebrook:

If only someone had a link to the basic information

Here

Thanks Agirl. The good news is I already have the Marvin Gat CD, Leopard skin tights and body oil

Don't get caught paying for a foam roller though.  A piece of pvc pipe will do the job just as well as about 1/10th the price.  A lacrosse or hockey ball is also very useful for myofacial release.

The gym I use has 2 black foam rollers and since I'm the only to actually use them it works well LOL!!  I do have one for use at home though- actually it's the 2nd one I purchased the first I gave to daughter's boyfriend.

So after a run a few minutes foam rolling may help to alleviate pain in my knee?

Original Post by kevinatthebrook:

So after a run a few minutes foam rolling may help to alleviate pain in my knee?

Wouldn't hurt to try!!  Good luck!

Original Post by kevinatthebrook:

So after a run a few minutes foam rolling may help to alleviate pain in my knee?

If your pain is at the back of the knee - almost like a painful pulling - there is a good chance you have tight IT bands.  If it is the IT band, then you need to roll out of the glute, and quad working your way down to the back of the knee where the fascia connects.