Fascia is a system of connective tissue that surrounds and supports structures in your body – like your muscles. It’s normally relaxed and “loose” feeling, but with stress – like the kind that comes from exercise – it can get tight and tense.
Rolling out your muscles with a foam roller helps to relieve the tightness in the fascia and improve flexibility. This should be done before stretching (static and dynamic) if you choose to do it.
Other benefits:
- Reduces muscle soreness
- Reduces the appearance of cellulite (temporarily)
- Increases range of motion
- Overall relaxing
It’s normal to feel some pain (more like serious pressure) when you’re just getting used to rolling out. This is because rolling out is like a [very] deep tissue massage.