Each segment is rolled in a steady back and forth movement for five to 10 seconds. The rolling protocol can be repeated two to three times through a muscle. The segments can be rolled longer; however, there is a threshold of tolerance per segment in a muscle and by the person rolling. This is a guide-line for safe rolling to ensure the per-son rolling does not overdo it and irri-tate the muscle. BODY POSITION The body position will ensure that the foam roller contacts flush against the muscle. It will also take into account safety of the body to avoid compromis-ing shoulder, neck and low back posi-tions. The foam roller will be placed perpendicular to the muscle to ade-quately trap the muscle while the rolling movement is performed. appropriately. I personally have found only one foam roller that truly does the job well. That said, other foam rollers could work for your patients. Please do not be misled by the rollers with the bumps and designs on them; they look good, but in reality they do not allow for proper technique and safe rolling of muscles for the desired physiologi-cal effect. Further, it is about being therapeutic, not aggressive. If a muscle is responsive, aggressive foam rolling is inappropriate and can be traumatic to the tissue. seconds per segment method, working twice through a muscle, the average muscle is rolled for 30 to 60 seconds. INTENSITY FREQUENCY Most patients would benefit from daily rolling. When working intensely to correct an issue it is quite common to have someone rolling two to three times per day for short periods of time. FOAM ROLLER DURATION This variable is just as important but equally ineffective when not used The length of time you roll will all depend on the number and size of muscles rolled. Based on the five Pain is a common complaint when people explain why they avoid foam rolling. This is commonly due to the fact that they are rolling incorrectly and not rolling to their tolerance. Of-ten, they have been shown an aggres-sive version of rolling for the muscle they wish to release. This is the chal-lenge with YouTube and other sources of foam rolling videos. There are at least five to 10 body positions to roll each muscle, which allows the practitioner to tailor it to the patient’s needs and tolerance. This is vital to ensure the patient relaxes while rolling and to keep them compliant. The proper technique will provide control of the body to alleviate the amount of pressure applied to the muscle, and the body position should be suitable to their tolerance so the www.canadianchiropractor.ca Ads.indd 2 July/August 2014 Canadian Chiropractor 31 2014-07-10 9:33 AM
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