We discussed foam rolling a little bit this week in our Monday Mobility Snack.

This video is one of the best explanations of what foam rolling is and isn't / what it can and can't do for your meat suit.

What it isn't / can't do:

Cannot break up scar tissue / adhesions
Is not true myofascial "release"
Cannot permanently alter tissue biomechanics (cannot grant you long-term flexibility or mobility)

What it is / can do:

Improve pain tolerance (trains your nervous system)
Provide a temporary analgesic effect (feels good)
Improve range of motion temporarily

So while foam rolling may have its place in your fitness/wellness routine, it's not the most effective way to bring about lasting change in your body in terms of mobility and resiliency. If you're spending a lot of time rolling, consider adding active mobility to your repertoire. As a Functional Range Mobility Specialist, I can help.

The way I see it, there aren't any shortcuts for long term results. The best way to stay mobile is to keep moving and use variation as a way to stay responsive and adaptable. Want lasting change and noticeable results? You need to do the work. In my experience, 10 minutes of active mobility work is more effective than 40 minutes of rolling. Rolling is more superficial, mobility gets through to your deeper layers.

One last thing in regard to why I teach yoga & mobility, speaking right now purely from a physical standpoint: I'm not particularly interested in helping you get better at doing yoga poses...that's a positive side effect of the work we do together. I'm more interested in helping you feel better in your body and to help you convert your movement potential into movement reality.

Video courtesy of Functional Range Anatomy Seminars / Dr. Andreo Spina