I had the opportunity to go through Trigger Point Foam Rolling and Myofascial Release workshops recently and wanted to share a little bit about it. I have posted in the past about how myofascial release works as well as the Grid Foam Roller, but this workshop allowed me to do some review of the physiological principles and more so, go over proper technique and use of various mobility equipment and tools.
First and foremost, this muscle work is not for everyone. Anyone considering this type of activity should check with their health care provider. Trigger Point states that foam rolling and myofascial release are contraindicated for anyone with:
- Osteoporosis
- Taking anticoagulant therapy
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Varicose veins
- Pregnancy
- Any time you are unsure of any condition
The benefits for anyone working on foam rolling or myofascial release are many and potentially include, but are not limited to:
- Increased tissue tolerance
- Optimization of length-tension relationship
- More efficient movement
- Increased force output
- Improved recovery process
- Pain management
- Stress relief
The Trigger Point foam rolling workshop is a 4 hour workshop with an overview of the proper use of the Grid Foam Roller. The Myofascial Release training was an 8 hour workshop with an overview of proper use of other tools that can be found in their Performance Collection. These training’s provide continuing education credit for most certifying bodies. The equipment is available for purchase and comes with a nice DVD to reinforce what has been learned. I personally feel as though these concepts and equipment are tremendous tools for restoring lost mobility and decreasing muscle rigidity due to lack of movement or too much movement. They hold great potential for anyone looking to maintain or restore mobility and improve recovery.
Both workshops have widespread appeal to practitioners working in almost any setting involving physical activity, from prevention to rehabilitation. I was happy with the written manuals that reinforce physiological principles and reference scientific research that support the claims made regarding the benefits which is something I am always looking for with any type of equipment that I consider using or incorporating into my personal or professional practice. It was also nice to have the opportunity to gain the hands-on practical application and use of the tools throughout the training.
*Note: I have no affiliation with this company.