Foam roller

[Dannywayoflife]

Well after everyone's recommendations to try a foam roller I bought one from amazon which arrived earlier. I just used it and all I can say is OMG! it's horrific!!! Man i thought deep tissue massage with my mate was bad but boy this is worse!!! Still what doesn't kill us makes us stronger!!

[hernanu]

It is bad initially, Danny, gets much better - I think if you look in on the back of the box it does say "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" in very small type.

[Dannywayoflife]

Ha fair one hern. Yeah I'm going to stick with it I think it will be very useful.

[ScubaDuck]

Danny-

Several years ago when I started using Triggerpoint rollers on my legs it hurt like a son-of-a-gun.  But as Hern says it gets better and better.  Now I would say it hurts so good.  The relief is almost immediate.

Best wishes.

Dan

[mslendzion]

At PT yesterday they used some type of device on my IT band it the pain was horrific.  The PT kept going and going on the side of my leg even though I was loosing my composure and commenting on  how much it hurt.  I was grateful today that this was not included in my PT.

[Dannywayoflife]

Yeah it's incredibly painful however I believe it will be worth while in the long run.

[Luanna]

My PT gal used a long metal rod that had a strange shape to it and for the 2nd week in a row - tore into my IT Band. The first time I protested, sighed, and almost cried but she didn't relent. The second time it didn't hurt nearly as much and I can actually feel the difference. She also used a metal tool to release scar tissue at the incision area. Huge difference in just a few sessions.

I'm actually looking forward to my next session. The IT BAND torture is becoming the highlight of my PT sessions. Danny, you will learn to love it when you feel and see improvements.

Luanna

[mslendzion]

That's the cruel device I was exposed to during PT this week.  It was really, really painful.  Good to know it gets better as you go.  The PT really seemed to be pushing hard on the thing.  All I could do was laugh uncontrollably each time she ran it up and down my leg, it wasn't funny, it was pain.  Not sure why I laughed.  No metal tool on my scar yet, just hand pressure but that still is painful. 

[Dannywayoflife]

Well I think I'm going to rest the roller for a couple of days as I'm aching from using it. It feels like I've bruised the tissues. I might still do my glutes and psoas areas though just rest the trochanter and IT band ares.

[hernanu]

Good way to use it, Danny. Think of it as a long term thing, let the tissues rest, then roll again. It is not fun in the beginning, but nothing loosens me up better. I use it on my lower back and upper back as well.

[WTW15]

I've already used it on my back - laying lengthwise on it to loosen everything up, but I cannot imagine (at 4.5 wks post-op) getting it even close to my operated leg...   When is a good time to start using it on the op'd leg? 

[midiowa]

whats this foam roller about ?brad.

[Kiwi]

I don't know but I've just purchased one online! I hope it comes with instructions.
What's the best way to use the roller on your scar? By hand or lying on your side?

[midiowa]

when do you need it?

[WTW15]

using it on my IT band before surgery, I lay on it and regulate the weight/pressure on it.  You'll figure it out after it hurts so bad when you put all your weight on it.  LOL  There's probably some instructions but if not, google it. 

[Kiwi]

Are you calling me fat?  ??? All good ;D. Google's great like that!
Cherz.

[WTW15]

Kiwi - Not at all - just any weight hurts like a sum-bitch on that IT band the first few times.... LOL   :P

[ScubaDuck]

Fortunately I used my roller extensively before surgery.  So it wasn't so bad afterwards.  I think I started using it around five weeks.  Very gently mind you.  Now I have no problem using it with full pressure.

Best wishes.

Dan

[hernanu]

I don't know but I've just purchased one online! I hope it comes with instructions.
What's the best way to use the roller on your scar? By hand or lying on your side?

The way I use it on the IT band is to :

• Lay the roller on the floor, crosswise to you.
• rest the top the IT band on it. Keep the leg straight
• balance yourself with both bands on the other side of the roller
• bring the other leg up so it's bent
• plant your foot as close as you can to the roller on the floor
• use your bent leg to push forward (straighten it), roll over your IT band
• Roll until you go to the knee area (off leg stretches out)
• Roll back in the opposite direction and bend your off leg

I do both sides, want to keep both evenly loosened.

[Dannywayoflife]

Well used the roller again today just for maybe 2 mins. Was far far less painful than last time!