Foam rolling is not just about rolling out muscles, it’s about taking care of your fascia. Fascia is an internal connective tissue that impacts a person’s strength, mobility, coordination, and ability to heal. It’s essential for the body’s structure and helps all internal systems operate in an integrated manner. Collagen fibers in fascia are responsible for a person’s dynamic mobility and play a role in the inflammatory processes and the immune system.
Jill Miller, a nationally known expert on yoga, breathing, and fascia, has written several books on health and fitness. She recommends using soft tools like squishy foam rollers and soft pliable balls that feel good on your body, rather than harder tools that may initiate a muscle-bracing response. Miller suggests rolling before and after a round of golf to improve coordination, decrease pain, generate more power in your swing, reduce muscle soreness, and improve relaxation.
Rolling your feet before and after lacing up can stimulate all 26 bones and dozens of muscles in your feet, reducing swelling and discomfort. Rolling can also help eliminate back pain by improving mobility between vertebral segments and improving function in every plane of motion for the spine. Instead of paying for a massage, rolling is a cost-effective way to address aches and pains on demand. It can also improve your nervous system, transforming you from a wound-up state to a calm one, enhancing decision-making and cognitive function.
Incorporating foam rolling into your routine can also improve your range of respiration and the mobility and contractility of muscles that control your breathing. This can be beneficial for your golf swing and overall performance. With research showing the benefits of foam rolling for coordination, pain reduction, muscle force production, and relaxation, it’s worth considering as part of your pre- and post-game routine. The key is to find tools that feel good on your body and to follow the recommended guidelines to maximize the benefits of foam rolling for your game and overall well-being.
