foam roller course Dr Angus Pyke B.App Sci, B.Clin Sci (Chiro) copyright whatactuallyworks 2011!

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Emily Horton
6 years ago
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1 foam roller course Dr Angus Pyke B.App Sci, B.Clin Sci (Chiro)

Gently round through upper back as you inhale to the count of 5, letting your head and neck drop down, looking towards your navel.

2 Cat stretch 1. Place the roller on the floor 2. Knees and arms shoulder width apart. With you hands on the roller. Roller should be directly below shoulders. (picture 1) 3. Gently round through upper back as you inhale to the count of 5, letting your head and neck drop down, looking towards your navel. (picture 2) 4. Exhale as you slowly roll the foam roller forwards letting the chest drop towards the floor. Let your arms extend out in front of you. Hold this position for 5 seconds. (picture 3) 5. Repeat 8 to 10 times!!!!!!!!!! Pic 2 Pic 3

Postural Reset - Chest and Shoulder release 1. Lay on your back so the roller runs from your pelvis to your head. 2. Make sure neck and head are supported.

3 Postural Reset - Chest and Shoulder release 1. Lay on your back so the roller runs from your pelvis to your head. 2. Make sure neck and head are supported. Extend your arms directly out to the side with palms up. Let your shoulders open up and allow your spine to settle onto the roller. (picture 1) 3. Bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the floor for support. 4. Slowly move your arms further towards your head stopping in each position for seconds allowing your chest and shoulders to stretch. Remain in this position for 3-5 minutes (picture 2) 5. Advanced - You can engage and strengthen the core muscles in this position by lifting the legs one at a time, hold the elevated leg for 5 seconds and repeat with the alternate leg. (picture 3). To further increase the difficulty of this movement lift both legs together (picture 4). Pic 2 Pic 3 Pic 4

Gently roll back and forth, massaging your back, feeling for muscle tender spots. After you have rolled up and down slightly twist the body left and right and repeat. (picture 2) 4.

4 Thoracic spine release and stretch 1. Place the roller on the floor. Lay on your back with the roller under your shoulders and spine (picture 1). 2. Place your hands across your chest to open shoulders and separate shoulder blades. (Hands can be placed behind your head if you need additional support) 3. Gently roll back and forth, massaging your back, feeling for muscle tender spots. After you have rolled up and down slightly twist the body left and right and repeat. (picture 2) 4. Once you find a tender spot, roll over it firmly until you feel the tension release (10-20 seconds) 5. After releasing all tender points, this position is also great to to stretch the middle back and upper shoulders. This stretch is terrific to decrease the dowagers hump and rounded shoulders so many people experience from prolonged periods of sitting. Hold stretch for 2-5 minutes. (Picture 3) Pic 2 Pic 3

5 Lats and rotator cuff (shoulder) release 1. Lay on your side with the roller at the bottom of the armpit. Place hand behind head for support of your neck and to provide slight tension to the rotator cuff and shoulder muscles. (picture 1) 2. Gently roll back and forth to the upper edge of the armpit. (picture 2) 3. Feel for tender spots, roll over firmly until the tension and pain begins to release (10-20 seconds). 4. Twist the body forwards and backwards to be sure to work through the entire area 5. Switch sides. 6. Lifting the hips will increase the pressure on the shoulders. 7. Roll for 60 to 90 seconds and swap sides.!!!! Pic 2

6 Illiotibial Band (IT) release 1. Lying on your side, place you leg just above the knee on the foam roller (picture 3) 2. The supporting leg (the leg on top), comes across slightly in front and provides balance. 3. Gently roll back and forth, feeling for tender spots. Roll up to the side of the hip bone. (Picture 2) 4. Once you find a tender spot, roll over it firmly until you feel the tension release. 5. This area is often very tender. You can decrease the pressure on the involved leg by lifting more through the arms and the supporting leg. 6. To increase pressure, lift the supporting leg and place on top of the involved leg (picture 1). 7. Roll for 60 to 90 seconds and swap sides.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pic 2 Pic 3

picture 1) 2. Gently roll back and forth to the upper edge of the thighs. 3.

pain begins to release (10-20 seconds). 4.

7 Quadricep Release (Quads) 1. Lay face down with the roller positioned against your thighs, just above your knees. picture 1) 2. Gently roll back and forth to the upper edge of the thighs. 3. Feel for tender spots (turning toes in and out), roll over firmly until the tension and pain begins to release (10-20 seconds). 4. To increase the tension on one leg, raise the uninvolved leg and twist the body towards the involved leg, be sure to work through the entire area. Be sure to switch sides.(picture 2). 5. Roll for seconds.!!! Pic 2

On the involved leg turn the toe out as far as possible, opening the hip working the inner thigh. 2.

8 Inner thigh/adductor release 1. Lying on your front move the foam roller out to the side ( you will be rolling on the inner cm, picture 1). On the involved leg turn the toe out as far as possible, opening the hip working the inner thigh. 2. Gently roll back and forth from the knee to the upper edge of the groin. (picture 2) 3. Feel for tender spots, roll over firmly until the tension and pain begins to release (10-20 seconds). 4. Roll for seconds. Swap sides Pic 2

On the involved leg turn the toe out as far as possible. 2.

9 Hip flexor 1. Lying on your front move the foam roller out to the side ( you will be rolling on the inner cm, picture 1). On the involved leg turn the toe out as far as possible. 2. Gently roll back and forth from from the upper hip to the lower edge of the waist line. (picture 2) 3. Feel for tender spots, roll over firmly until the tension and pain begins to release (10-20 seconds). Be careful of the pubic bone. 4. Roll for seconds. Swap sides!!!!! Pic 2!!!!!!!

Gluteal (buttocks) Release 1. Place the foam roller on the floor 2. Sit on the roller. Cross your left ankle across your right knee. 3. Place your hands on the floor for support 4.

10 Gluteal (buttocks) Release 1. Place the foam roller on the floor 2. Sit on the roller. Cross your left ankle across your right knee. 3. Place your hands on the floor for support 4. Place your weight over your left buttock (picture 1) 5. Gently roll back and forth through out the entire buttock region. 6. Feel for tender spots, roll over firmly until the tension and pain begins to release (10-20 seconds). 7. This area can be tender, lift through your arms to decrease pressure. 8. Roll for seconds. Swap sides (picture 2) Pic 2

If hamstrings are very tender or you are unable to complete this position have both legs on the roller. 4.

11 Hamstring Release 1. Place the foam roller on the floor 2. Start with the roller just below the buttocks 3. Lift the uninvolved side. To gain enough pressure this exercise is best done one leg at a time. If hamstrings are very tender or you are unable to complete this position have both legs on the roller. 4. Gently roll back and forth through out the entire hamstring region - from back of knee to buttocks. 5. Feel for tender spots, be sure to turn toes in and out to release entire muscle. Roll over firmly until the tension and pain begins to release (10-20 seconds). 6. Roll for seconds. Swap sides

12 Calf Release 1. Place the foam roller on the floor. 2. Put the foam roller just below the knee 3. Place your hands behind you for support 4. Lift your hips from the floor to add pressure to the calves. (picture 1) 5. Gently roll back and forth through out the entire calf region - from back of knee to just above ankle. 6. Feel for tender spots, roll over firmly until the tension and pain begins to release (10-20 seconds). 7. Turn your toes in and out to work entire calf area. 8. This exercise can also be done on a single leg to increase pressure and difficulty. Be sure to switch sides (picture 2) 9. Roll for seconds.!! Pic 2

13 Roll out planks 1. Place the roller on the floor. Knees and arms shoulder width apart. With you hands on the roller. Roller should be directly below shoulders. (picture 1) 2. Gently roll the foam roller forwards along your forearms towards your elbows. Be careful not to over extend shoulders. 3. Allow your hips to come forward as you move, keep a straight line from knees to shoulders. Keep you head up and your spine aligned. Hold this position for 5-30 seconds. (picture 2) 4. Slowly return to start position by rolling the foam roller back towards you. 5. Repeat 8-10 times Variation If you are having difficulty rolling the foam roller forwards and backwards you can just begin in the plank position (picture 2) and hold seconds. To advance from this position lift the knees up from the floor.!!!!! Pic 2

14 !! All four core balance 1. Begin by placing your hands on the roller. Spread your fingers and grip the roller firmly. Keep your hands directly beneath your shoulders. 2. Slowly place your knees on the roller. Keep you knees beneath your hips. To increase balance to begin with you can keep your toes slightly touching the ground. As you begin to feel balanced slowly lift one foot at a time 3. Keep your head up and keep a straight line through hips, shoulders and neck. Keep you head up and your spine aligned. 4. Hold this position for seconds

Hip flexor stretch 1. Using the upright foam roller as support, place one leg forward into a lunging position. Keep the front knee over the ankle (picture 1). 2.

15 Hip flexor stretch 1. Using the upright foam roller as support, place one leg forward into a lunging position. Keep the front knee over the ankle (picture 1). 2. Be sure to keep the back upright and the head looking straight forward. 3. Gently and slowly lunge forward until you feel a stretch in the front of your back leg 4. Hold the stretch for seconds 5. Repeat both sides 2-4 times Variation Set up as in previous version but instead of lunging forwards tighten your buttocks, tucking your hips beneath you until you feel a slight stretch in the groin and the front of the leg.. (picture 2). Hold this position seconds. Repeat both sides.!!!! Pic 2

Make sure the roller is not on a slippery surface. 2.

16 Shoulder stretch 1. Using the foam roller as an upright support place both your hands in front of you. Make sure the roller is not on a slippery surface. 2. Holding firmly onto the roller and let your chest gently drop to the floor until you feel a stretch through both shoulders. (picture 1) 3. Hold this position for seconds Variation As above but with single arms (picture 2) Pic 2

Walking/Running Stretch Routine

Walking/Running Stretch Routine Quadriceps Stretch With left hand grasp your right ankle, gently pull heel toward buttocks until stretch is felt. Repeat on opposite side. Walking/Running Stretch Routine