Thanks to an oh-so-brief kettlebell workout yesterday morning, I'm feeling a little more fatal than fatale today. (I knew that was going to happen!)
Luckily, I have The Stick (pictured above) and my trusty foam roller handy to break up the mess in my muscles.
These myofascial-release tools are useful even when I'm not sore -- actually, especially then, because it's easier to distinguish "hot spots" (especially tight or knotted tissue) from general tenderness.
They do inflict some degree of pain during use, though. Especially to my piriformis and ilitotibial (IT) bands.
But it's worth it. This guy knows what I'm sayin'.
To get the scoop on a range of myofascial-release techniques, see "Deep Release," available in the July/August 2007 EL archives, and "On a Roll," from the November 2007 issue.
You know who else uses foam rollers? Ninjas, apparently.
Do pirates use foam rollers? Because I love pirates. Would you rather be a pirate or a ninja?
Kim,
I'm not sure if pirates use foam rollers. I would think the hook might be a liability.
As for which I'd rather be, tough call. I would like the wardrobe of a pirate better, and the accessories (bird, sword, big hoops) are unparalleled. But, in my opinion, the ninja has cooler skills. See http://tanjunryu.tripod.com/id19.html for examples.
jen-
your blog is truly wonderful. not even a hint of "hot poop" anywhere. and i love all the links to words only my PT and i have discussed. that's VALIDATION i tell you. you've found the right balance between health and application, and god knows i love anything and everything related to rehab and/or proactive protection.
i don't know anything about blogs or bloggers or blogging (not sure who has this kind of time besides students, editors or housewives/husbands, but i want more and i want to subscribe. now. it makes me feel like i get to be inside your head again.
Pam- you're a nut. There are tons of professionals out there who have blogs and probably write more posts than editors or housewives. You should take a sec and check out some of the information out there. I'm sure you'd find CEO's, VP's and other fancy corporate people (who claim to have no time) somehow maintaining their blogs.
Jen- This blog should have been titled "Pam's one and only love". I feel like I've never seen her without one of these rollers.
I agree, ningas have cooler skills but pirates have way cooler sayings- Arrgh!
do ninjas even talk?
i love pirates