What is Self-Myofascial-Release?
Self-Myofascial-Release (SMR) is a form of soft tissue therapy (essentially a form of self-massage) that allows you to apply deep pressure to certain parts of your body to release tightness and muscular tension. SMR allows you to perform daily maintenance on your muscles by releasing fibrous adhesions and restoring hydration to the tissue.
While SMR is completed primarily with a foam roller, there are other instruments that can also be used. The soft tissue therapy will smooth out your muscle fascia (connective tissue covering your muscles), enabling your muscles to function more efficiently.
The Goal of Self-Myofascial-Release
The main goal of SMR is to relieve the tension caused by trigger points, which can be felt as a “knot” in the muscle and can cause tightness/pain throughout connecting areas of the body. These annoying points accumulate over years of abuse and neglect and can lead to muscle imbalances, incorrect posture, and restricted blood-flow to the surrounding tissues and muscles.
How to Use a Foam Roller
To use a foam roller effectively, you should apply pressure to a particular muscle using your body weight. You should roll at a slow pace until you find a point of discomfort. Once found, this point should be held for 10 to 30 seconds. Attempt to relax as much as possible during this time and you should feel the tightness of the trigger point ease.
Regular foam rolling, or SMR, is similar to a sports massage and will help you reshape your muscle fascia. The process is great for improving your fitness performance and daily life movements!
Question for You
Thanks for reading! Now a question for you: Have you tried Self-Myofascial-Release? What has your experience been like?