Foam rollers—you’ve probably seen these cylinders in the gym or being used by athletes on the sidelines of a game. Did you know that they may be just the thing you need to ease your neck strain?
See Neck Strain: Causes and Remedies
Foam rollers have become a popular way for people to treat muscles with self-myofascial release, or self-massage. Experts think they work by increasing blood flow to the muscles and alleviating soft tissue adhesions, sometimes referred to as muscle "knots" or "trigger points."
See Trigger Point Exercises for Neck Pain
An analysis of 12 high quality studies found that massage can provide short-term pain relief for those with idiopathic neck pain, compared with standard care.1
See Neuromuscular Massage Therapy
Foam rolling is specifically to relieve muscle pain, so if you have neck pain that’s caused by a problem such as degenerative disc disease or arthritis, check with your doctor before you attempt using a foam roller.
See Cervical Osteoarthritis (Neck Arthritis)
If you’re ready to try foam rolling to ease your neck pain, keep these tips in mind:
See Cervical Spine Anatomy and Neck Pain
Combined with stretching exercises, physical therapy, and medication, foam rolling can be a simple and effective way to relieve neck pain.
See Neck Stretches
This website includes materials that are protected by copyright, or other proprietary rights. Transmission or reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use, as defined in the copyright laws, requires the written permission of the copyright owners.