Anybody use a foam roller for their knees?

[brainhulk]

I used to play basketball and stopped because of knee pain. I heard useing a foam roller helps alleviate the pain.

I played basketball heavily from the time I was 12-30. I was wondering if useing this would allow me to get back into it.

http://www.amazon.com/Black-High-Den...ds=foam+roller

 

[marmasatt]

You know, I have not, but I'm about to. I'm a little older than you, but I'm in the same boat. I believe they are most useful for hamstrings, hips, hip flexors, glutes, etc. Not sure how you use it for knees. But it's supposed to help the fascia around muscles and even acts as a massage if you get the ones with the knobbies.

 

[Pia]

Dunno how you'd use it for actual knee joints, but it's very useful for thigh muscles and the back. I roll as part of my warmup at the gym. A high density foam roller gives plenty of pressure without having any extra protrusions; I recommend getting a smooth one. Also, full length model is better because it gives you more freedom of motion and enables at least some things you can't do with a half-length roller.

 

[z1ggy]

I have one. I don't think you can use it for your knee. The best thing to do if you have chronic knee pain is see an ortho Dr. and likely get an MRI to see what's going on in there. They may or may not also send you to PT to rehab.

 

[disports]

I have one and I don't think I saw any exercises for the knee. I use it for my back when my back aches badly or is tight.

 

[ControlD]

I don't think you would use a foam roller for the knee directly, but you can certainly use it for the connective tissue around the knee. I use a foam roller daily for IT band and issues, which tends to manifest as knee pain and it makes a huge difference.

We have a few different rollers around the house but my favorite is the orange Trigger Point Grid.

 

[brainhulk]

I don't think you would use a foam roller for the knee directly, but you can certainly use it for the connective tissue around the knee. I use a foam roller daily for IT band and issues, which tends to manifest as knee pain and it makes a huge difference.

We have a few different rollers around the house but my favorite is the orange Trigger Point Grid.

cool, can you recommend a good youtube video?

is this a good one? http://youtu.be/KhOIjzA0H_o

 

[Megatomic]

I don't think you would use a foam roller for the knee directly, but you can certainly use it for the connective tissue around the knee. I use a foam roller daily for IT band and issues, which tends to manifest as knee pain and it makes a huge difference.

We have a few different rollers around the house but my favorite is the orange Trigger Point Grid.

Saved me a lot of typing, thanks Dave. :thumbsup:

 

[ControlD]

cool, can you recommend a good youtube video?

is this a good one? http://youtu.be/KhOIjzA0H_o

I can't access Youtube until I get home, but there are lots of videos on there showing correct foam roller technique. I know that Trigger Point themselves have quite a few videos on Youtube. Also, at least with the Trigger Point rollers, you get a nice instructional poster showing numerous points to roll for difference issues. In general however using one is pretty straight forward. Find a tendon / muscle that is giving you trouble and slowly roll back and forth over it. Use your body weight to control how much pressure you put on the roller. Try to stop short of rolling over the actual joints, just get the soft tissues. If you find a super sensitive spot then you can even stop on that spot for a bit.

It can be somewhat painful foam rolling in the beginning, but if you stick with it the pain becomes less (it never really becomes "pleasant") and you will know you are making progress.

 

[brainhulk]

I can't access Youtube until I get home, but there are lots of videos on there showing correct foam roller technique. I know that Trigger Point themselves have quite a few videos on Youtube. Also, at least with the Trigger Point rollers, you get a nice instructional poster showing numerous points to roll for difference issues. In general however using one is pretty straight forward. Find a tendon / muscle that is giving you trouble and slowly roll back and forth over it. Use your body weight to control how much pressure you put on the roller. Try to stop short of rolling over the actual joints, just get the soft tissues. If you find a super sensitive spot then you can even stop on that spot for a bit.

It can be somewhat painful foam rolling in the beginning, but if you stick with it the pain becomes less (it never really becomes "pleasant") and you will know you are making progress.

thanks!

 

[smackababy]

I use a foam roller on my knee (the back of it at least) pretty much daily. I have bad hamstring flexibility (I can't straighten my leg complete without some discomfort) and have been working on it with stretching and foam rollers.

 

[lk2500]

Depending on where the knee pain is - rolling or hand massaging the correct trigger points MIGHT help you. While your're at it buy this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-.../dp/1572243759