I’m guilty…

While studying the self-myofascial release (SMR) portion in my trainer certification, I researched enough to be able to show people how to do it but did not fully adhere to the fact that it’s important for my own workout recovery as well. 🙄

That’s fancy pants jargon for “use the darn foam roller and stretch!!!”😉

Exercise benefits your heart and muscles, good nutrition benefits overall wellness, and stretching is important for proper recovery.

And no…just because you do a lot of yoga does not replace the benefits of self-myofascial release. 🧘‍♀️

SMR benefits include:

👉🏻Correction of muscle imbalances
👉🏻Muscle relaxation
👉🏻Improved joint range of motion
👉🏻Improved neuromuscular efficiency
👉🏻Reduced soreness and improved tissue recovery
👉🏻Suppression/reduction of trigger point sensitivity and pain
👉🏻Decreased neuromuscular hypertonicity
👉🏻Provide optimal length-tension relationships
👉🏻Decrease the overall effects of stress on the human movement system

You can use a foam roller for SMR and it should be performed before static or dynamic stretching. Here is an article outlining key points: