Improving Muscle Tissue Quality: Part II

By improving the quality of the tissue that moves limbs and joints, the body can move through a proper range of motion, thereby reducing the onset of pain. In addition, with the added range of motion comes more stiffness in the muscle and more potential energy.

Now I know you’re probably saying “isn’t stiff muscle injury prone?” The answer is : No. Tight or shortened muscles are bad. Stiff muscles are powerful and strong. A stiff muscle can store a ton of energy while being stretched through a full range of motion, and use that energy to shorten the muscle with a powerful contraction. In other words that muscle is like a really thick and strong rubber band. For this rubber band to maintain function, though, it must steer clear of scar tissue, muscle adhesion, and collagen breakdown. The most effective way to do this is with massage. Manual massage by a professional massage therapist is best, but often expensive. The next best resource (and a whole lot cheaper) is with a foam roller.

Foam rollers come in different densities and sizes. Softer rollers are better for beginners because they do not disrupt the tissue as much and are more bearable. A more dense foam roller is more painful but it is also more effective for releasing the bound up tissue, thereby allowing recovery to happen more readily.

For great self massage tools check out the PB Elite Foam Rollers.