Why we use Soft Rollers

The soft texture and density, along with the techniques for use are designed to work with the response system embedded in our soft tissue. Click the image and shop your roller today. Core Centric is a licensed MELT provider and will receive a commission from this link.

What Density Roller is Best for You?

There is so much new information regarding fascia; what it is and how to work with it.  The definition of fascia is often changing. 

According to Dr. Robert Schleip, the Director of the Fascia Research Group at the University of Ulm: Fascia is a network of connective tissue, without beginning and end, which encloses everything in the whole body, from muscles and bones, to organs and cells.

Michelle recently took a class with Dr. Robert Schleip.  What she learned in the Fascia Research update 2024 is fascinating. 

The 2024 research studied different types of foam rollers; different densities and textures.  The different densities can each serve a purpose and be valuable.

Ideally, you want to pick a foam roller density that lets your body feel like it's relaxing or as if the roller(or ball) is getting softer when you compress into it. The softness or rather the softening response starts to happen within the first 20 seconds. 

If, when you take a breath and let your body soften into the roller, it feels like the roller is getting harder or your body has a fighting response, then it's too firm.

When our body response is to soften into the roller, it's changing our nervous system regulation. In our brainstem, we're conditioning the response to pain modulation. We want to be able to respond to the contact or the pressure by relaxing rather than bracing.

Oftentimes when working together using the roller Michelle or I will say:
Let your hips be heavy. Let your body be heavy on the roller. Breathe into it. Edge up to the barrier. These cues allow you to soften and begin to recondition the learned response of tensing or bracing.  By lessening the tension, you will have more control through your breath and increased mobility and stability.  The reconditioning lessens the fear response and lets the tissue adapt to change.

As a bonus, by lessoning tension you will likely sleep better.  I am all for sleeping better!

This research is yet to be published.   We will be keeping an eye on further findings.

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